Story Market Day
- Thread starter ComCamGuy
- Start date
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
The pancakes were great and plentiful, as was the bacon. As people finished stuffing themselves, Kara excused herself. Moments later, she returned with two fairly large boxes.
“Well, Bekka and Garen have been playing Santa most the morning, so its time they get to open some boxes.” She handed one to each of them.
“You shouldn’t have, Kara.” Garen said as he was opening the box. He pulled out a heavy leather jacket. He looked at it, unzipping it. Kara started explaining as he looked.
“It’s a welding jacket I repurposed. Most leather jackets are too thin for real honest work. This was thick, tough and fire resistant. I used an old wool blanket to line it with for the cold.”
Garen slipped it on. It fit well and he could tell it would be a lot more durable in the brush than any of his synthetic ones. The inside looked a lot like the green jacket Angelique was always wearing. “I love it.” Garen gave Kara a big hug.
Bekka opened her box next. The first thing she saw was thick, dark grey wool cloth. She pulled and pulled. Whatever it was, it was heavy. She held it out at arm’s length. As the material shifted around, she saw fur, lots of fur. Finally, she sorted the mass of fur and wool out. It was a huge wool traveling cloak completely lined with fur.
“Kara! It's beautiful!” Bekka ran her fingers through the fur. “What kind of fur is this?”
“Coyote. Long and thick enough to keep you warm but not too thick. I remember how the damp cold cut right through you when we were in England. With us out and about in the woods and such now, I figured this would keep you warm.”
Bekka slid it onto her shoulders. It hung to her ankles almost. With this, she could curl up or stay in a static position even in the snow and still be warm. “It’s perfect, Kara.”
“Well, Bekka and Garen have been playing Santa most the morning, so its time they get to open some boxes.” She handed one to each of them.
“You shouldn’t have, Kara.” Garen said as he was opening the box. He pulled out a heavy leather jacket. He looked at it, unzipping it. Kara started explaining as he looked.
“It’s a welding jacket I repurposed. Most leather jackets are too thin for real honest work. This was thick, tough and fire resistant. I used an old wool blanket to line it with for the cold.”
Garen slipped it on. It fit well and he could tell it would be a lot more durable in the brush than any of his synthetic ones. The inside looked a lot like the green jacket Angelique was always wearing. “I love it.” Garen gave Kara a big hug.
Bekka opened her box next. The first thing she saw was thick, dark grey wool cloth. She pulled and pulled. Whatever it was, it was heavy. She held it out at arm’s length. As the material shifted around, she saw fur, lots of fur. Finally, she sorted the mass of fur and wool out. It was a huge wool traveling cloak completely lined with fur.
“Kara! It's beautiful!” Bekka ran her fingers through the fur. “What kind of fur is this?”
“Coyote. Long and thick enough to keep you warm but not too thick. I remember how the damp cold cut right through you when we were in England. With us out and about in the woods and such now, I figured this would keep you warm.”
Bekka slid it onto her shoulders. It hung to her ankles almost. With this, she could curl up or stay in a static position even in the snow and still be warm. “It’s perfect, Kara.”
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Early afternoon saw the group scattered to different purposes. Heidi and Doug were in the alleyway range working with Heidi’s new pistol, Bekka and Emilia were on the back half of the workshop looking at cameras and imagery, Allyson, Kara and Jesse were taking a walk of the perimeter and Garen and Zed were looking at pistols in the front of the workshop room.
“You were saying Terry’s pistol was the core of the design of the 10mm’s you guys are using? What’s different?” Zed asked.
“Well, Terry sat right here with me when we found out what John’s latest contract set up was and how we would be teaching them with the surplus 10mm MP-5s. I was talking about how the Glocks in 10mm could be easily tweaked and modified. He started down a different tangent and pointed out how good a 1911 10mm could be. He showed me and let me test his combat race gun.”
Garen went over to a cabinet along the wall of the inner safe room and retrieved John’s copy of the 10mm to show Zed as they continued talking.
“We decided to eliminate the compensator to keep the length smaller while keeping the full five-inch barrel instead of the four and a quarter on his. This lets us keep more velocity so we get more effect on target, especially if we use the 180 grain….”
