Story Market Day
- Thread starter ComCamGuy
- Start date
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Heidi and Kara were down in the training building. Their first step, after pulling the weapons they intended to take if they had to go, was to go get their vehicle.
“So, why did Garen figure to use Terry’s Suburban for the longest trip?” Heidi asks as they walked into the main bay.
“That’s your first question?” Kara replied. She knew what her first question would be. It was the one she almost asked Bekka, but Bekka was too busy to bother. What she wanted to ask was why pair her and Heidi up as the long-range team. She knew there were reasons but she wanted to know what Bekka’s train of thought on this was. She knew it had to be Bekka.
“I figure it’s somewhere to start.” Heidi countered.
“Of the vehicles we have with extra tanks, other than the big ass thing in the corner,” she pointed at the eight wheeled monstrosity, “the Suburban has the most heavy duty carrying capacity. Terry put huge axles and springs and stuff. We can put one of the big poly tanks in a cage from the rain catchment set up across the way then pump some of the heating oil and kerosene into the tank. If we don’t overload it or drive like idiots, we can go pretty damn far.”
“So, I guess that makes sense. Next question, why us for the long-range team.” Heidi asked as the got to the Suburban.
“Well, other than Garen, I have the most remote medicine training and experience. I have a lot of experience at run and gun. You have the most straight up combat training and experience. We both have been to survival school so if it comes to serious problem solving or escape and evade, we are good.”
“Kara, you tick that stuff off like your listing ingredients for a recipe. I know I would do almost anything for Jesse and you guys as well, but you worry me sometimes.”
Heidi was uneasy for some reason. She really liked Kara but there was something unsettling sometimes with her. She didn’t know exactly what or why, but when she was around Kara, she would get a feeling deep in the core of her being. It was a cold, like a glacier. It wasn’t painful though. It was like a crisp wind, blowing through and clearing her mind of all the background noise normally in her head.
The level of clarity she sometimes felt around Kara was a lot like the hyper focus she felt in the middle of combat. She always thought it weird to feel frozen in the middle of noonday desert heat, but it was on the inside even though she was sweating on the outside then.
Heidi wished she could talk to her father about this. Funny, Kara makes her think about her father.
“So, why did Garen figure to use Terry’s Suburban for the longest trip?” Heidi asks as they walked into the main bay.
“That’s your first question?” Kara replied. She knew what her first question would be. It was the one she almost asked Bekka, but Bekka was too busy to bother. What she wanted to ask was why pair her and Heidi up as the long-range team. She knew there were reasons but she wanted to know what Bekka’s train of thought on this was. She knew it had to be Bekka.
“I figure it’s somewhere to start.” Heidi countered.
“Of the vehicles we have with extra tanks, other than the big ass thing in the corner,” she pointed at the eight wheeled monstrosity, “the Suburban has the most heavy duty carrying capacity. Terry put huge axles and springs and stuff. We can put one of the big poly tanks in a cage from the rain catchment set up across the way then pump some of the heating oil and kerosene into the tank. If we don’t overload it or drive like idiots, we can go pretty damn far.”
“So, I guess that makes sense. Next question, why us for the long-range team.” Heidi asked as the got to the Suburban.
“Well, other than Garen, I have the most remote medicine training and experience. I have a lot of experience at run and gun. You have the most straight up combat training and experience. We both have been to survival school so if it comes to serious problem solving or escape and evade, we are good.”
“Kara, you tick that stuff off like your listing ingredients for a recipe. I know I would do almost anything for Jesse and you guys as well, but you worry me sometimes.”
Heidi was uneasy for some reason. She really liked Kara but there was something unsettling sometimes with her. She didn’t know exactly what or why, but when she was around Kara, she would get a feeling deep in the core of her being. It was a cold, like a glacier. It wasn’t painful though. It was like a crisp wind, blowing through and clearing her mind of all the background noise normally in her head.
The level of clarity she sometimes felt around Kara was a lot like the hyper focus she felt in the middle of combat. She always thought it weird to feel frozen in the middle of noonday desert heat, but it was on the inside even though she was sweating on the outside then.
Heidi wished she could talk to her father about this. Funny, Kara makes her think about her father.
Emelia.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
i don’t know What your thinking might get revealed. Heidi and Kara are around the same age, Kara is maybe 5-7 years older
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Heidi was loading some of the gear into the Suburban when she saw something about the Suburban she had noticed earlier and still didn’t understand.
“So, I gotta ask. Who puts a sunroof in a back seat?”
“It’s actually more about the tent he had mounted on the roof.” Kara pointed at a big square object leaning against a wall. Actually, there were two there.
“What about the tent?” Now Heidi was puzzled.
“Terry had a rooftop tent for him, Kelly and Brooke to go camping with. The normal way people would get into the tents is with a ladder from the outside. He found one that had a hatch in the belly.” Kara paused, having to catch her breath, thinking about Terry, Kelly and Brooke.
“Terry got it so they didn’t have to carry baby Brooke up a ladder. Instead, they could stand on the seat in the Suburban and hand her over safely. Later Brooke could scramble up with help and then on her own.” Kara had to stop. “I’ll be back in a bit.” Kara turned and walked out of the bay.
“So, I gotta ask. Who puts a sunroof in a back seat?”
“It’s actually more about the tent he had mounted on the roof.” Kara pointed at a big square object leaning against a wall. Actually, there were two there.
“What about the tent?” Now Heidi was puzzled.
“Terry had a rooftop tent for him, Kelly and Brooke to go camping with. The normal way people would get into the tents is with a ladder from the outside. He found one that had a hatch in the belly.” Kara paused, having to catch her breath, thinking about Terry, Kelly and Brooke.
“Terry got it so they didn’t have to carry baby Brooke up a ladder. Instead, they could stand on the seat in the Suburban and hand her over safely. Later Brooke could scramble up with help and then on her own.” Kara had to stop. “I’ll be back in a bit.” Kara turned and walked out of the bay.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Heidi kept putting the pile of stuff into the Suburban. She figured Kara would be back in a few. She was wrong. She had to go find her.
