Story Market Day
- Thread starter ComCamGuy
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Ivar, Henrik and Veronica were out at the far reaches of the meadow while the others were in cooking and preparing stuff for the party. Ivar was basically hosting a master’s clinic on setting up and shooting the compound and recurve bows Henrik and Veronica brought.
Ivar made tweaks and corrections in things across the board. From Stance, to aim, to release, He helped make them better, smoother and more efficient. Veronica was his assistant with Henrik and then, while he practiced, Ivar helped Veronica with her new recurve.
“I see you decided to go back to the basics. Tired of the pulleys and gizmos?” He asked his daughter.
This was a long running debate he had with her. When she was younger, he taught her with long bow, recurve and compound. He had her hunting with the compound so she could hit with enough power. Like most new hunters, she loved the additional widgets, optics and all the other things she could add and use.
Ivar kept telling her it was hurting her skill and growth as an archer and a hunter. They went back and forth again and again over the years. Now it looked like she might have realized and felt what he was trying to explain.
“I guess so. I think it was when I was looking at all the money and time to get everything to set up a new bow. I got frustrated and pissed off. I remembered all the times you told me all I should need: ‘bow, a sight and a quiver and in a pinch, the sight was a crutch’. Well, I went into the shop and decided to try it your way.” Veronica admitted.
“Well, it’s never too late to return to the basics and learn. This recurve is a great choice, plenty of power for hunting. I’m surprised you didn’t go longbow.” Ivar replied.
“They didn’t have a decent one for my height and wingspan, otherwise I might have.”
“Shoot, next time, plan to be here a little longer and I’ll make you one. I have some proper blanks and stuff in the basement we can use. Maybe one of these days you will be patient enough to sit down and learn how to make them yourself.” He smiled and ruffled her hair.
For years and years, Ivar has made bows and arrows, mostly for his own use. Some people fly fish and make their own flies or canoes or guitars or some other hobby. He made archery stuff. Bows and arrows mostly. His wife would make bow cases or quivers when needed. He tried several times to get his daughter interested, but it took time and was a slow process, both of which were big negative selling points for a hyperactive young girl, regardless of how much she liked spending time with her father.
“I might have to take you up on the offer.” She said, surprising him.
Veronica wished she had spent more time learning from her father as a kid. She was always embarrassed by the crappy quality she would turn out whenever she tried to build anything with him. Now, she hoped she could bring a better focus to it and really learn.
They were out shooting for hours.
Ivar made tweaks and corrections in things across the board. From Stance, to aim, to release, He helped make them better, smoother and more efficient. Veronica was his assistant with Henrik and then, while he practiced, Ivar helped Veronica with her new recurve.
“I see you decided to go back to the basics. Tired of the pulleys and gizmos?” He asked his daughter.
This was a long running debate he had with her. When she was younger, he taught her with long bow, recurve and compound. He had her hunting with the compound so she could hit with enough power. Like most new hunters, she loved the additional widgets, optics and all the other things she could add and use.
Ivar kept telling her it was hurting her skill and growth as an archer and a hunter. They went back and forth again and again over the years. Now it looked like she might have realized and felt what he was trying to explain.
“I guess so. I think it was when I was looking at all the money and time to get everything to set up a new bow. I got frustrated and pissed off. I remembered all the times you told me all I should need: ‘bow, a sight and a quiver and in a pinch, the sight was a crutch’. Well, I went into the shop and decided to try it your way.” Veronica admitted.
“Well, it’s never too late to return to the basics and learn. This recurve is a great choice, plenty of power for hunting. I’m surprised you didn’t go longbow.” Ivar replied.
“They didn’t have a decent one for my height and wingspan, otherwise I might have.”
“Shoot, next time, plan to be here a little longer and I’ll make you one. I have some proper blanks and stuff in the basement we can use. Maybe one of these days you will be patient enough to sit down and learn how to make them yourself.” He smiled and ruffled her hair.
For years and years, Ivar has made bows and arrows, mostly for his own use. Some people fly fish and make their own flies or canoes or guitars or some other hobby. He made archery stuff. Bows and arrows mostly. His wife would make bow cases or quivers when needed. He tried several times to get his daughter interested, but it took time and was a slow process, both of which were big negative selling points for a hyperactive young girl, regardless of how much she liked spending time with her father.
“I might have to take you up on the offer.” She said, surprising him.
Veronica wished she had spent more time learning from her father as a kid. She was always embarrassed by the crappy quality she would turn out whenever she tried to build anything with him. Now, she hoped she could bring a better focus to it and really learn.
They were out shooting for hours.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Paige, Silas and Violet were in the barn looking at what Paige brought back when Sabine and Amber drove up. Sabine went straight into the house while Amber went over to the workbench where Silas, Paige and Violet were looking at a pile of weapons on the table.
Amber caught Silas’ eye so he came around the table to talk with her.
“Everything ok?”
“Just got back from the base with Sabine. While I was there, I picked up some work.” Amber answered.
After all those years of marriage, so much could be said with a single sentence. A quick kiss on the cheek and Amber left, headed for the house. Silas returned to the workbench.
Violet saw and heard the exchange. She knew there was more going on. Her mom wouldn’t have just gone in and picked up some files for the hell of it. She knew her well enough. Sabine was the work she picked up. Well, if anyone could help Sabine, it was her mother. Violet returned her attention to the bench.
Paige was walking her through the stack of stuff they were setting her and Veronica up with eventually. Pistols, rifles, shotguns, along with plenty of magazines and ammo for all of it. She wasn’t sure when for how much, but it worried her that Dad was going to this extent.
She knew her father wouldn’t be doing it if he thought there was a better way. However, she also knew he would do anything for his troops. Was he really clearing out the armory and issuing it out to everyone? Sounded a little nuts to her, but Ivar was going along with it so it must make sense somewhere.
Amber caught Silas’ eye so he came around the table to talk with her.
“Everything ok?”
“Just got back from the base with Sabine. While I was there, I picked up some work.” Amber answered.
After all those years of marriage, so much could be said with a single sentence. A quick kiss on the cheek and Amber left, headed for the house. Silas returned to the workbench.
Violet saw and heard the exchange. She knew there was more going on. Her mom wouldn’t have just gone in and picked up some files for the hell of it. She knew her well enough. Sabine was the work she picked up. Well, if anyone could help Sabine, it was her mother. Violet returned her attention to the bench.
Paige was walking her through the stack of stuff they were setting her and Veronica up with eventually. Pistols, rifles, shotguns, along with plenty of magazines and ammo for all of it. She wasn’t sure when for how much, but it worried her that Dad was going to this extent.
She knew her father wouldn’t be doing it if he thought there was a better way. However, she also knew he would do anything for his troops. Was he really clearing out the armory and issuing it out to everyone? Sounded a little nuts to her, but Ivar was going along with it so it must make sense somewhere.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
The group was still kind of scattered all over most of the afternoon.
Andrea’s pendant was quite a hit when she came downstairs and showed it off. When the group in the kitchen were talking with Andrea, Violet was struck by an idea.
“Maybe she should have cracked out a ring like Henrik did.” Violet thought her idea was great, but it got mixed results among the group.
Paige and Henrik seemed to love the idea. Instantly, they started talking double wedding and bantering some of the logistics it would involve.
Sofia was almost as enthusiastic, and started adding things to Paige and Henrik’s ideas.
Violet saw Andrea seemed to be neutral about it, telling them Sabine always said she wasn’t the marrying type and didn’t want to ruin a good thing.
Violet noticed Veronica was silent. Well, it was understandable her staying out of the ‘gee, let’s get married’ club after the whole recent Tim thing. She was surprised by her mother’s reaction, who had turned pale and excused herself trying to avoid being noticed.
Andrea’s pendant was quite a hit when she came downstairs and showed it off. When the group in the kitchen were talking with Andrea, Violet was struck by an idea.
“Maybe she should have cracked out a ring like Henrik did.” Violet thought her idea was great, but it got mixed results among the group.
Paige and Henrik seemed to love the idea. Instantly, they started talking double wedding and bantering some of the logistics it would involve.
Sofia was almost as enthusiastic, and started adding things to Paige and Henrik’s ideas.
Violet saw Andrea seemed to be neutral about it, telling them Sabine always said she wasn’t the marrying type and didn’t want to ruin a good thing.
Violet noticed Veronica was silent. Well, it was understandable her staying out of the ‘gee, let’s get married’ club after the whole recent Tim thing. She was surprised by her mother’s reaction, who had turned pale and excused herself trying to avoid being noticed.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Later, at Dinner
Dinner was wonderful in its simplicity and in the company of the group. Afterwards, Violet, Sofia and Andrea cleaned up while Henrik showed Silas, Veronica, Paige and Ivar his prototype sled packages he had brought home and stashed in the barn.
“I really like the packaging. With all this together, you have a full remote booster kit. All that’s needed is some food supplies and you would be set.” Veronica commented after Henrik’s display and explanations.
Veronica had spent so many of her formative years in the wilderness, she could instantly see and follow his thought process as Henrik assembled this package. It hit all the marks of fire, water, shelter, ease of movement. From what Henrik was saying, it looked like she and Violet would be getting a couple of these kits eventually, Maybe. Well, she would need to use the roof rails on the top of the tent.
Amber spent some time ‘relaxing’ in front of her computer, a mug of mulled wine next to her. She seemed deep in thought reading whatever she had in front of her whenever Violet or Veronica saw her
Dinner was wonderful in its simplicity and in the company of the group. Afterwards, Violet, Sofia and Andrea cleaned up while Henrik showed Silas, Veronica, Paige and Ivar his prototype sled packages he had brought home and stashed in the barn.
“I really like the packaging. With all this together, you have a full remote booster kit. All that’s needed is some food supplies and you would be set.” Veronica commented after Henrik’s display and explanations.
Veronica had spent so many of her formative years in the wilderness, she could instantly see and follow his thought process as Henrik assembled this package. It hit all the marks of fire, water, shelter, ease of movement. From what Henrik was saying, it looked like she and Violet would be getting a couple of these kits eventually, Maybe. Well, she would need to use the roof rails on the top of the tent.
Amber spent some time ‘relaxing’ in front of her computer, a mug of mulled wine next to her. She seemed deep in thought reading whatever she had in front of her whenever Violet or Veronica saw her
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Out by the Fire
Veronica was sitting in one of the chairs at the fire pit, a low fire in front of her. She wasn’t sure she was fair company to be around. As long as she was engaged on some topic or another, as long as it wasn’t marriage, she was good. There was no doubt, she was happy for Paige and Henrik, but as happy as she was for them, it just pointed out how bad she ****ed up when she married Tim.
“Not joining the festivities?”
Veronica turned to see who was there. It was Sabine. She had a bottle in one hand and some glasses in the other.
“I’m not the best one to be playing up how great marriage is.” Veronica replied.
At her reply, Sabine snorted.
“Let’s not go there. I’m firmly in the bad example club.” She held up the bottle.
Veronica looked at the square bottle and the dark brown fluid. Did she want to go there? Violet got her to back off on the alcohol. She was worried about starting again. Sabine didn’t seem to want to drink alone though. She would be careful.
“Sure.” Veronica held out her hand for the tumbler Sabine was offering.