Bekka interrupted with a comment from the other side of the room. “Thank goodness someone else is here for him to talk guns with. After four or five hours, I usually have to call it quits.” She said overly loud to Emilia. Gare’s reply was fast.
“Oh, I don’t even want to hear it, miss ‘the bokeh of the 1938 Leica 50mm is so superior to the 1954 Nikkor 50mm’s’”
“Well, it is.” Bekka replied.
“I’m not saying you are wrong. I’m just saying you and maybe twelve other people would actually be able to see the difference.”
“You were saying Terry’s pistol was the core of the design of the 10mm’s you guys are using? What’s different?” Zed asked.
“Well, Terry sat right here with me when we found out what John’s latest contract set up was and how we would be teaching them with the surplus 10mm MP-5s. I was talking about how the Glocks in 10mm could be easily tweaked and modified. He started down a different tangent and pointed out how good a 1911 10mm could be. He showed me and let me test his combat race gun.”
Garen went over to a cabinet along the wall of the inner safe room and retrieved John’s copy of the 10mm to show Zed as they continued talking.
“We decided to eliminate the compensator to keep the length smaller while keeping the full five-inch barrel instead of the four and a quarter on his. This lets us keep more velocity so we get more effect on target, especially if we use the 180 grain….”
Bekka interrupted with a comment from the other side of the room. “Thank goodness someone else is here for him to talk guns with. After four or five hours, I usually have to call it quits.” She said overly loud to Emilia. Gare’s reply was fast.
“Oh, I don’t even want to hear it, miss ‘the bokeh of the 1938 Leica 50mm is so superior to the 1954 Nikkor 50mm’s’”
“Well, it is.” Bekka replied.
“I’m not saying you are wrong. I’m just saying you and maybe twelve other people would actually be able to see the difference.”
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Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Well sceptical me says we've had a burst of bonding & warmth, both in our core groups as they meld into one plus spread some joy & well being by aiding the people down the hill soooo ........ I have a feeling some scum is going to have to be dealt with ........
Get set
Its just a feeling - pay no attention to me.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Heidi was loving this pistol. She still had to work on getting the holster and mag holders in the right spots, but right now she was working with basic familiarization with shooting it. The double stack magazines held twenty rounds each. The trigger was sweet. It broke cleanly, perfectly. It was super accurate, too. One ragged hole in the target seemed to be all this pistol did. One hand, two hands, off hand, it was a magic wand with bullets. She was just finishing a string of shots when Zed popped his head in.
“Hey, Garen wants you to come in here for a few minutes. He found something for you and Emilia.”
Heidi came into the work room to see Garen and Zed looking at some weird pistol things on the table. “So, what’s up?”
“Zed was telling me about the work he did on your lever gun to make it fit. We got to talking about what long gun capability you and Emilia have. I’m sure the AKs you picked up are probably the best fit so far.”
“Yeah, that’s about the best we have found so far.”
“Well, I ended up with a couple cute little things right sized for you and Emilia.” He pointed to the table. On it were a pair of large pistols. They had several added parts. A bracket on the back of the slide area contained a red dot sight. A flashlight and stubby abbreviated vertical grip sat in front of the trigger guard. All of this wasn’t as unusual as the small stock hinged from the back of the pistol or the suppressor on the front.
Heidi Looked at Garen who nodded an affirmative to her unasked question of permission to pick it up. She held the pistol easily. It was about the same weight as the one she was just shooting moments ago. It was a little more muzzle heavy, but the pistol balanced well. The stock snug in her shoulder, the whole thing fit her, and fit her well!
She folded the stock. It latched secure up the side of the pistol. A simple button deployed it under spring power. “This is so neat!” she told Garen. “What is it?”
“A Swiss company built a personal defense weapon, something duty pistol size also usable as a pistol caliber carbine. My boss evidently got a couple of them to play with and gave them to me the day of the quake. We already have all the 10mm stuff and you and Emilia could use them more than us. There’s even a small sling bag for each, with the extra six magazines each of the pistols were packed with. This would also give you guys some suppressed weapons as well.”