Following the tracks in the snow, Heidi found Kara. She was standing in a small meadow in front of a concrete slab.
“Kara, are you ok?”
Kara turned towards Heidi. When she spoke, her voice was wispy instead of the strong and sharp quality and tones she normally used.
“There is one sacred spot upon the earth where the footfalls of our march are unheeded; our trumpets quicken no pulse and incite no fear; the rustling of our banners and the gleam of our swords awaken no emotion. It is the silent city of the dead where we now stand.”
“Kara?” Heidi moved up next to Kara. Now she could see the names on the slab. Terry, Kelly and Brooke.
“So many……”
Heidi placed her hand on Kara’s arm. It was ice cold and she was trembling.
“Kara, what’s wrong?”
“Too many….Too many……” Kara was starting to sound a bit manic.
Heidi put her arm around Kara’s waist.
“I know.” Heidi’s thoughts went to the thirty-some names on her calf.
“Come on Kara. We need to finish getting things set.”
“Ok, but I need to do something first.”
Kara turned and knelt in the snow.
Following the tracks in the snow, Heidi found Kara. She was standing in a small meadow in front of a concrete slab.
“Kara, are you ok?”
Kara turned towards Heidi. When she spoke, her voice was wispy instead of the strong and sharp quality and tones she normally used.
“There is one sacred spot upon the earth where the footfalls of our march are unheeded; our trumpets quicken no pulse and incite no fear; the rustling of our banners and the gleam of our swords awaken no emotion. It is the silent city of the dead where we now stand.”
“Kara?” Heidi moved up next to Kara. Now she could see the names on the slab. Terry, Kelly and Brooke.
“So many……”
Heidi placed her hand on Kara’s arm. It was ice cold and she was trembling.
“Kara, what’s wrong?”
“Too many….Too many……” Kara was starting to sound a bit manic.
Heidi put her arm around Kara’s waist.
“I know.” Heidi’s thoughts went to the thirty-some names on her calf.
“Come on Kara. We need to finish getting things set.”
“Ok, but I need to do something first.”
Kara turned and knelt in the snow.
“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”
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”
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Allyson and Angelique were talking through their thought processes as they pulled and sorted out their equipment.
“So, I figure we each need to pull and pack a full house level med kit. If Garen and Bekka send us out, it’s probably going to be a medical emergency we would be going for.”
“I tell you what Angelique. Why don’t you pull and set up the med boxes? I’ll pull pistol and subgun mags.”
“Sounds good. I’ll also grab the food and water. Since you are doing weapons, why don’t you also grab the shotgun?”
Food, water, shelter, ammo, med gear, extra batteries, radio gear, the lists went on and on.
“So, I figure we each need to pull and pack a full house level med kit. If Garen and Bekka send us out, it’s probably going to be a medical emergency we would be going for.”
“I tell you what Angelique. Why don’t you pull and set up the med boxes? I’ll pull pistol and subgun mags.”
“Sounds good. I’ll also grab the food and water. Since you are doing weapons, why don’t you also grab the shotgun?”
Food, water, shelter, ammo, med gear, extra batteries, radio gear, the lists went on and on.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Its just stress testing; if he makes the grade, shows intelligent restraint, proper respect and appreciation, the reward could be a never-ending sort of thing or, maybe just a bench mark; on the other hand, he could royally screwup and only have cold showers in his future.
I'm getting up there so, yes, VoE speaking .......
BTW - I made the grade but mostly thanks to my parents' focus on raising me
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Allyson sat in the driver’s seat of John’s truck. She was kicking herself many times over for never really giving it a second glance. Garen was right, she loved this thing!
Bekka drove this thing when they brought it back and never let on how overbuilt and special it was, which was surprising since Bekka was miss ‘rally girl’ and drove her little Subaru rocket like a mad woman. Maybe it just felt off or something to her.
This thing had a ton of features Allyson had to learn about. Angelique had to hit the books for it as well for her job as co-pilot.
John’s truck was basically set up as a street legal pre-runner or trophy truck. Where the passenger air bag would have been, now there was a giant touch screen for a high resolution GPS system that would be more at home on a sailboat circumnavigating the globe. A whole host of engine gauges climbed the pillar next to the driver monitoring temperatures of water, oil, transmission and supercharger. The center console had been replaced with a more utilitarian one fabricated to hold radios and other stuff.
Angelique was in the luxury racing bucket seat next to her, pouring through the three ring binder on the satellite navigation system and the other stuff tied into the screen in front of her. From what she had figured out so far, almost everything was still at the factory default. It seemed that John bought a bunch of this and never got around to using it.
One of the funny things Angelique found was the new-in-the-box headset system for communication inside the truck. When she showed it to Allyson, the first thing she thought of was the drivers talking with their pit crew as they raced across the desert in all the footage she saw of the Baja races. This added another thing to the work list. Allyson made a note to see if Bekka had integrated the new radios she added into the already on board system or if she had just put a whole new one in.
They already had added a second cross bed tool box into the bed. The first one was full of tools and recovery stuff like jacks, come-a-longs and such. The new one would hold their food, water and other supplies. Wedged between the two toolboxes were half a dozen of their precious five gallon cans of pre-filled race fuel from the Center. A pair of spare tires finished out the bed.
Their main personal gear went into the back seat position in the truck. Here were the survival bags, medic bags, long gun cases, sleeping bags and even a small tent Angelique had scrounged up. After they had grabbed their initial gear, both were discussing stuff for their long range guns.
“Ok, Allyson, how much ammo should I pull for my long gun?” Angelique was looking at her beautiful rifle.
“Well, I ran dry when Bekka and I were on the rooftop. So call it two hundred rounds, I think.” Now Allyson was thinking too. “Make sure you add some armor piercing to what you pull for yours if Garen has any. I know we don’t have any for mine.”
