223shootersc
Veteran Member
Thanks, CCG!
Story Market Day
- Thread starter ComCamGuy
- Start date
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Inside the Camper
Petra was in the camper helping Jennifer get settled in since she was going to be riding with her dad. Part of her didn’t want to leave here. Things were…well she wasn’t sure what they were but she was spending a lot of time with Jennifer and Jonas in the evenings in her trailer and didn’t want it to end.
She was about to go outside when she heard Jonas and Nolan talking. Jennifer must have as well, because she started to say something until Petra shushed her so they could listen.
She saw Jennifer’s eyes get big at what Nolan said he saw with Garen and Kara. She was sure hers were probably big too. They had been here almost a week and now that Nolan said it, it did seem more like Kara and Garen were married, even though there were no doubts about them, Veronica and Violet all referencing Garen’s wife Bekka. Maybe if she got a chance, she could get some more info. Who was she kidding? She had the rest of the drive north to ask Violet about it.
Nolan kept talking. The more he talked, the redder Petra got. They were talking about her! Well, she had been called ‘cute’ before, but it was more like ‘oh, what a cute puppy’ as they kept walking. Beautiful? Nolan thought she was beautiful? Her brain was spinning almost too much to hear the next part where Jenson told Nolan to mind his own business.
Nolan thought she was beautiful.
Petra was in the camper helping Jennifer get settled in since she was going to be riding with her dad. Part of her didn’t want to leave here. Things were…well she wasn’t sure what they were but she was spending a lot of time with Jennifer and Jonas in the evenings in her trailer and didn’t want it to end.
She was about to go outside when she heard Jonas and Nolan talking. Jennifer must have as well, because she started to say something until Petra shushed her so they could listen.
She saw Jennifer’s eyes get big at what Nolan said he saw with Garen and Kara. She was sure hers were probably big too. They had been here almost a week and now that Nolan said it, it did seem more like Kara and Garen were married, even though there were no doubts about them, Veronica and Violet all referencing Garen’s wife Bekka. Maybe if she got a chance, she could get some more info. Who was she kidding? She had the rest of the drive north to ask Violet about it.
Nolan kept talking. The more he talked, the redder Petra got. They were talking about her! Well, she had been called ‘cute’ before, but it was more like ‘oh, what a cute puppy’ as they kept walking. Beautiful? Nolan thought she was beautiful? Her brain was spinning almost too much to hear the next part where Jenson told Nolan to mind his own business.
Nolan thought she was beautiful.
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Trouble in semi-paradise???? Thanks, CCG!
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
. And just in time for another ambush on the next leg of their migration. Armadillo3
Member
Great additions to the story.
Monday, I turned 60, and retired from the Army.
Left on Tuesday to a Lodge and waterpark with our daughter and 4 of the Grandkids.
Had a great time and got home 4 days later.
Had several great additions to the story to read when I got home.
Thanks again for the story CCG. Look forward to this retirement and reading some more good stories.
Also Thanks to 223shootersc for the stories that he sent to me to read, some for the first time and some
to reread from my times OCONUS and some deployments here CONUS.
Maybe one day, I can put some of my experiences to paper or PC screen.
Monday, I turned 60, and retired from the Army.
Left on Tuesday to a Lodge and waterpark with our daughter and 4 of the Grandkids.
Had a great time and got home 4 days later.
Had several great additions to the story to read when I got home.
Thanks again for the story CCG. Look forward to this retirement and reading some more good stories.
Also Thanks to 223shootersc for the stories that he sent to me to read, some for the first time and some
to reread from my times OCONUS and some deployments here CONUS.
Maybe one day, I can put some of my experiences to paper or PC screen.
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Glad I could send them to you and thanks for your service. let me know when you need some more.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Congrats on your new blue ID card. I’ll get my second one in about five years
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Whichever works best for you is fine w/ us.
We'll be over there .> >.>.> out of the way, until you're ready.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
In Kingfisher’s Truck
“We’ve been running around so fast for so long! I’ve lost track of who everyone is. Please forgive me if I jumble things.” Kingfisher said as Kara was getting her stuff settled in the passenger position.
“That’s OK. I’ll answer to almost anything at this point.” She said as she set her maps on the dash.
“Well, hopefully things will be smoother going forward than they were to this point.”
At this, Kara laughed.
“Hope is a shitty operational plan.”
“Well, I gotta try, don’t I?”
“Yeah, there is that.”
“With Garen’s plan, we are med support and reinforcements. We have already had to do that coming here. Are you up to it? I don’t know your background.”
At Kingfisher’s question, Kara stopped mid-motion and looked over at him.
“You’re right. You don’t know my background. Let’s just hope we don’t have an opportunity for me to show you how good I am.”
“We’ve been running around so fast for so long! I’ve lost track of who everyone is. Please forgive me if I jumble things.” Kingfisher said as Kara was getting her stuff settled in the passenger position.
“That’s OK. I’ll answer to almost anything at this point.” She said as she set her maps on the dash.
“Well, hopefully things will be smoother going forward than they were to this point.”
At this, Kara laughed.
“Hope is a shitty operational plan.”
“Well, I gotta try, don’t I?”
