Story Market Day
- Thread starter ComCamGuy
- Start date
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
It was like trying to remember a TV show or movie you saw years ago. As I started waking up, blurry images and remembered events were a disjointed jumble. I remember the blast and the pain, kinda. It feels off, somehow both new and old. It’s my left side again, my left leg. I’m not sure which pains are real and which ones are remembered. One that I know is new is the one in my chest. It hurts to breath deep at all. I relax and try and feel what’s going on without moving. I have a CPAP mask on, but not my normal one. This one is a full nose and mouth mask, and the pressure is higher. I tell myself to reverse breath like on the bike or the altitude chamber, relax to passively breathe in and then actively breathe out. This lets me get some deeper breathing without as much pain. I probe the area and instantly gasp in pain, which makes me move my chest, which makes even more pain!
I must have made some noise because instantly several things happen. Kara is standing next to the bed asking me how I feel, and a large snowshoe-shaped black furry paw comes to rest on my forehead. That explains the rumbling I had heard in my sleep. Merlin was sitting on my pillow above my head, purring to me. He always looks out for me, especially when I’m sick. He must have figured that hurt equals sick and is on the job.
I feel around a bit more, staying away from my chest and find the IV line running into my left arm. I look up and the bag is almost empty. I wonder how many bags they put in me. I then wonder why I don’t have to pee. I then put two and two together and feel below to confirm my suspicions. Yep, Foley catheter and a bag. Convenient as all get out but annoying and uncomfortable once I realize it’s in and can feel it. I look back over at Kara who is still waiting for an answer to her question.
I make some croaking sounds and Kara hands me a glass of water. Once I get a few sips in me to lubricate the mouth up again, I manage a reply.
“I don’t remember much after the blast. I’m also missing chunks before the blast as well. Both I and the red head got hit. How is she doing?”
“Bekka, she’s doing fine. She only caught a pellet or two in her left arm. She actually worked on you in the car, and then helped Garen patch you up last night. So back to my question, how do you feel?”
“Like crap. The leg aches and the chest…I guess there were no big holes since I don’t feel a chest tube.” I pause to catch my breath. “How many ribs were broke?”
“They think three.” Kara paused for a few moments, stuck for what to say so I helped her a bit.
“So, when can I get this catheter out of me?”
“Garen said later today or tomorrow. He wanted you to not have to walk too soon so everything would stabilize. He said after he wakes up he will dig in the garage for the wheelchair so you don’t stumble around too much in the first few days and tear things back open. He also intends to get the other old CPAP set up at your radio desk so you won’t hurt as much just breathing. You need to keep getting good deep breaths, otherwise you might get pneumonia and then the coughing fits, and the bones won’t ever heal.”
“So what is the plan?”
“The plan for you, Missy, is full kitten mode for about a week. Eat, Sleep, Drugs, Heal.”
“I don’t want to be a slug!”
“You aren’t. If you don’t focus on healing, it will take longer and you will be out of action even longer. And you know this! We did this dance in England. You will be careful, you will focus on you healing. Now. I will get you some coffee, and when you’re more awake, I’ll wheel you into the shower and help you onto the bench. The showering itself is all on you. Garen was able to cover the holes with some of those big waterproof Band-Aids so there shouldn’t be a problem there. After that, food. Speaking of food, tell your furry throw pillow you’re going to be ok long enough for him to come eat. The other kids have eaten already.”
I reached over my head and scratched the big fluffy head above me as Kara walked out of the room. I mumbled some assurances that I would be ok and he needed to go eat. As he stood and stretched, Kara leaned back in and called Merlin for food. He hopped off of the bed and sauntered out of the room after her. I turned my head in the other direction and saw Garen curled up on the big leather double chaise lounge in the corner sleeping. I could smell Kara’s shampoo on Garen’s pillow next to me. He had had her sleep there I’m sure so someone was within arm’s reach while I slept in case I needed something. He didn’t want me hurt or jostled in the bed and he is a restless sleeper, especially when he is tired or exhausted. He can be like laying next to an alligator doing yoga with all the flopping and rolling. Kara, on the other hand, as I found out in England, sleeps like a statue; one position, no movement, no anything.
Once I get a shower and some food, I’ll get over to my radio desk and see what info I can gather and maybe we can figure out how deep of a rabbit hole we are going into.
I raise up a little and look at the end of the bed. On the trunk at the end of the bed is a set of clothes laid out for me, and next to that, the pile of pocket stuff that was in my pants from earlier. Sitting on the clothes, staring at me as if waiting for something was Cassandra, our Calico Maine Coon. She was almost as big as Merlin, twice as ornery and three times as mouthy. Once she saw I was awake, she came up to me for a head scratch and then promptly moved over to lay next to Garen on the Chaise and curl up.
Some things felt out of place and some things felt back to normal. I saw my warbelt hanging off the post at the end of the bed next to my clothes. I’m fairly sure my E&E bag is next to my boots below it. At least I have Garen and Kara here in the house with me now. With Allyson here now, it remains to be seen where she fits. Time will tell.
I must have made some noise because instantly several things happen. Kara is standing next to the bed asking me how I feel, and a large snowshoe-shaped black furry paw comes to rest on my forehead. That explains the rumbling I had heard in my sleep. Merlin was sitting on my pillow above my head, purring to me. He always looks out for me, especially when I’m sick. He must have figured that hurt equals sick and is on the job.
I feel around a bit more, staying away from my chest and find the IV line running into my left arm. I look up and the bag is almost empty. I wonder how many bags they put in me. I then wonder why I don’t have to pee. I then put two and two together and feel below to confirm my suspicions. Yep, Foley catheter and a bag. Convenient as all get out but annoying and uncomfortable once I realize it’s in and can feel it. I look back over at Kara who is still waiting for an answer to her question.
I make some croaking sounds and Kara hands me a glass of water. Once I get a few sips in me to lubricate the mouth up again, I manage a reply.
“I don’t remember much after the blast. I’m also missing chunks before the blast as well. Both I and the red head got hit. How is she doing?”
