Story Market Day
- Thread starter ComCamGuy
- Start date
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Bekka and Olivia were moving well as they traveled over the land. Olivia’s shorter legs helped dictate the pace so neither of them wore themselves out. Besides, they had to move slower to be careful as they went along. As they walked, Bekka would have them stop as she pointed out things with the map or the compass or why they went along one area instead of another.
Olivia thought all of this was pretty neat. She was beginning to see how the squiggles on the map matched up to what was in front of her; how this v shape was pointing downhill and was a ravine and how the really tight lines meant a cliff or a drop off. This started painting pictures in her mind when she looked at the map. She was still working at orientating the map and compass together though.
Bekka was continually impressed with Olivia. She wasn’t whining, bitching or complaining at all. She didn’t spend a great deal of time around kids, especially what she would call young kids. Her few earlier experiences and exposures were less than appealing. She was actually having fun teaching little things to her as they went along. It helped her refresh things in her own mind as she tried to figure out how to teach it to Olivia.
When they got to the small creek, Olivia was the one teaching and showing. She seemed to know just where the crayfish were hiding. Whether it was behind a rock or in weeds against the bank, it seemed every time she moved, she was pulling one out. Soon, they had a small bundle of food for later.
As they moved along, Bekka showed Olivia some of the places to gather dry kindling, balls of pine sap, and all manner of fire starters. Small dry sticks and pieces of wood went onto pockets as they presented themselves along their route.
Bekka’s plan was to cook the crayfish, along with some pine needles and a bouillon cube for a solid meal before dark. They would heat and or eat everything they were going to early so they could put the fire out at dusk so it wouldn’t give their position away with the light.
Several times on their trek, they had to cross trails and twice they crossed larger trails or old logging roads. Bekka would find a spot they could see a distance down the path each way, then they would cross carefully, trying to avoid leaving tracks or serious disturbances. Bekka kept telling Olivia ‘this is probably the longest game of hide-and-seek you will hopefully ever play’.
Olivia thought all of this was pretty neat. She was beginning to see how the squiggles on the map matched up to what was in front of her; how this v shape was pointing downhill and was a ravine and how the really tight lines meant a cliff or a drop off. This started painting pictures in her mind when she looked at the map. She was still working at orientating the map and compass together though.
Bekka was continually impressed with Olivia. She wasn’t whining, bitching or complaining at all. She didn’t spend a great deal of time around kids, especially what she would call young kids. Her few earlier experiences and exposures were less than appealing. She was actually having fun teaching little things to her as they went along. It helped her refresh things in her own mind as she tried to figure out how to teach it to Olivia.
When they got to the small creek, Olivia was the one teaching and showing. She seemed to know just where the crayfish were hiding. Whether it was behind a rock or in weeds against the bank, it seemed every time she moved, she was pulling one out. Soon, they had a small bundle of food for later.
As they moved along, Bekka showed Olivia some of the places to gather dry kindling, balls of pine sap, and all manner of fire starters. Small dry sticks and pieces of wood went onto pockets as they presented themselves along their route.
Bekka’s plan was to cook the crayfish, along with some pine needles and a bouillon cube for a solid meal before dark. They would heat and or eat everything they were going to early so they could put the fire out at dusk so it wouldn’t give their position away with the light.
Several times on their trek, they had to cross trails and twice they crossed larger trails or old logging roads. Bekka would find a spot they could see a distance down the path each way, then they would cross carefully, trying to avoid leaving tracks or serious disturbances. Bekka kept telling Olivia ‘this is probably the longest game of hide-and-seek you will hopefully ever play’.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
It's just bait, to lull us into a restful state.
Stand by, a hard landing looms!
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
The quiet rumble of the Suburban’s engine was familiar to Kara, so was this view. She was once again headed down the road, only instead of driving this leg, it was a new driver. She wasn’t sure what to make of Paige yet. They have hardly talked much as everyone was busy making preparations, but from the little glimpses outside of combat, she seemed to be a real sweet girl.
Kara was a bit nervous. Not for herself, but a bit nervous because Paige seemed to be nervous. She was sweating and a bit twitchy. Then again, most people would be if they were driving out in the dark to sneak into somewhere they have never been, in a vehicle they have never driven, to rescue people they have barely met from people they didn’t know who were trying to kill you. No, no reason to be nervous!
