Story Market Day
- Thread starter ComCamGuy
- Start date
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
My wife is a giving, generous person but, if you're feeling suicidal, trap her in a phone tree.
You've been warned.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
One of the few in life one cannot avoid; you have our sympathies.
If we don't hear from you for a bit, we'll understand..........
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Guy Fawkes Party
Silas was surprised at Andrea’s invitation to a party. When she explained the core idea, it sounded wonderful. She wasn’t sure who all to invite. Silas helped her in this. He knew Amber, Ivar and Sofia should come, and he might be able to get Veronica and Violet down from Salt Lake. Unfortunately, Kingfisher was down at Barstow for another raiding mission so wouldn’t be available. He thought about Petra but he didn’t necessarily want to get her all stressed out hanging with so many Senior NCOs and the Base Commander all at the same time. He barely got her comfortable with him and Amber right now. It wasn’t his party to add a bunch of people to anyway. Best to keep it small this time.
The evening of the party arrived. Everyone was mostly upbeat. Everyone was milling about around the fire pit and the food tables. There were large pots of homemade beef/mutton/venison stew, sourdough bread bowls, and warm spiced wine. There were a few newcomers for the four housemates but it was a tight small group and Silas vouched for the newcomers.
When Silas arrived, he reminded them he was Silas not the Sergeant Major, and introduced Amber to them.
Amber was her normal friendly self. With her profession, talking to people and setting them at ease is her day in day out thing. Off the clock? She was a little more reserved and less outgoing. That is, unless Sofia was around, like tonight.
Arriving right behind them was Ivar and Sofia. He told them to call him Ivar but he could see they would have to ease into that. Sofia they had met at a couple of base functions, but hadn’t put two and two together until now, seeing her with Ivar.
Ivar and Silas both knew this party was the first time the four interacted with Ivar in a non-work setting. Ivar definitely didn’t have his work face on, or at least the one these guys have seen. He was his normal laid back and matter of fact self. Even after all their years in the military, they knew the junior troops still forgot the boss was human.
Amber and Sofia were at many parties together over the years. Sofia was the one who brought out Ambers wild side. She was the only one who could make her blush or giggle uncontrollably at the drop of a hat. Those two also knew when to dial it back. That was Amber’s job in their younger days. As their husbands moved up in rank and responsibility, they ended up at more and more reserved parties and learned to keep each other in check better.
Amber was the one with what their husbands call the ‘chameleon’ skill. She could read the room, read the party and know just how far they could push it. Sofia was the one always stretching it one step beyond Amber’s line.
At this party, Amber and Sofia fit right in. They were serious cut ups but in an adult way, not how the other four would think the wives of career Marines of their husbands’ rank would act. Impish was one of the words their husbands used in polite company to describe them.
Moments after getting there, Sofia saw the perfect icebreaker. She walked right up to Paige, grabbed the sleeve of her shirt and drug her over to Amber. Paige obviously didn’t know what was going on but went with it. When they got over to Amber, Sofia addressed her in a polite and formal tone.
“Excuse me miss, I believe this belongs to you.” and thrust Paige out to her!
At this, Amber picked up right where Sofia left off.
“Why thank you, Sofia.” She wrapped an arm across Paige’s shoulders, all the while Paige is confused and everyone else is looking on, amused. Amber continued, “Now Violet, you know you’re supposed to come right home after school and not wander off with that troublemaker Veronica!”
At this point the real troublemakers off to the side both chimed in.
“Hey! We resemble that remark!” to which everyone laughed.
Later, Amber had Paige and Violet stand side by side. In the firelight, they looked closer than they did when well lit, and this is without the makeup magic Andrea performed.
Everyone raved about the food. Andrea was the bread wizard and Sabine made the stew. Andrea told them the next get together, she would make Jambalaya from her family recipe, if she can get enough live crayfish.
She proposed to the group to maybe do it for Thanksgiving. She said she would like to do a non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner get together. Andrea told them she was inspired by a couple she knew when she was at her first base. They would invite people from the dorms who could not go home for the holidays over to their house for a big pot of Jambalaya, a slab of secret recipe cheese bread and movies. They wanted the junior troops to have someplace where people where not trying to make it Thanksgiving for them or feel sorry for them. It really helped then and Andrea told them she figured it would help now.
The group broke up into smaller fragments and conversations, each adding and subtracting members depending on topic and location.
At one point Ivar, Silas and Henrik were discussing the overall layout of the house and grounds. Silas and Ivar were commiserating about how they should have never rented in the subdivision they were in. They knew they would catch hell from their wives later for not having found them someplace this nice.
Ivar, Henrik, Veronica and Paige ended up in the barn for a while checking out Henrik’s bow purchases. Veronica was impressed he had gotten so much of what she recommended and more which included the recommendations of the store clerk. They went over the next steps and Veronica had some tweaks for their compound bow set ups as well while Ivar mostly nodded and only added a suggestion now and then.
Soon Ivar was distracted by Andrea and Silas as they looked at the radio set up Andrea did in the barn. Here Ivar was more in the middle of things. He told Andrea she should add a few things to reach farther and hit more frequencies. She looked shocked until he told her he was a radio operator in his enlisted days.
“You think I was born with a butter bar on my shoulders? I was one of you at one point of my career. Worked my way up through the ranks until someone thought I was officer material. I always wonder if he was right.” Ivar said as he winked at Silas.
It was a happy crew sitting around the fire pit that evening. Ivar and Sofia with Veronica; Silas, Amber and Violet; Henrik, Paige and Andrea when Sabine took it to another level.
At one point Sabine had her little six string out and was picking and plucking some tunes. Everyone was enjoying her playing until she spoke the magic word of ‘dessert’.
Sabine excused herself inside to get dessert. She came out with a tray holding the most amazing apples baked in filo dough. They were like the ultimate combination of Baklava wrapped around a crisp tart green apple. While everyone was engaged scooping up dessert and topping it with the homemade ice cream, Sabine slipped inside and returned with her 12-string.
The rich tones of the 12-string filled the area, drawing everyone’s attention again. It’s powerful sound commanded the attention of everyone in the meadow.
Sabine started with simple tunes most of them knew. Soon it devolved into a sing-along. Song after song they went. Too soon, however, the evening had to come to an end. The fire was dying, the effigy now embers. She paused her playing for a moment. The sound fading on the wind. When all was silent, Sabine began again.
The first notes were clear and rang through the meadow. Her fingers moved faster and faster, the notes coming more and more furiously. Amber and Silas’ hands found one another. It was Malagueña, one of their favorites and had a special place in their heart. Everyone watching seemed to hold their breath as they watched Sabine’s performance. One or two noticed there was a tear running down Sabine’s cheek.
When Sabine played the last note, no one moved. No one. The group was stunned into silence. They watched Sabine’s playing with awe. When she finished, they saw her kind of slump against the guitar.
After a few moments, Andrea carefully walked up to Sabine and sat beside her. Sabine didn’t even seem to notice. She reached out and held her, whispering something in her ear.
As Andrea held Sabine, taking care of her, a few people cautiously approached Sabine complimenting her on the performance. Amber hugged her thanking her for such a beautiful rendition. She winked, telling her Violet was conceived to that song. Silas, from a distance, told Amber loudly it was supposed to be their little secret and IT WAS NOT JUST THAT SONG. Amber countered with at least I didn’t say anything about the flamingo dance or where we were at when it happened. This caused everyone to laugh but Violet who had put her fingers in ears followed by loud lalalalalalalas.
Most figured there was no way they would top that performance and the hour was getting late so people started ending conversations in preparation to leave.
The overall group was a happy and cohesive one. They all determined the next get together would be Thanksgiving for Andrea’s Jambalaya. Andrea said she would be in touch with people with details.
Silas was surprised at Andrea’s invitation to a party. When she explained the core idea, it sounded wonderful. She wasn’t sure who all to invite. Silas helped her in this. He knew Amber, Ivar and Sofia should come, and he might be able to get Veronica and Violet down from Salt Lake. Unfortunately, Kingfisher was down at Barstow for another raiding mission so wouldn’t be available. He thought about Petra but he didn’t necessarily want to get her all stressed out hanging with so many Senior NCOs and the Base Commander all at the same time. He barely got her comfortable with him and Amber right now. It wasn’t his party to add a bunch of people to anyway. Best to keep it small this time.
The evening of the party arrived. Everyone was mostly upbeat. Everyone was milling about around the fire pit and the food tables. There were large pots of homemade beef/mutton/venison stew, sourdough bread bowls, and warm spiced wine. There were a few newcomers for the four housemates but it was a tight small group and Silas vouched for the newcomers.
When Silas arrived, he reminded them he was Silas not the Sergeant Major, and introduced Amber to them.
Amber was her normal friendly self. With her profession, talking to people and setting them at ease is her day in day out thing. Off the clock? She was a little more reserved and less outgoing. That is, unless Sofia was around, like tonight.
Arriving right behind them was Ivar and Sofia. He told them to call him Ivar but he could see they would have to ease into that. Sofia they had met at a couple of base functions, but hadn’t put two and two together until now, seeing her with Ivar.
Ivar and Silas both knew this party was the first time the four interacted with Ivar in a non-work setting. Ivar definitely didn’t have his work face on, or at least the one these guys have seen. He was his normal laid back and matter of fact self. Even after all their years in the military, they knew the junior troops still forgot the boss was human.
Amber and Sofia were at many parties together over the years. Sofia was the one who brought out Ambers wild side. She was the only one who could make her blush or giggle uncontrollably at the drop of a hat. Those two also knew when to dial it back. That was Amber’s job in their younger days. As their husbands moved up in rank and responsibility, they ended up at more and more reserved parties and learned to keep each other in check better.
Amber was the one with what their husbands call the ‘chameleon’ skill. She could read the room, read the party and know just how far they could push it. Sofia was the one always stretching it one step beyond Amber’s line.
At this party, Amber and Sofia fit right in. They were serious cut ups but in an adult way, not how the other four would think the wives of career Marines of their husbands’ rank would act. Impish was one of the words their husbands used in polite company to describe them.
Moments after getting there, Sofia saw the perfect icebreaker. She walked right up to Paige, grabbed the sleeve of her shirt and drug her over to Amber. Paige obviously didn’t know what was going on but went with it. When they got over to Amber, Sofia addressed her in a polite and formal tone.
“Excuse me miss, I believe this belongs to you.” and thrust Paige out to her!
At this, Amber picked up right where Sofia left off.
“Why thank you, Sofia.” She wrapped an arm across Paige’s shoulders, all the while Paige is confused and everyone else is looking on, amused. Amber continued, “Now Violet, you know you’re supposed to come right home after school and not wander off with that troublemaker Veronica!”
At this point the real troublemakers off to the side both chimed in.
“Hey! We resemble that remark!” to which everyone laughed.
Later, Amber had Paige and Violet stand side by side. In the firelight, they looked closer than they did when well lit, and this is without the makeup magic Andrea performed.
Everyone raved about the food. Andrea was the bread wizard and Sabine made the stew. Andrea told them the next get together, she would make Jambalaya from her family recipe, if she can get enough live crayfish.
She proposed to the group to maybe do it for Thanksgiving. She said she would like to do a non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner get together. Andrea told them she was inspired by a couple she knew when she was at her first base. They would invite people from the dorms who could not go home for the holidays over to their house for a big pot of Jambalaya, a slab of secret recipe cheese bread and movies. They wanted the junior troops to have someplace where people where not trying to make it Thanksgiving for them or feel sorry for them. It really helped then and Andrea told them she figured it would help now.
The group broke up into smaller fragments and conversations, each adding and subtracting members depending on topic and location.