Allyson thought back to sitting alert on the SWAT team. That’s basically what this was, just like when Kara and she were waiting at the house when Garen, Bekka and Angelique went to the Center. With that day in her head, she made another addition.
“Make sure you have note taking stuff up front so you can jot things down on the fly, like a 9-line.”
Round and round they went, re-evaluating and repacking as they came across new ideas. Both of them were feeling the responsibility placed on them. Allyson as the senior member on a two person team and Angelique as a full-fledged member of a team on a mission. Neither wanted to screw it up by being lazy.
Bekka drove this thing when they brought it back and never let on how overbuilt and special it was, which was surprising since Bekka was miss ‘rally girl’ and drove her little Subaru rocket like a mad woman. Maybe it just felt off or something to her.
This thing had a ton of features Allyson had to learn about. Angelique had to hit the books for it as well for her job as co-pilot.
John’s truck was basically set up as a street legal pre-runner or trophy truck. Where the passenger air bag would have been, now there was a giant touch screen for a high resolution GPS system that would be more at home on a sailboat circumnavigating the globe. A whole host of engine gauges climbed the pillar next to the driver monitoring temperatures of water, oil, transmission and supercharger. The center console had been replaced with a more utilitarian one fabricated to hold radios and other stuff.
Angelique was in the luxury racing bucket seat next to her, pouring through the three ring binder on the satellite navigation system and the other stuff tied into the screen in front of her. From what she had figured out so far, almost everything was still at the factory default. It seemed that John bought a bunch of this and never got around to using it.
One of the funny things Angelique found was the new-in-the-box headset system for communication inside the truck. When she showed it to Allyson, the first thing she thought of was the drivers talking with their pit crew as they raced across the desert in all the footage she saw of the Baja races. This added another thing to the work list. Allyson made a note to see if Bekka had integrated the new radios she added into the already on board system or if she had just put a whole new one in.
They already had added a second cross bed tool box into the bed. The first one was full of tools and recovery stuff like jacks, come-a-longs and such. The new one would hold their food, water and other supplies. Wedged between the two toolboxes were half a dozen of their precious five gallon cans of pre-filled race fuel from the Center. A pair of spare tires finished out the bed.
Their main personal gear went into the back seat position in the truck. Here were the survival bags, medic bags, long gun cases, sleeping bags and even a small tent Angelique had scrounged up. After they had grabbed their initial gear, both were discussing stuff for their long range guns.
“Ok, Allyson, how much ammo should I pull for my long gun?” Angelique was looking at her beautiful rifle.
“Well, I ran dry when Bekka and I were on the rooftop. So call it two hundred rounds, I think.” Now Allyson was thinking too. “Make sure you add some armor piercing to what you pull for yours if Garen has any. I know we don’t have any for mine.”
Allyson thought back to sitting alert on the SWAT team. That’s basically what this was, just like when Kara and she were waiting at the house when Garen, Bekka and Angelique went to the Center. With that day in her head, she made another addition.
“Make sure you have note taking stuff up front so you can jot things down on the fly, like a 9-line.”
Round and round they went, re-evaluating and repacking as they came across new ideas. Both of them were feeling the responsibility placed on them. Allyson as the senior member on a two person team and Angelique as a full-fledged member of a team on a mission. Neither wanted to screw it up by being lazy.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Kara and Heidi ate dinner at the big table in the breakroom of the training building. It was simple stuff mostly out of the pantry down there; rice with a hamburger patty and a fried egg on top. The most important thing they did, at least in Heidi’s mind, was talk.
“I used to sit for hours, talking with Christian. I had read a lot on religion, but he not only knew a lot on the subject, he could make it make sense. He showed me how the Nordic religion wasn’t in conflict with the Christian religion, as long as you looked at the details and the timelines.”
“He sounds like he was a brilliant man.” Heidi wasn’t sure where to steer the conversation, but she knew talking was better than not, it seemed.
“He was. When he died, it tore me apart.” Kara paused. “Both physically and mentally.” “Bekka and Garen…..they have been the only ones who have been in my corner since then for the longest time. The only ones who haven’t left or died, that is.”
“They are the only ones other than Christian who’ve proven they love me for me and don’t want to change me or want something from me.”
The room was quiet for some time. Heidi knew from watching her father talk to his parishioners as well as her own experience, sometimes quiet is what is needed. Soon Kara was talking again.
“The doctors said I should have died that day with the IED. The docs who met us at the field hospital were surprised I was still alive, but figured I would die on the way to Germany. The docs in Germany weren’t sure how I got to them alive. Sometimes I wonder if I did. Every day since, I feel like I’m on borrowed time, on time I’ve stolen.”
Kara looked over at the half dozen liquor bottles on top of the cabinet. Heidi saw the stare, when she looked and saw them she understood. She also saw Kara didn’t make a move towards them.
“Was it to numb the pain of him being gone?” Heidi finally asked.
“No, it was to feel something, anything, anything at all. After I was out, I had nowhere to belong, no one to belong with. I hope he didn’t see how bad it got then.”
“For me, it was to try and kill the thoughts that I might have been able to save my friends who died, if only I was there.” Heidi said.
“I have a few of those too.” Kara said.
The room was quiet for several long minutes until Kara spoke again.
“But, hey! You have a hell of a daughter, and you have Doug.”
“My daughter is probably the only reason I’m still alive. As for having Doug, we are just friends.” Heidi tried to deflect.
“Don’t sell him short, and don’t pass this up! He would be great for you, and it would be great for Emilia!” Kara pushed.
“Gee, how cliché! Sleeping with the boss!” Heidi spat her comment out.
“What boss? He is your partner. His daughter thinks you would be good with him, your daughter thinks you would be good for him, so what’s the glitch?” Kara smiled, happy to have the lens pointed elsewhere now.
Heidi looked at Kara, a flash of a new expression on her face. One she hadn’t seen on Heidi before. Heidi looked distraught.
“What if he said no? Where would that leave me? Where would that leave Emilia?”
“Heidi, don’t pass up this chance you have. You love him. Don’t you. Besides, you have plenty of friends and places to catch you..” Kara said in a flat matter of fact tone.