Garen helped Emilia and Heidi get familiar with the new weapons. He felt better helping them be better equipped.
“Hey, Garen wants you to come in here for a few minutes. He found something for you and Emilia.”
Heidi came into the work room to see Garen and Zed looking at some weird pistol things on the table. “So, what’s up?”
“Zed was telling me about the work he did on your lever gun to make it fit. We got to talking about what long gun capability you and Emilia have. I’m sure the AKs you picked up are probably the best fit so far.”
“Yeah, that’s about the best we have found so far.”
“Well, I ended up with a couple cute little things right sized for you and Emilia.” He pointed to the table. On it were a pair of large pistols. They had several added parts. A bracket on the back of the slide area contained a red dot sight. A flashlight and stubby abbreviated vertical grip sat in front of the trigger guard. All of this wasn’t as unusual as the small stock hinged from the back of the pistol or the suppressor on the front.
Heidi Looked at Garen who nodded an affirmative to her unasked question of permission to pick it up. She held the pistol easily. It was about the same weight as the one she was just shooting moments ago. It was a little more muzzle heavy, but the pistol balanced well. The stock snug in her shoulder, the whole thing fit her, and fit her well!
She folded the stock. It latched secure up the side of the pistol. A simple button deployed it under spring power. “This is so neat!” she told Garen. “What is it?”
“A Swiss company built a personal defense weapon, something duty pistol size also usable as a pistol caliber carbine. My boss evidently got a couple of them to play with and gave them to me the day of the quake. We already have all the 10mm stuff and you and Emilia could use them more than us. There’s even a small sling bag for each, with the extra six magazines each of the pistols were packed with. This would also give you guys some suppressed weapons as well.”
Garen helped Emilia and Heidi get familiar with the new weapons. He felt better helping them be better equipped.
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Christmas dinner was simple but wonderful. Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, mashed potatoes and brussels sprouts. Dessert was a special treat.
“Is that….?” Kara started to ask.
“Yup, its Christmas. I had to” was Bekka’s reply as she set the mugs out on the table. Everyone was confused except Kara and Garen. This special dessert was Bekka’s grandmother’s concoction; a layer of cinnamon apples on the bottom like a pineapple upside down cake when it cooks, topped with a version of ooey gooey butter dump cake. Once it cooked in the mug and cooled some, it was topped not with frosting, but a thin layer of homemade butterscotch pudding and a dollop of whipped cream.
It was Bekka and her sister’s favorite growing up. Bekka rarely made it. Anytime she did, she could always see her sister sitting across the table from her as she ate it. Good memories, for sure, but it also brought back her loss to Bekka so it was only on special occasions she did it.
Late in the evening, while everyone was fighting the food coma, Bekka and Jesse heard something on the radio.
“Redbeard, this is Sprout.”
“Redbeard, this is Sprout.”
“Redbeard, this is Sprout.”
Jesse’s face lit up as he heard his granddaughter’s voice. He picked up the mic and replied.
“Sprout, this is Redbeard. It’s good to hear your voice. Hopefully things are going well for you this Christmas.”
“Things are quite good Redbeard. How are they on your end?” Paige’s voice was warm and happy sounding, with no hints of major distress or problems causing her to flee where she was at.
“Better now that they were a little while ago.” He paused. “Are you still Echo?”
“Yes, if that’s still ok with you.” There was another pause, like she might be rethinking her decision. “Is four too many?” The question held a lot of worry and trepidation.
Jesse thought about all the numbers the group came up with sitting around. He thought of how welcome she would be as a part of this group. He thought of how good it would be to have her around. He also thought of Karen’s warning that Paige would need him. There was no question or hesitation to his reply.
“Four or forty, if they are with you, I have beds for them.”
“Careful Redbeard, otherwise you might end up with a house full.”
Jesse could hear so much in her voice. She wasn’t kidding. She had more she might want to bring. He already had an answer for her. “As long as you vouch for them and they are willing to do a little woods work, four or forty, bring’em.” He wondered how soon he had to set up tents or such to finalize sleeping arrangements. “Any idea when?”