Kara was up front to help Paige with the navigation, both on road and especially once they got off road and onto the old logging trails. Doing all of this with night vision goggles could be tricky and Kara had the most experience out of all of them doing things like this. Zed and Angelique were in the back seat, trying to rest up some since they would soon be moving out for their long stalk in the woods once they got to where Bekka and Olivia were.
Kara was a bit nervous. Not for herself, but a bit nervous because Paige seemed to be nervous. She was sweating and a bit twitchy. Then again, most people would be if they were driving out in the dark to sneak into somewhere they have never been, in a vehicle they have never driven, to rescue people they have barely met from people they didn’t know who were trying to kill you. No, no reason to be nervous!
Kara was up front to help Paige with the navigation, both on road and especially once they got off road and onto the old logging trails. Doing all of this with night vision goggles could be tricky and Kara had the most experience out of all of them doing things like this. Zed and Angelique were in the back seat, trying to rest up some since they would soon be moving out for their long stalk in the woods once they got to where Bekka and Olivia were.
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
The mood in the room was stressful. Garen, Heidi and Allyson were ‘lounging around’ in the living room near the radio. The pick-up crew had just left. Emilia, Jesse and Doug were trying to sleep in case they were needed. Andrea was in with Sabine, napping on the bed with her. Penny was on the day bed, Isadora in the chair next to her.
As much as everyone was trying to relax, no one really relaxed. After the events of the past week or so, everyone was on a knife edge, and would be until Bekka and Olivia were home and the reconnaissance mission returned.
As much as everyone was trying to relax, no one really relaxed. After the events of the past week or so, everyone was on a knife edge, and would be until Bekka and Olivia were home and the reconnaissance mission returned.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Pretty sure most of us who do that (no names, no pack drill) are keeping tabs on the ganistan shyte show and using this to keep from beating our foreheads bloody on the edge of the desk - mine is a bit splintered; guess my head isn't quite as hard as I thought
Old Gray Mare
TB Fanatic
CCG I could be wrong but I think crayfish burrow into the mud along the creek banks and hibernate or go dormant in winter?
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
that is my understanding as well. It’s why it was so impressive she could find a few by finding the logical places they might be. At that point, finding six is phenomenal and super impressive.
I had a friend who could find them anytime, anywhere. In the dead of winter. After cracking the ice off of the creek.
Texican
Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
ccg,
Congratulations on your anniversary. Remember to keep time for your ld bride for all wives desire time with their hubbies which at times we fail to provide due to everything else in our lives.
Working on 44 years of marriage to the same young woman that married me.
Texican....
Congratulations on your anniversary. Remember to keep time for your ld bride for all wives desire time with their hubbies which at times we fail to provide due to everything else in our lives.
Working on 44 years of marriage to the same young woman that married me.
Texican....
Texican
Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
Pretty sure most of us who do that (no names, no pack drill) are keeping tabs on the ganistan shyte show and using this to keep from beating our foreheads bloody on the edge of the desk - mine is a bit splintered; guess my head isn't quite as hard as I thought
Well G,
You know that we could all tell your head was a bit splintered from your comments thru the years.
Texican....
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Off topic but crappy performance of high level command makes the vein in my forehead pulse. I know there was a still-disputed-by-some change in Commander in Chief but one would have thought the 'professionals' would have been better prepped, planning wise.
But that's a conversation for a different channel.
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On the crayfish: I have seen them in creeks and dug into the mud. We have a crayfish “pond” and it just a wet place that pretty much stays wet year round. There are some good sized ones in there. BUT there is a shallow creek above the house where they live also. Don’t know, but they DO seem to like the “mud flats” best here. I’d have to do some (ahem) digging around to see.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Paige was sweating. She wasn’t sure why, but with the windows open and the outside temp as low as it was, she shouldn’t be. She didn’t have that much gear on. This was supposed to be a quiet little drive, all stealthy and such. If there was shooting, the primary plan was to bolt and set up a different point and time. If that happened, the three passengers would get out and go in on foot to link up with Bekka and Olivia and all five work to a different extraction point.