“Bekka, she’s doing fine. She only caught a pellet or two in her left arm. She actually worked on you in the car, and then helped Garen patch you up last night. So back to my question, how do you feel?”
“Like crap. The leg aches and the chest…I guess there were no big holes since I don’t feel a chest tube.” I pause to catch my breath. “How many ribs were broke?”
“They think three.” Kara paused for a few moments, stuck for what to say so I helped her a bit.
“So, when can I get this catheter out of me?”
“Garen said later today or tomorrow. He wanted you to not have to walk too soon so everything would stabilize. He said after he wakes up he will dig in the garage for the wheelchair so you don’t stumble around too much in the first few days and tear things back open. He also intends to get the other old CPAP set up at your radio desk so you won’t hurt as much just breathing. You need to keep getting good deep breaths, otherwise you might get pneumonia and then the coughing fits, and the bones won’t ever heal.”
“So what is the plan?”
“The plan for you, Missy, is full kitten mode for about a week. Eat, Sleep, Drugs, Heal.”
“I don’t want to be a slug!”
“You aren’t. If you don’t focus on healing, it will take longer and you will be out of action even longer. And you know this! We did this dance in England. You will be careful, you will focus on you healing. Now. I will get you some coffee, and when you’re more awake, I’ll wheel you into the shower and help you onto the bench. The showering itself is all on you. Garen was able to cover the holes with some of those big waterproof Band-Aids so there shouldn’t be a problem there. After that, food. Speaking of food, tell your furry throw pillow you’re going to be ok long enough for him to come eat. The other kids have eaten already.”
I reached over my head and scratched the big fluffy head above me as Kara walked out of the room. I mumbled some assurances that I would be ok and he needed to go eat. As he stood and stretched, Kara leaned back in and called Merlin for food. He hopped off of the bed and sauntered out of the room after her. I turned my head in the other direction and saw Garen curled up on the big leather double chaise lounge in the corner sleeping. I could smell Kara’s shampoo on Garen’s pillow next to me. He had had her sleep there I’m sure so someone was within arm’s reach while I slept in case I needed something. He didn’t want me hurt or jostled in the bed and he is a restless sleeper, especially when he is tired or exhausted. He can be like laying next to an alligator doing yoga with all the flopping and rolling. Kara, on the other hand, as I found out in England, sleeps like a statue; one position, no movement, no anything.
Once I get a shower and some food, I’ll get over to my radio desk and see what info I can gather and maybe we can figure out how deep of a rabbit hole we are going into.
I raise up a little and look at the end of the bed. On the trunk at the end of the bed is a set of clothes laid out for me, and next to that, the pile of pocket stuff that was in my pants from earlier. Sitting on the clothes, staring at me as if waiting for something was Cassandra, our Calico Maine Coon. She was almost as big as Merlin, twice as ornery and three times as mouthy. Once she saw I was awake, she came up to me for a head scratch and then promptly moved over to lay next to Garen on the Chaise and curl up.
Some things felt out of place and some things felt back to normal. I saw my warbelt hanging off the post at the end of the bed next to my clothes. I’m fairly sure my E&E bag is next to my boots below it. At least I have Garen and Kara here in the house with me now. With Allyson here now, it remains to be seen where she fits. Time will tell.
Last edited:
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Kara was still unsettled by the past several days. Some of it was how everything seemed to dissolve at once. She now understood what the people were talking about when she was deployed and talking to the locals. The battle lines that were being drawn in the population already had many so far on edge this event just shoved it all over into the abyss. Within two hours, she had been shot. Whether it was for her gear, or her transportation, or just because they were angry, she would never know. What she did know was some semblance of law or control would have to be reasserted, and soon, otherwise it could be years before it could happen. It was ten to fifteen years for the former Yugoslavia to piece themselves back to a decent, stable country, albeit not to their former level of prosperity. Forty years of trying hasn’t resulted in any progress in Somalia. Eastern Europe survived much better from the withdrawal of the collapsing Soviet Union, but they didn’t have massive swaths of infrastructure and millions of people killed in the process. Will the United States be able to recover and move forward? Will the cities be rebuilt? She didn’t know, but the process wouldn’t be aided by the complete collapse of many huge corporate icons who had been gutted, insurance companies wiped out, banks wiped out, second and third order collapses from loans and investments made with guarantees based on real estate and home and business values that are now gone.
Just thinking about it made her head hurt. Imagining the Paradise fire and its effects across the entire coastline was unfathomable. If Fred still owed $700K on a mortgage to the bank, they still want their money, even though the house is now broken and in 2 feet of standing water. Fred’s insurance company can’t afford to pay for Fred’s house along with another 800,000 houses they insure that were affected, and they declare bankruptcy, so they don’t pay the bank, the bank still wants its money, but Fred’s dead, so he won’t be paying them, and if they foreclose, they will never be able to sell it for more than the land. Meanwhile all the people who invested in the banks and insurance companies still want their money, and all the people with money in the banks want their money out, which the banks had invested in land and real estate to gain value so have no liquidity to pay their shareholders and investors, so they go bankrupt. The average person now is out any money they had in the bank, plus any investments. Poof! No money, no assets, no ability to go buy food, water, shelter, if it was even available. FDIC would bankrupt the entire nation just trying to cover the companies too big to fail, much less the guy on the street with their two point three kids demanding help from the government. The government doesn’t have enough assets to help. People will be forced to take matters into their own hands. This won’t end well for many.
She could see it all laid out like an algorithm in her head. She was trembling as she looked out the window into the darkness. Garen’s hand on her shoulder broke her out her reverie.
“We survived. I couldn’t have without you. We will get through this.”
“I know, but it’s going to get ugly, Garen. Real ugly.”
“I know. We need to get Allyson up to speed soon, especially with Bekka on the injured list. Maybe you can take her with you and go down and turn the training building systems back to vacation mode. We haven’t gotten any others showing up yet. “
“I hope John made it.”
“I’m not too hopeful, Kara. If he had, he would have hit Bekka up on the radio or shown up by now. That reminds me, when I get up, we should sort through the extra stuff he shoveled at us last minute.”