Her voice seemed to be more relaxed now. “I have some things to take care of here, but still looking four, initially. Maybe arrange a second sailing closer to your birthday. Me plus 3 around mom’s birthday.”
That told him he had time. Sometime towards the end of February for her plus three and more like late April or early May for any others. “I look forward to it. You have yourself a good Christmas, Sprout.”
“You too Redbeard.”
Jesse sat and stared at the radio part of his mind was already thinking logistics. The other pare was just happy. This was the best Christmas present he might have ever had.
“Is that….?” Kara started to ask.
“Yup, its Christmas. I had to” was Bekka’s reply as she set the mugs out on the table. Everyone was confused except Kara and Garen. This special dessert was Bekka’s grandmother’s concoction; a layer of cinnamon apples on the bottom like a pineapple upside down cake when it cooks, topped with a version of ooey gooey butter dump cake. Once it cooked in the mug and cooled some, it was topped not with frosting, but a thin layer of homemade butterscotch pudding and a dollop of whipped cream.
It was Bekka and her sister’s favorite growing up. Bekka rarely made it. Anytime she did, she could always see her sister sitting across the table from her as she ate it. Good memories, for sure, but it also brought back her loss to Bekka so it was only on special occasions she did it.
Late in the evening, while everyone was fighting the food coma, Bekka and Jesse heard something on the radio.
“Redbeard, this is Sprout.”
“Redbeard, this is Sprout.”
“Redbeard, this is Sprout.”
Jesse’s face lit up as he heard his granddaughter’s voice. He picked up the mic and replied.
“Sprout, this is Redbeard. It’s good to hear your voice. Hopefully things are going well for you this Christmas.”
“Things are quite good Redbeard. How are they on your end?” Paige’s voice was warm and happy sounding, with no hints of major distress or problems causing her to flee where she was at.
“Better now that they were a little while ago.” He paused. “Are you still Echo?”
“Yes, if that’s still ok with you.” There was another pause, like she might be rethinking her decision. “Is four too many?” The question held a lot of worry and trepidation.
Jesse thought about all the numbers the group came up with sitting around. He thought of how welcome she would be as a part of this group. He thought of how good it would be to have her around. He also thought of Karen’s warning that Paige would need him. There was no question or hesitation to his reply.
“Four or forty, if they are with you, I have beds for them.”
“Careful Redbeard, otherwise you might end up with a house full.”
Jesse could hear so much in her voice. She wasn’t kidding. She had more she might want to bring. He already had an answer for her. “As long as you vouch for them and they are willing to do a little woods work, four or forty, bring’em.” He wondered how soon he had to set up tents or such to finalize sleeping arrangements. “Any idea when?”
Her voice seemed to be more relaxed now. “I have some things to take care of here, but still looking four, initially. Maybe arrange a second sailing closer to your birthday. Me plus 3 around mom’s birthday.”
That told him he had time. Sometime towards the end of February for her plus three and more like late April or early May for any others. “I look forward to it. You have yourself a good Christmas, Sprout.”
“You too Redbeard.”
Jesse sat and stared at the radio part of his mind was already thinking logistics. The other pare was just happy. This was the best Christmas present he might have ever had.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
The next day was busy with packing up, making plans, laying out coursework and the general chaos after a Christmas holiday get together. Before mid-day, the visitors left accompanied by many hugs and tears. Now, Kara sprang into action, gathering everyone in the living room.
“Bekka, Garen, please go down and check on Larrissa and the kids and see how their Christmas was then meet me at the training building.”
Garen and Bekka were confused.
“What’s going on, Kara?” Bekka asked.
“Nothing for you to worry about. Trust me. Now, if you two go on down there, Larrissa hinted at Egg Nog ice cream. I will meet you at the training building and explain the rest.” She scrunched her brows in her best ‘shut up and do it’ scowl imitation of one of their former bosses.
Seeing they would get nothing more without a fight, Garen and Bekka acquiesced. They collected their gear and were soon headed down to Larrissa’s in the Hyena.
No sooner than had Bekka and Garen left the room, Kara put her plan into motion.
“Bekka, Garen, please go down and check on Larrissa and the kids and see how their Christmas was then meet me at the training building.”