Extraction point. That was her military thinking again. In reality, this was supposed to be more like going and picking up a teenager from the mall, or at least the way Garen and Kara described it. Paige knew it would be somewhere in between the two. Most people don’t get picked up from the mall in the dark by an armed extrication group. Then again, most people don’t go to the mall anyway. When was the last time she went to the mall. She was stationed in California, home of the mall and she didn’t know when she was last in……what he hell was she thinking about? She needed to focus! But it was hard.
Kara was following along on her map when she realized Paige wasn’t quite a smooth on her motions driving as she was earlier. She looked over. Paige was weaving in her seat a little, like she was trying to get comfortable or see something way in the distance. Shit!
“Paige! Pull over!” Kara’s voice was harsh and insistent. The Suburban glided to a stop.
“Paige, are you ok?” Kara’s voice was concerned. She reached over and felt her head. Warm. It was forty degrees in the Suburban and Paige was sweating. Kara didn’t like the look of this.
They were more than halfway there but Paige was looking a bit ill. Too much time on NVGs when you aren’t used to it can make people drowsy or nauseous, both of which can degrade performance. Kara figured that was what was happening now.
“Paige. Pull off your goggles a minute.” Kara looked at the back seat where Angelique and Zed were looking around. “Angelique, Zed, keep a sharp lookout. We need to take a break before the next leg.”
Kara reached into her bag at her feet and pulled out a plastic Nalgene bottle. She shoot it vigorously before unscrewing the lid and handing it to Paige.
“Here, drink some of this. You were zoning in on the goggles. It happens. This stuff will give you a boost and clear your head.”
Paige took a sip. Sweet, tangy, syrupy and sweet as all get out. She felt like she was drinking molasses. She made a bitter face.
“What the hell is that stuff?” She asked Kara.
“Hell if I know. Zed made it.” Kara replied, taking a sip.
“All natural, healthy energy drink.” Zed replied from the back seat. “It’s better with gin, though”
Kara looked at Paige. She didn’t look well. She reached over to feel her pulse and count her respirations. Both were fast and the pulse was a bit thready.
“Are you ok? We can postpone a night and get another driver.” Kara asked Paige.
Paige shook her head and instantly regretted it.
“No, I’ll be fine. Just too much tunnel effect with the road and the trees and the goggles. I’ll be fine, just give me a minute.” She took a couple more sips of the drink, followed by one from her hydration bladder hose hanging over the seat back. She had to thin this stuff out tin her stomach.
They sat there in the middle of the road for about ten minutes, sipping drinks and looking at the rest of their route on the map while Paige’s head and stomach steadied.
Paige knew everything would be better soon when they turned off the main road. On the trail it would be constantly different and would help prevent the effect that got to her earlier.
Extraction point. That was her military thinking again. In reality, this was supposed to be more like going and picking up a teenager from the mall, or at least the way Garen and Kara described it. Paige knew it would be somewhere in between the two. Most people don’t get picked up from the mall in the dark by an armed extrication group. Then again, most people don’t go to the mall anyway. When was the last time she went to the mall. She was stationed in California, home of the mall and she didn’t know when she was last in……what he hell was she thinking about? She needed to focus! But it was hard.
Kara was following along on her map when she realized Paige wasn’t quite a smooth on her motions driving as she was earlier. She looked over. Paige was weaving in her seat a little, like she was trying to get comfortable or see something way in the distance. Shit!
“Paige! Pull over!” Kara’s voice was harsh and insistent. The Suburban glided to a stop.
“Paige, are you ok?” Kara’s voice was concerned. She reached over and felt her head. Warm. It was forty degrees in the Suburban and Paige was sweating. Kara didn’t like the look of this.
They were more than halfway there but Paige was looking a bit ill. Too much time on NVGs when you aren’t used to it can make people drowsy or nauseous, both of which can degrade performance. Kara figured that was what was happening now.
“Paige. Pull off your goggles a minute.” Kara looked at the back seat where Angelique and Zed were looking around. “Angelique, Zed, keep a sharp lookout. We need to take a break before the next leg.”