“There’s no telling with that pack rat. You need to go crash, your dead on your feet.”
“A quick shower and I’m headed that way. Oh, you take the other side of the bed. If I bang into her ribs in the night, she is libel to shoot me.”
“When you’re done, leave the shower running, I’ll hop in then. I’m beat.”
Kara stood awhile longer looking out into the darkness, but not seeing it. Her brain was swimming in chaos. Finally she told it enough was enough. That’s tomorrow’s problem. She cleared her mind and focused on her vow.
“I will be without fear in the face of my enemies
I will stand brave and upright that the Lord may love me
I will speak the truth always even if it means my death
I will protect the helpless and do no wrong”
The lights were out in the room already, but she knew this room as she knew her own hands. She could hear Garen settling in on the chaise as she went by. A small amount of light from the glowing wall switch provided more than enough light to see what she needed. The rough granite of the floor in the shower felt good on her feet, as did the cascade of warm water relaxing and cleansing her. After a long time, she emerged and dried herself thoroughly. She slid into bed next to Bekka. Laying on her side facing Bekka, she was ready for any need her patient might need. Looking above Bekka, she caught the darker shadowy mass who had to be Merlin. She could hear the purring from here. Her final thought before sleep overcame her was that they would survive.
Just thinking about it made her head hurt. Imagining the Paradise fire and its effects across the entire coastline was unfathomable. If Fred still owed $700K on a mortgage to the bank, they still want their money, even though the house is now broken and in 2 feet of standing water. Fred’s insurance company can’t afford to pay for Fred’s house along with another 800,000 houses they insure that were affected, and they declare bankruptcy, so they don’t pay the bank, the bank still wants its money, but Fred’s dead, so he won’t be paying them, and if they foreclose, they will never be able to sell it for more than the land. Meanwhile all the people who invested in the banks and insurance companies still want their money, and all the people with money in the banks want their money out, which the banks had invested in land and real estate to gain value so have no liquidity to pay their shareholders and investors, so they go bankrupt. The average person now is out any money they had in the bank, plus any investments. Poof! No money, no assets, no ability to go buy food, water, shelter, if it was even available. FDIC would bankrupt the entire nation just trying to cover the companies too big to fail, much less the guy on the street with their two point three kids demanding help from the government. The government doesn’t have enough assets to help. People will be forced to take matters into their own hands. This won’t end well for many.
She could see it all laid out like an algorithm in her head. She was trembling as she looked out the window into the darkness. Garen’s hand on her shoulder broke her out her reverie.
“We survived. I couldn’t have without you. We will get through this.”
“I know, but it’s going to get ugly, Garen. Real ugly.”
“I know. We need to get Allyson up to speed soon, especially with Bekka on the injured list. Maybe you can take her with you and go down and turn the training building systems back to vacation mode. We haven’t gotten any others showing up yet. “
“I hope John made it.”
“I’m not too hopeful, Kara. If he had, he would have hit Bekka up on the radio or shown up by now. That reminds me, when I get up, we should sort through the extra stuff he shoveled at us last minute.”
“There’s no telling with that pack rat. You need to go crash, your dead on your feet.”
“A quick shower and I’m headed that way. Oh, you take the other side of the bed. If I bang into her ribs in the night, she is libel to shoot me.”
“When you’re done, leave the shower running, I’ll hop in then. I’m beat.”
Kara stood awhile longer looking out into the darkness, but not seeing it. Her brain was swimming in chaos. Finally she told it enough was enough. That’s tomorrow’s problem. She cleared her mind and focused on her vow.
“I will be without fear in the face of my enemies
I will stand brave and upright that the Lord may love me
I will speak the truth always even if it means my death
I will protect the helpless and do no wrong”
The lights were out in the room already, but she knew this room as she knew her own hands. She could hear Garen settling in on the chaise as she went by. A small amount of light from the glowing wall switch provided more than enough light to see what she needed. The rough granite of the floor in the shower felt good on her feet, as did the cascade of warm water relaxing and cleansing her. After a long time, she emerged and dried herself thoroughly. She slid into bed next to Bekka. Laying on her side facing Bekka, she was ready for any need her patient might need. Looking above Bekka, she caught the darker shadowy mass who had to be Merlin. She could hear the purring from here. Her final thought before sleep overcame her was that they would survive.
Last edited:
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
It took Garen a long time to clean up the mess he made in the kitchen. Some of this was by design, some of this was fatigue. All the metal tools he had used on Bekka, as well as the ones he used on Kara a few nights before went into the sink with hot soapy water and a generous amount of alcohol for a scrub. The casualty blanket went into a plastic bag to be cleaned later and put into a different kit for use in emergency shelter components so it didn’t get on another casualty, to prevent cross contamination if they missed something cleaning. All the bloody clothes went into another bag to soak in water and OxyClean so it can be either reused or used for patches on other clothes. His med ruck got reloaded of the supplies he had expended from the case, and a list made of other things he thought he might be short on made. He will dig in storage for stuff to reload the case tomorrow. He then topped off the magazines he had used on the trip so he had a full load. He made a mental note to get with Kara and Bekka tomorrow and figure out whether to keep set up with the 10mm stuff or switch over to the 5.56 stuff they were more used to.
He set all the stuff out on the trunk for Bekka to dress in a hurry if necessary. While there he checked on Bekka again. She was doing fine and sleeping. She had a protector on the pillow above her head. Merlin was in his usual spot, keeping an eye on her while she slept. He then laid out his clothes and gear before going to talk to Kara, who had gotten Allyson squared away for the night. So many thing to do tomorrow.
After talking with Kara he went to the shower. He sat on the rough granite floor of the shower for awhile, the water pouring over him, easing his aching muscles. Nights like this remind him of some of the reasons he retired. His body couldn’t put up with it like when he was younger. He forced his mind to stop making lists and let him relax. He stumbled to the chaise and curled up under the throw blanket that lived on it. Almost instantly Cassandra was next to him and curling up in his armpit, softly purring him to sleep.