“Yeah, there is that.”
“With Garen’s plan, we are med support and reinforcements. We have already had to do that coming here. Are you up to it? I don’t know your background.”
At Kingfisher’s question, Kara stopped mid-motion and looked over at him.
“You’re right. You don’t know my background. Let’s just hope we don’t have an opportunity for me to show you how good I am.”
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Petra’s Truck
“I don’t know if the change is a good thing or a bad thing, but at least I brought snacks.” Violet said as she adjusted the seat.
“That’s ok. I love Jennifer, but someone new to talk to is good too.”
“Well, we can also work on the homework Amber gave us to work on.”
At this, Petra made a face.
“Yeah, I know but she puts a lot of weight on us getting to the reflexive level of us in the new rolls if we have to do it.”
“I know, but sometimes it feels a little creepy.”
“Me too. I try to look at it like an actor playing a roll, one that could cost my life if I’m wrong.”
Petra looked over at Violet and saw the serious set to her eyes. Without another word or signal, she reached into the door pocket and pulled out a battered ballcap with a ‘My Little Pony’ patch on it.
“Don’t worry, Mom. If we have to play the game, I intend to win.”
Violet smiled just a little as she saw her put the hat on. This was one of the training tools Amber had them using to help signify their rolls as they practiced.
“I know you will, Brittany, but a mom’s going to worry anyway.”
“I don’t know if the change is a good thing or a bad thing, but at least I brought snacks.” Violet said as she adjusted the seat.
“That’s ok. I love Jennifer, but someone new to talk to is good too.”
“Well, we can also work on the homework Amber gave us to work on.”
At this, Petra made a face.
“Yeah, I know but she puts a lot of weight on us getting to the reflexive level of us in the new rolls if we have to do it.”
“I know, but sometimes it feels a little creepy.”
“Me too. I try to look at it like an actor playing a roll, one that could cost my life if I’m wrong.”
Petra looked over at Violet and saw the serious set to her eyes. Without another word or signal, she reached into the door pocket and pulled out a battered ballcap with a ‘My Little Pony’ patch on it.
“Don’t worry, Mom. If we have to play the game, I intend to win.”
Violet smiled just a little as she saw her put the hat on. This was one of the training tools Amber had them using to help signify their rolls as they practiced.
“I know you will, Brittany, but a mom’s going to worry anyway.”
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Thanks, CCG!
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Amber and Silas’ Truck
“I’ve been so focused on the now, I haven’t had any time to think about what it will be like once we get there.” Amber said to Silas as she sat in the open passenger door of their truck.
“I know, but Violet and Veronica swear we will like the house they have picked out for us.”
“I don’t know. Violet’s thinking on this is a little suspect. She thought our house in Florida was great.”
“It wasn’t that bad.”
“Easy for you to say, mister. You weren’t the one always there, waking up at two in the morning to the cat howling because the geckos were teasing her from the ceiling.”
“They kept the bugs in check.”
“Not so much.”
“Both Violet and Veronica say they are great, and if it isn’t, we have our little home on wheels here to keep us safe and comfy while we make the new place better.”
“Yay! Another home renovation project!” Amber’s voice held all the sarcasm of 20 plus years of marriage can dish out.
“It will be ok.”
“Well, while we are renovating, I’m going to need a separate room, with some good chairs and a coffee machine. Wait scratch that. Probably a small, well stocked bar instead, considering my potential patients.”
“That many?” Silas’ voice sounded worried now.
“Let’s see. Sabine for all her stuff, Paige, for the attack and losing Henrik, Sofia trying to recover from getting shot and almost dying, Petra’s being assaulted, almost dying, and losing her mom to the hurricanes, the Jensons for losing their mom slash wife. Then, then there’s all the new ones Kingfisher showed up with. Kingfisher and Brice getting back together is wonderful, but there will be friction at times, Brice said Dylan is still trying to put shooting someone into proper perspective, Alonzo lost his wife and daughter to the quake and wave, Hanna and Rahel lost people too, including Rahel’s baby sister. And Kingfisher told me Ewa has a whole host of shit she will need to unpack or lock away.”
“Oh? What kind of stuff?”
“Sabine level shit, but much more recent.”
“Damn! You haven’t told me any details there, but from the little I know…Damn! Maybe Sabine can help her?”
“She might be able, but first we have to get north, then I have to get Ewa to want to talk to me. Then I can see where we are at.” Amber thought of the pictures Kingfisher gave her and how they reminded her of some of the stuff in Sabine’s folders.
“Shit, you’re going from simple to working your ass off.”
“Yeah…but it’s all about helping people.”
“Better. It’s helping our friends, our people, instead of some random guys.”
“Got a point. Oh, and I forgot. Veronica said she has a couple more candidates she brought from Salt Lake; a pair of teens who lost their parents recently to a fire and another guy and something about his little brother.”
Silas gave her a grin. “Don’t forget the other project with Violet and Petra.”
“Oh yeah! My undercover assassin sleeper cell project. You know the whole idea is ****ed up, right?”
“I know, but I couldn’t convince Violet not to do it, so I had to work every angle as hard as I could to give them a chance. If we didn’t help her, she would have found a way to do it anyway.”