At one point Ivar, Silas and Henrik were discussing the overall layout of the house and grounds. Silas and Ivar were commiserating about how they should have never rented in the subdivision they were in. They knew they would catch hell from their wives later for not having found them someplace this nice.
Ivar, Henrik, Veronica and Paige ended up in the barn for a while checking out Henrik’s bow purchases. Veronica was impressed he had gotten so much of what she recommended and more which included the recommendations of the store clerk. They went over the next steps and Veronica had some tweaks for their compound bow set ups as well while Ivar mostly nodded and only added a suggestion now and then.
Soon Ivar was distracted by Andrea and Silas as they looked at the radio set up Andrea did in the barn. Here Ivar was more in the middle of things. He told Andrea she should add a few things to reach farther and hit more frequencies. She looked shocked until he told her he was a radio operator in his enlisted days.
“You think I was born with a butter bar on my shoulders? I was one of you at one point of my career. Worked my way up through the ranks until someone thought I was officer material. I always wonder if he was right.” Ivar said as he winked at Silas.
It was a happy crew sitting around the fire pit that evening. Ivar and Sofia with Veronica; Silas, Amber and Violet; Henrik, Paige and Andrea when Sabine took it to another level.
At one point Sabine had her little six string out and was picking and plucking some tunes. Everyone was enjoying her playing until she spoke the magic word of ‘dessert’.
Sabine excused herself inside to get dessert. She came out with a tray holding the most amazing apples baked in filo dough. They were like the ultimate combination of Baklava wrapped around a crisp tart green apple. While everyone was engaged scooping up dessert and topping it with the homemade ice cream, Sabine slipped inside and returned with her 12-string.
The rich tones of the 12-string filled the area, drawing everyone’s attention again. It’s powerful sound commanded the attention of everyone in the meadow.
Sabine started with simple tunes most of them knew. Soon it devolved into a sing-along. Song after song they went. Too soon, however, the evening had to come to an end. The fire was dying, the effigy now embers. She paused her playing for a moment. The sound fading on the wind. When all was silent, Sabine began again.
The first notes were clear and rang through the meadow. Her fingers moved faster and faster, the notes coming more and more furiously. Amber and Silas’ hands found one another. It was Malagueña, one of their favorites and had a special place in their heart. Everyone watching seemed to hold their breath as they watched Sabine’s performance. One or two noticed there was a tear running down Sabine’s cheek.
When Sabine played the last note, no one moved. No one. The group was stunned into silence. They watched Sabine’s playing with awe. When she finished, they saw her kind of slump against the guitar.
After a few moments, Andrea carefully walked up to Sabine and sat beside her. Sabine didn’t even seem to notice. She reached out and held her, whispering something in her ear.
As Andrea held Sabine, taking care of her, a few people cautiously approached Sabine complimenting her on the performance. Amber hugged her thanking her for such a beautiful rendition. She winked, telling her Violet was conceived to that song. Silas, from a distance, told Amber loudly it was supposed to be their little secret and IT WAS NOT JUST THAT SONG. Amber countered with at least I didn’t say anything about the flamingo dance or where we were at when it happened. This caused everyone to laugh but Violet who had put her fingers in ears followed by loud lalalalalalalas.
Most figured there was no way they would top that performance and the hour was getting late so people started ending conversations in preparation to leave.
The overall group was a happy and cohesive one. They all determined the next get together would be Thanksgiving for Andrea’s Jambalaya. Andrea said she would be in touch with people with details.
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Base Housing
Sgt Jenson was alarmed when he got the frantic phone call from his wife. She was frantic and not making much sense and then the phone cut off. Cell phones were getting spotty and unreliable as of late but this felt like something worse.
He talked to Henrik and then the Sgt Maj to get released for the day to investigate. When he got to the apartment complex base housing was sharing, he was alarmed to see several Deputy Sherriff’s cruisers and a pair of fire trucks blocking the entrance.
“Sir, what’s going on? I was just trying to get to my apartment.” Jenson asked the deputy who approached his window.
“We can’t let you in right now until the fire department clears the area.”
Jenson could get a better look at the trucks now. One of them is a hazmat response vehicle.
“I’m trying to get to my wife at the apartment. She was sounding concerned and then the telephone cut out.”
The Deputy looked at his nametag, then the clipboard.
“You’re in 3A, right?”
Jenson felt his stomach clench as he answered.
“Yes. My wife, is she ok?”
“She is fine. She is giving her statement to the detectives right now. Once the fire department clears the area, you can go back in. It’s a safety thing, beyond our control.”
Jenson knew it would be useless to push an issue he couldn’t win.
He was still waiting at the entrance when the school bus dropped Jennifer off. She hopped right in to the car to wait. They saw several vehicles leave with prisoners in the back. As they drove past, Jenson thought he recognized a few of them.
Finally, the fire trucks left after loading a bunch of boxes and containers from the apartment building across from theirs. This was the signal for the deputies to move the cones and let the residents in.
Sgt Jenson parked in their designated parking for their apartment and started walking to their apartment. Sgt Jenson felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up. He looked around. Several people were out on the walkways across the small parking lot, watching and talking now. The last time he felt eyes like this, he was in Iraq. Not a pleasant thought.
When he got to their apartment, Margaret was already at the door waiting for them.
“Go wash up for dinner.” Margaret said as she moved aside for her.
He saw she was seriously frazzled and worn out.
“What happened honey?”
“You know the guys across the way? Well, they were blasting the music again, taking up a half dozen places with their cars and had a steady stream of cars swinging in and around the parking lot so I called the cops again. This time they paid attention. I don’t know what all they were doing over there but the cops have been questioning everyone all afternoon and hauled a bunch of them away along with a crap ton of boxes the fire fighters hauled off.”
Great! He thought. Had to be drugs. Hopefully they didn’t know who called it in. This could get bad.
“So, you told her to wash up for dinner. Did you actually have time to make something or do I need to whip something up?”
Better to not panic her with his fears.
Sgt Jenson was alarmed when he got the frantic phone call from his wife. She was frantic and not making much sense and then the phone cut off. Cell phones were getting spotty and unreliable as of late but this felt like something worse.
He talked to Henrik and then the Sgt Maj to get released for the day to investigate. When he got to the apartment complex base housing was sharing, he was alarmed to see several Deputy Sherriff’s cruisers and a pair of fire trucks blocking the entrance.
“Sir, what’s going on? I was just trying to get to my apartment.” Jenson asked the deputy who approached his window.
“We can’t let you in right now until the fire department clears the area.”
Jenson could get a better look at the trucks now. One of them is a hazmat response vehicle.
“I’m trying to get to my wife at the apartment. She was sounding concerned and then the telephone cut out.”
The Deputy looked at his nametag, then the clipboard.
“You’re in 3A, right?”
Jenson felt his stomach clench as he answered.
“Yes. My wife, is she ok?”
“She is fine. She is giving her statement to the detectives right now. Once the fire department clears the area, you can go back in. It’s a safety thing, beyond our control.”
Jenson knew it would be useless to push an issue he couldn’t win.
He was still waiting at the entrance when the school bus dropped Jennifer off. She hopped right in to the car to wait. They saw several vehicles leave with prisoners in the back. As they drove past, Jenson thought he recognized a few of them.
Finally, the fire trucks left after loading a bunch of boxes and containers from the apartment building across from theirs. This was the signal for the deputies to move the cones and let the residents in.
Sgt Jenson parked in their designated parking for their apartment and started walking to their apartment. Sgt Jenson felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up. He looked around. Several people were out on the walkways across the small parking lot, watching and talking now. The last time he felt eyes like this, he was in Iraq. Not a pleasant thought.
When he got to their apartment, Margaret was already at the door waiting for them.
“Go wash up for dinner.” Margaret said as she moved aside for her.
He saw she was seriously frazzled and worn out.
“What happened honey?”
“You know the guys across the way? Well, they were blasting the music again, taking up a half dozen places with their cars and had a steady stream of cars swinging in and around the parking lot so I called the cops again. This time they paid attention. I don’t know what all they were doing over there but the cops have been questioning everyone all afternoon and hauled a bunch of them away along with a crap ton of boxes the fire fighters hauled off.”
Great! He thought. Had to be drugs. Hopefully they didn’t know who called it in. This could get bad.
“So, you told her to wash up for dinner. Did you actually have time to make something or do I need to whip something up?”
Better to not panic her with his fears.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Kingfishers Office
Ivar, Silas and Kingfisher were going over things after Kingfisher’s return from his latest trip to Barstow.
“Ivar, you were right. Brice down at Barstow has already heard it through his channels as well. It’s all slamming shut in four to six months by his source.”
“Four months, 120 days from the announcement. That’s the unofficial from the Pentagon.” Ivar concurred.
“This is such bullshit! Closing down bases in four months! That’s not enough time to do anything! You know there’s not going to be any TMO movers for the people trying to go anywhere else, not even for the kids being sent to other bases.” Silas’ temper was barely in check. He was worried he would crush his coffee cup.
“There won’t be any younger or junior troops transferring. Everybody is to be separated in place.” This was the part Ivar was most upset with. There will be no moving of knowledge, no core of the school to save within the force. Worse, the troops were getting screwed hard. They raised their hands and wanted to do their duty, and the government was just throwing them away.
“If the government won’t take care of us, won’t take care of our troops, what can we do to take care of them.” Kingfisher felt like crap thinking of all the guys here, himself included, being abandoned, hung out to dry.
Ivar came to a decision. What the hell could the government do to him?
“Well, we try to take care of as many as we can. We get the ones who want to leave early out of here as soon as we can, and we take care of those who stay and help us shut it all down, we reward them as we can. You two have helped shut down bases overseas and down range. That’s where we are now.”
Silas and Kingfisher looked at one another. They heard this tone in Ivar’s voice before but not in a long time. He also had a gleam in his eye they knew from long ago. He smiled a grim smile as he spoke.
“Operation Pirate is in effect. We strip this place systematically to help our people, both while they are here and as best as we can as they go out the door.”
Silas grinned. This was the Ivar of old, back during the early days downrange. The same Ivar who would end up with more weapons, ammo and vehicles leaving a base than they had when they arrived. The Ivar who seemed to make stuff appear out of thin air. He knew Ivar would do anything to help his troops.
“OK, boss. So how far do we go? What do you want to use?’ Silas wanted Ivar to set the right and left limits so they didn’t go too far too quickly.
“I’m thinking we clear out the individual issue equipment stores to those who want or need it. Think individual quantities though, not one guy getting a hundred sleeping bags. Same thing for a bunch of the training assets like tents, heaters, water jugs, and all that sort of stuff. Things needing training to use I figure goes to the people who know how to use it, and so on and so forth. I don’t have it all planned out yet. I’m going to need you two to help me figure this.” Ivar seemed to realize the enormity of what he was proposing.
‘Do you still want me to keep scavenging down south?” Kingfisher wondered if everything he was doing the last couple of weeks was a waste.
“Definitely. Scrounge all you can for what we can get away with. We need to keep things running as we shut things down. With everything getting squirrely, think things like generators, fuel carrying, fuel, food, cooking, anything you can get. We are going to do a collapsing parameter, pulling things back to the main condonement area and treat it like a forward operating base for the next six months. At the end of the six months, unless something changes, we will end up with everything gone like a fire sale as we walk out the door.” Ivar was on a roll now.
“What about the weapons?” Silas asked the big question.
“What weapons? To the best of my knowledge, all the school weapons other than the law enforcement weapons were sent back to the east coast on the C-17 they sent to pick up the students. By the end of next week, I will have the paperwork train spelling that out if you can get Paige to cough up the no shit bare bones list of what we have to account for.”
“OK, so what do you want done with at the spare scrap metal I might find laying around base then.” Silas grinned.