He set all the stuff out on the trunk for Bekka to dress in a hurry if necessary. While there he checked on Bekka again. She was doing fine and sleeping. She had a protector on the pillow above her head. Merlin was in his usual spot, keeping an eye on her while she slept. He then laid out his clothes and gear before going to talk to Kara, who had gotten Allyson squared away for the night. So many thing to do tomorrow.
After talking with Kara he went to the shower. He sat on the rough granite floor of the shower for awhile, the water pouring over him, easing his aching muscles. Nights like this remind him of some of the reasons he retired. His body couldn’t put up with it like when he was younger. He forced his mind to stop making lists and let him relax. He stumbled to the chaise and curled up under the throw blanket that lived on it. Almost instantly Cassandra was next to him and curling up in his armpit, softly purring him to sleep.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
The smell of coffee woke her up. As she sat up and took in her surroundings in the light coming in through the window, her eye caught movement over by the window. A dark speckled shape darted from the window, across the floor, and out the bedroom door that was open just a crack. She thought for sure she had closed the door all the way. It was then she saw sitting on the trunk a pair of pants, a t-shirt and some socks, all in a neat pile. She thought to herself “this solves my ‘what to wear problem’”.
She went into the bathroom to pee and found a brand new toothbrush and some toothpaste on the sink for her as well as a brush and comb. These guys seem to think of everything. All of this was reassuring until the other half of her brain kicked in. Someone had come into the room, moved things around, and gone all the way into the bathroom without her knowing or waking up. She is normally a light sleeper, so this was vaguely unsettling. After taking care of business in the bathroom, she wandered out of the room in search of the coffee she knew she had smelled. As she emerged, she heard the sounds of water and music coming from the kitchen. This turned out to be Kara listening to some music from a machine bolted to the underside of one of the kitchen cabinets that she hadn’t seen last night. Simple guitars and female vocals, not too loud. The water was Kara filling a coffeemaker on the kitchen counter. On the breakfast bar beyond her were a pair of long lanky tortoiseshell cats drinking something from saucers on the bar. At her appearance, they both vanished like wisps of smoke, startling Kara, who turned and saw her.
“Did you sleep well?
“I slept like a rock, but I have to ask, did I take the Master Bedroom? That room is like 5 star hotel nice. Please tell me I didn’t take their room because I’m a ‘guest’”
“No, that was the prototype. Garen and Bekka designed it while Bekka was in England and wasn’t here to help with final choices so Garen built it to try out some of their ideas. They knew they were going to do matching footprints for the two rooms so they used the one you were in for about a year before they finished the REAL Master Bedroom. They liked it pretty well, and only changed a few little things, like the glass wall in the shower in the second one is lit from within the glass block and has stained glass on the outside, the window also has a bench built into the windowsill, and the floor of the shower is one single piece of rough cut granite instead of tile. Otherwise, the same. Cream or sugar for your coffee?” Kara handed over a mug of steaming coffee as she spoke.
“Both please”
Kara shoved a large glass bottle with raw sugar in it across the counter and pulled a carton of heavy whipping cream out of the fridge. She then pulled a spoon from a drawer and handed it to Allyson.
Allyson spent a few moments doctoring her coffee, after which Kara put a splash of cream into the two saucers on the bar top before she put it back into the fridge.
“So who were the puffs of fur?” said Allyson gesturing to the dishes on the bar.
“Oh, mayhem and chaos? The terrible torties? No, that’s not fair, they are really sweet. Sooner or later they will get used to you around and not run every time you appear. Torden and Lyn, or translated, Thunder and Lightning are their names” Kara took her mug and gestured for Allyson to join her as she went to the living room. The vaulted wood beamed ceiling gave the room an airy feel along with the many windows. Along one wall Allyson could see four pinball machines, all turned off. On the right was a desk with what appeared to be several radios on it as well as a large LED screen. Kara walked past all of this to a semicircle of large leather chairs and sofas facing a massive fieldstone fireplace with what looked like thick iron doors that closed across the front. Kara picked a chair and sat down. After a confused minute trying to pick the best place to sit, Allyson sat as well.
“Allyson, Garen asked us to do some small errands here on the property while he sleeps and watches over Bekka. Nothing too bad, just checking another building and adjusting a thermostat or two. This will get us out from underfoot and also gets you a better lay of the land. Are you up for it?”
“Sure, when do we leave?”
“Have your coffee, I’ll scrounge up something for a quick bite, and then we gear up and head out. Does that work?”
“Whatever you say, I’m along for the ride.”
She went into the bathroom to pee and found a brand new toothbrush and some toothpaste on the sink for her as well as a brush and comb. These guys seem to think of everything. All of this was reassuring until the other half of her brain kicked in. Someone had come into the room, moved things around, and gone all the way into the bathroom without her knowing or waking up. She is normally a light sleeper, so this was vaguely unsettling. After taking care of business in the bathroom, she wandered out of the room in search of the coffee she knew she had smelled. As she emerged, she heard the sounds of water and music coming from the kitchen. This turned out to be Kara listening to some music from a machine bolted to the underside of one of the kitchen cabinets that she hadn’t seen last night. Simple guitars and female vocals, not too loud. The water was Kara filling a coffeemaker on the kitchen counter. On the breakfast bar beyond her were a pair of long lanky tortoiseshell cats drinking something from saucers on the bar. At her appearance, they both vanished like wisps of smoke, startling Kara, who turned and saw her.
“Did you sleep well?
“I slept like a rock, but I have to ask, did I take the Master Bedroom? That room is like 5 star hotel nice. Please tell me I didn’t take their room because I’m a ‘guest’”
“No, that was the prototype. Garen and Bekka designed it while Bekka was in England and wasn’t here to help with final choices so Garen built it to try out some of their ideas. They knew they were going to do matching footprints for the two rooms so they used the one you were in for about a year before they finished the REAL Master Bedroom. They liked it pretty well, and only changed a few little things, like the glass wall in the shower in the second one is lit from within the glass block and has stained glass on the outside, the window also has a bench built into the windowsill, and the floor of the shower is one single piece of rough cut granite instead of tile. Otherwise, the same. Cream or sugar for your coffee?” Kara handed over a mug of steaming coffee as she spoke.