Garen and Bekka were confused.
“What’s going on, Kara?” Bekka asked.
“Nothing for you to worry about. Trust me. Now, if you two go on down there, Larrissa hinted at Egg Nog ice cream. I will meet you at the training building and explain the rest.” She scrunched her brows in her best ‘shut up and do it’ scowl imitation of one of their former bosses.
Seeing they would get nothing more without a fight, Garen and Bekka acquiesced. They collected their gear and were soon headed down to Larrissa’s in the Hyena.
No sooner than had Bekka and Garen left the room, Kara put her plan into motion.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Late afternoon, as light was fading, Garen and Bekka pulled up to the Training building. Kara was already there, the roll up door already open enough for the Hyena.
Garen and Bekka climbed out when they found Kara standing in the middle of the bay.
“So, what’s going on?” Garen asked.
What’s going on is you two are spending some alone time away from the crowd and the bustle. Dinner is already laid out in the kitchen upstairs, as well as stuff for breakfast and a couple more meals. I will be back down tomorrow with lunch and to let you know when you can come back up to the house. The girls and I are going straighten thing up after the mess a cloud of guests create.”
Garen and Bekka looked at one another. They loved their friends but even Kara in the house shifted the energy and flow. A day or two, just to themselves. Their thoughts were interrupted by Kara again.
“However, the eggnog ice cream. Most of it is coming with me.”
Garen and Bekka climbed out when they found Kara standing in the middle of the bay.
“So, what’s going on?” Garen asked.
What’s going on is you two are spending some alone time away from the crowd and the bustle. Dinner is already laid out in the kitchen upstairs, as well as stuff for breakfast and a couple more meals. I will be back down tomorrow with lunch and to let you know when you can come back up to the house. The girls and I are going straighten thing up after the mess a cloud of guests create.”
Garen and Bekka looked at one another. They loved their friends but even Kara in the house shifted the energy and flow. A day or two, just to themselves. Their thoughts were interrupted by Kara again.
“However, the eggnog ice cream. Most of it is coming with me.”
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
A couple of days later, Bekka and Garen were allowed to return for dinner. The sight greeting them was remarkable. The place was scrubbed top to bottom, the floors were spotless, the kitchen immaculate. The stuffy smell of a winter house was gone. The clutter and chaos? Gone. The house once again looked like something out of a magazine.
It extended to the master bedroom. Fresh sheets, cleaned and fluffed comforter, spare blanket folded on the chaise in the corner. The master bath had the faint smell of bleach for that fresh and clean smell.
Dinner was ready and on the table. It was back to simpler fare but it was still good. As Garen and Bekka sat down, Kara spoke.
“Guys, this was part of our present to you. Another part was you guys getting your house back, for the most part. Angelique is going to keep living up in the studio, Allyson has moved to the trailer in the garage, and I’m in the guest room.”
“You guys didn’t have to do that….” Bekka started but Kara continued.
“With the other guys coming around more often, especially as we teach Heidi, it also works better this way. I can just slide in with you or out to the garage with Allyson or Angelique. If the whole group is here again, it also moves easier as well. You guys get your space and a bit of privacy back, and so does everyone else.”
Garen and Bekka didn’t know what to say, other than ‘Thank You”
It extended to the master bedroom. Fresh sheets, cleaned and fluffed comforter, spare blanket folded on the chaise in the corner. The master bath had the faint smell of bleach for that fresh and clean smell.
Dinner was ready and on the table. It was back to simpler fare but it was still good. As Garen and Bekka sat down, Kara spoke.
“Guys, this was part of our present to you. Another part was you guys getting your house back, for the most part. Angelique is going to keep living up in the studio, Allyson has moved to the trailer in the garage, and I’m in the guest room.”
“You guys didn’t have to do that….” Bekka started but Kara continued.
“With the other guys coming around more often, especially as we teach Heidi, it also works better this way. I can just slide in with you or out to the garage with Allyson or Angelique. If the whole group is here again, it also moves easier as well. You guys get your space and a bit of privacy back, and so does everyone else.”