“Maybe, I think so. I don’t know.” Heidi looked a bit confused now.
“I would give almost anything for another hour with Christian. As it is, I will have to wait to see him at Valhalla in heaven. Don’t waste precious time on maybe.” Kara said with an air of conviction.
“After the new group gets here, I’ll consider it.” Heidi said. She wasn’t sure how the conversation about Kara’s problems morphed into her dating Doug. She will talk to Emilia later and make sure everything is ok before she did anything else though.
“I used to sit for hours, talking with Christian. I had read a lot on religion, but he not only knew a lot on the subject, he could make it make sense. He showed me how the Nordic religion wasn’t in conflict with the Christian religion, as long as you looked at the details and the timelines.”
“He sounds like he was a brilliant man.” Heidi wasn’t sure where to steer the conversation, but she knew talking was better than not, it seemed.
“He was. When he died, it tore me apart.” Kara paused. “Both physically and mentally.” “Bekka and Garen…..they have been the only ones who have been in my corner since then for the longest time. The only ones who haven’t left or died, that is.”
“They are the only ones other than Christian who’ve proven they love me for me and don’t want to change me or want something from me.”
The room was quiet for some time. Heidi knew from watching her father talk to his parishioners as well as her own experience, sometimes quiet is what is needed. Soon Kara was talking again.
“The doctors said I should have died that day with the IED. The docs who met us at the field hospital were surprised I was still alive, but figured I would die on the way to Germany. The docs in Germany weren’t sure how I got to them alive. Sometimes I wonder if I did. Every day since, I feel like I’m on borrowed time, on time I’ve stolen.”
Kara looked over at the half dozen liquor bottles on top of the cabinet. Heidi saw the stare, when she looked and saw them she understood. She also saw Kara didn’t make a move towards them.
“Was it to numb the pain of him being gone?” Heidi finally asked.
“No, it was to feel something, anything, anything at all. After I was out, I had nowhere to belong, no one to belong with. I hope he didn’t see how bad it got then.”
“For me, it was to try and kill the thoughts that I might have been able to save my friends who died, if only I was there.” Heidi said.
“I have a few of those too.” Kara said.
The room was quiet for several long minutes until Kara spoke again.
“But, hey! You have a hell of a daughter, and you have Doug.”
“My daughter is probably the only reason I’m still alive. As for having Doug, we are just friends.” Heidi tried to deflect.
“Don’t sell him short, and don’t pass this up! He would be great for you, and it would be great for Emilia!” Kara pushed.
“Gee, how cliché! Sleeping with the boss!” Heidi spat her comment out.
“What boss? He is your partner. His daughter thinks you would be good with him, your daughter thinks you would be good for him, so what’s the glitch?” Kara smiled, happy to have the lens pointed elsewhere now.
Heidi looked at Kara, a flash of a new expression on her face. One she hadn’t seen on Heidi before. Heidi looked distraught.
“What if he said no? Where would that leave me? Where would that leave Emilia?”
“Heidi, don’t pass up this chance you have. You love him. Don’t you. Besides, you have plenty of friends and places to catch you..” Kara said in a flat matter of fact tone.
“Maybe, I think so. I don’t know.” Heidi looked a bit confused now.
“I would give almost anything for another hour with Christian. As it is, I will have to wait to see him at Valhalla in heaven. Don’t waste precious time on maybe.” Kara said with an air of conviction.
“After the new group gets here, I’ll consider it.” Heidi said. She wasn’t sure how the conversation about Kara’s problems morphed into her dating Doug. She will talk to Emilia later and make sure everything is ok before she did anything else though.
Old Gray Mare
TB Fanatic
Brown gravy! Next time. Loco Moco.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
They didn't have a jar of it down there, otherwise they would have. There is another variant or two. The one substituting Spam for hamburger patty was in part 1, and another version is substituting a sausage patty and sausage gravy
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
The predawn darkness was disrupted with the rumble and crunch of snow. Allyson and Angelique were rolling around the compound in John’s truck, trying to get a feel for it and make sure they have their gear placed where they could get to it abut not lose it or have it shift too much on slopes or angles. They were doing all of this using their night vision goggles to test Angelique’s handiwork as well.
Bekka cut up a bunch of photographic lighting gels to make improvised IR conversion filters for a pair of lights. This way they could drive blacked out at night instead of glowing like an alien’s disco ball with all the night driving lights on. They seemed to work fairly well, and weren’t visible very far with the naked eye.
They were glad they were moving slow and didn’t need the communication/intercom system right now. When they brought the extra communication/intercom headsets to Bekka, she went right to work integrating the two systems into one headset compatible with their helmets and NVGs. That way, all they had to do was unplug one umbilical when they got out and still be able to use the team radios.
Another thing on their list of ‘to-do’ was testing the front and back mounted recovery wenches. Since neither had much experience, Zed and Jesse promised to help and teach them tips and tricks. All of this was after hearing Kara and Heidi talking about the wench on the Suburban.
Bekka cut up a bunch of photographic lighting gels to make improvised IR conversion filters for a pair of lights. This way they could drive blacked out at night instead of glowing like an alien’s disco ball with all the night driving lights on. They seemed to work fairly well, and weren’t visible very far with the naked eye.
They were glad they were moving slow and didn’t need the communication/intercom system right now. When they brought the extra communication/intercom headsets to Bekka, she went right to work integrating the two systems into one headset compatible with their helmets and NVGs. That way, all they had to do was unplug one umbilical when they got out and still be able to use the team radios.
Another thing on their list of ‘to-do’ was testing the front and back mounted recovery wenches. Since neither had much experience, Zed and Jesse promised to help and teach them tips and tricks. All of this was after hearing Kara and Heidi talking about the wench on the Suburban.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Heidi and Emilia were trying to spend a little quality time while they waited. Heidi wanted to talk with Emilia about her real opinion about the possibility of something romantic between her and Doug more importantly, what might happen if they did try but it went bad.