“I say we give them out like party favors.” Kingfisher blurted.
“Sounds good to me, but we hold off some on that until we get closer to the end so it’s harder to detect and harder to stop. We can look at it like the standard downrange thing. Long gun, side arm and ammo for each so they can defend themselves as they head to their next home.” Ivar was still wanting to help his people but this was a new angle he hadn’t thought on until now.
“I want to get a jump on this before the closing is announced and people start spazzing out” Silas had some ideas now.
“OK, guys, Silas, you start working the distro plan. Use your four musketeers and anyone else you need. Kingfisher, Get with Brice down at Barstow and wholesale loot anything you can get away with to help our plan, especially if we can get a couple ‘official’ batches of stuff before they announce the closing.”
They looked at one another. They had the start of a plan.
“Be careful who you tell but let’s get ahead of the curve and get our pirate ship in order. Our boat sails in no more than four to six months.”
Ivar felt a lot better now. He was always about his people first, last and always. Anyone who tried to screw them over was the enemy. They had an enemy now, someone to fight. Well, Pirates fought dirty, and he was a well trained pirate.
Ivar, Silas and Kingfisher were going over things after Kingfisher’s return from his latest trip to Barstow.
“Ivar, you were right. Brice down at Barstow has already heard it through his channels as well. It’s all slamming shut in four to six months by his source.”
“Four months, 120 days from the announcement. That’s the unofficial from the Pentagon.” Ivar concurred.
“This is such bullshit! Closing down bases in four months! That’s not enough time to do anything! You know there’s not going to be any TMO movers for the people trying to go anywhere else, not even for the kids being sent to other bases.” Silas’ temper was barely in check. He was worried he would crush his coffee cup.
“There won’t be any younger or junior troops transferring. Everybody is to be separated in place.” This was the part Ivar was most upset with. There will be no moving of knowledge, no core of the school to save within the force. Worse, the troops were getting screwed hard. They raised their hands and wanted to do their duty, and the government was just throwing them away.
“If the government won’t take care of us, won’t take care of our troops, what can we do to take care of them.” Kingfisher felt like crap thinking of all the guys here, himself included, being abandoned, hung out to dry.
Ivar came to a decision. What the hell could the government do to him?
“Well, we try to take care of as many as we can. We get the ones who want to leave early out of here as soon as we can, and we take care of those who stay and help us shut it all down, we reward them as we can. You two have helped shut down bases overseas and down range. That’s where we are now.”
Silas and Kingfisher looked at one another. They heard this tone in Ivar’s voice before but not in a long time. He also had a gleam in his eye they knew from long ago. He smiled a grim smile as he spoke.
“Operation Pirate is in effect. We strip this place systematically to help our people, both while they are here and as best as we can as they go out the door.”
Silas grinned. This was the Ivar of old, back during the early days downrange. The same Ivar who would end up with more weapons, ammo and vehicles leaving a base than they had when they arrived. The Ivar who seemed to make stuff appear out of thin air. He knew Ivar would do anything to help his troops.
“OK, boss. So how far do we go? What do you want to use?’ Silas wanted Ivar to set the right and left limits so they didn’t go too far too quickly.
“I’m thinking we clear out the individual issue equipment stores to those who want or need it. Think individual quantities though, not one guy getting a hundred sleeping bags. Same thing for a bunch of the training assets like tents, heaters, water jugs, and all that sort of stuff. Things needing training to use I figure goes to the people who know how to use it, and so on and so forth. I don’t have it all planned out yet. I’m going to need you two to help me figure this.” Ivar seemed to realize the enormity of what he was proposing.
‘Do you still want me to keep scavenging down south?” Kingfisher wondered if everything he was doing the last couple of weeks was a waste.
“Definitely. Scrounge all you can for what we can get away with. We need to keep things running as we shut things down. With everything getting squirrely, think things like generators, fuel carrying, fuel, food, cooking, anything you can get. We are going to do a collapsing parameter, pulling things back to the main condonement area and treat it like a forward operating base for the next six months. At the end of the six months, unless something changes, we will end up with everything gone like a fire sale as we walk out the door.” Ivar was on a roll now.
“What about the weapons?” Silas asked the big question.
“What weapons? To the best of my knowledge, all the school weapons other than the law enforcement weapons were sent back to the east coast on the C-17 they sent to pick up the students. By the end of next week, I will have the paperwork train spelling that out if you can get Paige to cough up the no shit bare bones list of what we have to account for.”
“OK, so what do you want done with at the spare scrap metal I might find laying around base then.” Silas grinned.
“I say we give them out like party favors.” Kingfisher blurted.
“Sounds good to me, but we hold off some on that until we get closer to the end so it’s harder to detect and harder to stop. We can look at it like the standard downrange thing. Long gun, side arm and ammo for each so they can defend themselves as they head to their next home.” Ivar was still wanting to help his people but this was a new angle he hadn’t thought on until now.
“I want to get a jump on this before the closing is announced and people start spazzing out” Silas had some ideas now.
“OK, guys, Silas, you start working the distro plan. Use your four musketeers and anyone else you need. Kingfisher, Get with Brice down at Barstow and wholesale loot anything you can get away with to help our plan, especially if we can get a couple ‘official’ batches of stuff before they announce the closing.”
They looked at one another. They had the start of a plan.
“Be careful who you tell but let’s get ahead of the curve and get our pirate ship in order. Our boat sails in no more than four to six months.”
Ivar felt a lot better now. He was always about his people first, last and always. Anyone who tried to screw them over was the enemy. They had an enemy now, someone to fight. Well, Pirates fought dirty, and he was a well trained pirate.
beaglemama
Contributing Member
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
If you haven't been on the pointy end, straight commissioned people can start off at a bit of a disadvantage; no real perspective on the ground.Remember that Ivar started off as enlisted...
Mustangs usually make much better Commissioned ranks/field leaders. Something about being close enough to smell the action and it's outcomes.
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
They usually end up at ether end of the spectrum, i.e. great because they understand from the ground up, or a complete and utter cluster because of the "I'm in charge now and they cant do that to me any more" BS
Frequently shitty enlisted make shitty officers and the reverse is also frequently true.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
The E4 Maifia (if such a thing existed) is about to have a blast… and a whole bunch of Lance Criminals are going to do their work too... and all under the unofficialprotectionguidance/mentoring/encouragement/assistance of the base commander and senior leadership.
that is some scary shit
There, Fixed it for you
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Shortly before lunchtime, Silas started working his part of Ivar’s scheme.
Silas sent Sabine, Paige, Andrea and Henrik separate messages to meet him at the helipad. He was there waiting for them when they arrived. Time to see if his and Amber’s assessment was accurate, otherwise, prison would be the next stop.
“Hey, guys. I know this is a bit unusual, but I wanted to get a jump on things before the news broke. You’ve seen all the rising unrest and rioting, the food shortages, and other problems for weeks now. It is putting a serious crimp in the recovery efforts, and the military is robbing Peter to pay Paul. Many of the bases are going to be closed. The DoD is looking to consolidate its resources to keep capability without pissing it away on infrastructure. So, what does this mean to us you might ask” He paused and looked at the faces around him before he continued. He saw curiosity, and anticipation. Hopefully what he said next would prime the pump for what he wanted them to do. For that, he needed them pissed off and as outraged as he, Ivar and Kingfisher were this morning.
“The timeline once it’s officially announced will be 120 days, four months. After that, there will be some residual operations left here to outprocess the guys when they return from their TDYs, and support the families until they return. Now here’s the real pisser. Any of the equipment not shipped out for DoD use elsewhere will be turned over to the local government agencies.” At that all four of them started to object!
Good! There it was! Anger, disbelief, a touch of rage to boot. Now to harness it before it escapes.
“Hold it down!” Silas cut them off. Time to channel it and set them into motion, fully fueled and enthused.
“I don’t expect a lot of transport coming our way to move stuff. Hell, look at all the stuff we left or turned over in Afghanistan and Iraq! Here’s my take on it. As we get closer to the end, I intend to do some wholesale larceny and reallocation of assets. The troops here are getting screwed, big time. I don’t know how much longer the government is going to be able to do the shell game and hold the country together. I don’t know if our retirements will be worth much, frankly I intend to make parting gifts of some stuff before the doors close. That fact is just between us and the Commander. I want to reward the loyal ones who stick it out and help us through this shit show. We don’t do any redistribution until after Christmas. We can start work on building our ‘Santa’ lists and prepackaging stuff now.”
They all stood there, silent as they considered the ramifications of what he was proposing. Silas knew the gears were starting to spin in all four of them. He knew what he wanted done but he also knew it was best to only hint and nudge them into a general direction. He was sure they would amaze him with their ingenuity and creativeness.
“None of this is to be spoken where others can hear until we get close to the end. Right now, what I figure to cover it with is as pre-packaging deployment kits. Use your manpower that you have right now to do the work. We will cover it as building it at the single body level.”
He turned to Paige he knew this would be a real touchy point.
“Paige, with the people we have left on base, and the bunch who will skedaddle as soon as they are allowed, we should have enough weapons we can do a basic load for the post-Christmas personnel. I’m not turning a single weapon over to those ****s in the local government. Once we start giving out our severance packages, I want at least a rifle and if we have them, a pistol to each departing member, along with a basic combat load of ammo. Nothing fancy, just a rifle, pistol and ammo to keep them safe for the future. I’m working on how we make the stuff disappear from the hand receipts.”
Silas saw the gears start to turn, which was what he needed. He gave them a few moments to digest the concepts before he started talking again.
“OK. Our time line is prep for post-Christmas distro to others, but I want to get some of the cream of the crop set aside for us. We are, after all, the one playing Santa, so we get the cookies and milk.” He smiled as he said this.
“Paige, there is some stuff on your lists I don’t want distributed beyond us. I’ll get with you a bit later for that. Now, when you are building your presents, I need one for myself, the Commander, our wives, Violet and Veronica.”
“I don’t know how far this is going to come apart, but I intend to be set. Any questions so far?”
Nobody spoke up. Time to set them into motion.
“So, remember, logistical planning for individual mobilization kits and capabilities is what we are working if anybody asks. We don’t have the timeline for when we have to ship these kits back to Lejeune, but we are preparing them. That is our answer if we are asked. Anybody asks farther, send them to me. Now scamper off my little packrats!”
Silas sent Sabine, Paige, Andrea and Henrik separate messages to meet him at the helipad. He was there waiting for them when they arrived. Time to see if his and Amber’s assessment was accurate, otherwise, prison would be the next stop.
“Hey, guys. I know this is a bit unusual, but I wanted to get a jump on things before the news broke. You’ve seen all the rising unrest and rioting, the food shortages, and other problems for weeks now. It is putting a serious crimp in the recovery efforts, and the military is robbing Peter to pay Paul. Many of the bases are going to be closed. The DoD is looking to consolidate its resources to keep capability without pissing it away on infrastructure. So, what does this mean to us you might ask” He paused and looked at the faces around him before he continued. He saw curiosity, and anticipation. Hopefully what he said next would prime the pump for what he wanted them to do. For that, he needed them pissed off and as outraged as he, Ivar and Kingfisher were this morning.
“The timeline once it’s officially announced will be 120 days, four months. After that, there will be some residual operations left here to outprocess the guys when they return from their TDYs, and support the families until they return. Now here’s the real pisser. Any of the equipment not shipped out for DoD use elsewhere will be turned over to the local government agencies.” At that all four of them started to object!
Good! There it was! Anger, disbelief, a touch of rage to boot. Now to harness it before it escapes.
“Hold it down!” Silas cut them off. Time to channel it and set them into motion, fully fueled and enthused.