Kara reached into her bag at her feet and pulled out a plastic Nalgene bottle. She shoot it vigorously before unscrewing the lid and handing it to Paige.
“Here, drink some of this. You were zoning in on the goggles. It happens. This stuff will give you a boost and clear your head.”
Paige took a sip. Sweet, tangy, syrupy and sweet as all get out. She felt like she was drinking molasses. She made a bitter face.
“What the hell is that stuff?” She asked Kara.
“Hell if I know. Zed made it.” Kara replied, taking a sip.
“All natural, healthy energy drink.” Zed replied from the back seat. “It’s better with gin, though”
Kara looked at Paige. She didn’t look well. She reached over to feel her pulse and count her respirations. Both were fast and the pulse was a bit thready.
“Are you ok? We can postpone a night and get another driver.” Kara asked Paige.
Paige shook her head and instantly regretted it.
“No, I’ll be fine. Just too much tunnel effect with the road and the trees and the goggles. I’ll be fine, just give me a minute.” She took a couple more sips of the drink, followed by one from her hydration bladder hose hanging over the seat back. She had to thin this stuff out tin her stomach.
They sat there in the middle of the road for about ten minutes, sipping drinks and looking at the rest of their route on the map while Paige’s head and stomach steadied.
Paige knew everything would be better soon when they turned off the main road. On the trail it would be constantly different and would help prevent the effect that got to her earlier.
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Paige could feel the energy coursing through her, but it was weird, it was like she was disconnected from it. She could see what she was doing and follow the mental gymnastics of what she was doing as she followed a line or a path of travel, selected a gear, and picked a route as they moved along some half-forgotten logging trail not on newer maps.
Another part of Paige felt like she was watching someone else do all these things. She was seeing it as a mechanical process. She had no fear, no trepidation, no worry over what or who they would find. She knew she should worry, but she just couldn’t bring herself to do it. She did, however wonder why no one else noticed the bright blue butterfly on the dashboard.
Another part of Paige felt like she was watching someone else do all these things. She was seeing it as a mechanical process. She had no fear, no trepidation, no worry over what or who they would find. She knew she should worry, but she just couldn’t bring herself to do it. She did, however wonder why no one else noticed the bright blue butterfly on the dashboard.
Sportsman
Veteran Member
Hope that's what it was and she isn't actually getting ill. Not only put them down a person, but add another casualty to deal with if she is. Perhaps she's just in the zone with a guardian butterfly/angel?
Little Typo: She took a couple more sips of the drink, followed by onE from her hydration bladder
Thanks!
Little Typo: She took a couple more sips of the drink, followed by onE from her hydration bladder
Thanks!
Texican
Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
“All natural, healthy energy drink.” Zed replied from the back seat. “It’s better with gin, though”
There are elixirs that gin would definitely help. Had a few elixirs that had gin or may have been Everclear in them and it didn't matter if they worked or not if you imbibed enough.
Texican....
There are elixirs that gin would definitely help. Had a few elixirs that had gin or may have been Everclear in them and it didn't matter if they worked or not if you imbibed enough.
Texican....
Kiwibutterfly
Contributing Member
is Paige pregnant too????
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Lake Lili
Veteran Member
Preferably no aneurysms...
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
I thought we went through the Paige-preggers thing when Ginger Yeti got red-shirted off the island
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Sabine couldn’t sleep. She had slept enough. Andrea was curled up beside her, her soft snoring just audible. She looked around the room. Over by the window was the daybed holding another patient, a red-headed woman. In a recliner next to her was an older woman reading a small e-book. The woman looked up and noticed Sabine looking at her.
“How are you doing? Do you need anything?” She said softly.
“I’m doing ok. I’m trying to not stay doped up as much. It’s a bitch to wean yourself off after a while.” Sabine said, trying to not wake Andrea up.
“I’m glad to see you doing better. I was really worried for you when you were at the house.”
Sabine concentrated some more. She vaguely remembered her. This was he woman on the couch helping the little girl. Most of the time after she was shot is all a blur and jumbled images. It took time and several conversations for it to sink in that Kara was alive and Sabine herself wasn’t dead.
She looked past the woman to the red head on the day bed.
“How is she?”