Garen and Bekka didn’t know what to say, other than ‘Thank You”
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Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Are these B&T?
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
I bet anyone who's ever fired a 9mm SMG would be a candidate to give that puppy a new home .....
Purrfect for my DW!
CAUTION!!! You may lose hours of time if you enter this site! 22plinkster - YouTube
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
In a way, things have settled down some. Teaching Angelique kept us busy but the break for the holidays was good. Christmas time has always been a bit weird for Garen and I. We enjoy the whole giving presents and such, but being gone for so many, or being together in the middle of nowhere. We have been the solace for many friends before when they couldn’t go home or were alone for the holidays.
With the way things have shaped up, it looks like the full scale drop into the crapper is real. I knew it took decades for some places to pull themselves out of such ruin, and I fear that would be optimistic for us. When I look at the big picture like this, it feels crushing. Now I understand some of my grandmother’s narrow focus on things.
Garen and I have some great resources, and now some good people here to help us. Kara is here with us, as always. The three of us have added Allyson and Angelique. Allyson has brought a fresh perspective for us, one not all self-pollinated and one-sided. Angelique brings not only a fresh enthusiasm, but a ready mind we can pour our collective knowledge into. She will be much better equipped for the coming hard times.
With Jesse and Zed around, it presents one last opportunity to wring some more information from their generation. Heidi and Doug are of Garen, Kara and my generation but some different experiences as well. We need to harness those, and Allyson’s, who is the bridge between ours and the younger ones. We need to gather them any way we can and push all of it into Angelique, Emilia and maybe Larrissa’s kids as well.
Garen and I talked about all of this when we got back from Larrissa’s. We were sitting there, away from the house, just contemplating the next steps. Garen is excited to get Jesse’s granddaughter here soon. This will add more depth of knowledge and a greater base of people to share the load and the worry. Even though they will probably be over in the forest, just knowing there were more people around you can trust and call on made a difference.
This was brought to mind by Larrissa. She told us she felt so much better knowing we were here, just up the hill. Not that she needed anything specifically. She just felt better knowing she wasn’t alone. I guess we feel the same way, but in a longer picture.
Like my grandmother always said; ‘work today’s problems today. Don’t borrow tomorrow’s problems. They will get here all on their own.’ Garen, Allyson and Kara have lessons to review to teach Heidi. Angelique needs to learn more fieldcraft from Zed then figure out how to teach it to us. I need to learn more of what Jesse can teach me so the radio knowledge isn’t lost. We all have work to do these winter months. Spring will arrive with its own problems.
With the way things have shaped up, it looks like the full scale drop into the crapper is real. I knew it took decades for some places to pull themselves out of such ruin, and I fear that would be optimistic for us. When I look at the big picture like this, it feels crushing. Now I understand some of my grandmother’s narrow focus on things.
Garen and I have some great resources, and now some good people here to help us. Kara is here with us, as always. The three of us have added Allyson and Angelique. Allyson has brought a fresh perspective for us, one not all self-pollinated and one-sided. Angelique brings not only a fresh enthusiasm, but a ready mind we can pour our collective knowledge into. She will be much better equipped for the coming hard times.
With Jesse and Zed around, it presents one last opportunity to wring some more information from their generation. Heidi and Doug are of Garen, Kara and my generation but some different experiences as well. We need to harness those, and Allyson’s, who is the bridge between ours and the younger ones. We need to gather them any way we can and push all of it into Angelique, Emilia and maybe Larrissa’s kids as well.
Garen and I talked about all of this when we got back from Larrissa’s. We were sitting there, away from the house, just contemplating the next steps. Garen is excited to get Jesse’s granddaughter here soon. This will add more depth of knowledge and a greater base of people to share the load and the worry. Even though they will probably be over in the forest, just knowing there were more people around you can trust and call on made a difference.
This was brought to mind by Larrissa. She told us she felt so much better knowing we were here, just up the hill. Not that she needed anything specifically. She just felt better knowing she wasn’t alone. I guess we feel the same way, but in a longer picture.