Heidi kept looking for the right time and place but it seemed everything was against her. If it wasn’t one thing, it was another or this person needing her to do something. She really wanted to talk with her as soon as possible even if it was just to get an idea of what she thought. It was important to know and know soon. It took work and dodging other people but she finally got an opportunity but as things would have it wasn’t very conducive to conversation but at this point she was going to take what she could get.
It was early morning when Heidi found Emilia downstairs on the range with Garen. Garen was adding IR lasers to the Personal Defense Weapons or pistols with folding stocks or whatever they calling them. With the laser, the handgrip and the suppressor, these things were the closest thing to magic death rays Emilia could think of.
With Garen there, Heidi didn’t want to get too in depth on other topics. Instead, they focused on the task at hand. Once Garen was satisfied with his adjustments, he went back into the workshop and left them to their task.
”Kara and I were talking yesterday.” Heidi began….
Emilia thought her mother sounded a little nervous. She wondered why a talk with Kara would make her nervous.
“We were talking yesterday…and…..the topic of Doug came up.” Heidi paused to gauge Emilia’s reaction before she continued. “It seems everyone is convinced Doug and I should be together and wonder why we aren’t.”
“Yeah, we do.” Now Emilia understood what had her mother nervous.
“Honestly, I’m scared Emilia.”
This admission rocked Emilia back on her heels.
“Scared of what, Mom?” She set the pistol down on the table. This demanded her full attention.
“It’s been far too many years since I have dated anyone. It’s been since before your father. I wouldn’t know what to do in normal times, much less these ****ed up times. Now, what happens if we start something and it goes wrong? A bad break up? Where would we live? What would we do? Right now we have a great relationship. I really don’t want to screw it up.” The nervousness was thick in Heidi’s voice now.
“Mom, it won’t go wrong.” She took her mom’s hands in her own. “Don’t worry about the dating thing either. Just go with the same advice you gave me about the boys at school. If it feels right to hold his hand, hold his hand. If it feels right to kiss him, then kiss him. If it feels right to get naked with him, I’m shipping you to a convent in Russia.”
At hearing her own speech recited back to her, Heidi had to break out laughing. Emilia joined in.
“Shit, Mom. We both have seen him naked, we both have lip locked with him. Just next time he might be conscious. You’ve also shown him your biggest concern about being naked, so you should let some of those worries go.”
“How do you think Angelique will feel about it?” Some of the butterflies in Heidi’s stomach had calmed down some.
“Honestly, she wants her dad to be happy and she thinks you would make him happy.” Emilia said in a very matter-of-fact manor Heidi picked up on.
“So you and her have already discussed it?”
“Yep. She is like the big sister I want to be like. We have talked.” Emilia answered smugly.
“Have you guys talked about Brody? I know you and Brody have been spending more and more time together. I don’t know if Angelique had her sights on him as well.”
Emilia squirmed a bit at this.
“We talked some. Angelique said a relationship wasn’t on her to-do list right now and she would help me if I wanted to be with Brody.” Emilia’s voice was less confident now and a little sheepish. It went with the blush creeping up into her face.
“You know, with the scam or game or whatever Angelique started with him or them, if there’s going to be any real relationship, you’re going to have to come clean on it sooner or later.” Heidi’s tone had just the hint of scold to it. I know I played along, but long term, we ‘evil sisters’ should sit down and figure out an exit strategy.”
“I know. Once Jesse’s granddaughter gets here, we can start to untangle the messes. All of us with Larrissa and Brody and Ruby and you and Doug, and everything else.” Emilia’s voice was back to its new confident self now.
“Yeah, nothing to sidetrack us until after they get here. Agreed.”
Heidi and Emilia finished up on the range and went back to their other preparations. It kept them busy.
Heidi kept looking for the right time and place but it seemed everything was against her. If it wasn’t one thing, it was another or this person needing her to do something. She really wanted to talk with her as soon as possible even if it was just to get an idea of what she thought. It was important to know and know soon. It took work and dodging other people but she finally got an opportunity but as things would have it wasn’t very conducive to conversation but at this point she was going to take what she could get.
It was early morning when Heidi found Emilia downstairs on the range with Garen. Garen was adding IR lasers to the Personal Defense Weapons or pistols with folding stocks or whatever they calling them. With the laser, the handgrip and the suppressor, these things were the closest thing to magic death rays Emilia could think of.
With Garen there, Heidi didn’t want to get too in depth on other topics. Instead, they focused on the task at hand. Once Garen was satisfied with his adjustments, he went back into the workshop and left them to their task.
”Kara and I were talking yesterday.” Heidi began….
Emilia thought her mother sounded a little nervous. She wondered why a talk with Kara would make her nervous.
“We were talking yesterday…and…..the topic of Doug came up.” Heidi paused to gauge Emilia’s reaction before she continued. “It seems everyone is convinced Doug and I should be together and wonder why we aren’t.”
“Yeah, we do.” Now Emilia understood what had her mother nervous.
“Honestly, I’m scared Emilia.”
This admission rocked Emilia back on her heels.
“Scared of what, Mom?” She set the pistol down on the table. This demanded her full attention.
“It’s been far too many years since I have dated anyone. It’s been since before your father. I wouldn’t know what to do in normal times, much less these ****ed up times. Now, what happens if we start something and it goes wrong? A bad break up? Where would we live? What would we do? Right now we have a great relationship. I really don’t want to screw it up.” The nervousness was thick in Heidi’s voice now.
“Mom, it won’t go wrong.” She took her mom’s hands in her own. “Don’t worry about the dating thing either. Just go with the same advice you gave me about the boys at school. If it feels right to hold his hand, hold his hand. If it feels right to kiss him, then kiss him. If it feels right to get naked with him, I’m shipping you to a convent in Russia.”
At hearing her own speech recited back to her, Heidi had to break out laughing. Emilia joined in.
“Shit, Mom. We both have seen him naked, we both have lip locked with him. Just next time he might be conscious. You’ve also shown him your biggest concern about being naked, so you should let some of those worries go.”