“Garen says she is getting better. Correction. Garen says she isn’t getting worse and she has woken up a couple times, at least a little. The Lord’s hands are quite full but I think she won’t be joining him yet.”
“What happened?”
“With Penny?”
“Yeah. I don’t remember her getting hurt.”
“During the trip here, her car was attacked and she crashed.”
“Anyone else hurt with her?”
“No, not with her. Her daughter and her niece were in the car with her and are fine, at least from the crash. Hera, her niece was shot at the house if you remember. She’s down at the house with Karl right now. Her daughter Olivia is still out there with Bekka. They are off to get them tonight.”
Sabine remembered some of this, or at least bits and pieces of it. She had mainly been talking with Kara and Andrea since she started regaining her wits. Andrea was mostly trying to entertain her like she did for Paige when Paige was in the hospital. Kara, well her conversations with Kara were more taxing. It hurt her immensely that she didn’t know she was alive. It hurt her more that Kara thought she hated her.
Sabine knew she needed something to do to make her brain work more, to force her to think on something good or positive or technical to distract and engage it. Maybe Garen has some books she can dig into. She knew she would be laid up for some time with surgery and a chest tube. When Andrea wakes up, she will ask her to find some for her.
“How are you doing? Do you need anything?” She said softly.
“I’m doing ok. I’m trying to not stay doped up as much. It’s a bitch to wean yourself off after a while.” Sabine said, trying to not wake Andrea up.
“I’m glad to see you doing better. I was really worried for you when you were at the house.”
Sabine concentrated some more. She vaguely remembered her. This was he woman on the couch helping the little girl. Most of the time after she was shot is all a blur and jumbled images. It took time and several conversations for it to sink in that Kara was alive and Sabine herself wasn’t dead.
She looked past the woman to the red head on the day bed.
“How is she?”
“Garen says she is getting better. Correction. Garen says she isn’t getting worse and she has woken up a couple times, at least a little. The Lord’s hands are quite full but I think she won’t be joining him yet.”
“What happened?”
“With Penny?”
“Yeah. I don’t remember her getting hurt.”
“During the trip here, her car was attacked and she crashed.”
“Anyone else hurt with her?”
“No, not with her. Her daughter and her niece were in the car with her and are fine, at least from the crash. Hera, her niece was shot at the house if you remember. She’s down at the house with Karl right now. Her daughter Olivia is still out there with Bekka. They are off to get them tonight.”
Sabine remembered some of this, or at least bits and pieces of it. She had mainly been talking with Kara and Andrea since she started regaining her wits. Andrea was mostly trying to entertain her like she did for Paige when Paige was in the hospital. Kara, well her conversations with Kara were more taxing. It hurt her immensely that she didn’t know she was alive. It hurt her more that Kara thought she hated her.
Sabine knew she needed something to do to make her brain work more, to force her to think on something good or positive or technical to distract and engage it. Maybe Garen has some books she can dig into. She knew she would be laid up for some time with surgery and a chest tube. When Andrea wakes up, she will ask her to find some for her.
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Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Every family tree has 1 or 2 pit vipers lurking in the branches. Add in a couple of 'friends' (multi-visage variety) and you can see the possible candidate list can grow on its own.
Still a good question though I think we'd all like answered.....
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
As the night got deeper, the trail got more difficult in places. There were a few places Kara and Paige got out to look ahead and pick the particular path to take around obstacles. Other places it became a matter of finding the route they wanted as the long disused trail split and meandered across the terrain.
There were a few obstacles they couldn’t get around. These they had to devise ways to remove or eliminate. Some of this was extremely frustrating to Paige. Normally, there wouldn’t be a major issue. This vehicle had plenty of horsepower, tow chains, winch fore and aft. Paige always had a small chain saw in her rig when she was exploring new trails when she used to go four wheeling. No chainsaw here. It would screw up the whole sneak and hide aspects of their trip. She couldn’t just brute force it with the engine either. Too much noise.
The largest obstacle they encountered was a large tree completely blocking the trail at a natural choke point. Just seeing it there in the exact perfect spot to screw them up made Kara all twitchy. She had them go back down the trail a distance while she investigated whether it was naturally there or engineered by man.