“Both please”
Kara shoved a large glass bottle with raw sugar in it across the counter and pulled a carton of heavy whipping cream out of the fridge. She then pulled a spoon from a drawer and handed it to Allyson.
Allyson spent a few moments doctoring her coffee, after which Kara put a splash of cream into the two saucers on the bar top before she put it back into the fridge.
“So who were the puffs of fur?” said Allyson gesturing to the dishes on the bar.
“Oh, mayhem and chaos? The terrible torties? No, that’s not fair, they are really sweet. Sooner or later they will get used to you around and not run every time you appear. Torden and Lyn, or translated, Thunder and Lightning are their names” Kara took her mug and gestured for Allyson to join her as she went to the living room. The vaulted wood beamed ceiling gave the room an airy feel along with the many windows. Along one wall Allyson could see four pinball machines, all turned off. On the right was a desk with what appeared to be several radios on it as well as a large LED screen. Kara walked past all of this to a semicircle of large leather chairs and sofas facing a massive fieldstone fireplace with what looked like thick iron doors that closed across the front. Kara picked a chair and sat down. After a confused minute trying to pick the best place to sit, Allyson sat as well.
“Allyson, Garen asked us to do some small errands here on the property while he sleeps and watches over Bekka. Nothing too bad, just checking another building and adjusting a thermostat or two. This will get us out from underfoot and also gets you a better lay of the land. Are you up for it?”
“Sure, when do we leave?”
“Have your coffee, I’ll scrounge up something for a quick bite, and then we gear up and head out. Does that work?”
“Whatever you say, I’m along for the ride.”
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
After a couple cups of coffee and some hand sliced ham sandwiches, Kara and Allyson both went to get dressed to go out for a walk to the other building and around the property. The first one back in the living room was Kara, dressed in simple cargo pants, hiking boots, t-shirt and a loose long sleeve shirt that mostly concealed the pouch and holster laden belt around her waist. Over her shoulder was a small canvas bag that could be, at first glance, mistaken for a purse. She looked over at Allyson when she walked into the room and started shaking her head.
“Where’s the rest of your kit?”
“What kit, Kara? I don’t understand. We are just walking to another part of their property, right? What all do we need?”
“Look, until we know what all is going on, Bekka and Garen think we should treat this like one of our down range trips. Here on the property, is like being on one of the Forward Operating Bases. We don’t anticipate a major problem, but we are prepared for it. Just like a trip in a foreign country, we try to have certain things on us or with us all the time. There are times you may be separated or driven out of where you wanted or needed to be. On a pleasure trip it could be something as simple as missing a bus, or getting separated from a tour group. In hostile lands it can be much worse reasons you are heading away from your normal support. You make sure you have the basics like a small amount of food, some way to carry and purify some water, something for some shelter, like a jacket or one of those survival blankets, and when you have any possibility of hostiles, spare ammo and such.” At this she held up the small satchel.
“If we were leaving the property, we would be dressed more like we were when we came and got you, with long guns, lots of extra ammo for both pistol and rifle, maps to keep oriented, more water more food and such.”
“So, what you’re saying is, be ready for someone to chase you away from everything? Sounds like a rough way to live.”
“Didn’t we just have that very thing? With all of two minutes notice, everything I owned other that stuff I left here and what I had on my back and bike were gone. Food, water and shelter? The only thing I could count on was what I had with me or what I could scrounge. You were in the same boat; your apartment is basically gone as well. Hell, a tornado could come down and suck up Garen and Bekka’s house to Oz while we are on our little walk. I’m not talking about carrying a 5000 cubic inch pack to walk to the mailbox. This bag is half empty, and probably smaller than most women’s purses. Tell you what, I know where Garen keeps a few spare piles of bags and some of the stuff to stock them. Think of it as preparing for a little day hike with the potential for some surprise hide and seek thrown in.”
“It still seems like a jacked-up way to live, and you guys have been doing it for years? I don’t know how you guys did it.”
“I agree, it’s a different mindset, but once you learn it, it can become second nature and doesn’t intrude too drastically. We will get you set up, and then we’ll go for a leisurely four- or five-mile walk, with the building we need to check on somewhere in the middle of that. We are basically grabbing stuff for a five-mile hike that might last overnight. So, follow me, lets go downstairs.”
“Where’s the rest of your kit?”
“What kit, Kara? I don’t understand. We are just walking to another part of their property, right? What all do we need?”
“Look, until we know what all is going on, Bekka and Garen think we should treat this like one of our down range trips. Here on the property, is like being on one of the Forward Operating Bases. We don’t anticipate a major problem, but we are prepared for it. Just like a trip in a foreign country, we try to have certain things on us or with us all the time. There are times you may be separated or driven out of where you wanted or needed to be. On a pleasure trip it could be something as simple as missing a bus, or getting separated from a tour group. In hostile lands it can be much worse reasons you are heading away from your normal support. You make sure you have the basics like a small amount of food, some way to carry and purify some water, something for some shelter, like a jacket or one of those survival blankets, and when you have any possibility of hostiles, spare ammo and such.” At this she held up the small satchel.
“If we were leaving the property, we would be dressed more like we were when we came and got you, with long guns, lots of extra ammo for both pistol and rifle, maps to keep oriented, more water more food and such.”
“So, what you’re saying is, be ready for someone to chase you away from everything? Sounds like a rough way to live.”
“Didn’t we just have that very thing? With all of two minutes notice, everything I owned other that stuff I left here and what I had on my back and bike were gone. Food, water and shelter? The only thing I could count on was what I had with me or what I could scrounge. You were in the same boat; your apartment is basically gone as well. Hell, a tornado could come down and suck up Garen and Bekka’s house to Oz while we are on our little walk. I’m not talking about carrying a 5000 cubic inch pack to walk to the mailbox. This bag is half empty, and probably smaller than most women’s purses. Tell you what, I know where Garen keeps a few spare piles of bags and some of the stuff to stock them. Think of it as preparing for a little day hike with the potential for some surprise hide and seek thrown in.”