“I don’t expect a lot of transport coming our way to move stuff. Hell, look at all the stuff we left or turned over in Afghanistan and Iraq! Here’s my take on it. As we get closer to the end, I intend to do some wholesale larceny and reallocation of assets. The troops here are getting screwed, big time. I don’t know how much longer the government is going to be able to do the shell game and hold the country together. I don’t know if our retirements will be worth much, frankly I intend to make parting gifts of some stuff before the doors close. That fact is just between us and the Commander. I want to reward the loyal ones who stick it out and help us through this shit show. We don’t do any redistribution until after Christmas. We can start work on building our ‘Santa’ lists and prepackaging stuff now.”
They all stood there, silent as they considered the ramifications of what he was proposing. Silas knew the gears were starting to spin in all four of them. He knew what he wanted done but he also knew it was best to only hint and nudge them into a general direction. He was sure they would amaze him with their ingenuity and creativeness.
“None of this is to be spoken where others can hear until we get close to the end. Right now, what I figure to cover it with is as pre-packaging deployment kits. Use your manpower that you have right now to do the work. We will cover it as building it at the single body level.”
He turned to Paige he knew this would be a real touchy point.
“Paige, with the people we have left on base, and the bunch who will skedaddle as soon as they are allowed, we should have enough weapons we can do a basic load for the post-Christmas personnel. I’m not turning a single weapon over to those ****s in the local government. Once we start giving out our severance packages, I want at least a rifle and if we have them, a pistol to each departing member, along with a basic combat load of ammo. Nothing fancy, just a rifle, pistol and ammo to keep them safe for the future. I’m working on how we make the stuff disappear from the hand receipts.”
Silas saw the gears start to turn, which was what he needed. He gave them a few moments to digest the concepts before he started talking again.
“OK. Our time line is prep for post-Christmas distro to others, but I want to get some of the cream of the crop set aside for us. We are, after all, the one playing Santa, so we get the cookies and milk.” He smiled as he said this.
“Paige, there is some stuff on your lists I don’t want distributed beyond us. I’ll get with you a bit later for that. Now, when you are building your presents, I need one for myself, the Commander, our wives, Violet and Veronica.”
“I don’t know how far this is going to come apart, but I intend to be set. Any questions so far?”
Nobody spoke up. Time to set them into motion.
“So, remember, logistical planning for individual mobilization kits and capabilities is what we are working if anybody asks. We don’t have the timeline for when we have to ship these kits back to Lejeune, but we are preparing them. That is our answer if we are asked. Anybody asks farther, send them to me. Now scamper off my little packrats!”
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
unfortunately, they don't have any of the big stuff
Lone_Hawk
Resident Spook
All of my Mustangs have been very good officers, school officers, not so much...
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Ivar’s Office
Ivar was working in his office trying to get a better timeline for when the closures would be announced when he was interrupted by a knock on his door. It was Andrea. He wasn’t sure why she would be here but she was new here and Silas wasn’t up here right now to field questions.
“What’s up? How can I help you?” he said as he waved her in.
She walked into his office, a quizzical look on her face.
“Sir, since I’m new over here at the Special Operations section, I had a question or two about some of the differences in operating requirements and field capabilities needed.”
She handed him her clipboard so he could see what she had on it. “I’m looking at the portable deployable packages we are building and need to know some of the range requirements.”
The Commander was thinking on her question as she held out the clipboard. It wasa logical question, but he knew Silas already talked to her and the stuff they were working would never see operational units. He looked at the clipboard. There he saw a list of frequencies, radios and such. On top of that, however, was a small sticky note next to the radio sets descriptions.
On it was a simple phrase. ‘Good enough to reach your daughter?’ He smiled. He knew there had to be more to why she was here. Even better, she anticipated the question lurking in the back of his head. He reviewed the gear on the list, made some annotations and modifications, including a comment to look at mobile/vehicle as well. He handed the clipboard back to Andrea, while surreptitiously pocketing her sticky note.
“I think you have a pretty good understanding of the parameters we will need. Don’t forget spares of the critical components though. Many times, when we are away from base, we won’t have an opportunity to call for resupply or replacements. Overall, it looks good.”
Andrea beamed as she walked out of his office.
Ivar tried to get back to what he was doing but now he was thinking about if he was thinking mobile units in the vehicles, which vehicles, what all he would have to train Sofia on and on and on.
Ivar was working in his office trying to get a better timeline for when the closures would be announced when he was interrupted by a knock on his door. It was Andrea. He wasn’t sure why she would be here but she was new here and Silas wasn’t up here right now to field questions.
“What’s up? How can I help you?” he said as he waved her in.
She walked into his office, a quizzical look on her face.
“Sir, since I’m new over here at the Special Operations section, I had a question or two about some of the differences in operating requirements and field capabilities needed.”
She handed him her clipboard so he could see what she had on it. “I’m looking at the portable deployable packages we are building and need to know some of the range requirements.”
The Commander was thinking on her question as she held out the clipboard. It wasa logical question, but he knew Silas already talked to her and the stuff they were working would never see operational units. He looked at the clipboard. There he saw a list of frequencies, radios and such. On top of that, however, was a small sticky note next to the radio sets descriptions.
On it was a simple phrase. ‘Good enough to reach your daughter?’ He smiled. He knew there had to be more to why she was here. Even better, she anticipated the question lurking in the back of his head. He reviewed the gear on the list, made some annotations and modifications, including a comment to look at mobile/vehicle as well. He handed the clipboard back to Andrea, while surreptitiously pocketing her sticky note.
“I think you have a pretty good understanding of the parameters we will need. Don’t forget spares of the critical components though. Many times, when we are away from base, we won’t have an opportunity to call for resupply or replacements. Overall, it looks good.”
Andrea beamed as she walked out of his office.
Ivar tried to get back to what he was doing but now he was thinking about if he was thinking mobile units in the vehicles, which vehicles, what all he would have to train Sofia on and on and on.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
In the Compound
Silas was just getting back from the main side of base when he ran into Sabine walking around the gazebo, a cup of coffee in her hand. Seeing the coffee, his stomach lurched a little. He knew he was doing too much coffee and combined with the stress and rage, he had to worry about his ulcer reappearing.
As she walked over to meet him, she started with questions right away.
“The medical augmenting kits you have me building. The stuff I don’t use goes back to the clinic for our people, right?”
Silas could see the agonizing Sabine was doing in her head. She wanted to make sure the people were taken care of and not shorted by the stuff they were packing away. Well, with what he had just learned from the Doc in charge of the hospital, he could alleviate her fears.
“Look Sabine, here’s the plan. We need three remote deployed set ups able to support two medics, at your level. All the rest of the stuff is going back over to the base clinic. It is staying open to support our people for as long as we have people here. After that, I think the idea is to convert it to a DoD/VA clinic for the mil retirees up here. I just don’t want the stuff shoveled into pallets and bought at auction for a dollar by some doc in a box for profit urgent care clinic. Mil shit for Mil people. Does that help clarify?”
Sabine seemed to be happy enough with his answer. She nodded and walked farther towards the back of the small compound, sipping her coffee.
Silas had to go tell Ivar of this latest development.
Silas was just getting back from the main side of base when he ran into Sabine walking around the gazebo, a cup of coffee in her hand. Seeing the coffee, his stomach lurched a little. He knew he was doing too much coffee and combined with the stress and rage, he had to worry about his ulcer reappearing.
As she walked over to meet him, she started with questions right away.
“The medical augmenting kits you have me building. The stuff I don’t use goes back to the clinic for our people, right?”
Silas could see the agonizing Sabine was doing in her head. She wanted to make sure the people were taken care of and not shorted by the stuff they were packing away. Well, with what he had just learned from the Doc in charge of the hospital, he could alleviate her fears.
“Look Sabine, here’s the plan. We need three remote deployed set ups able to support two medics, at your level. All the rest of the stuff is going back over to the base clinic. It is staying open to support our people for as long as we have people here. After that, I think the idea is to convert it to a DoD/VA clinic for the mil retirees up here. I just don’t want the stuff shoveled into pallets and bought at auction for a dollar by some doc in a box for profit urgent care clinic. Mil shit for Mil people. Does that help clarify?”
Sabine seemed to be happy enough with his answer. She nodded and walked farther towards the back of the small compound, sipping her coffee.
Silas had to go tell Ivar of this latest development.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Silas’ Office
Silas barely got in the door to his office to set his stuff down before Paige was at his door wanting to talk.
“Sgt Maj, I’ve been looking at the shipping plans and with the draw down, you have a shortage of certified weapons curriers. Right now, you have two, and to get the job done how you want, there should be more. At least two more by my estimates.” Paige handed over a folder of papers with official concealed carry forms pre-filled with Andrea and Henrik’s information.
“Are you sure this is necessary?” Silas wasn’t sure about creating a bigger paper
trail. He knew Ivar was working a lot of the paperwork to make things disappear and the more clues and breadcrumbs they generated, the easier it could be to track things down and fry people in the end if they weren’t careful.
“With all the sensitive cargo we are shipping out to the depots as we consolidate the kits and eliminate excess, These people can be used for those missions rather than knee jerk ad hoc teams thrown together at the last minute. This will ensure chain of custody and all the paperwork will be right to keep us all out of jail.” Paige pressed the issue with confidence.
“I’ll think on it and talk to the boss about it. It’s his call. If he approves it, you will have to train the new curriers though.”
“Not a problem, Sgt Maj. Thanks.” And Paige left the office.
Silas sat there thinking about what Paige brought up. She was right in some regards. This might be a way to keep us out of jail in the interim. Shoot, as long as they had Active Duty ID cards and the Government Permits, they would be OK for most Law Enforcement encounters. They would just have to cover any movements with ‘official’ reasons to be somewhere or even make it appear they were going or returning from somewhere requiring them armed.
He made up his mind. He pulled up the paperwork on the computer, typing in the normal information; names, dates of birth, heights, weights and when he came to the expiration date it occurred to him, he should put a nice long expiration date, like ‘Indefinite’.
After he finished the ones for his musketeers, it occurred to him neither Ivar or himself had a conceal carry card. He could not really justify one for them but who was going to question him submitting the paperwork. All it took was Ivar’s signature since he was the Commander.
With things getting dicey around the area and not expecting it to get better anytime soon, he really didn’t give a rat’s ass about using his position for personal gain at this point. Shit, with what they were arranging, what’s a couple pieces of official documents actually within what they were allowed to do? Besides, what were they going to do, ask him to retire? ARRRRGGGG! If you’re going to be a pirate, better be a good one.
He cranked out the additional forms for Ivar and himself. He may as well take them all in at the same time he told him about the clinic.
On his way into Ivar’s office, he saw Andrea on her way out. He wondered what she was in there about?
Silas barely got in the door to his office to set his stuff down before Paige was at his door wanting to talk.
“Sgt Maj, I’ve been looking at the shipping plans and with the draw down, you have a shortage of certified weapons curriers. Right now, you have two, and to get the job done how you want, there should be more. At least two more by my estimates.” Paige handed over a folder of papers with official concealed carry forms pre-filled with Andrea and Henrik’s information.
“Are you sure this is necessary?” Silas wasn’t sure about creating a bigger paper
trail. He knew Ivar was working a lot of the paperwork to make things disappear and the more clues and breadcrumbs they generated, the easier it could be to track things down and fry people in the end if they weren’t careful.
“With all the sensitive cargo we are shipping out to the depots as we consolidate the kits and eliminate excess, These people can be used for those missions rather than knee jerk ad hoc teams thrown together at the last minute. This will ensure chain of custody and all the paperwork will be right to keep us all out of jail.” Paige pressed the issue with confidence.