It was a harrowing half an hour while she was gone. Angelique kept watch to the front and Zed watched behind them. Paige sat in the driver’s seat, sipping the drink in her hand and trying to stay conscious. She felt worn out and she still had to get the other guys back to the house after dropping these guys off.
Kara waived them forward. They weren’t even using the radios right now. They didn’t want to have anything give away their presence in case someone was listening.
Looking at the tree, it took a good twenty minutes of brain work for all of them to figure a way to move it without too much noise. They wrapped the winch cable around the trunk several times before securing it with a big lag bolt. Rather than try to drag it out of the way, they used the Suburban to roll it out of the way. Once they got it dislodged from its initial resting point, it was easier to use the winch and pulleys to shift it to the side, making a path through for them.
Finally they arrived at the map location where they told Bekka to meet them.
Paige stayed in the driver’s seat while Kara, Angelique and Zed all got out and pulled their packs out. Kara scanned the slope for movement. There was none. Finally, she keyed the radio.
“Viking six, Oly Oly Oxen Free.”
Slowly two shapes emerged from the deeper shadows in a small ravine just below the road.
There were a few obstacles they couldn’t get around. These they had to devise ways to remove or eliminate. Some of this was extremely frustrating to Paige. Normally, there wouldn’t be a major issue. This vehicle had plenty of horsepower, tow chains, winch fore and aft. Paige always had a small chain saw in her rig when she was exploring new trails when she used to go four wheeling. No chainsaw here. It would screw up the whole sneak and hide aspects of their trip. She couldn’t just brute force it with the engine either. Too much noise.
The largest obstacle they encountered was a large tree completely blocking the trail at a natural choke point. Just seeing it there in the exact perfect spot to screw them up made Kara all twitchy. She had them go back down the trail a distance while she investigated whether it was naturally there or engineered by man.
It was a harrowing half an hour while she was gone. Angelique kept watch to the front and Zed watched behind them. Paige sat in the driver’s seat, sipping the drink in her hand and trying to stay conscious. She felt worn out and she still had to get the other guys back to the house after dropping these guys off.
Kara waived them forward. They weren’t even using the radios right now. They didn’t want to have anything give away their presence in case someone was listening.
Looking at the tree, it took a good twenty minutes of brain work for all of them to figure a way to move it without too much noise. They wrapped the winch cable around the trunk several times before securing it with a big lag bolt. Rather than try to drag it out of the way, they used the Suburban to roll it out of the way. Once they got it dislodged from its initial resting point, it was easier to use the winch and pulleys to shift it to the side, making a path through for them.
Finally they arrived at the map location where they told Bekka to meet them.
Paige stayed in the driver’s seat while Kara, Angelique and Zed all got out and pulled their packs out. Kara scanned the slope for movement. There was none. Finally, she keyed the radio.
“Viking six, Oly Oly Oxen Free.”
Slowly two shapes emerged from the deeper shadows in a small ravine just below the road.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Slowly two shapes emerged from the deeper shadows in a small ravine just below the road. Bekka moved cautiously up into view from a small ravine, with Olivia right behind her just as Bekka told her to be at the at the beginning. If she was there Bekka knew exactly where she was enabling her to shield her in case someone or something tried something.
When they first heard an engine from the other side of the ridge, Bekka was worried since she hadn’t received any contact telling them the pickup was coming. When she saw Terry’s Suburban came around the bend, Bekka relaxed some but remained vigilant. She thought she recognized the three standing around the Suburban, but it seemed to be a big group just to pick the two of them up.
Bekka knew the ravine was the best place to wait if this was not their ride since most bad people would start hunting for them either at road level or somewhere higher up the slope. She picked a spot where the headlights of an approaching vehicle couldn’t highlight them and if they needed to make an escape, they could drop lower down the hillside in the runoff gulley next to them. One twist or turn and they would vanish until people physically came down to find them.
When she heard the call from Kara, Bekka nodded to Olivia and motioned for her to follow her. They both stood up and began climbing the embankment to the road. When they stepped out onto the forest road, Bekka could see the grin on Kara’s camouflaged face. Camouflaged face? What the hell is going on?
“Hey, Bekka. Miss me?” Kara asked in a low, casual tone more suited for the living room.