“She gets that from you.”
“The stubbornness or the rebellious streak?”
“Both.”
“I know Violet has it in her to do the things she will have to do. I don’t like it, and I don’t like what it might do to her, but I know it would hurt her worse to not do it if she felt it was necessary.”
“Damn it, Silas! You told me it was all going to be ok, and you were going to make sure they didn’t have to really do it!”
“And I meant it! I don’t know about any of the others already up there but me, Ivar, Kingfisher, Nolan and Jenson can get all the reconnaissance we should need.”
“You better.”
“It’s all about making sure. It’s about not becoming the sort of monster we are trying to stop. That’s what’s driving Violet. She wants to make sure only the people that need stopped are the ones hurt.”
Amber hung her head. She knew all of this. It didn’t matter. It was her baby. She hated the idea but didn’t know a good way around it. Silas was right. Violet was going to do it one way or another, whether they helped her or not. She had to do everything she could, give them every advantage she could think of.
And what about Petra? Petra was a fool to go along with it. Violet had convinced her of the necessity and won her over on the idea. She wasn’t sure about some of Petra’s issues other than the part where she has fought against being treated and mistaken for a little kid all her life and now Violet has her playing the very thing she was trying to get away from.
“Violet and Petra will be fine. They will get through it if they have to go in.”
Silas looked at her, stared into her eyes as they teared up.
“Is that your professional opinion?”
“No, my gut.”
“That, I will trust. Let’s finish getting ready. It’s going to be time to roll out soon enough.”
“OK. Oh, just remember, that war party you named?”
“Yeah?”
“We have to remember Petra doesn’t want Jenson see her play the ‘little girl’ role.”
“I’ll remember, but can you give me some more insight why?”
“She doesn’t want him to think of her as a little kid. That’s part of the reason she is concerned he hasn’t picked up on the signals she has been sending.”
“Guys are blockheads and don’t do hints and signals well.”
“I know that, and I told her.”
“Next time you have her where you can talk, tell her he’s worried she want’s him just because he saved her at the RV lot and doesn’t want to take advantage of her.”
“I thought it was something like that and I’ll try again.” Amber looked over towards Petra’s truck. She saw her in the driver’s seat, pink hat on her head. She remembered telling them about using role signifiers while they practiced to keep things clear cut and separated from their real selves. It looked like they were practicing again.
Amber looked over at Silas and saw he was looking that way too. He saw her looking at him now.
“I know. They will be fine.”
“I’ve been so focused on the now, I haven’t had any time to think about what it will be like once we get there.” Amber said to Silas as she sat in the open passenger door of their truck.
“I know, but Violet and Veronica swear we will like the house they have picked out for us.”
“I don’t know. Violet’s thinking on this is a little suspect. She thought our house in Florida was great.”
“It wasn’t that bad.”
“Easy for you to say, mister. You weren’t the one always there, waking up at two in the morning to the cat howling because the geckos were teasing her from the ceiling.”
“They kept the bugs in check.”
“Not so much.”
“Both Violet and Veronica say they are great, and if it isn’t, we have our little home on wheels here to keep us safe and comfy while we make the new place better.”
“Yay! Another home renovation project!” Amber’s voice held all the sarcasm of 20 plus years of marriage can dish out.
“It will be ok.”
“Well, while we are renovating, I’m going to need a separate room, with some good chairs and a coffee machine. Wait scratch that. Probably a small, well stocked bar instead, considering my potential patients.”
“That many?” Silas’ voice sounded worried now.
“Let’s see. Sabine for all her stuff, Paige, for the attack and losing Henrik, Sofia trying to recover from getting shot and almost dying, Petra’s being assaulted, almost dying, and losing her mom to the hurricanes, the Jensons for losing their mom slash wife. Then, then there’s all the new ones Kingfisher showed up with. Kingfisher and Brice getting back together is wonderful, but there will be friction at times, Brice said Dylan is still trying to put shooting someone into proper perspective, Alonzo lost his wife and daughter to the quake and wave, Hanna and Rahel lost people too, including Rahel’s baby sister. And Kingfisher told me Ewa has a whole host of shit she will need to unpack or lock away.”
“Oh? What kind of stuff?”
“Sabine level shit, but much more recent.”
“Damn! You haven’t told me any details there, but from the little I know…Damn! Maybe Sabine can help her?”
“She might be able, but first we have to get north, then I have to get Ewa to want to talk to me. Then I can see where we are at.” Amber thought of the pictures Kingfisher gave her and how they reminded her of some of the stuff in Sabine’s folders.
“Shit, you’re going from simple to working your ass off.”
“Yeah…but it’s all about helping people.”
“Better. It’s helping our friends, our people, instead of some random guys.”
“Got a point. Oh, and I forgot. Veronica said she has a couple more candidates she brought from Salt Lake; a pair of teens who lost their parents recently to a fire and another guy and something about his little brother.”
Silas gave her a grin. “Don’t forget the other project with Violet and Petra.”
“Oh yeah! My undercover assassin sleeper cell project. You know the whole idea is ****ed up, right?”