Sabine poured a couple fingers in each glass. Veronica took a sip. Smooth and peaty. The Scotch was warm as it went down.
The pair sat and stared at the fire, not saying a word for a long time. Sabine would add a touch to each of their glasses now and again. Never a lot, just enough to keep them from empty. The warmth from their hands made the Scotch aromatic. Finally Sabine spoke.
“I ****ed up. I ****ed up bad. I lost control and my temper and my memories almost destroyed everything I have here.”
Veronica could hear the emotion in Sabine’s voice. The Scotch loosened her control. Veronica knew how scary that can be.
“It’s OK, you are among friends here. Friends will forgive a lot. God knows Violet should have smothered me in my sleep a thousand times over.”
“I don’t know. If they knew some of what I have done, what’s in my past, I don’t know if they would want me around anymore.” Sabine said as she drained her glass and reached to refill.
Veronica reached out and placed her hand over Sabine’s on the bottle.
“It will be OK. You need rest more than more of this.” She tipped her glass towards Sabine.
“Enough will make the dreams quiet.” Sabine persisted even though she knew it was a lie.
Veronica just sat there and stared.
“We both know better than that. You rest for a while. I’ll keep watch, keep them away. Later, when I need it, you can watch over me.”
They stared into each other’s eyes in the firelight. Each could sense the well of pain and suffering in them, just below the surface.
Without another word, Sabine slid down onto the lounge cushion she was sitting on next to the fire. Moments later, she was asleep. As the fire burned low, Veronica put her jacket over Sabine like a blanket before returning to staring at the fire.
Veronica was sitting in one of the chairs at the fire pit, a low fire in front of her. She wasn’t sure she was fair company to be around. As long as she was engaged on some topic or another, as long as it wasn’t marriage, she was good. There was no doubt, she was happy for Paige and Henrik, but as happy as she was for them, it just pointed out how bad she ****ed up when she married Tim.
“Not joining the festivities?”
Veronica turned to see who was there. It was Sabine. She had a bottle in one hand and some glasses in the other.
“I’m not the best one to be playing up how great marriage is.” Veronica replied.
At her reply, Sabine snorted.
“Let’s not go there. I’m firmly in the bad example club.” She held up the bottle.
Veronica looked at the square bottle and the dark brown fluid. Did she want to go there? Violet got her to back off on the alcohol. She was worried about starting again. Sabine didn’t seem to want to drink alone though. She would be careful.
“Sure.” Veronica held out her hand for the tumbler Sabine was offering.
Sabine poured a couple fingers in each glass. Veronica took a sip. Smooth and peaty. The Scotch was warm as it went down.
The pair sat and stared at the fire, not saying a word for a long time. Sabine would add a touch to each of their glasses now and again. Never a lot, just enough to keep them from empty. The warmth from their hands made the Scotch aromatic. Finally Sabine spoke.
“I ****ed up. I ****ed up bad. I lost control and my temper and my memories almost destroyed everything I have here.”
Veronica could hear the emotion in Sabine’s voice. The Scotch loosened her control. Veronica knew how scary that can be.
“It’s OK, you are among friends here. Friends will forgive a lot. God knows Violet should have smothered me in my sleep a thousand times over.”
“I don’t know. If they knew some of what I have done, what’s in my past, I don’t know if they would want me around anymore.” Sabine said as she drained her glass and reached to refill.
Veronica reached out and placed her hand over Sabine’s on the bottle.
“It will be OK. You need rest more than more of this.” She tipped her glass towards Sabine.
“Enough will make the dreams quiet.” Sabine persisted even though she knew it was a lie.
Veronica just sat there and stared.
“We both know better than that. You rest for a while. I’ll keep watch, keep them away. Later, when I need it, you can watch over me.”
They stared into each other’s eyes in the firelight. Each could sense the well of pain and suffering in them, just below the surface.
Without another word, Sabine slid down onto the lounge cushion she was sitting on next to the fire. Moments later, she was asleep. As the fire burned low, Veronica put her jacket over Sabine like a blanket before returning to staring at the fire.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Late in the night
Veronica was still looking into the fire when she heard footsteps behind her, small and light. Out of the corner of her eye she could see it was Andrea. It makes sense. She should have figured Andrea would come looking for Sabine.
Andrea was looking down at Sabine’s sleeping form, maybe trying to decide if she was going to wake her up. Then Andrea must have felt Veronica looking at her, because she turned and looked at Veronica. Veronica looked down at Sabine and back at Andrea, raising her tumbler. She didn’t want to wake Sabine up and hoped Andrea didn’t want to as well.
Andrea seemed to sense Veronica’s message. She mouthed a silent thank you to Veronica and crept back inside.
Veronica saw Sabine wake up a couple times in the middle of the night. Each time, she would look up at Veronica, then go back to sleep. They told each other nothing. It was all unspoken. Finally, with the sky lightening, Sabine woke and stretched. The two of them went inside. They locked eyes for a moment, a silent thanks passing between them. Sabine started the coffee and went upstairs.
Veronica was still looking into the fire when she heard footsteps behind her, small and light. Out of the corner of her eye she could see it was Andrea. It makes sense. She should have figured Andrea would come looking for Sabine.
Andrea was looking down at Sabine’s sleeping form, maybe trying to decide if she was going to wake her up. Then Andrea must have felt Veronica looking at her, because she turned and looked at Veronica. Veronica looked down at Sabine and back at Andrea, raising her tumbler. She didn’t want to wake Sabine up and hoped Andrea didn’t want to as well.
Andrea seemed to sense Veronica’s message. She mouthed a silent thank you to Veronica and crept back inside.
Veronica saw Sabine wake up a couple times in the middle of the night. Each time, she would look up at Veronica, then go back to sleep. They told each other nothing. It was all unspoken. Finally, with the sky lightening, Sabine woke and stretched. The two of them went inside. They locked eyes for a moment, a silent thanks passing between them. Sabine started the coffee and went upstairs.
Texican
Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
CCG,
You weave a wonderful and believable story with myriad real life details to keep us moar hounds enthralled with your story. The postings cover 148 pages and a few short of 5,900 posts which shows acceptance and approval of your story.
You are a great author in a list of great authors on this board.
Now the only way to improve this is to post moar often with moar. (Hint) Remember, begging is allowed.
Thank you,
Texican....
You weave a wonderful and believable story with myriad real life details to keep us moar hounds enthralled with your story. The postings cover 148 pages and a few short of 5,900 posts which shows acceptance and approval of your story.
You are a great author in a list of great authors on this board.
Now the only way to improve this is to post moar often with moar. (Hint) Remember, begging is allowed.
Thank you,
Texican....
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Next Morning in the House
“You know, I didn’t bring anything appropriate for a formal party. What should I wear”
Veronica was talking to Sabine as they drank coffee in the kitchen.
“This is nowhere near a formal engagement party.” Sabine shot back.
Veronica saw the hurt and wounded look on Sabine’s face. This wasn’t the first time she caught Sabine with such a look. She has seen that look many times before, at work. She was the one who worked most of the horrible person -on-person crimes. Wife beaters, child abuse, assault, murder, those seemed to be her specialty. Others could ferret out the industrial espionage guys. She was the one who found the honey trap perpetrators and victims.
“Well, I never had an engagement party, or a bachelorette party either so I don’t really have a good idea what would be right.” Veronica tried to defuse the harsh mood change.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you. Growing up, I spent far too much time at all those things. Fake parties full of fake people. The one we are throwing for Paige and Henrik are how they should be. Should we dress up? Sure. Marriage is forever and an engagement party should be special.” Sabine felt a bit bad for being so snarky to Veronica, especially after she sat watch over her last night.
“It’s OK. I know I hit a sore spot. So, back to the problem. What should I wear since I didn’t bring something right.”
Sabine took a step back, looking Veronica up and down.
“You’re about my size, only an inch or so different in height. I bet I have just the right stuff somewhere in my closet.”
“You know, I didn’t bring anything appropriate for a formal party. What should I wear”
Veronica was talking to Sabine as they drank coffee in the kitchen.
“This is nowhere near a formal engagement party.” Sabine shot back.
Veronica saw the hurt and wounded look on Sabine’s face. This wasn’t the first time she caught Sabine with such a look. She has seen that look many times before, at work. She was the one who worked most of the horrible person -on-person crimes. Wife beaters, child abuse, assault, murder, those seemed to be her specialty. Others could ferret out the industrial espionage guys. She was the one who found the honey trap perpetrators and victims.
“Well, I never had an engagement party, or a bachelorette party either so I don’t really have a good idea what would be right.” Veronica tried to defuse the harsh mood change.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you. Growing up, I spent far too much time at all those things. Fake parties full of fake people. The one we are throwing for Paige and Henrik are how they should be. Should we dress up? Sure. Marriage is forever and an engagement party should be special.” Sabine felt a bit bad for being so snarky to Veronica, especially after she sat watch over her last night.
“It’s OK. I know I hit a sore spot. So, back to the problem. What should I wear since I didn’t bring something right.”
Sabine took a step back, looking Veronica up and down.
“You’re about my size, only an inch or so different in height. I bet I have just the right stuff somewhere in my closet.”
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Engagement Party
The engagement party was a huge success. Everyone and everything turned out immaculate. Sabine had outdone herself with a fabulous cake, Andrea and Sofia’s food was excellent. It was a momentary shock when the star couple came out into the party. Both were in full Dress (A) Blues, complete with all their ribbons, medals, swords and ultra-rare SNCO Boat Cloaks.
Everyone was enjoying themselves, having filled their stomach with food and were gathering, toasting the newly engaged couple. Sabine tapped he glass to get the attention of the crowd while Andrea made sure all the glasses were full.
Sabine asked the couple to come forward so they could present them a small token of their love in the form of engagement presents. Sabine handed the box to Henrik while Andrea gave Paige hers. Henrik and Paige were blown away by its beauty and the thoughtfulness.
The rings were each on a matching box pattern necklace for each of them. The ring sized for Paige was on a thicker, longer chain for Henrik to wear, and Henrik’s ring was on one more appropriately sized for Paige to wear. They slipped them on each other and a great cheer went up! Toasts all around!
The engagement party was a huge success. Everyone and everything turned out immaculate. Sabine had outdone herself with a fabulous cake, Andrea and Sofia’s food was excellent. It was a momentary shock when the star couple came out into the party. Both were in full Dress (A) Blues, complete with all their ribbons, medals, swords and ultra-rare SNCO Boat Cloaks.
Everyone was enjoying themselves, having filled their stomach with food and were gathering, toasting the newly engaged couple. Sabine tapped he glass to get the attention of the crowd while Andrea made sure all the glasses were full.
Sabine asked the couple to come forward so they could present them a small token of their love in the form of engagement presents. Sabine handed the box to Henrik while Andrea gave Paige hers. Henrik and Paige were blown away by its beauty and the thoughtfulness.
The rings were each on a matching box pattern necklace for each of them. The ring sized for Paige was on a thicker, longer chain for Henrik to wear, and Henrik’s ring was on one more appropriately sized for Paige to wear. They slipped them on each other and a great cheer went up! Toasts all around!
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Later at the Party
With the party such a success, no one wanted it to end. The couple changed clothes late in the afternoon, along with a few others to get more comfortable. Then it was another round of drinks, food and fun around the fire pit which continued after sundown. Things took an abrupt turn when both Ivar and Silas’s phones went off. They stepped away for a few moments then returned, worried looks on their faces. Amber was the first to ask.