“Yeah, I did. What’s with the camo? Isn’t it overkill inside the Suburban?” Bekka said as she walked up and gave Kara a hug. Her hands hit the pack on Kara’s back.
“OK, Spill.” She said as she released the embrace and stepped back. She noticed Olivia was still right beside her, welded to her hip like she was told.
“Angelique, Zed and myself, we are going to go see who the jackasses were who shot up Penny’s car and put you guys into camping mode.”
A thousand things started whirling in Bekka’s head, all competing for space and attention. Most of the items were all about what she would do planning for such a mission. She brushed that aside. She wasn’t planning it. They already did that. She latched onto another half dozen thoughts.
“Good. Doug got everybody in. How are they doing?”
“Sabine took a lot of surgery but is mostly out of the woods. Hera is quite lucky and the big thing with her is keeping her from tearing her stitches running around.”
“And Penny?” Bekka asked, softer now.
“Penny is doing better. She has woken up a few times. Garen said that is a good sign.” Kara looked down at Olivia. “How was your new partner?”
“A+, I’ll take her with me anytime. And she doesn’t snore like you do!” Bekka said, a big grin on her face as she looked down at Olivia who was looking up at her.
Bekka slid the bag from her back. She rummaged around in one of the pockets a moment before pulling something out and handing it to Kara.
“Olivia got some pictures of the guys at the car. This should help you recognize them.”
Kara took the digital camera from Bekka and tucked it in a pocket.
Bekka turned back to Olivia.
“OK, Olivia, hop in the back seat. I get the front seat to help navigate. Keep a good hold on your bag in case we have to hop out again, OK?”
“Yes, Ms. Bekka.” Olivia went to the door behind the driver and climbed inside.
Kara looked at Bekka after watching Olivia get into the Suburban. She lowered her voice more.
“Bekka, keep an eye on Paige. I think she is sick. Fever, sweats, chills will be next. She has only a light shirt on in this weather and she is still burning up. You will have to keep her task focused as you head out of here. We couldn’t have made it into here without her skill. It will be tricky getting out of here but as soon as you get to the hardball, I’d put her in the back seat and bring Olivia up front with you.”
Bekka was worried now.
“Sick? What kind of sick?”
“I’m thinking flu. Either Stomach flu or full blown real flu. She hasn’t been eating much, no appetite, balance is a bit off, mentation slowed. No nausea or vomit yet. Didn’t ask about spraying from the rear either.” Kara closed her eyes for a moment. “Look, you might have to take over sooner, your call. I think she will get you to the road.”
Bekka looked up at her second oldest friend.
“You watch your ass. Don’t stay out too long. I’ll work the pick up to come get you.”
“Hell, tell Zed. It’s his party. He called the mission and picked the crew. I’m just one of the worker bees.” Kara smiled.
Bekka glared at her.
“I don’t give a **** who set it up. YOU be careful and get those other two home as well, OK?”
“Sure thing, Mom. Now get your ass in the boat and shove off. We have work to do.” Kara said as she stepped away towards the back of the vehicle where Angelique and Zed were standing.
Bekka walked around and slid into the front passenger seat. She looked over at Paige. Kara was right. Paige looked like death warmed over. She was sitting there with her eyes closed, a Nalgene between her legs.
“Paige, we are all in. Are you ready to go?”
Paige’s eyes opened. She looked over at Bekka then at Olivia in the back seat.
“OK, belt up. It can be a bit bumpy.”
Paige turned back to the front. Putting the SUV in gear, she maneuvered it in a circle, horsing the big thing around to point back out the way they came. With a wave as they passed Angelique, Kara and Zed, they were on their way towards the house.
When they first heard an engine from the other side of the ridge, Bekka was worried since she hadn’t received any contact telling them the pickup was coming. When she saw Terry’s Suburban came around the bend, Bekka relaxed some but remained vigilant. She thought she recognized the three standing around the Suburban, but it seemed to be a big group just to pick the two of them up.
Bekka knew the ravine was the best place to wait if this was not their ride since most bad people would start hunting for them either at road level or somewhere higher up the slope. She picked a spot where the headlights of an approaching vehicle couldn’t highlight them and if they needed to make an escape, they could drop lower down the hillside in the runoff gulley next to them. One twist or turn and they would vanish until people physically came down to find them.