“I know, but I couldn’t convince Violet not to do it, so I had to work every angle as hard as I could to give them a chance. If we didn’t help her, she would have found a way to do it anyway.”
“She gets that from you.”
“The stubbornness or the rebellious streak?”
“Both.”
“I know Violet has it in her to do the things she will have to do. I don’t like it, and I don’t like what it might do to her, but I know it would hurt her worse to not do it if she felt it was necessary.”
“Damn it, Silas! You told me it was all going to be ok, and you were going to make sure they didn’t have to really do it!”
“And I meant it! I don’t know about any of the others already up there but me, Ivar, Kingfisher, Nolan and Jenson can get all the reconnaissance we should need.”
“You better.”
“It’s all about making sure. It’s about not becoming the sort of monster we are trying to stop. That’s what’s driving Violet. She wants to make sure only the people that need stopped are the ones hurt.”
Amber hung her head. She knew all of this. It didn’t matter. It was her baby. She hated the idea but didn’t know a good way around it. Silas was right. Violet was going to do it one way or another, whether they helped her or not. She had to do everything she could, give them every advantage she could think of.
And what about Petra? Petra was a fool to go along with it. Violet had convinced her of the necessity and won her over on the idea. She wasn’t sure about some of Petra’s issues other than the part where she has fought against being treated and mistaken for a little kid all her life and now Violet has her playing the very thing she was trying to get away from.
“Violet and Petra will be fine. They will get through it if they have to go in.”
Silas looked at her, stared into her eyes as they teared up.
“Is that your professional opinion?”
“No, my gut.”
“That, I will trust. Let’s finish getting ready. It’s going to be time to roll out soon enough.”
“OK. Oh, just remember, that war party you named?”
“Yeah?”
“We have to remember Petra doesn’t want Jenson see her play the ‘little girl’ role.”
“I’ll remember, but can you give me some more insight why?”
“She doesn’t want him to think of her as a little kid. That’s part of the reason she is concerned he hasn’t picked up on the signals she has been sending.”
“Guys are blockheads and don’t do hints and signals well.”
“I know that, and I told her.”
“Next time you have her where you can talk, tell her he’s worried she want’s him just because he saved her at the RV lot and doesn’t want to take advantage of her.”
“I thought it was something like that and I’ll try again.” Amber looked over towards Petra’s truck. She saw her in the driver’s seat, pink hat on her head. She remembered telling them about using role signifiers while they practiced to keep things clear cut and separated from their real selves. It looked like they were practicing again.
Amber looked over at Silas and saw he was looking that way too. He saw her looking at him now.
“I know. They will be fine.”
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Thanks, CCG!
feralferret
Veteran Member
CCG, thank you!
Armadillo3
Member
Thanks as always CCG!
Nature_Lover
Wait! What?
Thank you for the brief recap on the health status of our friends. It helped me put the characters' relationships back into perspective. This cleared up some questions! Another great chapter.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
At Garen’s Truck
“We haven’t had much time to talk, but I’ve heard great things about you. From what Kingfisher says, you are the one-hundred-percent best choice for what we will be doing.” Garen said as Rahel walked up with some of her equipment.
“I don’t know about that. I’m not even sure what I’m supposed to be doing.”
“If everything goes right, your main job will be keeping a close eye on our location on the map, and trying to keep me awake.” He said with a grin.
“Keep you awake? I don’t understand.”
“I get bored easily and after a few hours my mind might wander too far to keep my body awake.”
Rahel looked hard at his face, not sure if this was a joke or not. With Americans, it can be hard to tell sometimes.
“And how am I supposed to do that?”
“Not sure, but I’m sure we will think of something to talk about.” He looked at her with a sideways glance.
She must have made a face or something because the next thing she knew, he was laughing.
“Don’t worry, I wasn’t thinking anything improper. No avkledinings expected here, although I’m sure it would be quite a sight to behold. I’m a gentleman and I have more than enough to deal with, with the two women in my life. I just…my ADHD normally needs a lot of input and I haven’t got the stereo to work in the truck yet.”
Rahel was sure she had to turn red, first at the mention of a ‘striptease’ and second from his complement. It caught her off guard enough it took an extra second or two for her to realize he used the Norwegian word for striptease. The ride north sure might get interesting.
“We haven’t had much time to talk, but I’ve heard great things about you. From what Kingfisher says, you are the one-hundred-percent best choice for what we will be doing.” Garen said as Rahel walked up with some of her equipment.
“I don’t know about that. I’m not even sure what I’m supposed to be doing.”
“If everything goes right, your main job will be keeping a close eye on our location on the map, and trying to keep me awake.” He said with a grin.
“Keep you awake? I don’t understand.”
“I get bored easily and after a few hours my mind might wander too far to keep my body awake.”
Rahel looked hard at his face, not sure if this was a joke or not. With Americans, it can be hard to tell sometimes.
“And how am I supposed to do that?”
“Not sure, but I’m sure we will think of something to talk about.” He looked at her with a sideways glance.
She must have made a face or something because the next thing she knew, he was laughing.