“What’s up honey?”
“There was an attempted carjacking near the base. Sgt. Jenson and his family were injured. They were able to escape the situation and make it onto base. Two of the gunmen were killed by the gate guard as they pursued Jenson’s car.”
Sabine was instantly alert and concerned. So were Veronica and Violet.
“How bad were Jenson and his family hurt?”
Ivar spoke next.
“Jenson took a 9mm or 40 caliber graze across his shoulder blades which also dug in on the far side, tearing apart a bunch of his shoulder. His wife and his 7 year old daughter each took multiple rounds. They temporarily stabilized those two enough to put them on a bird. They should be almost to Carson City by now. Jenson is going to go by ground ambulance.” Ivar looked at his watch, then at his wife. Before he could say anything, Sofia was already talking.
“You two go. Take our car. I’ll give Amber a ride home. We will probably stay here tonight anyway and head to the house tomorrow morning.”
Silas walked up to Henrik and Paige.
“Congratulation again, sorry to run out on you in such haste, but…”
Paige was already talking.
“We understand. Tell us what you need us to do.”
Silas cocked his head for a moment as he thought.
“Tomorrow, think on your inventory list. I think there are some people we know will be staying here like us and you guys. I think we need to move up the timetable for our Christmas gifts. If Jenson was legally armed, he might not have been on the losing side of the equation tonight. I’ll talk with Ivar to confirm our plan.”
Ivar was already at the gate to the driveway, waiting for Silas.
Sabine looked over at Andrea.
“I need to go to Carson City to check up on them. Jenson is one of the good guys.” Sabine raised her voice so Silas at the gate could hear her. “I’ll go check on the family and update you two.”
Veronica got a bad feeling deep in the pit of her stomach. She looked over at Violet, who had a look on her face that matched how Veronica felt. With what they have seen going back and forth the past few times, Violet nodded to Veronica’s unspoken question and tossed her something. Veronica rushed forward, catching up to Sabine as she ran towards the barn.
“You’re not going alone. It’s not as safe these days. I’ll go with you. No need to bust up all of the party, and we can be back in the morning.” She said as the pair ran to the garage.
Moments later, another car went racing out of the driveway. As the car roared down the driveway Andrea looked at Violet, a puzzled look on her face. Violet was the last person she knew to have her keys.
“THAT’S MY CAR Veronica and Sabine took”
Five minutes after the phone call, Ivar, Silas, Veronica and Sabine were gone, and the party atmosphere was a bit dented.
With the party such a success, no one wanted it to end. The couple changed clothes late in the afternoon, along with a few others to get more comfortable. Then it was another round of drinks, food and fun around the fire pit which continued after sundown. Things took an abrupt turn when both Ivar and Silas’s phones went off. They stepped away for a few moments then returned, worried looks on their faces. Amber was the first to ask.
“What’s up honey?”
“There was an attempted carjacking near the base. Sgt. Jenson and his family were injured. They were able to escape the situation and make it onto base. Two of the gunmen were killed by the gate guard as they pursued Jenson’s car.”
Sabine was instantly alert and concerned. So were Veronica and Violet.
“How bad were Jenson and his family hurt?”
Ivar spoke next.
“Jenson took a 9mm or 40 caliber graze across his shoulder blades which also dug in on the far side, tearing apart a bunch of his shoulder. His wife and his 7 year old daughter each took multiple rounds. They temporarily stabilized those two enough to put them on a bird. They should be almost to Carson City by now. Jenson is going to go by ground ambulance.” Ivar looked at his watch, then at his wife. Before he could say anything, Sofia was already talking.
“You two go. Take our car. I’ll give Amber a ride home. We will probably stay here tonight anyway and head to the house tomorrow morning.”
Silas walked up to Henrik and Paige.
“Congratulation again, sorry to run out on you in such haste, but…”
Paige was already talking.
“We understand. Tell us what you need us to do.”
Silas cocked his head for a moment as he thought.
“Tomorrow, think on your inventory list. I think there are some people we know will be staying here like us and you guys. I think we need to move up the timetable for our Christmas gifts. If Jenson was legally armed, he might not have been on the losing side of the equation tonight. I’ll talk with Ivar to confirm our plan.”
Ivar was already at the gate to the driveway, waiting for Silas.
Sabine looked over at Andrea.
“I need to go to Carson City to check up on them. Jenson is one of the good guys.” Sabine raised her voice so Silas at the gate could hear her. “I’ll go check on the family and update you two.”
Veronica got a bad feeling deep in the pit of her stomach. She looked over at Violet, who had a look on her face that matched how Veronica felt. With what they have seen going back and forth the past few times, Violet nodded to Veronica’s unspoken question and tossed her something. Veronica rushed forward, catching up to Sabine as she ran towards the barn.
“You’re not going alone. It’s not as safe these days. I’ll go with you. No need to bust up all of the party, and we can be back in the morning.” She said as the pair ran to the garage.
Moments later, another car went racing out of the driveway. As the car roared down the driveway Andrea looked at Violet, a puzzled look on her face. Violet was the last person she knew to have her keys.
“THAT’S MY CAR Veronica and Sabine took”
Five minutes after the phone call, Ivar, Silas, Veronica and Sabine were gone, and the party atmosphere was a bit dented.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
On the Road to the Hospital
The road was swiftly disappearing under the car as Veronica pushed the grip of the tires in most of the turns.
“You know, this little thing can scoot!” Veronica exclaimed during one paddle shifting apex. It was good she was back in practice for this. The little BMW had a bit more power but this little R32 has all wheel drive, so it stuck to the road a bit better and wasn’t as squirrely in the turns.
“Yeah, this thing can fly. Paige tuned it to put up with Andrea’s unique driving style. She goes through pads and rotors at a horrendous rate though. It’s like she still using the evasive driving tactics she learned during her first deployment” Sabine replied as they whipped around a slower car.
“Andrea’s a sweet kid. You’re lucky to have her.” Veronica could picture it, especially after remembering Violet’s description from her ride the first time they were here.
The car leaped forward on the straight stretch. Veronica was pushing the car hard now. She wanted to get to the hospital well ahead of any follow on forces from the guys at the gate.
“Yeah, I am. She actually deserves better than me though.” Sabine’s voice sounded a bit wistful at this.
“Oh, sure, you’re such a horrible person.” The sarcasm in Veronica’s voice practically made a puddle in the floorboard. “Beautiful, smart, well off, caring, confident; how she dare be burdened with such a slug!”
“You mispronounced that. Broken, emotionally distant, terrified of herself, secretive, demanding, volatile, and bad tempered would be a more correct pronunciation.”
When Sabine paused, Veronica replied.
“Ha! Your list does not make my list incorrect. We all stopped being simple at about age six. You’ve had some really bad shit happen to you in the past. It shows in how you carry yourself and in your eyes. Not everyone can read it, but I’ve spent many years in the ‘investigate horrible things people do to one another’ part of my law enforcement branch. I have a knack for it. Some people are good at finding fraud, theft, treason and all the other angles. Lucky me, I got the ‘untangle the shitty things people do’ gene so that’s where I end up working most of the time. It sucks but I can feel what others feels, like I am part of them. It is sick sense because it is usually what some bastard has done to some undeserving soul but at least I look at it as helping even if they don’t live. The sad part is the spirits that haunt you.”
They hit a straight stretch in the road again. Veronica looked over at Sabine. Sabine was sitting quietly, looking down at her hands in her lap. This kind of pissed Veronica off. She knew Sabine to be better than this. She would not let Sabine fall into that well of self-pity. She sat at the bottom of that well too much recently. She knew how hard it has been for her to claw her own way out with Violet’s help.
“Snap the **** Out of it!” Veronica’s bellow was sharp and loud in the little car. “Whatever happened is then, not now! Right now, we have people who need you! Time to Medic the **** Up, Doc. We will be there in about forty minutes. You need to be ready. We can drink scotch and scream at the moon about all the shitty things we have seen and done later. We have people to protect and take care of! You work the medical interrogation, I’ll get with the law enforcement and get an Intel dump. How are you stocked in case trouble comes looking to eliminate witnesses?”
Veronica figured the best option was push Sabine back into work mode. She might even need the work version of Sabine if things go bad. She really didn’t want to be thinking about Africa, but it kept popping back into her mind more and more lately. The whole thought of running and hiding and shooting against an unknown number of pursuers like a bad eighties action movie again was what she was measuring her self-preparation against. Not a good sign. Key memory dwelling and transposition of it into the now is one of those hallmark PTSD signatures.
“Do you really think that could happen here?” Sabine was paying attention now.
What Veronica wanted to say was ‘I think it could happen everywhere’ but that would mean admitting her own fears. Instead, she went with straight data.
“It happens all the time. They are safer here than at the clinic on base, harder to pinpoint their location and they still have to drive here. We had a good jump on them distance-wise.” She hoped. She was pushing the little rocket ship hard to make it so.
“Pistol, two mags, two more in my bag.” Sabine subconsciously felt and confirmed her count.
Veronica was torn. She was glad Sabine had a pistol and four mags. She wished she had more, but most people didn’t go quite as overboard as she did. Better get both of them on the same page if some sort of crap goes down.
“OK, bring your bag with you. If anything goes totally to shit, we meet up at the ambulance entrance in the ER for an evac. I have a bit more than you do ammo and weapon-wise, so you will drive and I will cover us.”
“You make it sound like we are pulling some sort of CQB mission.”
“Things outside the little town you are stationed in are much worse than the news make it seem. If they are at the point of carjacking some NCO driving onto base and trying so hard they get lit up and killed by the base guards, then it’s a factor of ten worse elsewhere.”
“Do you really expect trouble like that?”
Veronica so much wanted to scream ‘YES!’ but it wouldn’t help things to make Sabine scared. She needed her alert and ready, but not so freaked out she was a hazard instead of dialed in. Better a sideways explanation.
“No, but I ran and hid, playing hide and go **** yourself for three days in a city on the African continent when the hostile warlord didn’t like us working with his competitor who the State Department considered the legitimate government at the time. We lost one Agent and our Interpreter on that scramble. Since then, I try to think worse, not ‘expect’ so if I go down hard and you are near enough, grab my bag and boogie.”
Veronica stopped talking for a moment as she focused on power sliding around a hairpin turn before continuing with what she was saying.
“There is an unlocked Sat phone, a few supplies and more ammo, plus the extra pistol Paige gave me. There may or may not be ammo left for the long gun in there by that time. Play it by ear. Oh, did you go to Survival School”
“Huh?” Sabine seemed confused.
“I said, did you go to Survival School?”
“Yeah, I did survival school.”
Veronica counted this as a solid plus. Her partner for this little excursion was trained in all the good ‘hide and seek’ techniques and methods she was. She didn’t have to carry that load like she failed to do when her interpreter got killed.
“Great! I thought so. So worst to worst, E&E and call the cavalry.”
She thought she better defuse any panic Sabine might be feeling.
“No, I don’t expect any of this to be necessary, but It makes me feel better to have a plan.”
“You know, Hitler had a plan.” Quipped Sabine.
“Yeah, I know.”