“How do you think Angelique will feel about it?” Some of the butterflies in Heidi’s stomach had calmed down some.
“Honestly, she wants her dad to be happy and she thinks you would make him happy.” Emilia said in a very matter-of-fact manor Heidi picked up on.
“So you and her have already discussed it?”
“Yep. She is like the big sister I want to be like. We have talked.” Emilia answered smugly.
“Have you guys talked about Brody? I know you and Brody have been spending more and more time together. I don’t know if Angelique had her sights on him as well.”
Emilia squirmed a bit at this.
“We talked some. Angelique said a relationship wasn’t on her to-do list right now and she would help me if I wanted to be with Brody.” Emilia’s voice was less confident now and a little sheepish. It went with the blush creeping up into her face.
“You know, with the scam or game or whatever Angelique started with him or them, if there’s going to be any real relationship, you’re going to have to come clean on it sooner or later.” Heidi’s tone had just the hint of scold to it. I know I played along, but long term, we ‘evil sisters’ should sit down and figure out an exit strategy.”
“I know. Once Jesse’s granddaughter gets here, we can start to untangle the messes. All of us with Larrissa and Brody and Ruby and you and Doug, and everything else.” Emilia’s voice was back to its new confident self now.
“Yeah, nothing to sidetrack us until after they get here. Agreed.”
Heidi and Emilia finished up on the range and went back to their other preparations. It kept them busy.
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
The line on the map kept coming closer and closer. I watched Jesse agonize the first couple of days when it looked like their travel rate projections were wildly optimistic compared to the amount of ground they were actually traveling. Garen and I kept trying to ease his fears. Meanwhile, we all were working hard on the contingency plans and preparations.
I’ve been rethinking my concept of having Heidi and Kara together. Kara seems more off-kilter than I have seen her in years and Heidi isn’t quite herself either. I know Kara can tighten up and do the mission if we have one that shows up. I think Heidi can as well. All the logic made sense when Garen and I plotted it. I still worry because it’s Kara. Garen and I would ride the gates of hell….again…to save her. I would feel real bad if I unknowingly caused her grief in trying to help her.
On the other hand, Allyson and Angelique are a great team together. The partnership we saw the start of those months ago has taken hold and each is thriving. Each is the voice of reason for the other and the motivator for the other.
Speaking of motivator, Emilia seems unstoppable in her quest to become more……something. What that something is, I’m not quite sure, but her template seems to be Angelique. I just hope she is setting a smart and realistic target without losing who she is in the process. I got to keep stuff available for her interests so she does not forget them. Someone needs to inherit all my cameras.
I don’t know how the new people will mix in with us. So far, everything has been working. That is why I’m worried. A couple more days and they will be here and we can look at everything with a better picture of things.
My gear is ready until we find out any particulars and needs. Doug and I are probably third down the list if anything is needed. Right now, they are beyond the comfortable range of anything but Kara and Heidi, but soon, they will reach the circle of our projected response range. Until then, we are just spinning our wheels and inventing problems to fix.
Jesse is on the radio watch tonight. Kara’s down in the training building tonight. Garen and I have the room all to ourselves, maybe we will take advantage the time alone. It’s been a while… Soon everyone will be on pins and needles and hair trigger response times. But not tonight. Tonight I think will be for us.
I’ve been rethinking my concept of having Heidi and Kara together. Kara seems more off-kilter than I have seen her in years and Heidi isn’t quite herself either. I know Kara can tighten up and do the mission if we have one that shows up. I think Heidi can as well. All the logic made sense when Garen and I plotted it. I still worry because it’s Kara. Garen and I would ride the gates of hell….again…to save her. I would feel real bad if I unknowingly caused her grief in trying to help her.
On the other hand, Allyson and Angelique are a great team together. The partnership we saw the start of those months ago has taken hold and each is thriving. Each is the voice of reason for the other and the motivator for the other.
Speaking of motivator, Emilia seems unstoppable in her quest to become more……something. What that something is, I’m not quite sure, but her template seems to be Angelique. I just hope she is setting a smart and realistic target without losing who she is in the process. I got to keep stuff available for her interests so she does not forget them. Someone needs to inherit all my cameras.
I don’t know how the new people will mix in with us. So far, everything has been working. That is why I’m worried. A couple more days and they will be here and we can look at everything with a better picture of things.
My gear is ready until we find out any particulars and needs. Doug and I are probably third down the list if anything is needed. Right now, they are beyond the comfortable range of anything but Kara and Heidi, but soon, they will reach the circle of our projected response range. Until then, we are just spinning our wheels and inventing problems to fix.
Jesse is on the radio watch tonight. Kara’s down in the training building tonight. Garen and I have the room all to ourselves, maybe we will take advantage the time alone. It’s been a while… Soon everyone will be on pins and needles and hair trigger response times. But not tonight. Tonight I think will be for us.
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ted
Veteran Member
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
You think?!!?
Stand by! GO!! GO!! In 4, 3, 2,.......
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Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
I have BP Meds; seems to work until I try driving 385 out to Collierville
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Preparations continued, but so did other things. One late afternoon saw Zed and Emilia down at Larrissa’s. Zed was working on a new jury-rigged windmill for power generation to augment the couple of solar panels already in place to charge some batteries in the house. These provided power for some simple scavenged LEDs and other small things like the radio to contact Garen’s house.
While Zed finished up the project, Emilia was spending time with Larrissa, Brody and the other kids. Zed was watching as well as working and saw Larrissa’s small smile whenever Emilia’s mysterious “Tenshi” persona slipped a little. At one point Larrissa came over to where Zed was wiring things in.
“You know, her and the others are driving Brody crazy.” Larrissa said in a low voice that didn’t carry far.
“Yeah, but it seems to amuse them and him and Ruby.” Zeds reply came just as low.
“I’ve noticed ‘Tenshi’ is the most common visitor now.”
“Yeah, but it makes sense, since she is closest in age to Brody.” Zed made a face as he stripped a wire.