“Don’t worry, I wasn’t thinking anything improper. No avkledinings expected here, although I’m sure it would be quite a sight to behold. I’m a gentleman and I have more than enough to deal with, with the two women in my life. I just…my ADHD normally needs a lot of input and I haven’t got the stereo to work in the truck yet.”
Rahel was sure she had to turn red, first at the mention of a ‘striptease’ and second from his complement. It caught her off guard enough it took an extra second or two for her to realize he used the Norwegian word for striptease. The ride north sure might get interesting.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Chance’s Truck
“We got to hit the ground running. Garen has it all mapped for us to use two locations for clinics. We just have to decide what equipment we set up where.”
Chance said as he was putting another duffle bag in the back seat of his truck.
“From what he and Kara were saying, we can almost do a flat split of the stuff from down the hill. That will give us a full clinic’s worth at each location.” Savanna said from where she was checking the fluids in the truck.
“And then we take the older set and take it to the third spot so we have spares squirreled away.”
“Yeah, but from what Kara says, we will need a decent set up at where Paige, Sabine, and Andrea are, just in case we need to do surgery with the babies coming.”
“I guess Paige might not appreciate using rope, block and tackle to yank the little spud out like a heifer.”
Savanna just shook her head at the image.
“Did Garen say where he was thinking of putting the teaching stuff?”
“Not yet. I think he’s waiting until all of us get up there first, then work the next steps.”
“Did you ever think you would be starting over, and building a teaching school on top of it?”
Chance looked over at Savanna. There was a flood of new emotions. So many things he never thought he would be doing.
“Sometimes the new starts just show up. I don’t regret any of them.”
“We got to hit the ground running. Garen has it all mapped for us to use two locations for clinics. We just have to decide what equipment we set up where.”
Chance said as he was putting another duffle bag in the back seat of his truck.
“From what he and Kara were saying, we can almost do a flat split of the stuff from down the hill. That will give us a full clinic’s worth at each location.” Savanna said from where she was checking the fluids in the truck.
“And then we take the older set and take it to the third spot so we have spares squirreled away.”
“Yeah, but from what Kara says, we will need a decent set up at where Paige, Sabine, and Andrea are, just in case we need to do surgery with the babies coming.”
“I guess Paige might not appreciate using rope, block and tackle to yank the little spud out like a heifer.”
Savanna just shook her head at the image.
“Did Garen say where he was thinking of putting the teaching stuff?”
“Not yet. I think he’s waiting until all of us get up there first, then work the next steps.”
“Did you ever think you would be starting over, and building a teaching school on top of it?”
Chance looked over at Savanna. There was a flood of new emotions. So many things he never thought he would be doing.
“Sometimes the new starts just show up. I don’t regret any of them.”
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Thanks, CCG!
wilecoyote
Contributing Member
So much in that one sentence, life in a nutshell!
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
That Evening
“Leaving places is always hard, but remember, in spite of all the memories, it’s the people you usually miss the most. I know a lot of you are already on the road, leaving old places, old friends, old ways of life behind. Remember, many of you are moving forward to rejoin old friends, and all of you to start new lives. This is the opportunity to leave old baggage and cares behind you. In a lot of ways, this is like a repeat of the wagon trains of the old west, only the place to end up is already there. Where you are going, you will have old friends and new there to help you and guide you. We will all work to make things better and safer for all of us. I’m not going to lie and say it will be easy. There is still a lot of hard work ahead, but it’s hard work to make things better for yourselves, your friends and your loved ones. We have an early day tomorrow, so don’t stay up too late.”
Garen sat down at the table next to Kara his speech done. Kara reached over and squeezed his hand under the table. He turned and looked at her.
“Was that about what you were thinking?”
“Yeah, that works.”
Earlier Kara had cornered him and told him the group felt fractured after everyone got their new seating assignments and told him in no uncertain terms he needed to say something to help gel them back together.
“I get that, but what do I say? What do I do to pull it off?”
“You’re the leader, do some leader shit.”
“Just because you guys elected us, doesn’t mean we know how to do any of it.”
“Bullshit. Just say shit to get them looking forward instead of back, pulling together instead of fracturing.”
“Oh? Just like that? Hell! I don’t know what to say to do that. Since you have all those ideas, maybe you should do it.”
“I could say the words, but you, you are the leader. It has more weight, more impact coming from you.”
“Yeah, right! If I do a good job, then it’s a rah rah speech from the leader that you expect, and if I **** it up, then I shatter any of the cohesion they might have. It’s a lose-lose from a leadership position.”
“You can do this. Just give them a pre-mission NCO ‘good luck, we are all counting on you’ speech and they will eat it up and calm down.”
“I was never good at them, and you know it.”
“Well, Bekka’s not here to do it so it’s up to you.”
Garen cringed at the idea of Bekka trying to give that sort of speech. She was probably as bad at them as he was.
“I still think you would give a better speech than me.”
“Probably, but I don’t have the title to do it, and before you even think it, NO. We voted you two in for a purpose.”
“I guess I better figure out something.”
And he had. Kara and Garen spent part of the meal looking around at everyone. They seemed to calm down some. Garen wasn’t sure what he said to do it, but he was just happy it worked. He squeezed Kara’s hand again under the table. She turned and smiled at him.