The road was swiftly disappearing under the car as Veronica pushed the grip of the tires in most of the turns.
“You know, this little thing can scoot!” Veronica exclaimed during one paddle shifting apex. It was good she was back in practice for this. The little BMW had a bit more power but this little R32 has all wheel drive, so it stuck to the road a bit better and wasn’t as squirrely in the turns.
“Yeah, this thing can fly. Paige tuned it to put up with Andrea’s unique driving style. She goes through pads and rotors at a horrendous rate though. It’s like she still using the evasive driving tactics she learned during her first deployment” Sabine replied as they whipped around a slower car.
“Andrea’s a sweet kid. You’re lucky to have her.” Veronica could picture it, especially after remembering Violet’s description from her ride the first time they were here.
The car leaped forward on the straight stretch. Veronica was pushing the car hard now. She wanted to get to the hospital well ahead of any follow on forces from the guys at the gate.
“Yeah, I am. She actually deserves better than me though.” Sabine’s voice sounded a bit wistful at this.
“Oh, sure, you’re such a horrible person.” The sarcasm in Veronica’s voice practically made a puddle in the floorboard. “Beautiful, smart, well off, caring, confident; how she dare be burdened with such a slug!”
“You mispronounced that. Broken, emotionally distant, terrified of herself, secretive, demanding, volatile, and bad tempered would be a more correct pronunciation.”
When Sabine paused, Veronica replied.
“Ha! Your list does not make my list incorrect. We all stopped being simple at about age six. You’ve had some really bad shit happen to you in the past. It shows in how you carry yourself and in your eyes. Not everyone can read it, but I’ve spent many years in the ‘investigate horrible things people do to one another’ part of my law enforcement branch. I have a knack for it. Some people are good at finding fraud, theft, treason and all the other angles. Lucky me, I got the ‘untangle the shitty things people do’ gene so that’s where I end up working most of the time. It sucks but I can feel what others feels, like I am part of them. It is sick sense because it is usually what some bastard has done to some undeserving soul but at least I look at it as helping even if they don’t live. The sad part is the spirits that haunt you.”
They hit a straight stretch in the road again. Veronica looked over at Sabine. Sabine was sitting quietly, looking down at her hands in her lap. This kind of pissed Veronica off. She knew Sabine to be better than this. She would not let Sabine fall into that well of self-pity. She sat at the bottom of that well too much recently. She knew how hard it has been for her to claw her own way out with Violet’s help.
“Snap the **** Out of it!” Veronica’s bellow was sharp and loud in the little car. “Whatever happened is then, not now! Right now, we have people who need you! Time to Medic the **** Up, Doc. We will be there in about forty minutes. You need to be ready. We can drink scotch and scream at the moon about all the shitty things we have seen and done later. We have people to protect and take care of! You work the medical interrogation, I’ll get with the law enforcement and get an Intel dump. How are you stocked in case trouble comes looking to eliminate witnesses?”
Veronica figured the best option was push Sabine back into work mode. She might even need the work version of Sabine if things go bad. She really didn’t want to be thinking about Africa, but it kept popping back into her mind more and more lately. The whole thought of running and hiding and shooting against an unknown number of pursuers like a bad eighties action movie again was what she was measuring her self-preparation against. Not a good sign. Key memory dwelling and transposition of it into the now is one of those hallmark PTSD signatures.
“Do you really think that could happen here?” Sabine was paying attention now.
What Veronica wanted to say was ‘I think it could happen everywhere’ but that would mean admitting her own fears. Instead, she went with straight data.
“It happens all the time. They are safer here than at the clinic on base, harder to pinpoint their location and they still have to drive here. We had a good jump on them distance-wise.” She hoped. She was pushing the little rocket ship hard to make it so.
“Pistol, two mags, two more in my bag.” Sabine subconsciously felt and confirmed her count.
Veronica was torn. She was glad Sabine had a pistol and four mags. She wished she had more, but most people didn’t go quite as overboard as she did. Better get both of them on the same page if some sort of crap goes down.
“OK, bring your bag with you. If anything goes totally to shit, we meet up at the ambulance entrance in the ER for an evac. I have a bit more than you do ammo and weapon-wise, so you will drive and I will cover us.”
“You make it sound like we are pulling some sort of CQB mission.”
“Things outside the little town you are stationed in are much worse than the news make it seem. If they are at the point of carjacking some NCO driving onto base and trying so hard they get lit up and killed by the base guards, then it’s a factor of ten worse elsewhere.”
“Do you really expect trouble like that?”
Veronica so much wanted to scream ‘YES!’ but it wouldn’t help things to make Sabine scared. She needed her alert and ready, but not so freaked out she was a hazard instead of dialed in. Better a sideways explanation.
“No, but I ran and hid, playing hide and go **** yourself for three days in a city on the African continent when the hostile warlord didn’t like us working with his competitor who the State Department considered the legitimate government at the time. We lost one Agent and our Interpreter on that scramble. Since then, I try to think worse, not ‘expect’ so if I go down hard and you are near enough, grab my bag and boogie.”
Veronica stopped talking for a moment as she focused on power sliding around a hairpin turn before continuing with what she was saying.
“There is an unlocked Sat phone, a few supplies and more ammo, plus the extra pistol Paige gave me. There may or may not be ammo left for the long gun in there by that time. Play it by ear. Oh, did you go to Survival School”
“Huh?” Sabine seemed confused.
“I said, did you go to Survival School?”
“Yeah, I did survival school.”
Veronica counted this as a solid plus. Her partner for this little excursion was trained in all the good ‘hide and seek’ techniques and methods she was. She didn’t have to carry that load like she failed to do when her interpreter got killed.
“Great! I thought so. So worst to worst, E&E and call the cavalry.”
She thought she better defuse any panic Sabine might be feeling.
“No, I don’t expect any of this to be necessary, but It makes me feel better to have a plan.”
“You know, Hitler had a plan.” Quipped Sabine.
“Yeah, I know.”
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
At the Hospital
As they arrived at the hospital, Veronica hardly slowed down as she waved her badge at the guard at the gate into the parking lot. He barely had time to get the gate arm open for her to go through.
Veronica grabbed her ‘oh shit’ bag from behind the driver’s seat. Violet always picked on her about it being an ‘old person’s bag’ with its good for the back teardrop shape. The natural leather showed the marks of the heavy use it has seen in recent years. The other thing was her shearling bomber jacket. She didn’t leave either out of her sight these days.
Veronica started for the door, but Sabine had her wait a moment as she dug into the back of the car, pulling out a small backpack.
“Look, you brought your ‘work’ bag, I guess I should grab mine as well.” Sabine plucked the AID bag from the rear hatch of the little car.
Veronica was doing a quick mental inventory as they walked up to the ER entrance. She was ok with what she had but wish she had taken time to change clothes. Not that what she was wearing wasn’t ok but she would have chosen some less obvious clothes. She was still in her clothes from the party as was Sabine. They were comfortable enough for lounging, unlike the guest of honors in their dress uniforms but she felt returning blood stained clothes was just bad manners.
They must have made quite a dashing pair walking into the ER. One of the nurses behind the desk was the first to comment.
“Hey, Sabine! Is it supermodel week? Did you get a new girlfriend?”
“She wishes!” Veronica replied before Sabine could react.
Sabine chuckled before replying to Deloris.
“No, Deloris, she is a new co-worker. We were celebrated Paige’s engagement. You remember her. She was here a couple of months ago. Head trauma, flown in beat up pretty bad by some asshole. I came down and sat with her. We came about the two we just airlifted in. How are they doing?” Sabine’s voice was a mix of business and concern.
“Oh, I remember. It’s so good for those two. The woman didn’t make it. They still have the girl up in surgery. What the hell went on down there? I understand a third is coming in?”
“Yeah, I left to intercept before I got an update. What’s up with the gate guard? That’s new.”
“We are having real problems with some of the gang guys coming in. Things are starting to get seriously sketchy around here sometimes.”
Veronica stood and listened to all of this as Deloris and Sabine compared notes. Something about the way Deloris talked about gang members coming into the ER made the hair on the back of her neck stand up. She shifted the coat on her arm to allow her access to the bag across her shoulder. When the feeling persisted, she stepped away for a quick phone call.
“We are at the hospital. They wife didn’t make it. How is the husband?”
“They are heading out now. He has a fairly torn up shoulder. They stabilized it and drugged the snot out of him for the drive.”
The hair was still standing up on the back of her neck. They needed back up.
“If they haven’t left yet, probably want to put a couple badgers on the ambulance with him in case someone wants to eliminate witnesses.”
“Already ahead of you. Silas grabbed two of our guys to ride along. Full kit.”
The reply put a big smile on her face. She should have known her father was on top of things. Figures, that’s where she learned it from.
“I figured you had a handle on things, Pop, but I had to mention it. Call you when we know more. Don’t worry Sir the Air Force has things under control on this end.”
The line went dead.
Veronica leaned in to where Sabine and Deloris were talking. She better elevate things to the next level. Soon a buttload of Special Operations people will be here to guard their own, but she needed to lay the groundwork for it. Controlling access was another priority.
“The girl is a material witness to a murder. The dead woman was her mother. The third member of the family, the father, is in route by ground. He has major GSW shoulder trauma. I don’t know who you need to inform to keep them safe, but until we know otherwise, unless it’s us or somebody we designate, all three were killed is the story. We don’t want a firefight to break out in the lobby.” Veronica looked from Deloris to Sabine and back.
As they arrived at the hospital, Veronica hardly slowed down as she waved her badge at the guard at the gate into the parking lot. He barely had time to get the gate arm open for her to go through.
Veronica grabbed her ‘oh shit’ bag from behind the driver’s seat. Violet always picked on her about it being an ‘old person’s bag’ with its good for the back teardrop shape. The natural leather showed the marks of the heavy use it has seen in recent years. The other thing was her shearling bomber jacket. She didn’t leave either out of her sight these days.
Veronica started for the door, but Sabine had her wait a moment as she dug into the back of the car, pulling out a small backpack.
“Look, you brought your ‘work’ bag, I guess I should grab mine as well.” Sabine plucked the AID bag from the rear hatch of the little car.
Veronica was doing a quick mental inventory as they walked up to the ER entrance. She was ok with what she had but wish she had taken time to change clothes. Not that what she was wearing wasn’t ok but she would have chosen some less obvious clothes. She was still in her clothes from the party as was Sabine. They were comfortable enough for lounging, unlike the guest of honors in their dress uniforms but she felt returning blood stained clothes was just bad manners.
They must have made quite a dashing pair walking into the ER. One of the nurses behind the desk was the first to comment.
“Hey, Sabine! Is it supermodel week? Did you get a new girlfriend?”
“She wishes!” Veronica replied before Sabine could react.
Sabine chuckled before replying to Deloris.
“No, Deloris, she is a new co-worker. We were celebrated Paige’s engagement. You remember her. She was here a couple of months ago. Head trauma, flown in beat up pretty bad by some asshole. I came down and sat with her. We came about the two we just airlifted in. How are they doing?” Sabine’s voice was a mix of business and concern.
“Oh, I remember. It’s so good for those two. The woman didn’t make it. They still have the girl up in surgery. What the hell went on down there? I understand a third is coming in?”