“Is it all a game? ‘Tenshi” seems genuinely interested. I would hate for Brody to keep working like it might become something if this is all just a big flirt show.” There was a note of worry in Larrissa’s voice now as she looked back over at where the others sat.
Larrissa was struck by the sharp contrast. Tenshi looked the part of hard warrior woman right out of one of Brody’s favorite movies but the smile and warmth on her face was genuine in appearance as well. It was like when she was a little girl watching one of the sheep dogs playing and tolerating one of the barn cat kittens’ crawl all over and maul it, all the while doing nothing but gently play with it. The same sheep dog who she had seen stand up to coyotes in the back pasture.
Zed’s voice broke her train of thought.
“I don’t think it’s necessarily a game. More like it’s a protective barrier. If all you or they “ Zed waved his hand towards the group on the floor “know is there is a whole ton of warriors up the hill, and no one is sure how many or ages or anything, they can’t give information to jeopardize either group.” Zed paused while he watched Larrissa digest this before continuing.
“It’s like in the old resistance cells. You can’t give away or betray what you don’t. It’s not that we don’t trust you.” Zed smiled, trying to lessen the sting.
“I understand, really I do. I guess I just worry if Brody is going to get his heart broken by his crush on Tenshi.”
Zed chuckled. “I’d worry about him getting his arms and legs broke if he breaks Tenshi’s heart. Engel is very protective of her little one like you are about Brody.”
Larrissa thought back to earlier encounters with Engel and Tenshi. She thought they were sisters and that would make protective make sense, but with the way Zed said what he did….
“Brody is a good boy and becoming a good man. I will remind him to be a gentleman, not that I think he needs reminding.”
Zed started to say something when the earpiece for his radio crackled.
“All teams return to base. Repeat. All teams return to base.”
At this, Zed started packing up the tools he had out. Tenshi hopped up out of the group of kids, putting her business face on. Zed noticed Tenshi and Brody’s hands lingered together for a moment before she walked towards the door with Zed.
“Any idea what’s up, Zed?” Emilia asked once they were outside.
“You heard as much as I did. I see you and Brody are becoming more of a thing.”
Emilia’s blush was still evident in the failing light.
“He’s a good guy.” She looked down a moment and said something Zed didn’t catch.
“What was that?”
“I said he’s cute too.” Emilia said in a rush, still a bit embarrassed.
“Well it seems he’s smitten with you as well, according to his mother.” Zed reached over and put his arm across Emilia’s shoulder and gave her a sideways hug. He felt as protective of Emilia as he would his own daughter.
While Zed finished up the project, Emilia was spending time with Larrissa, Brody and the other kids. Zed was watching as well as working and saw Larrissa’s small smile whenever Emilia’s mysterious “Tenshi” persona slipped a little. At one point Larrissa came over to where Zed was wiring things in.
“You know, her and the others are driving Brody crazy.” Larrissa said in a low voice that didn’t carry far.
“Yeah, but it seems to amuse them and him and Ruby.” Zeds reply came just as low.
“I’ve noticed ‘Tenshi’ is the most common visitor now.”
“Yeah, but it makes sense, since she is closest in age to Brody.” Zed made a face as he stripped a wire.
“Is it all a game? ‘Tenshi” seems genuinely interested. I would hate for Brody to keep working like it might become something if this is all just a big flirt show.” There was a note of worry in Larrissa’s voice now as she looked back over at where the others sat.
Larrissa was struck by the sharp contrast. Tenshi looked the part of hard warrior woman right out of one of Brody’s favorite movies but the smile and warmth on her face was genuine in appearance as well. It was like when she was a little girl watching one of the sheep dogs playing and tolerating one of the barn cat kittens’ crawl all over and maul it, all the while doing nothing but gently play with it. The same sheep dog who she had seen stand up to coyotes in the back pasture.
Zed’s voice broke her train of thought.
“I don’t think it’s necessarily a game. More like it’s a protective barrier. If all you or they “ Zed waved his hand towards the group on the floor “know is there is a whole ton of warriors up the hill, and no one is sure how many or ages or anything, they can’t give information to jeopardize either group.” Zed paused while he watched Larrissa digest this before continuing.
“It’s like in the old resistance cells. You can’t give away or betray what you don’t. It’s not that we don’t trust you.” Zed smiled, trying to lessen the sting.
“I understand, really I do. I guess I just worry if Brody is going to get his heart broken by his crush on Tenshi.”
Zed chuckled. “I’d worry about him getting his arms and legs broke if he breaks Tenshi’s heart. Engel is very protective of her little one like you are about Brody.”
Larrissa thought back to earlier encounters with Engel and Tenshi. She thought they were sisters and that would make protective make sense, but with the way Zed said what he did….
“Brody is a good boy and becoming a good man. I will remind him to be a gentleman, not that I think he needs reminding.”
Zed started to say something when the earpiece for his radio crackled.
“All teams return to base. Repeat. All teams return to base.”
At this, Zed started packing up the tools he had out. Tenshi hopped up out of the group of kids, putting her business face on. Zed noticed Tenshi and Brody’s hands lingered together for a moment before she walked towards the door with Zed.
“Any idea what’s up, Zed?” Emilia asked once they were outside.
“You heard as much as I did. I see you and Brody are becoming more of a thing.”
Emilia’s blush was still evident in the failing light.
“He’s a good guy.” She looked down a moment and said something Zed didn’t catch.
“What was that?”
“I said he’s cute too.” Emilia said in a rush, still a bit embarrassed.
“Well it seems he’s smitten with you as well, according to his mother.” Zed reached over and put his arm across Emilia’s shoulder and gave her a sideways hug. He felt as protective of Emilia as he would his own daughter.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
The house was a hive of activity when Emilia and Zed arrived.
“Good, let’s get everyone together in the living room.” Kara said as they came into the garage.
Once upstairs, everyone was assembled in the living room around Jesse and Bekka who were at the radio desk. Jesse stood up from where he was making notes.