“Told ya you could do it.”
“Leaving places is always hard, but remember, in spite of all the memories, it’s the people you usually miss the most. I know a lot of you are already on the road, leaving old places, old friends, old ways of life behind. Remember, many of you are moving forward to rejoin old friends, and all of you to start new lives. This is the opportunity to leave old baggage and cares behind you. In a lot of ways, this is like a repeat of the wagon trains of the old west, only the place to end up is already there. Where you are going, you will have old friends and new there to help you and guide you. We will all work to make things better and safer for all of us. I’m not going to lie and say it will be easy. There is still a lot of hard work ahead, but it’s hard work to make things better for yourselves, your friends and your loved ones. We have an early day tomorrow, so don’t stay up too late.”
Garen sat down at the table next to Kara his speech done. Kara reached over and squeezed his hand under the table. He turned and looked at her.
“Was that about what you were thinking?”
“Yeah, that works.”
Earlier Kara had cornered him and told him the group felt fractured after everyone got their new seating assignments and told him in no uncertain terms he needed to say something to help gel them back together.
“I get that, but what do I say? What do I do to pull it off?”
“You’re the leader, do some leader shit.”
“Just because you guys elected us, doesn’t mean we know how to do any of it.”
“Bullshit. Just say shit to get them looking forward instead of back, pulling together instead of fracturing.”
“Oh? Just like that? Hell! I don’t know what to say to do that. Since you have all those ideas, maybe you should do it.”
“I could say the words, but you, you are the leader. It has more weight, more impact coming from you.”
“Yeah, right! If I do a good job, then it’s a rah rah speech from the leader that you expect, and if I **** it up, then I shatter any of the cohesion they might have. It’s a lose-lose from a leadership position.”
“You can do this. Just give them a pre-mission NCO ‘good luck, we are all counting on you’ speech and they will eat it up and calm down.”
“I was never good at them, and you know it.”
“Well, Bekka’s not here to do it so it’s up to you.”
Garen cringed at the idea of Bekka trying to give that sort of speech. She was probably as bad at them as he was.
“I still think you would give a better speech than me.”
“Probably, but I don’t have the title to do it, and before you even think it, NO. We voted you two in for a purpose.”
“I guess I better figure out something.”
And he had. Kara and Garen spent part of the meal looking around at everyone. They seemed to calm down some. Garen wasn’t sure what he said to do it, but he was just happy it worked. He squeezed Kara’s hand again under the table. She turned and smiled at him.
“Told ya you could do it.”
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Thanks, CCG!
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
The Next Morning
Everyone was gathered up by the vehicles.
“Don’t forget the immediate action plans. If we get scattered, try to stay with Me, Kara, Violet or Veronica. The four of us are the designated pathfinders if the group gets broken. Once we get underway, we will roll in offset staggered, about two lengths separation off the tail of the one beside you. We will adjust our speed to the slowest roller, but it looks like we will try to stay around sixty miles an hour so we don’t overstress anyone’s engine. This isn’t a race unless we need it to be. Anyone sees a problem, sing out and get more eyes on it. Questions?”
Garen looked over the group. Eagerness, fear, anticipation; he saw it all. What he didn’t see was questions.
“Good. Since there aren’t any, everybody head to your vehicles. We start up in ten minutes. Kingfisher, Kara, hang on a moment.”
Everyone headed to their vehicles, leaving Rahel, Kingfisher and Kara standing in front of Garen.
“Alright, this is going to be like the old ‘Smokey and the Bandit’ movie. Rahel and I will be darting all over like a sheepdog trying to see and fix all the issues and find all the problems, while you two will be the real lead vehicle. You have Ivar and Nolan in the rear for some fighting capability along with you two up front. Everyone else has at least one non-trained fighter or someone on the injured list with them other than Violet and Petra in the middle. Something goes bad with a vehicle, they will be the ones to work it. Something medical? We have med people scattered throughout the string and the closest one to the problem treats it until we can get the right person there. I know I’ve said all of this in one way or another a few times, but I have to make sure.”
Kara was looking at him when he said all of this. He saw the look in her eyes, the only eyes that loved and understood him like Bekka did. She knew. She knew he was worried, worried for all of them following him on the road north.
“Don’t worry Garen,” she made a big show of looking up at the stars and around at the pre-dawn glow on the horizon.
“Don’t you…” Garen started to say.
“The weather’s great! It’s clear and a million!”
“Kara...”
“Everything’s nice and quiet so far…” She said with a grin.
“Kara…”
“Besides, what could go wrong?” Her grin was even bigger now.
“Kara! I aught to tan your ass for shit like that!” Garen said with obviously mock severity.
“No spankings til we get home, Garen. Bekka’s rules.” She stuck her tongue out at him like a naughty five-year-old.
Garen just shook his head.
“Let’s get moving. It’s time to go.”
Everyone was gathered up by the vehicles.