“Yeah, I left to intercept before I got an update. What’s up with the gate guard? That’s new.”
“We are having real problems with some of the gang guys coming in. Things are starting to get seriously sketchy around here sometimes.”
Veronica stood and listened to all of this as Deloris and Sabine compared notes. Something about the way Deloris talked about gang members coming into the ER made the hair on the back of her neck stand up. She shifted the coat on her arm to allow her access to the bag across her shoulder. When the feeling persisted, she stepped away for a quick phone call.
“We are at the hospital. They wife didn’t make it. How is the husband?”
“They are heading out now. He has a fairly torn up shoulder. They stabilized it and drugged the snot out of him for the drive.”
The hair was still standing up on the back of her neck. They needed back up.
“If they haven’t left yet, probably want to put a couple badgers on the ambulance with him in case someone wants to eliminate witnesses.”
“Already ahead of you. Silas grabbed two of our guys to ride along. Full kit.”
The reply put a big smile on her face. She should have known her father was on top of things. Figures, that’s where she learned it from.
“I figured you had a handle on things, Pop, but I had to mention it. Call you when we know more. Don’t worry Sir the Air Force has things under control on this end.”
The line went dead.
Veronica leaned in to where Sabine and Deloris were talking. She better elevate things to the next level. Soon a buttload of Special Operations people will be here to guard their own, but she needed to lay the groundwork for it. Controlling access was another priority.
“The girl is a material witness to a murder. The dead woman was her mother. The third member of the family, the father, is in route by ground. He has major GSW shoulder trauma. I don’t know who you need to inform to keep them safe, but until we know otherwise, unless it’s us or somebody we designate, all three were killed is the story. We don’t want a firefight to break out in the lobby.” Veronica looked from Deloris to Sabine and back.
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Siskiyoumom
Veteran Member
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Outside the ER
The two decided they had enough of the stale hospital air and Veronica could tell Sabine needed time to process what she was going to tell her friend. She figured it was time to get out of the ER for some air. It was time to change the channel for a few moments. As the two were standing outside by the Ambulance Entrance bullshitting about Sabine’s taste in clothing ranging from Wally World Blue light special to Rodeo Drive with price tag still on when all of sudden Veronica’s hackles went up.
Veronica was not sure what alerted her. Evidently, Sabine on the other hand, quickly saw the threat approaching that was causing her head to explode with ‘Danger Will Robinson’. Walking towards the door were three people. They didn’t look or act like the standard people needing help that come to the ER. Both have spent plenty of time in hospitals talking to victims and wounded. None of these three were looking sick, hurt or anxious as if a loved one was in the ER. Sabine and Veronica knew it needed checked out, but they could not be too obvious. After making a plan, they followed the three into the ER from a distance.
The plan was two drunk trust fund party girls stumble towards the ER entrance from around the corner. The brunette one was half carrying half supporting the blonde one as they came in the door.
As they approached, it seemed to be working. The guys at the doors were not worried, keeping to their assignment. Their job was to look out for cops and the ambulance carrying the Sgt and his family so they could finish them off since they botched the job earlier. Their job wasn’t to pick a couple a pair of drunk society girls.
They did notice these two women looked a lot like the ones they knew from the clubs. The ones buying party drugs and dancing all night, attracted to them instead of their ‘social equals’. They evidently needed ‘real’ men. A few cat calls and comments were exchanged as they walked by.
Veronica decided to stick her tongue out at the pair to see if she could distract or aggravate them enough to leave their post. Sabine didn’t see the gesture therefore never broke character, continuing to half support half drag her while giving them a snubbing glare.
The idea worked. It gave Veronica the time she needed to size them up, making her choice who to shoot first. She scanned the area for the ‘don’t shoot’ targets. She was hoping their plan to get all the way to the desk so they could get between Deloris and the bad guys worked.
They continued to stumble forward, talking louder as they approached the front desk. They were slurring their words and stumbling as they came forward. Veronica squeezed Sabine’s arm to signal as she started to slump lower and lower. They decided before they came in Sabine was the one to go to the desk. Deloris would be more likely to trust her and not give the game away. The guy there might get physical but probably wouldn’t want to shoot her right off the bat, it would spoil his access to the targets they were here for. Sabine assured Veronica she could take a punch or two. Besides, Veronica was the better choice to worry about any others coming in or charging the desk.
“Hey!...Hey!......my girlfriend needs help! I think they put something in her drink! Hey I think he did!! Wasn’t he at the party? I think he did it? He’s the bastard who slipped something into her dring” Sabine was playing the concerned drunk friend, Veronica was muttering incomprehensibly and hanging off of Sabine’s arm, sliding lower and lower on rubbery legs. They kept moving forward towards the desk.
The guy in front of the desk was momentarily distracted by these two as they kept coming right up to the desk where he was grilling Deloris. When they got to the desk, the brunette leaned forward to the desk, her hands going to the desktop. The blond slid off her arm and the rest of the way to the floor, her back resting against the front of the reception desk.
“You got to help my friend. They put something in her drink! Did you put something in her drink? No, you too ugly. You couldn’t have been at the party. They wouldn’t let you in.”
Before Deloris could say something, the man spun Sabine around to face him.
“Look, bitch! Go sit down. I’m busy here!”
Sabine channeled all her haughtiness and distain for some peasant interfering with her.
“You can get her number later. No, never mind. She’s out of you league. Leave her alone. My friend needs help.”
The scorn and dismissal dripped from her arrogant tone and dismissive look. She started to turn back towards the desk.
He couldn’t believe the arrogance of this Bitch! He grabbed her arm, turning her towards him again and slapped her hard across the side of her face. This was his normal method of dealing with bitches who get out of line. Maybe a bit of pain will teach her who she needed to listen to.
The crack was loud in the room. He was sneering as he started his next statement, ready to tell her to get her ass out of here, he had business. He was anticipating the hurt look and fear on her face snapping her out of her imperious attitude. What he saw instead confused him. It didn’t match what it should be.
The woman should be cringing in fear, or at least stunned and in shock. This woman’s face didn’t change. Hell, her head didn’t even move. In fact, she didn’t seem to react at all other than stare into his eyes. It was at this point he realized she was at least three to five inches taller and was literally looking down on him. Her eyes were what he noticed next. There was no fear, no intimidation, shoot nothing at all. It was like looking at a statue. In this gap of action, everything changed.
The brunette’s hand slammed upward, her long strong fingers grabbing his throat, pushing upward. His air was cut off, he could feel the blood pounding trying to get to his brain. He was back on his heels and trying to reach out to her. He scrambled to grab her, but all he could get to was her arm. Maybe he could shoot her! He clawed at his waist for his pistol. As he pulled it out, she swatted it out of his hand with her free hand, never relinquishing the vice-like grip on his throat. Where were his guys!? Why weren’t they helping? Things were dimming. He couldn’t breathe. Everything went dim.
When Veronica heard the slap, she plunged her hand into her bag under her jacket, pulling forth the equalizer. When she got back from that trip to Africa, she had Mike make her something to give her more firepower she could easily carry in a non-descript bag. She bent some serious rules with this. She wanted to use her issue long gun’s lower receiver but it would have put Mike in a bind working on a government weapon. It was still technically illegal, being in the Short Barreled Rifle category.
From the front, Veronica was sure the muzzle looked huge with the flash suppressor looking as big as a coffee cup. She drew down on the guys at the door as she listened for a clue from Sabine about their next step.
As the guy next to her tried to back up, out of Sabine’s reach, Veronica snaked her leg behind his, keeping him from gaining his footing.
The guys by the door were surprised at the sudden action at the desk. They saw the confrontation between their boss and the two tramps who came in. They laughed at the smack he gave her. Their eyes went wide when she snapped out an arm, grabbing the boss’s throat. The girl leaning against the desk moved at the same time. She snaked a leg behind the boss’ feet, keeping him from regaining his footing. This didn’t bother them nearly as much as the tiny AR-15 she pulled from her purse and aimed in their direction.
The blond didn’t look drunk or affected in any way now. Gone was the stumbling party girl. She looked quite steady and competent with the small carbine. When she spoke, it was in a smooth measured commanding tone.
“Guys, I forgot my earplugs. I would hate to go deaf since this thing is loud. On your knees, hands up, cross your ankles. Just be patient, and you might live through tonight.”
Veronica was really hoping she didn’t have to shoot the guys at the door. The first rule about having a gunfight in a hospital is ‘don’t have a gunfight in a hospital.’ Hopefully Sabine had the situation under control, otherwise she would have to start stacking bodies. She better ask.
The brunette hadn’t said a word. She still held the guy by the throat. He had stopped thrashing wildly and was just making feeble movements. The blond spoke again.
“You good?”
Sabine finally looked around, glancing down at Veronica and back at the guy still feebly struggling in her grip.
“Deloris, tell me you pushed the button, this asshole is heavy.”
About this time, three armed security guards came in and relieved them of their three guys.
Once the ER was clear Sabine, Veronica and Deloris stood around talking.
“Alright Deloris, out with it. What the hell has been happening around here? Since when do these creeps come into the main trauma hospital trying to intimidate and screw with the staff. Don’t these idiot know you guys have the sharp implements and stuff to put them back together when they are bleeding? It’s not normal to attack the hand that feeds you. Are they idiots or just stupid?” Sabine fixed her with an icy glare.
Veronica saw Deloris looked almost more scared by Sabine’s glare than when she was facing the punk.
The conversation was disrupted by the fax machine spitting out papers. Deloris went over and retrieved the print out. She glanced at it then handed it to Sabine.
“It’s for you.” Deloris said with a quizzical tone.
Sabine took the sheets. The paragraph at the top didn’t make much sense so she handed over to Veronica.
“Here. Can you translate or decipher this into ‘people’?”
Veronica looked over the sheet as she was still coasting down from the adrenaline spike. What was this jumble of stuff? Looks like a augmentee list. What did Poppa do now! make everyone on base an Augmentee? She looked up from the paper to Sabine.
“It seems like Poppa is getting tricky and doesn’t want to play anymore. This is a list of base members who are now officially listed as augmentees to the base security forces, but the verbiage is squirrely. I know what it really means but it basically is worded to be interpreted as the people on this list are newly appointed Federal Law Enforcement Personnel. While technically correct in a very limited fashion, on base, this is made to cover people’s ass off base from initial scrutiny. Short answer, this is a great paper bluff.”
Veronica handed over the fax to Sabine. “Put this in your pocket and carry it with you. If we get hemmed up, or especially if you get into issues with the police without me around, this paper says you are a military cop doing cop stuff, or at least that’s what you were told. If it come to that, sell it as hard and as convincing as you can. It’s a bluff, so bluff hard. On second thought, make a couple of copies. We probably need to give copies to the Security Force here and copies to the guys in the ambulance when they get arrive. I can make the security here believe it, and we will brief our guys separate”
“If I know my Father, the Colonel, like I do, they are loaded for bear. Hospital security is already wondering what the **** is going on after our little stunt with the gang members. They sure as heck will want answers when a guy is escorted in by Special Ops in full combat gear. The local LEOs have probably been alerted about the incident. I guess my father is preparing for a shit storm or just tired of his troops being hurt. He doesn’t have much patience when it comes to his people getting hurt. I am sure you know this. He will go to hell and back for them.”