Like my grandmother always said; ‘work today’s problems today. Don’t borrow tomorrow’s problems. They will get here all on their own.’ Garen, Allyson and Kara have lessons to review to teach Heidi. Angelique needs to learn more fieldcraft from Zed then figure out how to teach it to us. I need to learn more of what Jesse can teach me so the radio knowledge isn’t lost. We all have work to do these winter months. Spring will arrive with its own problems.
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Old Gray Mare
TB Fanatic
Just had a mental picture of what these trained individuals would look like to the ones attacking Sprout and friends. I'm sure Garen and company have some force multipliers that would be most unpleasant to be on the receiving end of.
Did you know he lives in NW Middle TN, practically a neighbor to us.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
The most powerful force multiplier is knowledge and willingness to do what needs be done. The rest are tools to assist this process. As for what they look like to the ones around Sprout, will they ever even see them? I'm sure it will get interesting when the bullies and the militant conformists around the farm meet up with some of these people of iron will and purpose. I think.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Simply stated but 125% accurate!
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Siskiyoumom
Veteran Member
Thank you so much.
My daughter might be getting this blessing soon if things don't change.
Came to this story late much to my loss. CCG your talent of weaving the story is astounding. Thank you so much for the loss of sleep staying up later than I should be while I try to catch up.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Heidi was at the table, books and notes strewn all over when Emilia came in and sat down.
“What’s up, kiddo?”
“I know you are studying, but can we talk?”
Emilia’s serious tone wasn’t what Heidi expected. Sure, she had a lot of studying to do, but this was obviously something important. “What’s on your mind?” She set her pencil down.
“When we were over at Bekka and Garen’s and went over everything that happened, it got me thinking.” Emilia paused.
“Yeah, thinking about what?” Heidi wasn’t sure where this was headed.
“Well, Angelique and I kinda went through really similar experiences. She was running away alone from the attack at the store and me running away when they attacked Noah and Lucas. Each of us only had what was in our pockets. I only had to hide and wait a couple hours for you to come find me. Angelique was on the run for days and headed to somewhere she didn’t even know. She already had a plan on how to survive for a couple weeks while she waited for her dad before she was going to try and find Garen’s” Emilia took a shuddering breath. This had been building up in her the past several days since they got back. Now it was hard to let it out.
“Me? I was hiding, too scared to even look at my watch. I had no idea what to do. No plan, no knowledge, no skills, no direction. I was too scared to even think about what to do if you didn’t come back! If….if they had got you, then I would have probably wandered back to the camp since I didn’t know not to. If they didn’t get me, I would have had nowhere to go, no ideas or anything!”
Heidi could see this was really getting her worked up. All of these things she had thought of back then as she was running down the trail to the campsite. She hoped she had put it far enough behind her and didn’t bring any of this up to Emilia then or since.
“Mom! Angelique is only a couple years older than me! Look at what she did, was able to do! Here I am, helpless! Dead weight! I was so ashamed and embarrassed! I can’t be like that! I can’t be that helpless person! I want to learn. I need to learn, to be more like Angelique!”
Heidi’s mind pulled up some other bits from the conversations at Christmas, bits and pieces Emilia may not have registered. How Angelique was scared and alone. How Angelique was fueled by rage and vengeance to grow up much too fast. Angelique fighting, killing and badly injured in the process.
Heidi and Doug had talked about all his worries and regrets about everything his daughter went through, about how angry he was at what they had done to her and forced her to become. Doug was sad and embarrassed his daughter was much better equipped mentally to be a fighter, a warrior in these times. Now Heidi was facing the same issues, but not in the rear view mirror. She was getting it real time, live as it happens.
“Emilia, I think I understand your problem, but I’m not sure of the right solution.” Heidi tried to buy time so her mind could work on the problem.
“I need to learn to be more like you and Garen and Bekka and Allyson and Kara.” At Kara’s name, Heidi’s hands twitched under the table. “Mom, Angelique proved it can be done, now I need to do it.”
Heidi knew she had two options; help her learn and try to guide the process or balk against it, in which case she will do it anyway and maybe not the best way, plus add resentment of herself on top of everything.