“OK, guys. I just heard from Paige. It looks like their fuel estimates were optimistic. They look like they might run dry a couple hundred miles short. Bekka and I are going to burn up the air waves trying to find someone who has some fuel they can spare within range.”
Bekka interrupted him.
“Or find a place for them to hunker down until we can get fuel to them. Garen is doing the calculations on what we can deliver with what as far as fuel goes.”
Garen started talking now.
“I need to check everything Terry did to the Suburban’s suspension and what axles he replaced them with. If it can handle it, we can fill the poly IBC in the cargo compartment full. We will have to shift it around to work with the center of gravity. The problem will be over two thousand pounds of liquid as a cargo. It will take careful and deliberate driving. The other problem will be as the fuel in the Suburban is used up, you can’t just top off from the stuff in the tank. This would give it room to slosh and really screw up handling. It would end up where you wait and offload as much as possible once you rendezvous with Paige’s two vehicles, then dump as much as you can into their vehicles and the Suburban’s own tanks and any other handy container to prevent that much weight sloshing back and forth.”
Kara had to chime in.
“So, Allyson isn’t driving it. Gotcha!”
In spite of the seriousness of the situation, everyone laughed. Finally Garen took control again.
“While they try to find a fuel point or a rally point, I think the rest of us need to tighten up our gear and preps. It looks more likely we may be sending out at least one vehicle and crew.”
Garen went back over to where Jesse and Bekka were working with the radios and a map. After a few minutes milling about, Kara broke away from the others gathered in the kitchen and approached Bekka and Garen.
“We were talking. Unless you guys have a serious reason to swap things around, we all figure to stay in the crews we are in now. Heidi and I will go play tanker if you guys can’t find a fill up station for them. We will just quietly mosey down, offload a bunch of fuel and come back with them, showing them how to get here since I figure it might be best to start here before dragging them on dicey forest trails with snow and heavy loads.”
Kara saw she had Garen and Bekka’s undivided attention. Jesse was still pouring over maps and making notes. He looked up.
“Guys, the run dry line is about here.” He indicated an arc on the map in front of him.
Garen and Bekka made note of its approximate location. They turned back to Kara. Bekka started talking.
“OK, Kara. We will work from that for planning. I figure unless something significant happens, they should be there in about five days, and you guys head out in about three days. You two take your time, go slow and careful to get there and meet up. Unless he” she points over her shoulder with her thumb “finds someone with fuel for them, primary plan is a link up and offload. That location Garen and I will scrub the maps for.”
Garen started talking now.
“So you two start planning and tweaking your stuff. I have another baby fuel transfer pump built for you to take with you.”
Kara was nodding now. “And Allyson and Angelique prep to play cavalry if shit goes wrong.” Kara added.
Now they felt better, less unsettled. The mission was shaping up and had more focus now.
“Good, let’s get everyone together in the living room.” Kara said as they came into the garage.
Once upstairs, everyone was assembled in the living room around Jesse and Bekka who were at the radio desk. Jesse stood up from where he was making notes.
“OK, guys. I just heard from Paige. It looks like their fuel estimates were optimistic. They look like they might run dry a couple hundred miles short. Bekka and I are going to burn up the air waves trying to find someone who has some fuel they can spare within range.”
Bekka interrupted him.
“Or find a place for them to hunker down until we can get fuel to them. Garen is doing the calculations on what we can deliver with what as far as fuel goes.”
Garen started talking now.
“I need to check everything Terry did to the Suburban’s suspension and what axles he replaced them with. If it can handle it, we can fill the poly IBC in the cargo compartment full. We will have to shift it around to work with the center of gravity. The problem will be over two thousand pounds of liquid as a cargo. It will take careful and deliberate driving. The other problem will be as the fuel in the Suburban is used up, you can’t just top off from the stuff in the tank. This would give it room to slosh and really screw up handling. It would end up where you wait and offload as much as possible once you rendezvous with Paige’s two vehicles, then dump as much as you can into their vehicles and the Suburban’s own tanks and any other handy container to prevent that much weight sloshing back and forth.”
Kara had to chime in.
“So, Allyson isn’t driving it. Gotcha!”
In spite of the seriousness of the situation, everyone laughed. Finally Garen took control again.
“While they try to find a fuel point or a rally point, I think the rest of us need to tighten up our gear and preps. It looks more likely we may be sending out at least one vehicle and crew.”
Garen went back over to where Jesse and Bekka were working with the radios and a map. After a few minutes milling about, Kara broke away from the others gathered in the kitchen and approached Bekka and Garen.
“We were talking. Unless you guys have a serious reason to swap things around, we all figure to stay in the crews we are in now. Heidi and I will go play tanker if you guys can’t find a fill up station for them. We will just quietly mosey down, offload a bunch of fuel and come back with them, showing them how to get here since I figure it might be best to start here before dragging them on dicey forest trails with snow and heavy loads.”
Kara saw she had Garen and Bekka’s undivided attention. Jesse was still pouring over maps and making notes. He looked up.
“Guys, the run dry line is about here.” He indicated an arc on the map in front of him.
Garen and Bekka made note of its approximate location. They turned back to Kara. Bekka started talking.
“OK, Kara. We will work from that for planning. I figure unless something significant happens, they should be there in about five days, and you guys head out in about three days. You two take your time, go slow and careful to get there and meet up. Unless he” she points over her shoulder with her thumb “finds someone with fuel for them, primary plan is a link up and offload. That location Garen and I will scrub the maps for.”
Garen started talking now.
“So you two start planning and tweaking your stuff. I have another baby fuel transfer pump built for you to take with you.”
Kara was nodding now. “And Allyson and Angelique prep to play cavalry if shit goes wrong.” Kara added.
Now they felt better, less unsettled. The mission was shaping up and had more focus now.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Bekka has cameras, ties all the way back to the start of one and also when Bekka gave a camera to Emilia for Christmas and the start of two where Heidi and Emilia were out shooting pictures when they were introduced