“It still seems like a jacked-up way to live, and you guys have been doing it for years? I don’t know how you guys did it.”
“I agree, it’s a different mindset, but once you learn it, it can become second nature and doesn’t intrude too drastically. We will get you set up, and then we’ll go for a leisurely four- or five-mile walk, with the building we need to check on somewhere in the middle of that. We are basically grabbing stuff for a five-mile hike that might last overnight. So, follow me, lets go downstairs.”
Dosadi
Brown Coat
Thank you
I always have my pockets stuffed with sufficient stuff similar to that bag thing.
And I know my AO like back of my hand, and it is my family clan country so I have umpteen fall back options.
One thing I do carry is a handy talkie because simplex reaches family easy and isn't tied to cell towers although I have that also.
Comms are vital in any grubby situation where ya have people spread out in a smallish area ya may need to talk to and can't walk to.
Thank you
Dosadi
I always have my pockets stuffed with sufficient stuff similar to that bag thing.
And I know my AO like back of my hand, and it is my family clan country so I have umpteen fall back options.
One thing I do carry is a handy talkie because simplex reaches family easy and isn't tied to cell towers although I have that also.
Comms are vital in any grubby situation where ya have people spread out in a smallish area ya may need to talk to and can't walk to.
Thank you
Dosadi
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
The bag thing is to hold a bit more than most pockets, especially in hostile lands, such as full IFAK, 6+ high cap mags for primary, plus some more for secondary (most of which is on the belt) , water bottle if it isn’t on the belt, and other odds and ends. It’s a way to plus up your capability without dragging a whole pack, and in some ways based on the old school mountain man “possibles” bag. It is also the equivalent to the military pilots survival kit in the seat pan of the ejection seat fighters. I and many others I know when in ground vehicles would have it right behind my ankles in the front seat, so it was easy to grab without turning around or extending to reach, and grab able by either hand if we had to bail out of a car for any reason (fire , flood, crash, crowd, etc) frequently called a bail out or e&e kit. This was not just a military thing. Aid workers in Africa in the 70s and 80s would sometimes have to worry about raids from rival factions and the only way to survive was tirade off right away with only what you had at hand. Many developed a small kit, sometimes a butt pack, sometimes a chest pouch, to keep the bare minimum for survival on them at all times. A sophisticated and well thought out EDC loadout can accomplish much , but a small grab bag can expand capabilities tenfold.
Texican
Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
She looked over at Allyson when she walked into the room and started shaking her head.
“Where’s the rest of your kit?”
“What kit, Kara? I don’t understand. We are just walking to another part of their property, right? What all do we need?”
Allyson has a lot of waking up to do.... Get shot at has not impressed that it is no longer civilization, but fighting to live another day....
Thanks CCG for the chapter....
Texican....
“Where’s the rest of your kit?”
“What kit, Kara? I don’t understand. We are just walking to another part of their property, right? What all do we need?”
Allyson has a lot of waking up to do.... Get shot at has not impressed that it is no longer civilization, but fighting to live another day....
Thanks CCG for the chapter....
Texican....
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
As they headed downstairs, they stopped by Allyson’s room to pick up the loaded belt she had from the training gear. Kara told her it would make due until after everyone had a chance to think and process and determine how much, what type and what caliber made the most sense to carry where. As they went down the fairly broad stairs, Allyson was on the lookout for the ‘clutter’ she was warned against. The hallway downstairs was fairly wide. She had at least a foot to either side when she stretched her arms out to her sides. It felt a little too wide and she wasn’t sure why someone would waste the space having the hallway in the basement this wide. As she followed Kara, they kept moving down the hall until they reached a set of double doors at the end of the hallway. Along their way, they passed several sets of double doors that were closed. Each reminded her of the big metal doors for fire exits. She was going to ask about them but Kara didn’t slow down til they got to the end, where she produced a key and opened the right hand door of the pair of doors. Once the door opened, Allyson did a double take and looked back along the way they had come. This was much larger than the house upstairs, even before you took into account what was behind this door. As Kara opened the door, Allyson could see a very long room heading off into darkness, lined on one side with sturdy industrial shelves. On the shelves they first come to are plastic storage boxes with labels like ’water’, ‘shelter’, ‘big pouch’, ‘medical, bleed’ , ‘airway’, ‘GPS’, and so on.
As Kara started reaching into bins and pulling out stuff, Allyson kept staring and looking around. Kara started handing stuff to Allyson and told her to put it on the table. This caused Allyson to whirl around a few times looking for a table until she found one that folded out of the wall like an old ironing board on the right side near the door they came in. As soon as she pulled it down, her senses were assaulted with the familiar odors for gun oil and powder residue. She also saw in the niche, revealed by the plank folding down, a set of switches. Making a leap of awareness, she looked up and saw the expected steel cable of a target retrieval system. An indoor range! These guys had everything!
Kara was rummaging in a couple different bins and handing stuff over her shoulder at a rate that made it a bit difficult to id everything as it came at her. After a few minutes Kara turned and looked at the pile a moment, turned and grabbed one or two more things, seemed satisfied and looked up at Allyson.
“Ok, this should work. Not too much, just the basics to go with what you have on the belt. We will add a pouch or two to the belt and fix this stuff” gesturing at the table “in a way that works and gives you room to add more as the need arises or you come across extra you want to pick up.” She began arranging stuff from the table into the bag, explaining as she went.
Allyson watched and the pile that looked so large shrunk quickly as it was put into place. She saw that it was broken down into just a few topics and elements. She had a couple of different ways to make fire, a water bottle with built in filter able to filter out everything including, in Kara’s words, “heavy metals, bad thoughts and computer viruses”; some general small tools like a Swiss army knife, needle driver, course thread and needle, flashlight with extra batteries, headlamp, compass, heavy duty Mylar casualty blanket and some 550 cord. It all packed down with over half the bag volume still empty. The pouches on the outside were still empty but Allyson could see they were set up for rifle and pistol magazines. Kara added a big metal snap link to the shoulder strap and called it good.