“Alright, Emilia, I guess it’s time for you to learn. I’ll get with Doug in the morning and we can start you with what Angelique started with. You need to learn woodcrafts and survival. First you learn to live, then you learn to fight. OK?”
Emilia came around the table. She had a big smile, her eyes wet with unshed tears. “Thanks Mom! I’ll learn and study hard. I promise I will. I won’t be useless! I’ll make you proud!” She wrapped her mom up in a tight embrace before bouncing away, back to her room. She was so busy she didn’t hear Heidi’s choking reply.
“I’m already proud of you!”
“What’s up, kiddo?”
“I know you are studying, but can we talk?”
Emilia’s serious tone wasn’t what Heidi expected. Sure, she had a lot of studying to do, but this was obviously something important. “What’s on your mind?” She set her pencil down.
“When we were over at Bekka and Garen’s and went over everything that happened, it got me thinking.” Emilia paused.
“Yeah, thinking about what?” Heidi wasn’t sure where this was headed.
“Well, Angelique and I kinda went through really similar experiences. She was running away alone from the attack at the store and me running away when they attacked Noah and Lucas. Each of us only had what was in our pockets. I only had to hide and wait a couple hours for you to come find me. Angelique was on the run for days and headed to somewhere she didn’t even know. She already had a plan on how to survive for a couple weeks while she waited for her dad before she was going to try and find Garen’s” Emilia took a shuddering breath. This had been building up in her the past several days since they got back. Now it was hard to let it out.
“Me? I was hiding, too scared to even look at my watch. I had no idea what to do. No plan, no knowledge, no skills, no direction. I was too scared to even think about what to do if you didn’t come back! If….if they had got you, then I would have probably wandered back to the camp since I didn’t know not to. If they didn’t get me, I would have had nowhere to go, no ideas or anything!”
Heidi could see this was really getting her worked up. All of these things she had thought of back then as she was running down the trail to the campsite. She hoped she had put it far enough behind her and didn’t bring any of this up to Emilia then or since.
“Mom! Angelique is only a couple years older than me! Look at what she did, was able to do! Here I am, helpless! Dead weight! I was so ashamed and embarrassed! I can’t be like that! I can’t be that helpless person! I want to learn. I need to learn, to be more like Angelique!”
Heidi’s mind pulled up some other bits from the conversations at Christmas, bits and pieces Emilia may not have registered. How Angelique was scared and alone. How Angelique was fueled by rage and vengeance to grow up much too fast. Angelique fighting, killing and badly injured in the process.
Heidi and Doug had talked about all his worries and regrets about everything his daughter went through, about how angry he was at what they had done to her and forced her to become. Doug was sad and embarrassed his daughter was much better equipped mentally to be a fighter, a warrior in these times. Now Heidi was facing the same issues, but not in the rear view mirror. She was getting it real time, live as it happens.
“Emilia, I think I understand your problem, but I’m not sure of the right solution.” Heidi tried to buy time so her mind could work on the problem.
“I need to learn to be more like you and Garen and Bekka and Allyson and Kara.” At Kara’s name, Heidi’s hands twitched under the table. “Mom, Angelique proved it can be done, now I need to do it.”
Heidi knew she had two options; help her learn and try to guide the process or balk against it, in which case she will do it anyway and maybe not the best way, plus add resentment of herself on top of everything.
“Alright, Emilia, I guess it’s time for you to learn. I’ll get with Doug in the morning and we can start you with what Angelique started with. You need to learn woodcrafts and survival. First you learn to live, then you learn to fight. OK?”
Emilia came around the table. She had a big smile, her eyes wet with unshed tears. “Thanks Mom! I’ll learn and study hard. I promise I will. I won’t be useless! I’ll make you proud!” She wrapped her mom up in a tight embrace before bouncing away, back to her room. She was so busy she didn’t hear Heidi’s choking reply.
“I’m already proud of you!”
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I am an avid reader of PAW fiction. Both book form and stories on the forums. You have created a masterpiece, in my opinion, that can stand up to many of the other fabulous authors of that genre. Just think, this is the first time you have chosen to write it done to share (at least that I know of). You should be proud of this accomplishment.
Thank you doesn't cover it but thank you for sharing.