Sabine smiled, but it was a cold smile.
“OK, Veronica so next question, since I’m now even more official for off base carry, when do I get my decoder ring and when do I get my pocket machine gun like yours?”
Veronica laughed on the inside since she expected questions along this line the moment she pulled it out of its home in her bag.
“Whenever you get your housemate to make one for you. I had mine made by a friend I hunt with.”
“By the way what is that thing? I’ve never seen an AR that small.”
Veronica unzipped her bag, pulled out the AR and handed it to Sabine as she explained.
“It started off as an AR pistol, then he added a micro sized PDW type of butt stock. This is what makes it so small. A 20 round mag in it doesn’t stick out as far so it sits ready to go, mag in. If I use the mag up, concealing it is no longer important and I have full size ones for the spares. It gives me more punch than my pistol, and a little farther reach.”
Sabine rolled the thing around in her hands. Looking at the muzzle, it was huge. It looked like you could roll a golf ball down it.
“The hole in the end sure looks intimidating. What caliber is it?”
“Standard 5.56, but the flash and noise attenuator is a big funnel to direct the sound and flash away from me. Yes it’s stupid loud and at night, the flash is as long as your arm.”
She could see Sabine’s next question. “Because I felt severely outgunned and in need when I was running and hiding on my three days of evasion. I said to myself ‘self, you need something small enough to carry with you and not get in the way, and large enough to solve problems better than the 9mm they issue me.’ So, this is the result. I slapped a ‘US Government Property’ inventory sticker on it to shortcut questions of why I’m in possession of a short barreled rifle and am taking it over state lines.”
“How accurate is it?”
“Hundred yards, all day long, and farther than that, I do my Jessie Owens impression if I can is the plan.” Veronica smiled.
The conversation was cut short again when the ambulance from the base arrived. The trauma team was joined by Sabine and Veronica who briefed the two highly armed and armored guys riding in the ambulance about the earlier incident.
Veronica saw Deloris was unquestionably a bit startled when the guys showed up with the ambulance. They were wearing uniforms, pistols, body armor and held rifles. She was also a bit relieved having more protection around. The three guys earlier must have really rattled her. Veronica and Sabine definitely were glad to see them too.
The two decided they had enough of the stale hospital air and Veronica could tell Sabine needed time to process what she was going to tell her friend. She figured it was time to get out of the ER for some air. It was time to change the channel for a few moments. As the two were standing outside by the Ambulance Entrance bullshitting about Sabine’s taste in clothing ranging from Wally World Blue light special to Rodeo Drive with price tag still on when all of sudden Veronica’s hackles went up.
Veronica was not sure what alerted her. Evidently, Sabine on the other hand, quickly saw the threat approaching that was causing her head to explode with ‘Danger Will Robinson’. Walking towards the door were three people. They didn’t look or act like the standard people needing help that come to the ER. Both have spent plenty of time in hospitals talking to victims and wounded. None of these three were looking sick, hurt or anxious as if a loved one was in the ER. Sabine and Veronica knew it needed checked out, but they could not be too obvious. After making a plan, they followed the three into the ER from a distance.
The plan was two drunk trust fund party girls stumble towards the ER entrance from around the corner. The brunette one was half carrying half supporting the blonde one as they came in the door.
As they approached, it seemed to be working. The guys at the doors were not worried, keeping to their assignment. Their job was to look out for cops and the ambulance carrying the Sgt and his family so they could finish them off since they botched the job earlier. Their job wasn’t to pick a couple a pair of drunk society girls.
They did notice these two women looked a lot like the ones they knew from the clubs. The ones buying party drugs and dancing all night, attracted to them instead of their ‘social equals’. They evidently needed ‘real’ men. A few cat calls and comments were exchanged as they walked by.
Veronica decided to stick her tongue out at the pair to see if she could distract or aggravate them enough to leave their post. Sabine didn’t see the gesture therefore never broke character, continuing to half support half drag her while giving them a snubbing glare.
The idea worked. It gave Veronica the time she needed to size them up, making her choice who to shoot first. She scanned the area for the ‘don’t shoot’ targets. She was hoping their plan to get all the way to the desk so they could get between Deloris and the bad guys worked.
They continued to stumble forward, talking louder as they approached the front desk. They were slurring their words and stumbling as they came forward. Veronica squeezed Sabine’s arm to signal as she started to slump lower and lower. They decided before they came in Sabine was the one to go to the desk. Deloris would be more likely to trust her and not give the game away. The guy there might get physical but probably wouldn’t want to shoot her right off the bat, it would spoil his access to the targets they were here for. Sabine assured Veronica she could take a punch or two. Besides, Veronica was the better choice to worry about any others coming in or charging the desk.
“Hey!...Hey!......my girlfriend needs help! I think they put something in her drink! Hey I think he did!! Wasn’t he at the party? I think he did it? He’s the bastard who slipped something into her dring” Sabine was playing the concerned drunk friend, Veronica was muttering incomprehensibly and hanging off of Sabine’s arm, sliding lower and lower on rubbery legs. They kept moving forward towards the desk.
The guy in front of the desk was momentarily distracted by these two as they kept coming right up to the desk where he was grilling Deloris. When they got to the desk, the brunette leaned forward to the desk, her hands going to the desktop. The blond slid off her arm and the rest of the way to the floor, her back resting against the front of the reception desk.
“You got to help my friend. They put something in her drink! Did you put something in her drink? No, you too ugly. You couldn’t have been at the party. They wouldn’t let you in.”
Before Deloris could say something, the man spun Sabine around to face him.
“Look, bitch! Go sit down. I’m busy here!”
Sabine channeled all her haughtiness and distain for some peasant interfering with her.
“You can get her number later. No, never mind. She’s out of you league. Leave her alone. My friend needs help.”
The scorn and dismissal dripped from her arrogant tone and dismissive look. She started to turn back towards the desk.
He couldn’t believe the arrogance of this Bitch! He grabbed her arm, turning her towards him again and slapped her hard across the side of her face. This was his normal method of dealing with bitches who get out of line. Maybe a bit of pain will teach her who she needed to listen to.
The crack was loud in the room. He was sneering as he started his next statement, ready to tell her to get her ass out of here, he had business. He was anticipating the hurt look and fear on her face snapping her out of her imperious attitude. What he saw instead confused him. It didn’t match what it should be.
The woman should be cringing in fear, or at least stunned and in shock. This woman’s face didn’t change. Hell, her head didn’t even move. In fact, she didn’t seem to react at all other than stare into his eyes. It was at this point he realized she was at least three to five inches taller and was literally looking down on him. Her eyes were what he noticed next. There was no fear, no intimidation, shoot nothing at all. It was like looking at a statue. In this gap of action, everything changed.
The brunette’s hand slammed upward, her long strong fingers grabbing his throat, pushing upward. His air was cut off, he could feel the blood pounding trying to get to his brain. He was back on his heels and trying to reach out to her. He scrambled to grab her, but all he could get to was her arm. Maybe he could shoot her! He clawed at his waist for his pistol. As he pulled it out, she swatted it out of his hand with her free hand, never relinquishing the vice-like grip on his throat. Where were his guys!? Why weren’t they helping? Things were dimming. He couldn’t breathe. Everything went dim.
When Veronica heard the slap, she plunged her hand into her bag under her jacket, pulling forth the equalizer. When she got back from that trip to Africa, she had Mike make her something to give her more firepower she could easily carry in a non-descript bag. She bent some serious rules with this. She wanted to use her issue long gun’s lower receiver but it would have put Mike in a bind working on a government weapon. It was still technically illegal, being in the Short Barreled Rifle category.
From the front, Veronica was sure the muzzle looked huge with the flash suppressor looking as big as a coffee cup. She drew down on the guys at the door as she listened for a clue from Sabine about their next step.
As the guy next to her tried to back up, out of Sabine’s reach, Veronica snaked her leg behind his, keeping him from gaining his footing.
The guys by the door were surprised at the sudden action at the desk. They saw the confrontation between their boss and the two tramps who came in. They laughed at the smack he gave her. Their eyes went wide when she snapped out an arm, grabbing the boss’s throat. The girl leaning against the desk moved at the same time. She snaked a leg behind the boss’ feet, keeping him from regaining his footing. This didn’t bother them nearly as much as the tiny AR-15 she pulled from her purse and aimed in their direction.
The blond didn’t look drunk or affected in any way now. Gone was the stumbling party girl. She looked quite steady and competent with the small carbine. When she spoke, it was in a smooth measured commanding tone.
“Guys, I forgot my earplugs. I would hate to go deaf since this thing is loud. On your knees, hands up, cross your ankles. Just be patient, and you might live through tonight.”
Veronica was really hoping she didn’t have to shoot the guys at the door. The first rule about having a gunfight in a hospital is ‘don’t have a gunfight in a hospital.’ Hopefully Sabine had the situation under control, otherwise she would have to start stacking bodies. She better ask.
The brunette hadn’t said a word. She still held the guy by the throat. He had stopped thrashing wildly and was just making feeble movements. The blond spoke again.
“You good?”
Sabine finally looked around, glancing down at Veronica and back at the guy still feebly struggling in her grip.
“Deloris, tell me you pushed the button, this asshole is heavy.”
About this time, three armed security guards came in and relieved them of their three guys.
Once the ER was clear Sabine, Veronica and Deloris stood around talking.
“Alright Deloris, out with it. What the hell has been happening around here? Since when do these creeps come into the main trauma hospital trying to intimidate and screw with the staff. Don’t these idiot know you guys have the sharp implements and stuff to put them back together when they are bleeding? It’s not normal to attack the hand that feeds you. Are they idiots or just stupid?” Sabine fixed her with an icy glare.
Veronica saw Deloris looked almost more scared by Sabine’s glare than when she was facing the punk.
The conversation was disrupted by the fax machine spitting out papers. Deloris went over and retrieved the print out. She glanced at it then handed it to Sabine.
“It’s for you.” Deloris said with a quizzical tone.
Sabine took the sheets. The paragraph at the top didn’t make much sense so she handed over to Veronica.
“Here. Can you translate or decipher this into ‘people’?”
Veronica looked over the sheet as she was still coasting down from the adrenaline spike. What was this jumble of stuff? Looks like a augmentee list. What did Poppa do now! make everyone on base an Augmentee? She looked up from the paper to Sabine.
“It seems like Poppa is getting tricky and doesn’t want to play anymore. This is a list of base members who are now officially listed as augmentees to the base security forces, but the verbiage is squirrely. I know what it really means but it basically is worded to be interpreted as the people on this list are newly appointed Federal Law Enforcement Personnel. While technically correct in a very limited fashion, on base, this is made to cover people’s ass off base from initial scrutiny. Short answer, this is a great paper bluff.”
Veronica handed over the fax to Sabine. “Put this in your pocket and carry it with you. If we get hemmed up, or especially if you get into issues with the police without me around, this paper says you are a military cop doing cop stuff, or at least that’s what you were told. If it come to that, sell it as hard and as convincing as you can. It’s a bluff, so bluff hard. On second thought, make a couple of copies. We probably need to give copies to the Security Force here and copies to the guys in the ambulance when they get arrive. I can make the security here believe it, and we will brief our guys separate”
“If I know my Father, the Colonel, like I do, they are loaded for bear. Hospital security is already wondering what the **** is going on after our little stunt with the gang members. They sure as heck will want answers when a guy is escorted in by Special Ops in full combat gear. The local LEOs have probably been alerted about the incident. I guess my father is preparing for a shit storm or just tired of his troops being hurt. He doesn’t have much patience when it comes to his people getting hurt. I am sure you know this. He will go to hell and back for them.”