“I’ll think on it and talk to the boss about it. It’s his call. If he approves it, you will have to train the new curriers though.”
“Not a problem, Sgt Maj. Thanks.” And Paige left the office.
Silas sat there thinking about what Paige brought up. She was right in some regards. This might be a way to keep us out of jail in the interim. Shoot, as long as they had Active Duty ID cards and the Government Permits, they would be OK for most Law Enforcement encounters. They would just have to cover any movements with ‘official’ reasons to be somewhere or even make it appear they were going or returning from somewhere requiring them armed.
He made up his mind. He pulled up the paperwork on the computer, typing in the normal information; names, dates of birth, heights, weights and when he came to the expiration date it occurred to him, he should put a nice long expiration date, like ‘Indefinite’.
After he finished the ones for his musketeers, it occurred to him neither Ivar or himself had a conceal carry card. He could not really justify one for them but who was going to question him submitting the paperwork. All it took was Ivar’s signature since he was the Commander.
With things getting dicey around the area and not expecting it to get better anytime soon, he really didn’t give a rat’s ass about using his position for personal gain at this point. Shit, with what they were arranging, what’s a couple pieces of official documents actually within what they were allowed to do? Besides, what were they going to do, ask him to retire? ARRRRGGGG! If you’re going to be a pirate, better be a good one.
He cranked out the additional forms for Ivar and himself. He may as well take them all in at the same time he told him about the clinic.
On his way into Ivar’s office, he saw Andrea on her way out. He wondered what she was in there about?
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
On Base, Later
One only had to watch the nightly news to see how bad it was getting and they were right. Riots were getting more and more frequent. Not just in the big cities, either. There were shops being looted and burned down in some places close to their families and small towns not too far from the bases on the coast where they had friends. Gas stations bombed and robbed for apparently no reason. It was ridiculous. It was an excuse to rob and act out not because they needed it.
As whole sections kept consolidating manpower and equipment, the personnel were shuffled to other sections that needed the help. Anyone not immediately engaged in the drawdown operations was seconded to a crew put together to help pack out the families and move them onto base. This process also influenced many to submit their departure paperwork as well. The numbers on base were diminishing fast.
Thanksgiving was only a few days away and everyone was getting stressed. The chaos was spreading. Shortages of everything were growing. Many more of the base personnel were submitting their packages so they could leave and care for their family members or move away to better, or at least cheaper locations.
Ivar and Silas were puzzling over the problem of keeping the dependents safe. Base housing was over twenty miles away in an apartment complex shared by locals. A large number of the inhabitants were the family members of TDY Marines, some of whom were deceased. This left them isolated and separated, only supported by a small shoppette. With basic concerns such as food, fuel and power, it was a topic weighing heavily on Ivar and Silas. They worried about how to keep them safe and supported.
During one bitching session in the breakroom, Andrea evidently overheard Ivar and Silas discussing the problem. She jumped right in with a possible solution.
“Sirs, why not offer to move them onto base into the student quarters, billeting and fam camp. There should be enough spaces for the remaining families. They would be inside the perimeter and much easier to take care of and support. It shortens the patrolling footprint, alleviates the other support issues and consolidates your manpower remaining.”
Ivar and Silas both looked at her, then each other. Each of them had the classic look of ‘why didn’t we think about that’ plastered on their faces as she left the breakroom with her reheated lunch.
"OK, that’s where to bring them, so how do we do it. Where do we put their stuff?” Ivar asked once Andrea left.
“Shit, boss, I can get a couple of trucks and bodies to help any who want to move onto base. And I think there’s some empty connexes we can use for storage next to the Student billeting.”
“OK, so we put it out for those that want to move right now, we can accommodate. We should look at when or if we will require people to move on base verses just volunteers.” Ivar’s gears were whirling, looking for the next issue.
“I say since it’s just temp, we offer it up for all those living off base but set a drop-dead date to be moved out of the base housing apartments so we can shorten up the supply and logistics chain.”
Ivar thought a moment, seeing the calendar in his head.
“How about we call the target date to be out of the base housing apartments the first week of January. That way they don’t have to get uprooted right before Christmas?”
“Sure thing, boss. I’ll pass the word and also tell Kingfisher when he gets back.”
One only had to watch the nightly news to see how bad it was getting and they were right. Riots were getting more and more frequent. Not just in the big cities, either. There were shops being looted and burned down in some places close to their families and small towns not too far from the bases on the coast where they had friends. Gas stations bombed and robbed for apparently no reason. It was ridiculous. It was an excuse to rob and act out not because they needed it.
As whole sections kept consolidating manpower and equipment, the personnel were shuffled to other sections that needed the help. Anyone not immediately engaged in the drawdown operations was seconded to a crew put together to help pack out the families and move them onto base. This process also influenced many to submit their departure paperwork as well. The numbers on base were diminishing fast.
Thanksgiving was only a few days away and everyone was getting stressed. The chaos was spreading. Shortages of everything were growing. Many more of the base personnel were submitting their packages so they could leave and care for their family members or move away to better, or at least cheaper locations.
Ivar and Silas were puzzling over the problem of keeping the dependents safe. Base housing was over twenty miles away in an apartment complex shared by locals. A large number of the inhabitants were the family members of TDY Marines, some of whom were deceased. This left them isolated and separated, only supported by a small shoppette. With basic concerns such as food, fuel and power, it was a topic weighing heavily on Ivar and Silas. They worried about how to keep them safe and supported.
During one bitching session in the breakroom, Andrea evidently overheard Ivar and Silas discussing the problem. She jumped right in with a possible solution.
“Sirs, why not offer to move them onto base into the student quarters, billeting and fam camp. There should be enough spaces for the remaining families. They would be inside the perimeter and much easier to take care of and support. It shortens the patrolling footprint, alleviates the other support issues and consolidates your manpower remaining.”
Ivar and Silas both looked at her, then each other. Each of them had the classic look of ‘why didn’t we think about that’ plastered on their faces as she left the breakroom with her reheated lunch.
"OK, that’s where to bring them, so how do we do it. Where do we put their stuff?” Ivar asked once Andrea left.
“Shit, boss, I can get a couple of trucks and bodies to help any who want to move onto base. And I think there’s some empty connexes we can use for storage next to the Student billeting.”
“OK, so we put it out for those that want to move right now, we can accommodate. We should look at when or if we will require people to move on base verses just volunteers.” Ivar’s gears were whirling, looking for the next issue.
“I say since it’s just temp, we offer it up for all those living off base but set a drop-dead date to be moved out of the base housing apartments so we can shorten up the supply and logistics chain.”
Ivar thought a moment, seeing the calendar in his head.
“How about we call the target date to be out of the base housing apartments the first week of January. That way they don’t have to get uprooted right before Christmas?”
“Sure thing, boss. I’ll pass the word and also tell Kingfisher when he gets back.”
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
On the Road back to Base
The ten wheeled truck took up a lot of road as they drove north from the Barstow Recovery Staging Facility from the latest scavenging trip. Kingfisher was driving the behemoth. Officially it was a MKR15 Tactical Wheeled Wrecker. As far as he was concerned though, it was a ten-foot tall, forty-foot-long beast. It had a crane and could tow like a bazillian pounds.
There were several of them in the recovery yard the last time he was down there. This surprised him since something with all the recovery cables, crane and other tools and capabilities these had, he was sure they were wanted on the coast.
When he mentioned them, Brice bitched up a storm. Evidently, they were broke and they didn’t have anyone qualified or experienced at repairing them. All the higher ups screamed initially about getting them into action. When they found out they were broken, they forgot about them.
Kingfisher hatched a plan to make serious brownie points with Brice. He knew they had some good repair guys at the motor shop. He figured the Senior Mechanic could fix most anything. Hell, he was able to keep the Swedish tracked things running with almost nothing.
Turns out, he didn’t know how, but one of his troops did. Evidently, he had a short little shit who was studying for the Vehicle Recovery Operator school. The good thing was she was supposedly a great repair technician. The down side was he had to let another person into the scrounging crew.
Kingfisher just spent thirty-six hours crawling around all over a bunch of derelict trucks and storage boxes scrounging for parts and playing ‘lift this, hold this’ for the mechanical pixie in the passenger seat next to him.
He had to admit, the little girl was seriously impressive mechanically. He still felt like he could fold her up and put her in his pocket. She was intimidated working with him at first but once she was slinging wrenches, she was all business. He really liked her.
“Hey, Petra…”
He looked over at her. She was curled up in the passenger seat sleeping hard. He wished he had a blanket to cover her up with. She reminded him of Violet when she was little. He will let her sleep for now.
The ten wheeled truck took up a lot of road as they drove north from the Barstow Recovery Staging Facility from the latest scavenging trip. Kingfisher was driving the behemoth. Officially it was a MKR15 Tactical Wheeled Wrecker. As far as he was concerned though, it was a ten-foot tall, forty-foot-long beast. It had a crane and could tow like a bazillian pounds.
There were several of them in the recovery yard the last time he was down there. This surprised him since something with all the recovery cables, crane and other tools and capabilities these had, he was sure they were wanted on the coast.
When he mentioned them, Brice bitched up a storm. Evidently, they were broke and they didn’t have anyone qualified or experienced at repairing them. All the higher ups screamed initially about getting them into action. When they found out they were broken, they forgot about them.
Kingfisher hatched a plan to make serious brownie points with Brice. He knew they had some good repair guys at the motor shop. He figured the Senior Mechanic could fix most anything. Hell, he was able to keep the Swedish tracked things running with almost nothing.
Turns out, he didn’t know how, but one of his troops did. Evidently, he had a short little shit who was studying for the Vehicle Recovery Operator school. The good thing was she was supposedly a great repair technician. The down side was he had to let another person into the scrounging crew.
Kingfisher just spent thirty-six hours crawling around all over a bunch of derelict trucks and storage boxes scrounging for parts and playing ‘lift this, hold this’ for the mechanical pixie in the passenger seat next to him.
He had to admit, the little girl was seriously impressive mechanically. He still felt like he could fold her up and put her in his pocket. She was intimidated working with him at first but once she was slinging wrenches, she was all business. He really liked her.
“Hey, Petra…”
He looked over at her. She was curled up in the passenger seat sleeping hard. He wished he had a blanket to cover her up with. She reminded him of Violet when she was little. He will let her sleep for now.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Can you get that with a turret??
cat killer
Senior Member
That’s a long way from the M62 I ran in the 60’s.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
In the Detachment Compound
Silas was wearing himself into a frazzle. Between the changes coming down through official channels and the stuff he was working with Ivar and Kingfisher to set up, he had about had it. Fighting ISIS was a hell of a lot less stressful.
He knew it was getting bad when Amber snaped at him over breakfast, telling him he better chill the hell out or he was going to blow a gasket.
His first stop each morning was his office for coffee and to review the big whiteboard in his office. On it he had the list of all the people in the detachment, or at least who was left in the detachment. Next to each was their dependents if they had any, then their living location. The last column was the one that changed a lot. It was the projected departure retirement or separation date.
This board, and the larger one over in Kingfisher’s office, was a stark reminder of all the people being screwed over, of all the people they would try to help on the way out the door.
He scanned the names. He still had three living in the base housing apartments. He knew Kingfisher had a few more. The sooner they had everyone in closer to base, the better he would feel.
He needed to touch base down the hill with Kingfisher’s crew. He should be back tonight or tomorrow from the latest trip to Barstow. There was no telling what he would bring back next. Before he went over there, he had to talk to Paige. She left a note she needed to talk. She seemed out of sorts the last couple of days. He knew the shear illegality and audacity of their plan probably has her in knots.