“Alright, Allyson. This is a simple set up that you can work and modify as you see fit. One of the big things I learned was to avoid stuffing it to the gills. It is always handy to have somewhere you can cram some extra stuff you end up coming across.” Kara handed Allyson the bag.
When Allyson took it, she realized it wasn’t very heavy or bulky. She immediately had the thought ‘Backwoods Combat Messenger Bag’. This actually made sense and she could work with it. She just needed to figure out how to operate everything in it.
As Kara started reaching into bins and pulling out stuff, Allyson kept staring and looking around. Kara started handing stuff to Allyson and told her to put it on the table. This caused Allyson to whirl around a few times looking for a table until she found one that folded out of the wall like an old ironing board on the right side near the door they came in. As soon as she pulled it down, her senses were assaulted with the familiar odors for gun oil and powder residue. She also saw in the niche, revealed by the plank folding down, a set of switches. Making a leap of awareness, she looked up and saw the expected steel cable of a target retrieval system. An indoor range! These guys had everything!
Kara was rummaging in a couple different bins and handing stuff over her shoulder at a rate that made it a bit difficult to id everything as it came at her. After a few minutes Kara turned and looked at the pile a moment, turned and grabbed one or two more things, seemed satisfied and looked up at Allyson.
“Ok, this should work. Not too much, just the basics to go with what you have on the belt. We will add a pouch or two to the belt and fix this stuff” gesturing at the table “in a way that works and gives you room to add more as the need arises or you come across extra you want to pick up.” She began arranging stuff from the table into the bag, explaining as she went.
Allyson watched and the pile that looked so large shrunk quickly as it was put into place. She saw that it was broken down into just a few topics and elements. She had a couple of different ways to make fire, a water bottle with built in filter able to filter out everything including, in Kara’s words, “heavy metals, bad thoughts and computer viruses”; some general small tools like a Swiss army knife, needle driver, course thread and needle, flashlight with extra batteries, headlamp, compass, heavy duty Mylar casualty blanket and some 550 cord. It all packed down with over half the bag volume still empty. The pouches on the outside were still empty but Allyson could see they were set up for rifle and pistol magazines. Kara added a big metal snap link to the shoulder strap and called it good.
“Alright, Allyson. This is a simple set up that you can work and modify as you see fit. One of the big things I learned was to avoid stuffing it to the gills. It is always handy to have somewhere you can cram some extra stuff you end up coming across.” Kara handed Allyson the bag.
When Allyson took it, she realized it wasn’t very heavy or bulky. She immediately had the thought ‘Backwoods Combat Messenger Bag’. This actually made sense and she could work with it. She just needed to figure out how to operate everything in it.
Last edited:
Texican
Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
When Allyson took it, she realized it wasn’t very heavy or bulky. She immediately had the thought ‘Backwoods Combat Messenger Bag’. This actually made sense and she could work with it. She just needed to figure out how to operate everything in it.
Allyson is getting her chit and mental state together....
Backwoods Combat Messenger Bag fits....
Now, she definitely needs to learn how to operate everything before it is needed in the field under fire and causes problems....
Thanks CCG for the chapter....
Now just when will the second guy come on scene.... One married guy with two extra women could be a problem unless the two extras also like females....
Texican....
Allyson is getting her chit and mental state together....
Backwoods Combat Messenger Bag fits....
Now, she definitely needs to learn how to operate everything before it is needed in the field under fire and causes problems....
Thanks CCG for the chapter....
Now just when will the second guy come on scene.... One married guy with two extra women could be a problem unless the two extras also like females....
Texican....
Sportsman
Veteran Member
Siskiyoumom
Veteran Member
Thank you very much!
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
As Kara and Allyson walked the grounds toward the “training building”, they continued talking about a wide variety of things. Kara was pointing out things on the property, like telling her where this road or that road went as they went through intersections and across roads on a meandering foot trail. The terrain was a mix of trees and meadows interspersed with several roads. At one point Allyson asked why they were walking and not driving if it was several miles. This caused Kara to pause for one of the first of several small discussions they were to have this day.
“Good question, and deserves more than a flippant answer. There are several reasons we are walking, aside from its good for us. This also gets you more familiar with the land in a way that is much more reliable than looking out a window as it goes by. Another reason is the conservation of fuel. We don’t know when or from where we may be able to get any more. I know Garen has a small supply on site here, but gas is too valuable to waste running down to the corner. The same goes for the wear and tear on the vehicles. And last but not least of the reasons I can think of is the less noise we make, the lass attention we attract. If we had come in from the road, you would have seen the subterfuge they set up to keep people from wandering up. This place looks like a defunct computer training facility that was part of a larger computer billing company. No products to steal, nothing valuable for people to boost, and the plants and such keep out the casual walk-ons, and such.”
“How big is this place? This must have cost a fortune?”
“The place is pretty big, several hundred acres. They found it during one of the big crashes in the economy and bought it for basically the back taxes. Garen told me that with Bekka’s disability rating and the way the state works, they don’t have to pay property tax, which was one of the only ways they were able to afford it and keep it. A lot of what you will see at the training building however is due to John. When he found out Garen and Bekka had this land, he started cutting deals with them. John is the one with too much money and no focus. He paid for the full renovation of the training building, converting the office areas over to some bedrooms, a kitchen and a couple of conference rooms. In exchange they hold a class or two out here for one of our clients that wants to avoid being in town at all. Part of the deal with Garen was included they clients were to not find out about the house or the exact location of the property. John had some squirrely clients. He also bought a slew of connexes for storage on the back side of the training building for stuff for the Center he didn’t want to store there. John bought like 20 of them and moved 15 or 16 out here and only claimed 8 for the Center as wel as two for himself and the rest were divided among a couple of us instructors like me, Garen, Derrek, Doug, and Jodi. I think John was using ‘stuff for the Center’ as a way for hiding stuff during his divorce, personally.” They continued walking. They went by the pond and stream, startling a couple of deer as they appeared.