“Don’t forget the immediate action plans. If we get scattered, try to stay with Me, Kara, Violet or Veronica. The four of us are the designated pathfinders if the group gets broken. Once we get underway, we will roll in offset staggered, about two lengths separation off the tail of the one beside you. We will adjust our speed to the slowest roller, but it looks like we will try to stay around sixty miles an hour so we don’t overstress anyone’s engine. This isn’t a race unless we need it to be. Anyone sees a problem, sing out and get more eyes on it. Questions?”
Garen looked over the group. Eagerness, fear, anticipation; he saw it all. What he didn’t see was questions.
“Good. Since there aren’t any, everybody head to your vehicles. We start up in ten minutes. Kingfisher, Kara, hang on a moment.”
Everyone headed to their vehicles, leaving Rahel, Kingfisher and Kara standing in front of Garen.
“Alright, this is going to be like the old ‘Smokey and the Bandit’ movie. Rahel and I will be darting all over like a sheepdog trying to see and fix all the issues and find all the problems, while you two will be the real lead vehicle. You have Ivar and Nolan in the rear for some fighting capability along with you two up front. Everyone else has at least one non-trained fighter or someone on the injured list with them other than Violet and Petra in the middle. Something goes bad with a vehicle, they will be the ones to work it. Something medical? We have med people scattered throughout the string and the closest one to the problem treats it until we can get the right person there. I know I’ve said all of this in one way or another a few times, but I have to make sure.”
Kara was looking at him when he said all of this. He saw the look in her eyes, the only eyes that loved and understood him like Bekka did. She knew. She knew he was worried, worried for all of them following him on the road north.
“Don’t worry Garen,” she made a big show of looking up at the stars and around at the pre-dawn glow on the horizon.
“Don’t you…” Garen started to say.
“The weather’s great! It’s clear and a million!”
“Kara...”
“Everything’s nice and quiet so far…” She said with a grin.
“Kara…”
“Besides, what could go wrong?” Her grin was even bigger now.
“Kara! I aught to tan your ass for shit like that!” Garen said with obviously mock severity.
“No spankings til we get home, Garen. Bekka’s rules.” She stuck her tongue out at him like a naughty five-year-old.
Garen just shook his head.
“Let’s get moving. It’s time to go.”
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Thanks, CCG!
larry_minn
Contributing Member
Am I the only one that thinks 60 mph is a bit fast? It does not sound like road vehicles lightly loaded. I would expect 50 mph to be a dang good clip. But they have better put together rigs then I could expect after SHTF.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Kingfisher’s Truck
Kingfisher and Kara were settling into place. Kingfisher wasn’t sure yet about his new co-pilot. She seemed pretty dialed in and there was no question about her confidence. From the little he had talked to Violet and Veronica about things up north, it sounds like Kara is one of the leaders, if unelected.
From what else he has seen, Violet and Veronica’s observations track with her carriage and attitude. She seemed to be full of piss, vinegar, and attitude. What he didn’t know was whether she could turn it off at the flip of a switch and get to work. He would just have to see what happens if and when things go sideways.
He liked Garen and Kara’s operational thinking too, like the comm plan. It was almost a nod to his own heritage, using alternate languages since they didn’t have encryption. He, Brice, Kestrel and Ewa can talk some, but Kara, Hanna and Rahel can do so much more, and unless they have a Norwegian linguist, it should be pretty secure.
He looked over as Kara started hurriedly flipping switches on the radio. Soon he heard Garen’s voice over the speaker.
“ATC, TMO Heavy Flight… ATC, TMO Heavy Flight…”
“TMO Heavy Flight, this is ATC.”
“ATC, TMO Heavy Flight on takeoff roll with twelve ship total, how copy?”
“TMO Heavy Flight, ATC copies. Any changes to pre-filed flight plan?”
“No Changes at this time. Anything comes up, we will keep you in the loop, ATC.”
“Sounds good, TMO Heavy. Anything pops up, Sandy is on the alert pad.”
“Good to know. We will work hard to keep them bored and on the ramp.”
“Understand, but they are ready and don’t, DON’T hesitate to call for them if you even think you might need them.”
“Gotcha. We will update as we hit our turn points, ATC.”
“You better.”
“Inkspot Lead, out.”
Kingfisher and Kara were settling into place. Kingfisher wasn’t sure yet about his new co-pilot. She seemed pretty dialed in and there was no question about her confidence. From the little he had talked to Violet and Veronica about things up north, it sounds like Kara is one of the leaders, if unelected.
From what else he has seen, Violet and Veronica’s observations track with her carriage and attitude. She seemed to be full of piss, vinegar, and attitude. What he didn’t know was whether she could turn it off at the flip of a switch and get to work. He would just have to see what happens if and when things go sideways.
He liked Garen and Kara’s operational thinking too, like the comm plan. It was almost a nod to his own heritage, using alternate languages since they didn’t have encryption. He, Brice, Kestrel and Ewa can talk some, but Kara, Hanna and Rahel can do so much more, and unless they have a Norwegian linguist, it should be pretty secure.
He looked over as Kara started hurriedly flipping switches on the radio. Soon he heard Garen’s voice over the speaker.
“ATC, TMO Heavy Flight… ATC, TMO Heavy Flight…”
“TMO Heavy Flight, this is ATC.”
“ATC, TMO Heavy Flight on takeoff roll with twelve ship total, how copy?”