When she heard the call from Kara, Bekka nodded to Olivia and motioned for her to follow her. They both stood up and began climbing the embankment to the road. When they stepped out onto the forest road, Bekka could see the grin on Kara’s camouflaged face. Camouflaged face? What the hell is going on?
“Hey, Bekka. Miss me?” Kara asked in a low, casual tone more suited for the living room.
“Yeah, I did. What’s with the camo? Isn’t it overkill inside the Suburban?” Bekka said as she walked up and gave Kara a hug. Her hands hit the pack on Kara’s back.
“OK, Spill.” She said as she released the embrace and stepped back. She noticed Olivia was still right beside her, welded to her hip like she was told.
“Angelique, Zed and myself, we are going to go see who the jackasses were who shot up Penny’s car and put you guys into camping mode.”
A thousand things started whirling in Bekka’s head, all competing for space and attention. Most of the items were all about what she would do planning for such a mission. She brushed that aside. She wasn’t planning it. They already did that. She latched onto another half dozen thoughts.
“Good. Doug got everybody in. How are they doing?”
“Sabine took a lot of surgery but is mostly out of the woods. Hera is quite lucky and the big thing with her is keeping her from tearing her stitches running around.”
“And Penny?” Bekka asked, softer now.
“Penny is doing better. She has woken up a few times. Garen said that is a good sign.” Kara looked down at Olivia. “How was your new partner?”
“A+, I’ll take her with me anytime. And she doesn’t snore like you do!” Bekka said, a big grin on her face as she looked down at Olivia who was looking up at her.
Bekka slid the bag from her back. She rummaged around in one of the pockets a moment before pulling something out and handing it to Kara.
“Olivia got some pictures of the guys at the car. This should help you recognize them.”
Kara took the digital camera from Bekka and tucked it in a pocket.
Bekka turned back to Olivia.
“OK, Olivia, hop in the back seat. I get the front seat to help navigate. Keep a good hold on your bag in case we have to hop out again, OK?”
“Yes, Ms. Bekka.” Olivia went to the door behind the driver and climbed inside.
Kara looked at Bekka after watching Olivia get into the Suburban. She lowered her voice more.
“Bekka, keep an eye on Paige. I think she is sick. Fever, sweats, chills will be next. She has only a light shirt on in this weather and she is still burning up. You will have to keep her task focused as you head out of here. We couldn’t have made it into here without her skill. It will be tricky getting out of here but as soon as you get to the hardball, I’d put her in the back seat and bring Olivia up front with you.”
Bekka was worried now.
“Sick? What kind of sick?”
“I’m thinking flu. Either Stomach flu or full blown real flu. She hasn’t been eating much, no appetite, balance is a bit off, mentation slowed. No nausea or vomit yet. Didn’t ask about spraying from the rear either.” Kara closed her eyes for a moment. “Look, you might have to take over sooner, your call. I think she will get you to the road.”
Bekka looked up at her second oldest friend.
“You watch your ass. Don’t stay out too long. I’ll work the pick up to come get you.”
“Hell, tell Zed. It’s his party. He called the mission and picked the crew. I’m just one of the worker bees.” Kara smiled.
Bekka glared at her.
“I don’t give a **** who set it up. YOU be careful and get those other two home as well, OK?”
“Sure thing, Mom. Now get your ass in the boat and shove off. We have work to do.” Kara said as she stepped away towards the back of the vehicle where Angelique and Zed were standing.
Bekka walked around and slid into the front passenger seat. She looked over at Paige. Kara was right. Paige looked like death warmed over. She was sitting there with her eyes closed, a Nalgene between her legs.
“Paige, we are all in. Are you ready to go?”
Paige’s eyes opened. She looked over at Bekka then at Olivia in the back seat.
“OK, belt up. It can be a bit bumpy.”
Paige turned back to the front. Putting the SUV in gear, she maneuvered it in a circle, horsing the big thing around to point back out the way they came. With a wave as they passed Angelique, Kara and Zed, they were on their way towards the house.
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