Silas figured something serious was on Paige’s mind. He knew it would be when she said she needed him to countersign an inventory in one of the ammo bunkers. She just sat there staring out the window on the drive out to the ammo bunker.
It was an uncomfortable silence. Something he was not used to around her. He had a lot on his plate. How did he explain to her what he was doing was for the good of troops? He had told them, they seemed to understand but as this was getting deeper, she appeared to be having second thoughts like Sabine did. His intentions were good. How could he make her believe this?
Once inside, they were able to speak freely. The conversation started out very technical and professional.
“So, Paige, what’s your update?”
Her delivery was matter of fact, as if she was at morning stand up, “Sergeant Major, there are currently enough M4s for all the remaining personnel, plus some. The pistol situation is close. If we keep losing bodies at this rate, by your earlier deadline of post-Christmas, we will have enough pistols for everyone as well. I have the long-range school plotted to take those assets. If we have more rifles there than remaining staff, I’ll pull the extras back to the overflow pool. This brings me to my next question. After the parting gifts are distributed, what do we do with what’s left?”
Silas was a bit surprised. He didn’t expect to have enough for everyone, much less excess when he and Ivar started thinking about this plan. The fact they had enough, shoot from the sound of it, more than enough, fixed one of their major concerns. Another part of him was greedy and petty. He didn’t want the locals to get a thing, especially after some of the crap they were pulling lately once they found out the base was closing. A lot of anti-military resentment boiled to the surface recently and the looks and attitudes around the base have turned sour. He needed to think some on her question. Some details might help him.
“OK, Paige. First, how are we doing for shotguns?”
“We have a mixed bag of pump and semi. We could let the base security guys go with a patrol rifle and a shotgun as well as their pistols and still have some left over. What do you think?”
“Pull a set of semi-autos for us, then all the security personnel who want them, then any of the others who want one. Start with the semis, then move to the pumps. Those are the only weapons I am willing to turn over excess to the locals, and I figure to find the ones who are helping us and not screwing with us.”
“And the excess M4s and pistols?”
That was a great question. He could kinda justify arming someone, but could he justify two, three, four pistols or rifles for someone? This was a question he already thought on if they had a couple too many if they didn’t distribute until almost everyone was gone. It was part of why Ivar had him tracking projected departure dates.
“I’ve been working on a plan with the camera guy over in the PA shop for a little subterfuge to make it look like we destroyed all the M4s. After we do that, we add a couple to our own stack and stash any excess for a rainy day. Oh, I had an idea last night. Since the people who are staying are the over ten-year people, they will be technically retired and subject to recall. I figure to do CIF hand receipts for the weapons to them. They will all be signed by Capt. Frickel, the temporary Central Supply Officer. With two different chains with conflicting info, it will muddy the waters on accountability even farther.”
He hoped she would be amused by the additional twist to help confuse anyone who tried to track the weapons down later but she didn’t seem to react. Instead, it was right back to the technical questions.
“How do you want to split up the ammo?”
“If we have the ammo to do it, a double combat load of ammo for each weapon for all involved. You work the distro of any excess.”
With this Paige stood quiet, looking at her feet in silence. He had to address this, He had to ask.
“What is it, Paige?”
“You know, this is all great for a theoretical exercise, but it’s illegal as all hell!”
Paige was spun up. He should have seen it before, but there it was, out in the open now. Unfortunately, it struck the wrong raw cord in Silas and he snapped back at her as fast as soon it came out of her mouth. It was that burst of temper Amber was worried about. Paige didn’t deserve it, but it was too late to stop.
“What they are doing to them, to us, is criminal. We all signed a contract, payable with up to our lives! They can and do change their side of the contract all the time, but we can’t! They are pitching us all out on our ears, Paige! We’ve gone to war for them! Multiple times! Well, this whole thing is coming apart faster and messier than a Hollywood marriage! Our retirements probably won’t be worth the paper it’s printed on in six months!”
It wouldn’t have mattered if she could have thought of anything to say. Paige wasn’t able to get a word in edgewise as he kept ranting.
“The fat cats protect their positions at the cost of the troops really doing the mission! Well, the Commander and I are trying to do something for them instead of just a boot out the door. It’s becoming the Wild West out there again. I’m arming our guys instead of giving the precious few in local power here another windfall to maintain a stranglehold on the area! They can have the buildings only because I don’t want to waste the resources to destroy them! I have the couple of IT guys left pulling all the hard drives out of the computers being left behind and pitching them in a burn barrel. They also have instructions to cut all the cables in half. I had to watch this type of turnover in Iraq and Afghanistan. I’ve learned a few lessons. We are moving all the final assets to the clinic for use by the last people here providing support to the families of the TDY guys. Then the clinic is converting to a VA clinic so it will still be federal.”
“Look, the US is famous for dumping anyone who no longer serves their purposes. Viet Nam, Cambodia, Laos, Panama, Iraq, Afghanistan, and on and on and on. We cut an run, abandoning anyone who used to help us, and leave the gear and bases behind for the enemy to use against those who used to support us. Well, now it’s come home to roost and it’s finally they are abandoning their own military members who are too inconvenient or expensive to help!”
He went on and on. Finally, Silas slowed down some, then stopped. Back under control, he looked apologetically to Paige.
“I’m sorry, Paige. You didn’t need to hear that tirade. I have a stack of paperwork I can have you sign making me solely responsible for all of this. I don’t want your conscious to be burdened by it. I just need you to know and believe me when I say it’s not primarily about personal gain. I’m not looking to sell it off or grab power with it. I truly want to do this to help my troops. If you want nothing to do with it, I can process your paperwork early and relieve you of the whole thing. Nothing has been given away at this point so everything is legal. Just give me the word and I will make it happen.” He stood there looking chastised, but sincere and passionate.
Surprisingly, the tirade seemed to be what Paige needed to hear. She didn’t get scared off or seem to want out.
“No, Sergeant Major. I’m still in. I just needed to express my concerns and reservations. I’ll start packaging up the stuff right after Thanksgiving. Don’t forget to come early tomorrow.”
“Trust me, after Andrea talked up the Jambalaya, I wouldn’t miss it for the world! Veronica and Violet will be in later tonight. They are braving the trip down here for Thanksgiving at your place.”
“Good with all that is going on we need family around to forget about it even it just a few moments. Do they need us to meet them part way to escort them or do we pity the fool who gets in their way? I don’t want anyone to block my shipment of apple beer I asked for. I hope they remember it.”
Paige had a smile on her face now as they walked back to the UTV. This made Silas feel better. He was afraid he might have upset her but things might be better now.
Silas was wearing himself into a frazzle. Between the changes coming down through official channels and the stuff he was working with Ivar and Kingfisher to set up, he had about had it. Fighting ISIS was a hell of a lot less stressful.
He knew it was getting bad when Amber snaped at him over breakfast, telling him he better chill the hell out or he was going to blow a gasket.
His first stop each morning was his office for coffee and to review the big whiteboard in his office. On it he had the list of all the people in the detachment, or at least who was left in the detachment. Next to each was their dependents if they had any, then their living location. The last column was the one that changed a lot. It was the projected departure retirement or separation date.
This board, and the larger one over in Kingfisher’s office, was a stark reminder of all the people being screwed over, of all the people they would try to help on the way out the door.
He scanned the names. He still had three living in the base housing apartments. He knew Kingfisher had a few more. The sooner they had everyone in closer to base, the better he would feel.
He needed to touch base down the hill with Kingfisher’s crew. He should be back tonight or tomorrow from the latest trip to Barstow. There was no telling what he would bring back next. Before he went over there, he had to talk to Paige. She left a note she needed to talk. She seemed out of sorts the last couple of days. He knew the shear illegality and audacity of their plan probably has her in knots.
Silas figured something serious was on Paige’s mind. He knew it would be when she said she needed him to countersign an inventory in one of the ammo bunkers. She just sat there staring out the window on the drive out to the ammo bunker.
It was an uncomfortable silence. Something he was not used to around her. He had a lot on his plate. How did he explain to her what he was doing was for the good of troops? He had told them, they seemed to understand but as this was getting deeper, she appeared to be having second thoughts like Sabine did. His intentions were good. How could he make her believe this?
Once inside, they were able to speak freely. The conversation started out very technical and professional.
“So, Paige, what’s your update?”
Her delivery was matter of fact, as if she was at morning stand up, “Sergeant Major, there are currently enough M4s for all the remaining personnel, plus some. The pistol situation is close. If we keep losing bodies at this rate, by your earlier deadline of post-Christmas, we will have enough pistols for everyone as well. I have the long-range school plotted to take those assets. If we have more rifles there than remaining staff, I’ll pull the extras back to the overflow pool. This brings me to my next question. After the parting gifts are distributed, what do we do with what’s left?”
Silas was a bit surprised. He didn’t expect to have enough for everyone, much less excess when he and Ivar started thinking about this plan. The fact they had enough, shoot from the sound of it, more than enough, fixed one of their major concerns. Another part of him was greedy and petty. He didn’t want the locals to get a thing, especially after some of the crap they were pulling lately once they found out the base was closing. A lot of anti-military resentment boiled to the surface recently and the looks and attitudes around the base have turned sour. He needed to think some on her question. Some details might help him.
“OK, Paige. First, how are we doing for shotguns?”
“We have a mixed bag of pump and semi. We could let the base security guys go with a patrol rifle and a shotgun as well as their pistols and still have some left over. What do you think?”
“Pull a set of semi-autos for us, then all the security personnel who want them, then any of the others who want one. Start with the semis, then move to the pumps. Those are the only weapons I am willing to turn over excess to the locals, and I figure to find the ones who are helping us and not screwing with us.”
“And the excess M4s and pistols?”
That was a great question. He could kinda justify arming someone, but could he justify two, three, four pistols or rifles for someone? This was a question he already thought on if they had a couple too many if they didn’t distribute until almost everyone was gone. It was part of why Ivar had him tracking projected departure dates.
“I’ve been working on a plan with the camera guy over in the PA shop for a little subterfuge to make it look like we destroyed all the M4s. After we do that, we add a couple to our own stack and stash any excess for a rainy day. Oh, I had an idea last night. Since the people who are staying are the over ten-year people, they will be technically retired and subject to recall. I figure to do CIF hand receipts for the weapons to them. They will all be signed by Capt. Frickel, the temporary Central Supply Officer. With two different chains with conflicting info, it will muddy the waters on accountability even farther.”
He hoped she would be amused by the additional twist to help confuse anyone who tried to track the weapons down later but she didn’t seem to react. Instead, it was right back to the technical questions.
“How do you want to split up the ammo?”
“If we have the ammo to do it, a double combat load of ammo for each weapon for all involved. You work the distro of any excess.”
With this Paige stood quiet, looking at her feet in silence. He had to address this, He had to ask.
“What is it, Paige?”
“You know, this is all great for a theoretical exercise, but it’s illegal as all hell!”
Paige was spun up. He should have seen it before, but there it was, out in the open now. Unfortunately, it struck the wrong raw cord in Silas and he snapped back at her as fast as soon it came out of her mouth. It was that burst of temper Amber was worried about. Paige didn’t deserve it, but it was too late to stop.
“What they are doing to them, to us, is criminal. We all signed a contract, payable with up to our lives! They can and do change their side of the contract all the time, but we can’t! They are pitching us all out on our ears, Paige! We’ve gone to war for them! Multiple times! Well, this whole thing is coming apart faster and messier than a Hollywood marriage! Our retirements probably won’t be worth the paper it’s printed on in six months!”
It wouldn’t have mattered if she could have thought of anything to say. Paige wasn’t able to get a word in edgewise as he kept ranting.