Finally, they crested a small rise and Allyson got her first view of the training building. The view was of the back of the building with its double high row of connexes against the wall. A gap in the lower level revealing a small forklift nestled in a gap. Also from this vantage point, they had a good view of the entrance road and the gate. All appeared quiet, peaceful even.
“This place is beautiful, Kara. I wish I had a place like this.”
“I know, but for at least the near future, you do have a place like this. That’s what the invite to come here was about. It wasn’t ‘gee, let’s drive up here then say bye bye’ It was to come here for a while until things settle out and we know what is going on.”
With it all spelled out like that, Allyson suddenly felt the weight of the real extent of the offer she was given. What color that was in her face seemed to vanish as the immensity of it hit her.
Kara just looked over and nodded for a few moments before she spoke.
“Yeah, I know. Here’s another element, with everything now in limbo, this property is too big for just two people to keep an eye on. Hell, it’s bigger than most of the remote bases I’ve been to and they had hundreds of people to keep things running and secure. This place relies on passive security and secrecy to try and stay safe. This place can be an oasis from the chaos out there, but only if we keep it separated and protected. If you choose to stay, you will be expected to help with that. If you choose not to stay, you need to make that decision real soon though, otherwise it would be rude and impolite to mislead them of your intentions.”
Allyson startled a bit at the shift in Kara’s tone at the end of her statement and it showed.
“Yes, I am protective of them. They are my friends, and without their intervention on several occasions, I would be dead. That is a life debit I don’t know if I can ever repay. I can say that if you are honest and upfront with them, you will not find more giving and forgiving friends. However, the reverse is also true.”
They both stood there for a few moments, looking into one another eyes, each looking for something different. Allyson was trying to gauge the seriousness of Kara’s words, her police trained instincts telling her that, yes, and Kara meant every word, with no threat nor malice. Kara was trying to see if Allyson realized the gravity of the situation they were in and the immensity of the offer and responsibility Allyson had been offered. While Allyson had come to a conclusion about what she was seeing, Kara wasn’t as sure. She just had to hope.
“Good question, and deserves more than a flippant answer. There are several reasons we are walking, aside from its good for us. This also gets you more familiar with the land in a way that is much more reliable than looking out a window as it goes by. Another reason is the conservation of fuel. We don’t know when or from where we may be able to get any more. I know Garen has a small supply on site here, but gas is too valuable to waste running down to the corner. The same goes for the wear and tear on the vehicles. And last but not least of the reasons I can think of is the less noise we make, the lass attention we attract. If we had come in from the road, you would have seen the subterfuge they set up to keep people from wandering up. This place looks like a defunct computer training facility that was part of a larger computer billing company. No products to steal, nothing valuable for people to boost, and the plants and such keep out the casual walk-ons, and such.”
“How big is this place? This must have cost a fortune?”
“The place is pretty big, several hundred acres. They found it during one of the big crashes in the economy and bought it for basically the back taxes. Garen told me that with Bekka’s disability rating and the way the state works, they don’t have to pay property tax, which was one of the only ways they were able to afford it and keep it. A lot of what you will see at the training building however is due to John. When he found out Garen and Bekka had this land, he started cutting deals with them. John is the one with too much money and no focus. He paid for the full renovation of the training building, converting the office areas over to some bedrooms, a kitchen and a couple of conference rooms. In exchange they hold a class or two out here for one of our clients that wants to avoid being in town at all. Part of the deal with Garen was included they clients were to not find out about the house or the exact location of the property. John had some squirrely clients. He also bought a slew of connexes for storage on the back side of the training building for stuff for the Center he didn’t want to store there. John bought like 20 of them and moved 15 or 16 out here and only claimed 8 for the Center as wel as two for himself and the rest were divided among a couple of us instructors like me, Garen, Derrek, Doug, and Jodi. I think John was using ‘stuff for the Center’ as a way for hiding stuff during his divorce, personally.” They continued walking. They went by the pond and stream, startling a couple of deer as they appeared.
Finally, they crested a small rise and Allyson got her first view of the training building. The view was of the back of the building with its double high row of connexes against the wall. A gap in the lower level revealing a small forklift nestled in a gap. Also from this vantage point, they had a good view of the entrance road and the gate. All appeared quiet, peaceful even.
“This place is beautiful, Kara. I wish I had a place like this.”
“I know, but for at least the near future, you do have a place like this. That’s what the invite to come here was about. It wasn’t ‘gee, let’s drive up here then say bye bye’ It was to come here for a while until things settle out and we know what is going on.”
With it all spelled out like that, Allyson suddenly felt the weight of the real extent of the offer she was given. What color that was in her face seemed to vanish as the immensity of it hit her.
Kara just looked over and nodded for a few moments before she spoke.
“Yeah, I know. Here’s another element, with everything now in limbo, this property is too big for just two people to keep an eye on. Hell, it’s bigger than most of the remote bases I’ve been to and they had hundreds of people to keep things running and secure. This place relies on passive security and secrecy to try and stay safe. This place can be an oasis from the chaos out there, but only if we keep it separated and protected. If you choose to stay, you will be expected to help with that. If you choose not to stay, you need to make that decision real soon though, otherwise it would be rude and impolite to mislead them of your intentions.”
Allyson startled a bit at the shift in Kara’s tone at the end of her statement and it showed.
“Yes, I am protective of them. They are my friends, and without their intervention on several occasions, I would be dead. That is a life debit I don’t know if I can ever repay. I can say that if you are honest and upfront with them, you will not find more giving and forgiving friends. However, the reverse is also true.”
They both stood there for a few moments, looking into one another eyes, each looking for something different. Allyson was trying to gauge the seriousness of Kara’s words, her police trained instincts telling her that, yes, and Kara meant every word, with no threat nor malice. Kara was trying to see if Allyson realized the gravity of the situation they were in and the immensity of the offer and responsibility Allyson had been offered. While Allyson had come to a conclusion about what she was seeing, Kara wasn’t as sure. She just had to hope.