“TMO Heavy Flight, ATC copies. Any changes to pre-filed flight plan?”
“No Changes at this time. Anything comes up, we will keep you in the loop, ATC.”
“Sounds good, TMO Heavy. Anything pops up, Sandy is on the alert pad.”
“Good to know. We will work hard to keep them bored and on the ramp.”
“Understand, but they are ready and don’t, DON’T hesitate to call for them if you even think you might need them.”
“Gotcha. We will update as we hit our turn points, ATC.”
“You better.”
“Inkspot Lead, out.”
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Thanks, CCG!
feralferret
Veteran Member
CCG, thank you!
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Petra’s Truck
Petra looked at the pink ballcap on the dash. It was awfully early in the morning for such thoughts as she had brewing in her head.
“What’s with the serious face?” Violet asked her.
“Just thinking about the last session with Amber.”
“Her and Kara were right. It was the missing piece. We needed a friction piece.”
“Yeah, but…”
“You said it was a great idea when Kara said it.”
“Yeah…” Petra remembered more than that.
Earlier
“So, it needs to be something durable, needs no props, and would survive the apocalypse.” Kara said to them once the shortfall was identified.
“Teen pregnancy?” Violet asked.
“Nah, its either still preg, and you’re not, or was preg and just a guilt trip.” Amber answered.
They brainstormed for a few minutes until Kara came up with the answer.
“It’s simple, its durable, and it’s usable. The next question is can you two sell it?”
“Angry unsupportive parent? I’ve seen enough tv crapfests and Springer episodes.” Violet replied.
“And you?” Amber asked Petra.
“I think so.”
“That means we need to build the whole back story. How your mom found out, how you figured it out, what the reveal did to you guys, why you guys are still bitter and fight about it.”
“OK, so where do we start?” Petra asked.
Kara smiled at her. “We start by doing a quick check.” She stepped over and took Petra’s head in her hands. Before Petra knew what was happening, Kara planted a deep and passionate kiss on Petra for what seemed like forever. When she let Petra go, she grinned again at Petra’s breathless expression before turning to Amber.
“Right. Now I know how we build the story….”
Petra’s Truck
Petra pulled the cap on. Violet began asking questions.
“You realized it when?”
“During gymnastics in gym class.”
“First crush?”
“Lucy”
“How did I find out?”
“You walked in while we were kissing.”
“Why am I so against it?”
“Religious upbringing”
“First girlfriend?”
“Lucy.”
“How far have you gone with a girl?”
“Kissing and a little heavy petting.” And it was true, just not with that fictional ‘Lucy’. Kara told her she was a good kisser but still had that ‘innocent unsure’ feel and that’s why they built the backstory that way.
She and Violet had the whole thing and a thousand other back elements on note cards and would quiz each other off and on, trying to trip each other up. It was a ****ed-up game with a serious purpose.
Petra looked at the pink ballcap on the dash. It was awfully early in the morning for such thoughts as she had brewing in her head.
“What’s with the serious face?” Violet asked her.
“Just thinking about the last session with Amber.”
“Her and Kara were right. It was the missing piece. We needed a friction piece.”
“Yeah, but…”
“You said it was a great idea when Kara said it.”
“Yeah…” Petra remembered more than that.
Earlier
“So, it needs to be something durable, needs no props, and would survive the apocalypse.” Kara said to them once the shortfall was identified.
“Teen pregnancy?” Violet asked.
“Nah, its either still preg, and you’re not, or was preg and just a guilt trip.” Amber answered.
They brainstormed for a few minutes until Kara came up with the answer.
“It’s simple, its durable, and it’s usable. The next question is can you two sell it?”
“Angry unsupportive parent? I’ve seen enough tv crapfests and Springer episodes.” Violet replied.
“And you?” Amber asked Petra.
“I think so.”
“That means we need to build the whole back story. How your mom found out, how you figured it out, what the reveal did to you guys, why you guys are still bitter and fight about it.”
“OK, so where do we start?” Petra asked.
Kara smiled at her. “We start by doing a quick check.” She stepped over and took Petra’s head in her hands. Before Petra knew what was happening, Kara planted a deep and passionate kiss on Petra for what seemed like forever. When she let Petra go, she grinned again at Petra’s breathless expression before turning to Amber.
“Right. Now I know how we build the story….”
Petra’s Truck
Petra pulled the cap on. Violet began asking questions.
“You realized it when?”
“During gymnastics in gym class.”
“First crush?”
“Lucy”
“How did I find out?”
“You walked in while we were kissing.”
“Why am I so against it?”
“Religious upbringing”
“First girlfriend?”
“Lucy.”
“How far have you gone with a girl?”
“Kissing and a little heavy petting.” And it was true, just not with that fictional ‘Lucy’. Kara told her she was a good kisser but still had that ‘innocent unsure’ feel and that’s why they built the backstory that way.
She and Violet had the whole thing and a thousand other back elements on note cards and would quiz each other off and on, trying to trip each other up. It was a ****ed-up game with a serious purpose.
Last edited:
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Thanks, CCG!
feralferret
Veteran Member
CCG, thank you!