“The fat cats protect their positions at the cost of the troops really doing the mission! Well, the Commander and I are trying to do something for them instead of just a boot out the door. It’s becoming the Wild West out there again. I’m arming our guys instead of giving the precious few in local power here another windfall to maintain a stranglehold on the area! They can have the buildings only because I don’t want to waste the resources to destroy them! I have the couple of IT guys left pulling all the hard drives out of the computers being left behind and pitching them in a burn barrel. They also have instructions to cut all the cables in half. I had to watch this type of turnover in Iraq and Afghanistan. I’ve learned a few lessons. We are moving all the final assets to the clinic for use by the last people here providing support to the families of the TDY guys. Then the clinic is converting to a VA clinic so it will still be federal.”
“Look, the US is famous for dumping anyone who no longer serves their purposes. Viet Nam, Cambodia, Laos, Panama, Iraq, Afghanistan, and on and on and on. We cut an run, abandoning anyone who used to help us, and leave the gear and bases behind for the enemy to use against those who used to support us. Well, now it’s come home to roost and it’s finally they are abandoning their own military members who are too inconvenient or expensive to help!”
He went on and on. Finally, Silas slowed down some, then stopped. Back under control, he looked apologetically to Paige.
“I’m sorry, Paige. You didn’t need to hear that tirade. I have a stack of paperwork I can have you sign making me solely responsible for all of this. I don’t want your conscious to be burdened by it. I just need you to know and believe me when I say it’s not primarily about personal gain. I’m not looking to sell it off or grab power with it. I truly want to do this to help my troops. If you want nothing to do with it, I can process your paperwork early and relieve you of the whole thing. Nothing has been given away at this point so everything is legal. Just give me the word and I will make it happen.” He stood there looking chastised, but sincere and passionate.
Surprisingly, the tirade seemed to be what Paige needed to hear. She didn’t get scared off or seem to want out.
“No, Sergeant Major. I’m still in. I just needed to express my concerns and reservations. I’ll start packaging up the stuff right after Thanksgiving. Don’t forget to come early tomorrow.”
“Trust me, after Andrea talked up the Jambalaya, I wouldn’t miss it for the world! Veronica and Violet will be in later tonight. They are braving the trip down here for Thanksgiving at your place.”
“Good with all that is going on we need family around to forget about it even it just a few moments. Do they need us to meet them part way to escort them or do we pity the fool who gets in their way? I don’t want anyone to block my shipment of apple beer I asked for. I hope they remember it.”
Paige had a smile on her face now as they walked back to the UTV. This made Silas feel better. He was afraid he might have upset her but things might be better now.
Lone_Hawk
Resident Spook
A friend of mine ran one of those down range for a while...
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Thanksgiving
Ivar and Sofia were the first to arrive. Sofia wanted to get there a little early so she could help finish things if they needed it. She had been the one hosting and playing octopus trying to get it all right before and wanted to do what she could to help out.
Violet, Veronica and Andrea were in the kitchen when Ivar and Sofia showed up. Most of the hard work was already done but there are always a ton of little details to fix. Sofia joined right in.
Henrik must have heard their arrival and came upstairs just in time to greet Silas and Amber when they walked in the door. Soon, Henrik got everyone he could to start carrying the food outside. The idea was a fine outdoor dining experience and it got all the extra bodies out of the kitchen.
Sabine went past them headed the other way. She told them she would be right out to join them, she wanted to clean up first.
All of the tables were set with tablecloths, the coolers were full of ice and drinks. Crockpots of mulled wine were out as well. A well banked, self-feeding fire was roaring in the fire pit. Sabine and Henrik had more chairs horseshoed around the fire pit.
Henrik carried the pot of jambalaya out and wrapped the base of the pot with some insulation to keep it warm. Paige carried out plates and silverware. She was happy. It was written all over her.
Silas couldn’t help but notice how happy Paige was, in stark contrast to when he saw her in the hospital bed, or worse, crumpled and broken on the floor of the arms room. Hell, who was he kidding? That day, all he saw was Violet.
Amber picked up on Silas’ mood shift. She poked him in his ribs. When he jumped, she whispered in his ear.
“I don’t know where your brain went just now, but this is a happy party. Knock it off for now.”
Silas smiled in spite of his thoughts a moment ago. Leave it to Amber to pick up on it and shut it down just as fast. He leaned over and kissed her cheek.
People were starting to dish the food when Sabine walked out of the house to join them. Ivar and Silas were immediately struck by her appearance. When you are used to seeing someone in uniform or casual clothes about the same level as the PT uniform, it can be startling how different they can look when they are dressed up. That’s what happened now.
Sabine was dressed in what one might call New England casual, fit for outdoor dining, but definitely different than anyone here had seen her before. Gone were the blue jeans and sweatshirts. She was wearing a dark grey fisherman’s sweater and black wool pants. Her hair was down in loose curls framing her face instead of pulled back. A few noticed jewelry as well. She wore a thin gold bracelet and a gold class ring that gleamed and caught the light. The effect was stunning and distinctly different than the Sabine they all knew and expected.
Amber was in love with the sweater and made a note to find out from Sabine where she could get one.
Everybody was mingling, the food was great and everyone was happy. Amber noticed Henrik was acting a bit nervous. She started watching him closer to see if she could figure out what was going on in his head. The food was good, everyone was having fun so why was he still nervous?
Amber looked around some more. Who else was nervous? She didn’t see anyone else acting nervous, but she did notice Sabine to be watching Henrik a bit more than she expected. Was it because of the change in appearance? Was it something else? Try as she might, she still couldn’t turn off her people watching habit.
Soon the eating slowed down. There was just too much food. Everyone had their fill, then continued nibbling and the talking picked up for some while others just enjoyed the night sky.
The little clan had eaten far too much for them to even consider having dessert right away. They all sat staring at nature’s TV enjoying the sounds of nature, something most of them didn’t get the chance to do where they lived. Ivar was deep in thought on how his wife was going to tell him once again how much she loved the house on the way home. Silas was wondering if he could fit a big enough fire ring in the backyard at the house to make it worthwhile.
Out of nowhere, Paige blurted out a question.
“So, Silas, not that we mind and aren’t appreciative at the honor of being selected as your ‘four musketeers’ but, why us?”
All other conversation and musing stopped and everyone looked at Paige and then Silas. Even the owls seems to suck in their normal whoos to say ooops.
Silas wasn’t sure right away how he was going to explain it. He decided to go with what he knew about them as the reason. At least these he could articulate.
“Well, there are a lot of factors. I had read a bunch on your and Sabine’s backgrounds as part of the selection process for you guys to get the jobs here. In my research, because I don’t just go with what’s on the official record, I found out you two were loyal to a fault,” at this statement Paige smiled and Sabine got a momentary pained look on her face.
Silas continued. “And once I had the character references to build on, I watched you both once you arrived. Paige, once I met you and saw the resemblance to my own little slice of evil incarnate,” he gestured towards Violet, who stuck out her tongue like a five year old at him.
“I watched you closer, almost out of habit. Once the incident happened with you, I was able to observe all four of you under pressure. The events were similar to working with you in combat. The stress brought out your natures. You and Sabine trusted Henrik and Andrea, so your trust bought my trust of them. Most of the other people on base I haven’t deployed with nor observed in such situations. I went with my gut after expert consultation.” He smiled.
Sabine had a question for him right away.
“What expert consultation?”
Silas pointed a thumb at Amber.
“Her. I trust her judgement above all others when it comes to reading people.”
“Spousal trust is great, but…” Sabine started, then tapered off as Silas continued.
“I understand your reservations, Sabine, but it is also a professional opinion. It’s her fault. She did an unofficial psych eval for me. Otherwise, what’s the advantage of having a professional shrink for a wife? Something has to offset the fact I can never win an argument.”
Amber was wondering why Silas was throwing her under the bus. She didn’t think what she did really counted as a ‘psych eval’. It was more of an opinion if they could trust them enough to not get thrown in jail because they went to headquarters with what they had planned. May as well explain it that way.
Paige, Sabine, Henrik and Andrea looked over at Amber. She was smiling and looked a bit sheepish before she spoke.
“It’s not like I threw you guys down on a couch. He asked me my opinion about if we could trust you and would you be able to go along with these two’s” she pointed at Silas and Ivar. “hare-brained plan to pillage and protecting the troops vs filling official blocks.”
While Amber spoke, she saw a strange angry hurt look come across Sabine’s face. She might have to ask Silas about it later.
“So, it’s just I have a lot of time hearing other people’s stories and get a decent feel of what they are like . I’ve always been a decent judge of character.”
Andrea looked over at Sofia.
“So, a secret shrink, and you are what? A neurosurgeon or a CEO?” Andrea, unlike Sabine, said it with a smile and a grin.
“The only surgery I ever did was on cloth. A four year stint as a parachute rigger, then odd jobs on base since I was married to him.” She pointed at Ivar.
The conversation turned back to friendly banter. Some were commiserating with Violet and the fact she couldn’t get away with anything growing up, everyone was having fun, for the most part.
Silas noticed Sabine had vanished somewhere in the general mingling. He knew in her mind he crossed a line. He needed to go and find her. He had to explain to her he only had Amber do a profile on Sabine, not Jeanne. He did not break his promise to her, Bill or to his sister Beth. A promise is a promise. He would not tell anybody or use it against her as she must be thinking. He had to find her and make her understand. She did not need nor deserve to feel another person betrayed her.
He found Sabine in the kitchen, getting the desserts ready. Sabine looked up at him, the look on her face struck him almost like a physical blow; icy, hurt, and then, the scariest of all, a blank affect similar to the one he had heard described by Bill from the courtroom and he had seen a glimpse of in the Arms Room footage. She was now wearing a flat featureless, emotionless look similar to just before she removed the safety on the pistol pointed at Frickel.
“Sabine.” Sabine didn’t answer him, but at least she didn’t look away.
“Sabine, all I did was give her the personnel packet for Paige and you. Then she met you at the party forming her own impressions about you, Sabine, not any other person because that other person does not exist anymore to anyone here unless you want her to. I don’t know if she even asked Violet anything. She only got ‘Sabine’. I promised you and I have held to it. I have been married to her for 27 years and tell her everything but I still kept the other you from her. Your story is not mine to give.”
Sabine stood there listening to his explanation, her look unreadable to him, at least until she spoke. Her voice was angry and hurt and harsh.
“You have no idea what I went through because of the ‘benevolent shrinks’!”
God! He didn’t know what was worse; the blank Sabine or the hurt and angry Sabine! He had to fix this!
“Your right. I have no idea. I also didn’t open the can of worms you are worried about. I asked her opinion about two people I thought would be willing to work with me on what is fundamentally an illegal operation for the good of the troops. Even when I was looking to keep my own ass safe, I didn’t open that door. You are legally free and clear of the stuff in your past. I have put my career and my freedom in your hands without revealing your uncomfortable but legally neutral past.”
Sabine just stood there with a blank stare. Silas hoped she believed him. She should. He was telling the truth.
“Amber’s specialty is PTSD. She works at the bases we have been at helping all the Special Ops guys with their issues. She is used to not having all the info and not pushing or prying into the person inner demon unless they want to let them out. She looked at the packets and talked to me for my opinion, and what she though after meeting you. I know you feel betrayed, but as I told you, your secrets are yours to tell, not mine. I am sorry I made you feel this way, but I only talked to her about ‘Sabine’.”
Sabine looked to be at war with herself. When she finally spoke, She seemed to be fighting for control.
“Silas, you are going to have to give me some time on this. Help me carry the desserts out to the table.”
Silas knew this was the best he was going to get for now. At least she is still talking to him. The two of them carried the trays out to the food tables so they were ready when people made room.
Almost everyone was standing around oohing and ahhing at the desserts when a shriek came from across the meadow.