Sabine smiled, but it was a cold smile.
“OK, Veronica so next question, since I’m now even more official for off base carry, when do I get my decoder ring and when do I get my pocket machine gun like yours?”
Veronica laughed on the inside since she expected questions along this line the moment she pulled it out of its home in her bag.
“Whenever you get your housemate to make one for you. I had mine made by a friend I hunt with.”
“By the way what is that thing? I’ve never seen an AR that small.”
Veronica unzipped her bag, pulled out the AR and handed it to Sabine as she explained.
“It started off as an AR pistol, then he added a micro sized PDW type of butt stock. This is what makes it so small. A 20 round mag in it doesn’t stick out as far so it sits ready to go, mag in. If I use the mag up, concealing it is no longer important and I have full size ones for the spares. It gives me more punch than my pistol, and a little farther reach.”
Sabine rolled the thing around in her hands. Looking at the muzzle, it was huge. It looked like you could roll a golf ball down it.
“The hole in the end sure looks intimidating. What caliber is it?”
“Standard 5.56, but the flash and noise attenuator is a big funnel to direct the sound and flash away from me. Yes it’s stupid loud and at night, the flash is as long as your arm.”
She could see Sabine’s next question. “Because I felt severely outgunned and in need when I was running and hiding on my three days of evasion. I said to myself ‘self, you need something small enough to carry with you and not get in the way, and large enough to solve problems better than the 9mm they issue me.’ So, this is the result. I slapped a ‘US Government Property’ inventory sticker on it to shortcut questions of why I’m in possession of a short barreled rifle and am taking it over state lines.”
“How accurate is it?”
“Hundred yards, all day long, and farther than that, I do my Jessie Owens impression if I can is the plan.” Veronica smiled.
The conversation was cut short again when the ambulance from the base arrived. The trauma team was joined by Sabine and Veronica who briefed the two highly armed and armored guys riding in the ambulance about the earlier incident.
Veronica saw Deloris was unquestionably a bit startled when the guys showed up with the ambulance. They were wearing uniforms, pistols, body armor and held rifles. She was also a bit relieved having more protection around. The three guys earlier must have really rattled her. Veronica and Sabine definitely were glad to see them too.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Later at the Hospital
It was a long night for everyone. Sabine and Veronica waited at the hospital until the Commander, the Sgt. Major and Amber arrived. Veronica started to brief them on what was going on. The Commander stopped her. He wanted information on Jenson now, the early crap seemed to have been dealt with swiftly and future problems would be handled later. His people were hurt. They were his priority.
Veronica watched as Sabine briefed them.
“Jenson had spent quite a bit of time in surgery, but it was a straight forward shoulder rebuild. His daughter Jennifer’s damage was much more complex. She caught a pair of rounds into the torso. The bullets had managed to hit several of the vital organs. It was touch and go for a while during the surgery. She will need to stay in the ICU for a couple of days to make sure no infections set in. She would also need a lot of home care afterwards.”
Ivar thought this was probably about the best he could expect at this moment. He already set some things into motion and planned even more. He was going to fundamentally change operations at the base for the forseable future.
“Ive already set up a rotation. They will be safe, as safe as they should have been before. Veronica, can you and Violet stick around at the base for a few days? I need the help with the next step of my master plan.”
“Just say the word, Poppa. We will be there.”
It was a long night for everyone. Sabine and Veronica waited at the hospital until the Commander, the Sgt. Major and Amber arrived. Veronica started to brief them on what was going on. The Commander stopped her. He wanted information on Jenson now, the early crap seemed to have been dealt with swiftly and future problems would be handled later. His people were hurt. They were his priority.
Veronica watched as Sabine briefed them.
“Jenson had spent quite a bit of time in surgery, but it was a straight forward shoulder rebuild. His daughter Jennifer’s damage was much more complex. She caught a pair of rounds into the torso. The bullets had managed to hit several of the vital organs. It was touch and go for a while during the surgery. She will need to stay in the ICU for a couple of days to make sure no infections set in. She would also need a lot of home care afterwards.”
Ivar thought this was probably about the best he could expect at this moment. He already set some things into motion and planned even more. He was going to fundamentally change operations at the base for the forseable future.
“Ive already set up a rotation. They will be safe, as safe as they should have been before. Veronica, can you and Violet stick around at the base for a few days? I need the help with the next step of my master plan.”
“Just say the word, Poppa. We will be there.”
Texican
Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
ted
Veteran Member
Lone_Hawk
Resident Spook
Off the shelf components, we have built a couple like that.... nice ones...
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
At the Base the Next Morning
When the sun rose, it found Paige, Violet, Henrik and Andrea at Paige’s shop. The work was fast and furious. The Sargent Major was there as well for part of the time. He issued the directive from the Commander. All personnel were to be armed at all times with at least pistols. The smaller size of the remaining forces stationed at the base made this possible. Out of the normal population of 250 military and 100 civilians, they were now down to well under seventy-five total permanent party, and those were dwindling quickly.
Veronica and Violet helped wherever they could over the next few days, helping a slew of people get issued weapons. They helped Paige run some familiarization classes. Lifting and toting, boxes here and there, they were the extra pair of trusted hands wherever they were needed.
During all of the activity, Paige managed to pulled the rest of the gear for Veronica and Violet.
“Are you sure?” Violet asked for the umpteenth time looking over the pile of ammo cans and cases.
“Are you questioning your father?” Paige shot back.
“It just seems wrong.” Veronica said as she looked at the cases and moved ammo cans to the back of her vehical.
“Yeah, but he convinced me it was better to issue them out to the troops than let them just sit around. The commander and the Sargent Major figure what isn’t here can’t be turned over to the locals at the end.”
“Yeah, but this is a bit more than everyone else is getting, I’m sure.” Violet said, closing the cases as she looked in each.
Bolt action rifle with scope, semi-auto shotgun, pistol and most impressively, a fully suppressed M4 plus a ton of magazines and cans and cans of ammo for each weapon. There were two full sets, one for each of them. Christmas came early for sure.
When the sun rose, it found Paige, Violet, Henrik and Andrea at Paige’s shop. The work was fast and furious. The Sargent Major was there as well for part of the time. He issued the directive from the Commander. All personnel were to be armed at all times with at least pistols. The smaller size of the remaining forces stationed at the base made this possible. Out of the normal population of 250 military and 100 civilians, they were now down to well under seventy-five total permanent party, and those were dwindling quickly.
Veronica and Violet helped wherever they could over the next few days, helping a slew of people get issued weapons. They helped Paige run some familiarization classes. Lifting and toting, boxes here and there, they were the extra pair of trusted hands wherever they were needed.
During all of the activity, Paige managed to pulled the rest of the gear for Veronica and Violet.
“Are you sure?” Violet asked for the umpteenth time looking over the pile of ammo cans and cases.
“Are you questioning your father?” Paige shot back.
“It just seems wrong.” Veronica said as she looked at the cases and moved ammo cans to the back of her vehical.
“Yeah, but he convinced me it was better to issue them out to the troops than let them just sit around. The commander and the Sargent Major figure what isn’t here can’t be turned over to the locals at the end.”
“Yeah, but this is a bit more than everyone else is getting, I’m sure.” Violet said, closing the cases as she looked in each.
Bolt action rifle with scope, semi-auto shotgun, pistol and most impressively, a fully suppressed M4 plus a ton of magazines and cans and cans of ammo for each weapon. There were two full sets, one for each of them. Christmas came early for sure.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
saw a slver one in Savannah last week; the brief glimpse I got as it whipped around a corner off Mall Blvd said it was mint condition and still M-series quick.
No muss, no fuss, just gone when a hole in traffic presented itself...
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
More Plans and Decisions
Midweek the Vs announced they were leaving in the morning. No time for a big farewell but promises to return for Christmas were made or the Moms threatened to flatten tires. The girls decided it was best to agree. This left time for one more council at the fire pit as they had come to be known. It was time to talk about what was next after the doors shut for good in spring. They did not want to ruin Christmas with this talk.
Everyone was clustered around the pit. The news was already bad, with not much hope of improving. The government was fracturing, the supply lines were unstable and nobody really had an idea what they were going to do. The drive to get food was long, the resources are dwindling and jobs were uncertain.
Paige was several glasses in already and floated the idea they might have to leave this area. She mentioned the idea of going up by her Grandfather’s place. According to her, the area around his place felt remote but it was all of a half an hour to a decent town and forty-five minutes to the city.
When Paige started this conversation, everyone started thinking about where they would go, if they needed to go somewhere.
Veronica and Violet didn’t know what they would do. Veronica’s base wasn’t closing and neither was Violet’s that they knew of. Violet’s schoolhouse was probably going to close however. The consolidation and draw down meant there wouldn’t be that many billets for Violet’s MOS. With both of them in for over ten years, they wouldn’t be eligible to move anytime soon, if at all.
By the end of the night, Paige had convinced everyone about the viable idea of moving up to her grandfather’s neck of the woods if they left here or Utah. It was not a solid commitment they would do it, it was more an ‘if we leave, that’s where we could go’.
Veronica and Violet knew the whole concept of Veronica leaving Utah and Violet submitting for retire in place in Utah, then following Veronica was going to be the main gist of their conversation on the drive back to Veronica’s place.
Midweek the Vs announced they were leaving in the morning. No time for a big farewell but promises to return for Christmas were made or the Moms threatened to flatten tires. The girls decided it was best to agree. This left time for one more council at the fire pit as they had come to be known. It was time to talk about what was next after the doors shut for good in spring. They did not want to ruin Christmas with this talk.
Everyone was clustered around the pit. The news was already bad, with not much hope of improving. The government was fracturing, the supply lines were unstable and nobody really had an idea what they were going to do. The drive to get food was long, the resources are dwindling and jobs were uncertain.
Paige was several glasses in already and floated the idea they might have to leave this area. She mentioned the idea of going up by her Grandfather’s place. According to her, the area around his place felt remote but it was all of a half an hour to a decent town and forty-five minutes to the city.
When Paige started this conversation, everyone started thinking about where they would go, if they needed to go somewhere.
Veronica and Violet didn’t know what they would do. Veronica’s base wasn’t closing and neither was Violet’s that they knew of. Violet’s schoolhouse was probably going to close however. The consolidation and draw down meant there wouldn’t be that many billets for Violet’s MOS. With both of them in for over ten years, they wouldn’t be eligible to move anytime soon, if at all.
By the end of the night, Paige had convinced everyone about the viable idea of moving up to her grandfather’s neck of the woods if they left here or Utah. It was not a solid commitment they would do it, it was more an ‘if we leave, that’s where we could go’.
Veronica and Violet knew the whole concept of Veronica leaving Utah and Violet submitting for retire in place in Utah, then following Veronica was going to be the main gist of their conversation on the drive back to Veronica’s place.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
On the Road Back to Utah
“Look, you know as well as I do. Being on the far side of the country as it all comes apart would suck ten times worse than being in Utah with me.” Veronica said as they pulled back onto the road from a rare available fuel stop.