Ivar and Sofia were the first to arrive. Sofia wanted to get there a little early so she could help finish things if they needed it. She had been the one hosting and playing octopus trying to get it all right before and wanted to do what she could to help out.
Violet, Veronica and Andrea were in the kitchen when Ivar and Sofia showed up. Most of the hard work was already done but there are always a ton of little details to fix. Sofia joined right in.
Henrik must have heard their arrival and came upstairs just in time to greet Silas and Amber when they walked in the door. Soon, Henrik got everyone he could to start carrying the food outside. The idea was a fine outdoor dining experience and it got all the extra bodies out of the kitchen.
Sabine went past them headed the other way. She told them she would be right out to join them, she wanted to clean up first.
All of the tables were set with tablecloths, the coolers were full of ice and drinks. Crockpots of mulled wine were out as well. A well banked, self-feeding fire was roaring in the fire pit. Sabine and Henrik had more chairs horseshoed around the fire pit.
Henrik carried the pot of jambalaya out and wrapped the base of the pot with some insulation to keep it warm. Paige carried out plates and silverware. She was happy. It was written all over her.
Silas couldn’t help but notice how happy Paige was, in stark contrast to when he saw her in the hospital bed, or worse, crumpled and broken on the floor of the arms room. Hell, who was he kidding? That day, all he saw was Violet.
Amber picked up on Silas’ mood shift. She poked him in his ribs. When he jumped, she whispered in his ear.
“I don’t know where your brain went just now, but this is a happy party. Knock it off for now.”
Silas smiled in spite of his thoughts a moment ago. Leave it to Amber to pick up on it and shut it down just as fast. He leaned over and kissed her cheek.
People were starting to dish the food when Sabine walked out of the house to join them. Ivar and Silas were immediately struck by her appearance. When you are used to seeing someone in uniform or casual clothes about the same level as the PT uniform, it can be startling how different they can look when they are dressed up. That’s what happened now.
Sabine was dressed in what one might call New England casual, fit for outdoor dining, but definitely different than anyone here had seen her before. Gone were the blue jeans and sweatshirts. She was wearing a dark grey fisherman’s sweater and black wool pants. Her hair was down in loose curls framing her face instead of pulled back. A few noticed jewelry as well. She wore a thin gold bracelet and a gold class ring that gleamed and caught the light. The effect was stunning and distinctly different than the Sabine they all knew and expected.
Amber was in love with the sweater and made a note to find out from Sabine where she could get one.
Everybody was mingling, the food was great and everyone was happy. Amber noticed Henrik was acting a bit nervous. She started watching him closer to see if she could figure out what was going on in his head. The food was good, everyone was having fun so why was he still nervous?
Amber looked around some more. Who else was nervous? She didn’t see anyone else acting nervous, but she did notice Sabine to be watching Henrik a bit more than she expected. Was it because of the change in appearance? Was it something else? Try as she might, she still couldn’t turn off her people watching habit.
Soon the eating slowed down. There was just too much food. Everyone had their fill, then continued nibbling and the talking picked up for some while others just enjoyed the night sky.
The little clan had eaten far too much for them to even consider having dessert right away. They all sat staring at nature’s TV enjoying the sounds of nature, something most of them didn’t get the chance to do where they lived. Ivar was deep in thought on how his wife was going to tell him once again how much she loved the house on the way home. Silas was wondering if he could fit a big enough fire ring in the backyard at the house to make it worthwhile.
Out of nowhere, Paige blurted out a question.
“So, Silas, not that we mind and aren’t appreciative at the honor of being selected as your ‘four musketeers’ but, why us?”
All other conversation and musing stopped and everyone looked at Paige and then Silas. Even the owls seems to suck in their normal whoos to say ooops.
Silas wasn’t sure right away how he was going to explain it. He decided to go with what he knew about them as the reason. At least these he could articulate.
“Well, there are a lot of factors. I had read a bunch on your and Sabine’s backgrounds as part of the selection process for you guys to get the jobs here. In my research, because I don’t just go with what’s on the official record, I found out you two were loyal to a fault,” at this statement Paige smiled and Sabine got a momentary pained look on her face.
Silas continued. “And once I had the character references to build on, I watched you both once you arrived. Paige, once I met you and saw the resemblance to my own little slice of evil incarnate,” he gestured towards Violet, who stuck out her tongue like a five year old at him.
“I watched you closer, almost out of habit. Once the incident happened with you, I was able to observe all four of you under pressure. The events were similar to working with you in combat. The stress brought out your natures. You and Sabine trusted Henrik and Andrea, so your trust bought my trust of them. Most of the other people on base I haven’t deployed with nor observed in such situations. I went with my gut after expert consultation.” He smiled.
Sabine had a question for him right away.
“What expert consultation?”
Silas pointed a thumb at Amber.
“Her. I trust her judgement above all others when it comes to reading people.”
“Spousal trust is great, but…” Sabine started, then tapered off as Silas continued.
“I understand your reservations, Sabine, but it is also a professional opinion. It’s her fault. She did an unofficial psych eval for me. Otherwise, what’s the advantage of having a professional shrink for a wife? Something has to offset the fact I can never win an argument.”
Amber was wondering why Silas was throwing her under the bus. She didn’t think what she did really counted as a ‘psych eval’. It was more of an opinion if they could trust them enough to not get thrown in jail because they went to headquarters with what they had planned. May as well explain it that way.
Paige, Sabine, Henrik and Andrea looked over at Amber. She was smiling and looked a bit sheepish before she spoke.
“It’s not like I threw you guys down on a couch. He asked me my opinion about if we could trust you and would you be able to go along with these two’s” she pointed at Silas and Ivar. “hare-brained plan to pillage and protecting the troops vs filling official blocks.”
While Amber spoke, she saw a strange angry hurt look come across Sabine’s face. She might have to ask Silas about it later.
“So, it’s just I have a lot of time hearing other people’s stories and get a decent feel of what they are like . I’ve always been a decent judge of character.”
Andrea looked over at Sofia.
“So, a secret shrink, and you are what? A neurosurgeon or a CEO?” Andrea, unlike Sabine, said it with a smile and a grin.
“The only surgery I ever did was on cloth. A four year stint as a parachute rigger, then odd jobs on base since I was married to him.” She pointed at Ivar.
The conversation turned back to friendly banter. Some were commiserating with Violet and the fact she couldn’t get away with anything growing up, everyone was having fun, for the most part.
Silas noticed Sabine had vanished somewhere in the general mingling. He knew in her mind he crossed a line. He needed to go and find her. He had to explain to her he only had Amber do a profile on Sabine, not Jeanne. He did not break his promise to her, Bill or to his sister Beth. A promise is a promise. He would not tell anybody or use it against her as she must be thinking. He had to find her and make her understand. She did not need nor deserve to feel another person betrayed her.
He found Sabine in the kitchen, getting the desserts ready. Sabine looked up at him, the look on her face struck him almost like a physical blow; icy, hurt, and then, the scariest of all, a blank affect similar to the one he had heard described by Bill from the courtroom and he had seen a glimpse of in the Arms Room footage. She was now wearing a flat featureless, emotionless look similar to just before she removed the safety on the pistol pointed at Frickel.
“Sabine.” Sabine didn’t answer him, but at least she didn’t look away.
“Sabine, all I did was give her the personnel packet for Paige and you. Then she met you at the party forming her own impressions about you, Sabine, not any other person because that other person does not exist anymore to anyone here unless you want her to. I don’t know if she even asked Violet anything. She only got ‘Sabine’. I promised you and I have held to it. I have been married to her for 27 years and tell her everything but I still kept the other you from her. Your story is not mine to give.”
Sabine stood there listening to his explanation, her look unreadable to him, at least until she spoke. Her voice was angry and hurt and harsh.
“You have no idea what I went through because of the ‘benevolent shrinks’!”
God! He didn’t know what was worse; the blank Sabine or the hurt and angry Sabine! He had to fix this!
“Your right. I have no idea. I also didn’t open the can of worms you are worried about. I asked her opinion about two people I thought would be willing to work with me on what is fundamentally an illegal operation for the good of the troops. Even when I was looking to keep my own ass safe, I didn’t open that door. You are legally free and clear of the stuff in your past. I have put my career and my freedom in your hands without revealing your uncomfortable but legally neutral past.”
Sabine just stood there with a blank stare. Silas hoped she believed him. She should. He was telling the truth.
“Amber’s specialty is PTSD. She works at the bases we have been at helping all the Special Ops guys with their issues. She is used to not having all the info and not pushing or prying into the person inner demon unless they want to let them out. She looked at the packets and talked to me for my opinion, and what she though after meeting you. I know you feel betrayed, but as I told you, your secrets are yours to tell, not mine. I am sorry I made you feel this way, but I only talked to her about ‘Sabine’.”
Sabine looked to be at war with herself. When she finally spoke, She seemed to be fighting for control.
“Silas, you are going to have to give me some time on this. Help me carry the desserts out to the table.”
Silas knew this was the best he was going to get for now. At least she is still talking to him. The two of them carried the trays out to the food tables so they were ready when people made room.
Almost everyone was standing around oohing and ahhing at the desserts when a shriek came from across the meadow.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
In the Field
At the sound of the shriek, time seemed to fracture, speeding up for some and moving in slow motion for others.
Sabine was instantly in motion, her pistol out as she turned. Her voice was flat and commanding when she spoke as she took off.
“Aid Bag! Now”
Andrea must have known where an Aid Bag was. She took off running.
Veronica had her pistol out and was close on Sabine’s heels, her long legs the only ones with a hope of keeping up with Sabine’s stride.
Violet wasn’t far behind Veronica, but the only weapon she had was the chef’s knife from the table.
Silas and Ivar both knew their best bet was to get Amber and Sofia somewhere safe while things get sorted. They figured they could reinforce whoever needed it as soon as Amber and Sofia were in the house. As the started down the flagstone path back to the stairs, all four of them were almost knocked over by Andrea running flat out the other way, a large pack on her back.
Silas and Ivar came back outside and moved to the far side of the fire, trying to see what was going on, trying to find out who needed help where, when Violet came back up to them from across the field. She didn’t seem to be in a hurry or stressed out.
“OK, Violet. What was it?” Ivar asked as she came up to them.
“Henrik proposed to Paige. That was the shriek. No worries guys.” Violet said as she stepped past them up to the table where she put the chef knife down.
“I’ll go tell the girls.” Silas said as he headed for the back door.
At the sound of the shriek, time seemed to fracture, speeding up for some and moving in slow motion for others.
Sabine was instantly in motion, her pistol out as she turned. Her voice was flat and commanding when she spoke as she took off.
“Aid Bag! Now”
Andrea must have known where an Aid Bag was. She took off running.
Veronica had her pistol out and was close on Sabine’s heels, her long legs the only ones with a hope of keeping up with Sabine’s stride.
Violet wasn’t far behind Veronica, but the only weapon she had was the chef’s knife from the table.
Silas and Ivar both knew their best bet was to get Amber and Sofia somewhere safe while things get sorted. They figured they could reinforce whoever needed it as soon as Amber and Sofia were in the house. As the started down the flagstone path back to the stairs, all four of them were almost knocked over by Andrea running flat out the other way, a large pack on her back.
Silas and Ivar came back outside and moved to the far side of the fire, trying to see what was going on, trying to find out who needed help where, when Violet came back up to them from across the field. She didn’t seem to be in a hurry or stressed out.
“OK, Violet. What was it?” Ivar asked as she came up to them.
“Henrik proposed to Paige. That was the shriek. No worries guys.” Violet said as she stepped past them up to the table where she put the chef knife down.
“I’ll go tell the girls.” Silas said as he headed for the back door.