“Yeah, it’s just…I didn’t expect my military career to end like this.”
“What’s the big difference? You submit your paperwork and retire. It’s just six or eight years earlier than you expected. Hell, at the rate things are going, active duty, retired, it won’t make a difference. When the paychecks stop, it’s all coming apart.” She told Violet for maybe the tenth or eleventh time.
“I know. Logically it makes sense. I just don’t know if I was ready to retire yet.” Violet snapped back.
“Well, right now, you can’t go back until they authorize you to travel, and we both know you are way down the list on committing resources for. Hell, you still haven’t been able to get a good point of contact number or anything for your unit right now to begin with. There may be no unit to return to!” Veronica snapped back, then she got a gleam in her eye.
“You know….Right now, you are listed as on temporary duty out here. Full TDY, I mean, TAD pay and everything. Instead of making your decision right now, this evening, you could just kick back, keep getting paid full active duty pay, plus your per diem and everything while you are here. Then if things hold together or get better, they will eventually get back in contact, and you can see where things are and make the call then. Milk them for the money since they have not kept in touch even though you tried. You keep getting paid, keep moving towards retirement, and still can work on the alternate plan if the shit show continues to devolve.”
“So, basically, your plan Veronica is I should stay here, not worry about my official status until they come looking for me, bilk them for as much money as I can in the meantime and generally ignore the whole problem.” Violet said in a tone dripping with sarcasm.
“Pretty much. You can’t go there, it wouldn’t be wise to try, and since you are here, you might as well get paid for it. Besides, here you can keep working towards the back-up plan for the potential fecal deluge that might be headed our way.” Veronica said, with a huge grin.
Violet sat and thought some. The reasoning wasn’t really wrong. She was trapped. To stay in the military, she had to stay here. If she was getting out of the military, she should move here or down with her parents. Either way, she probably wasn’t going to go back east unless this whole crapfest shifted directions and the country fixed itself in a hurry. After a while she looked over at Veronica.
“I still don’t like green Jell-O.”
Her statement caused a big grin on Veronica’s face.
“Don’t worry. Utah has gotten more progressive over the years. Its only highly recommended, not mandatory anymore.”
They continued to talk as the road stretched out in front of them into the night.
“Look, you know as well as I do. Being on the far side of the country as it all comes apart would suck ten times worse than being in Utah with me.” Veronica said as they pulled back onto the road from a rare available fuel stop.
“Yeah, it’s just…I didn’t expect my military career to end like this.”
“What’s the big difference? You submit your paperwork and retire. It’s just six or eight years earlier than you expected. Hell, at the rate things are going, active duty, retired, it won’t make a difference. When the paychecks stop, it’s all coming apart.” She told Violet for maybe the tenth or eleventh time.
“I know. Logically it makes sense. I just don’t know if I was ready to retire yet.” Violet snapped back.
“Well, right now, you can’t go back until they authorize you to travel, and we both know you are way down the list on committing resources for. Hell, you still haven’t been able to get a good point of contact number or anything for your unit right now to begin with. There may be no unit to return to!” Veronica snapped back, then she got a gleam in her eye.
“You know….Right now, you are listed as on temporary duty out here. Full TDY, I mean, TAD pay and everything. Instead of making your decision right now, this evening, you could just kick back, keep getting paid full active duty pay, plus your per diem and everything while you are here. Then if things hold together or get better, they will eventually get back in contact, and you can see where things are and make the call then. Milk them for the money since they have not kept in touch even though you tried. You keep getting paid, keep moving towards retirement, and still can work on the alternate plan if the shit show continues to devolve.”
“So, basically, your plan Veronica is I should stay here, not worry about my official status until they come looking for me, bilk them for as much money as I can in the meantime and generally ignore the whole problem.” Violet said in a tone dripping with sarcasm.
“Pretty much. You can’t go there, it wouldn’t be wise to try, and since you are here, you might as well get paid for it. Besides, here you can keep working towards the back-up plan for the potential fecal deluge that might be headed our way.” Veronica said, with a huge grin.
Violet sat and thought some. The reasoning wasn’t really wrong. She was trapped. To stay in the military, she had to stay here. If she was getting out of the military, she should move here or down with her parents. Either way, she probably wasn’t going to go back east unless this whole crapfest shifted directions and the country fixed itself in a hurry. After a while she looked over at Veronica.
“I still don’t like green Jell-O.”
Her statement caused a big grin on Veronica’s face.
“Don’t worry. Utah has gotten more progressive over the years. Its only highly recommended, not mandatory anymore.”
They continued to talk as the road stretched out in front of them into the night.
Last edited:
Sportsman
Veteran Member
5911:
During all of the activity, Paige managed to pulled the rest of the gear for Veronica and Violet.
5916:
plus your per diem and everything while you are hear.
, you still havent
Looks like someone's editor took a day off too!
I know, you're doing that to give us that feeling of "being ahead of the crowd reading these.
Thank you.
During all of the activity, Paige managed to pulled the rest of the gear for Veronica and Violet.
5916:
plus your per diem and everything while you are hear.
, you still havent
Looks like someone's editor took a day off too!
I know, you're doing that to give us that feeling of "being ahead of the crowd reading these.Thank you.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
A few Days Later, at the Base
“Smaller than we were figuring, but I would rather a small group who wants it than a large group who just takes up space.” Violet said to Owen as she looked out over the martial arts class assembling on the racquetball court.
“Yeah, definitely want the people to really want the training. Nothing sucks the energy out of a class than trying to teach a bunch of house plants.” Owen said in agreement.
“Some days I would rather try it with real house plants. At least they try to follow sunlight.”
The two chuckled as they watched their twelve students start forming up. For the last two weeks, Owen has been working with them, getting them back to form with simple movements, stretching, fitness and reminding them of the blocks and strikes they learned before the break. He also introduced them to the first tool they would work with, the plastic pipes Violet brought the first night.
Violet was still a mystery to them. She was someone who was just ‘around’. No real interaction yet other than an introduction on the first day. When she was there, she would just walk around, seeming to watch everyone but only talking every now and then to Owen. Now, the first time they got together after Thanksgiving, the group could feel something was changing.
Owen had them all lined up. Once they were in their places, he did something new. He stepped off to one side, making way for Violet to step up in front of them.
Violet looked out at their faces. Some of them she knew, like Derek and Gretchen, others were just faces seen here at the base. All wore their uniforms, the white of the linen a stark contrast of her own attire. She had gotten a few strange looks earlier when she stripped off her sweatpants and sweatshirt. Now she stood there in a pair of climbing shorts and a tank top.
“Owen has been telling me everyone has worked hard getting back into form. That’s good. I’ve been watching you guys. I know the guy running the Dojo you started with didn’t really set you guys up for success. What I am here to do is teach you useful things, not toot my own horn as I make you do mindless katas with no purpose other than make money. I am going to teach you things you can really use to defend yourself and others.”
The class looked around at one another for a moment. Did she really say she was going to teach them fight?
“Class, most people wouldn’t be interested in spending many years studying something they couldn’t use. I know this. Mindless forms with exotic names won’t keep someone from stealing your tennis shoes. My job in the real world is teaching people to defend themselves in battle, for real, not in some sports ring. What I am teaching you will be things to help you survive such sudden confrontations.”
Violet was looking face to face now, the students, her assistant instructor up front and Veronica in the back. Veronica surprised her a little. She told her she wanted to tune up her hand to hand as well, just not as an official student in her class. That was fine, she would be the demo victim. Violet smiled a little. She knew Veronica knew a ton of stuff from their youth, she would just have to remind her of it.
“Now, in my job, we learn and steal useful bits from about seventeen different martial arts. I learned a few more as a kid. The first thing we are going to focus on is the pipe or the stick. The official name for a lot of what we will teach you with them is called Escrima. Weapons can be a great equalizer and you can apply escrima skill with almost any stick or pipe or a rolled up magazine. This is an example of what I was saying about useful; the ability to apply what you know to the real world with real world tools. A katana or a broadsword can be quite effective, but it’s not convenient to carry and a little obvious.”
Violet looked over at Owen.
“Let’s put them through the opening moves.” She looked to the back of the room. “Alright Veronica, you’re my practice partner.”
“Smaller than we were figuring, but I would rather a small group who wants it than a large group who just takes up space.” Violet said to Owen as she looked out over the martial arts class assembling on the racquetball court.
“Yeah, definitely want the people to really want the training. Nothing sucks the energy out of a class than trying to teach a bunch of house plants.” Owen said in agreement.
“Some days I would rather try it with real house plants. At least they try to follow sunlight.”
The two chuckled as they watched their twelve students start forming up. For the last two weeks, Owen has been working with them, getting them back to form with simple movements, stretching, fitness and reminding them of the blocks and strikes they learned before the break. He also introduced them to the first tool they would work with, the plastic pipes Violet brought the first night.
Violet was still a mystery to them. She was someone who was just ‘around’. No real interaction yet other than an introduction on the first day. When she was there, she would just walk around, seeming to watch everyone but only talking every now and then to Owen. Now, the first time they got together after Thanksgiving, the group could feel something was changing.
Owen had them all lined up. Once they were in their places, he did something new. He stepped off to one side, making way for Violet to step up in front of them.
Violet looked out at their faces. Some of them she knew, like Derek and Gretchen, others were just faces seen here at the base. All wore their uniforms, the white of the linen a stark contrast of her own attire. She had gotten a few strange looks earlier when she stripped off her sweatpants and sweatshirt. Now she stood there in a pair of climbing shorts and a tank top.
“Owen has been telling me everyone has worked hard getting back into form. That’s good. I’ve been watching you guys. I know the guy running the Dojo you started with didn’t really set you guys up for success. What I am here to do is teach you useful things, not toot my own horn as I make you do mindless katas with no purpose other than make money. I am going to teach you things you can really use to defend yourself and others.”
The class looked around at one another for a moment. Did she really say she was going to teach them fight?
“Class, most people wouldn’t be interested in spending many years studying something they couldn’t use. I know this. Mindless forms with exotic names won’t keep someone from stealing your tennis shoes. My job in the real world is teaching people to defend themselves in battle, for real, not in some sports ring. What I am teaching you will be things to help you survive such sudden confrontations.”
Violet was looking face to face now, the students, her assistant instructor up front and Veronica in the back. Veronica surprised her a little. She told her she wanted to tune up her hand to hand as well, just not as an official student in her class. That was fine, she would be the demo victim. Violet smiled a little. She knew Veronica knew a ton of stuff from their youth, she would just have to remind her of it.
“Now, in my job, we learn and steal useful bits from about seventeen different martial arts. I learned a few more as a kid. The first thing we are going to focus on is the pipe or the stick. The official name for a lot of what we will teach you with them is called Escrima. Weapons can be a great equalizer and you can apply escrima skill with almost any stick or pipe or a rolled up magazine. This is an example of what I was saying about useful; the ability to apply what you know to the real world with real world tools. A katana or a broadsword can be quite effective, but it’s not convenient to carry and a little obvious.”
Violet looked over at Owen.
“Let’s put them through the opening moves.” She looked to the back of the room. “Alright Veronica, you’re my practice partner.”