Armadillo3
Member
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Story Market Day
- Thread starter ComCamGuy
- Start date
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Thanks, CCG!
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
In Another Cabin
Brice was making the bed when she heard someone behind her.
“Sorry I didn’t get back in time to help more.”
“That’s OK. Dylan helped with the heavy lifting.” She turned to see Kingfisher taking off his platecarrier and hanging it on one of the two wooden cross-shaped stands just inside the bedroom door.
“With these set up for the Park Rangers, at least there’s enough built in bins and storage for gear.” He said as he turned back towards her.
“Yeah, and Doug said I can use one of the barns out back for my workshop.”
“This cabin feels good. Not as nice as ours was, but at least I got to see ours and live there with you for a time, once you finished it.”
“Our cabin was beautiful, but this one will be too. We will be around friends and get to watch little Shannon grow up. We won’t have to worry about the type of bullshit we went through as kids.”
“And we can be here for Kestrel and help Ewa.”
Brice looked over at Kingfisher.
“Do I want to know what all happened to her? What all they did?”
“Hell, the stuff I know is more than I want to. I’m going to talk to Amber about her and see if she could give a nudge here and there. That’s more her realm. I’ll just keep up the shooting lessons and do what I can.”
“Your shooting lessons went a long way already.” She turned back to the bed and spread out the huge blanket.
“I’ll bring in the rest of the boxes.”
“No rush. We have the essentials in already.” She gestured over to the wall where the trunks were opened up into their dresser configurations.
“They look good sitting together. They belong together, just like us.” Kingfisher said, looking at them.
“With all the work Sofia did restoring them for our wedding presents, it would have been a shame to not use them. Hell, I moved all over the world after we split. Three trunks, one of work gear, one with other stuff, a trunk with my tools, small kitchen box, and my folding dresser. I could pack for changing stations in thirty minutes, and sometimes did.”
“I’m sorry it was like that for you. I wish we could have worked out better sooner.”
“I wished that too, but it took time for us to get to the right place, and we’re there now.” He looked back at the dressers. “Where did you get the table between them? I don’t recognize it.”
“I made it about a year ago out of the leftover planks we made the front door of the cabin with. This way we will have a part of our cabin with us.”
“A part of our first cabin. This is our cabin now.” Kingfisher corrected her.
“Lets get finished so we can head over and get some dinner with everyone else. I want to meet the others.”
“The other crew already took off. Garen said they had other stuff to take care of and would be back in a few days.”
“So, what you are saying is the pace isn’t that slow around here, at least for a while.” She smiled at him.
“How the hell should I know. I just got here.” Kingfisher grinned
Brice was making the bed when she heard someone behind her.
“Sorry I didn’t get back in time to help more.”
“That’s OK. Dylan helped with the heavy lifting.” She turned to see Kingfisher taking off his platecarrier and hanging it on one of the two wooden cross-shaped stands just inside the bedroom door.
“With these set up for the Park Rangers, at least there’s enough built in bins and storage for gear.” He said as he turned back towards her.
“Yeah, and Doug said I can use one of the barns out back for my workshop.”
“This cabin feels good. Not as nice as ours was, but at least I got to see ours and live there with you for a time, once you finished it.”
“Our cabin was beautiful, but this one will be too. We will be around friends and get to watch little Shannon grow up. We won’t have to worry about the type of bullshit we went through as kids.”
“And we can be here for Kestrel and help Ewa.”
Brice looked over at Kingfisher.
“Do I want to know what all happened to her? What all they did?”
“Hell, the stuff I know is more than I want to. I’m going to talk to Amber about her and see if she could give a nudge here and there. That’s more her realm. I’ll just keep up the shooting lessons and do what I can.”
“Your shooting lessons went a long way already.” She turned back to the bed and spread out the huge blanket.
“I’ll bring in the rest of the boxes.”
“No rush. We have the essentials in already.” She gestured over to the wall where the trunks were opened up into their dresser configurations.
“They look good sitting together. They belong together, just like us.” Kingfisher said, looking at them.
“With all the work Sofia did restoring them for our wedding presents, it would have been a shame to not use them. Hell, I moved all over the world after we split. Three trunks, one of work gear, one with other stuff, a trunk with my tools, small kitchen box, and my folding dresser. I could pack for changing stations in thirty minutes, and sometimes did.”
“I’m sorry it was like that for you. I wish we could have worked out better sooner.”
“I wished that too, but it took time for us to get to the right place, and we’re there now.” He looked back at the dressers. “Where did you get the table between them? I don’t recognize it.”
“I made it about a year ago out of the leftover planks we made the front door of the cabin with. This way we will have a part of our cabin with us.”
“A part of our first cabin. This is our cabin now.” Kingfisher corrected her.
“Lets get finished so we can head over and get some dinner with everyone else. I want to meet the others.”
“The other crew already took off. Garen said they had other stuff to take care of and would be back in a few days.”
“So, what you are saying is the pace isn’t that slow around here, at least for a while.” She smiled at him.
“How the hell should I know. I just got here.” Kingfisher grinned
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Evening Meal
Now that everyone was here, they all gathered for an evening meal. This was a joyous affair, with everyone who would be living here present, plus a few who were here temporarily. The only wrinkle to the whole thing was Garen, Bekka and the others in the black trucks didn’t stay at all after dropping off Heidi, Nolan, Rahel and Silas. They didn’t even shut down the trucks. Kara just thew her bag into Garen’s truck and they left.
Doug made the rounds, introducing Heidi to everyone as he checked in with people, trying to solve problems and answer questions. As he did so, he pointed out some facts, like unless things changed, Veronica was the defacto mayor of this southern compound, and would be working on the various needs and plans elements, beginning with getting everyone oriented to the general layout of the place, find out what people needed in the near term and long term.
Meanwhile, he would be working with the other couple locations in the park to iron out their issues. Once Veronica had a good picture of things, he would get with her to recruit people for more reconnaissance and retrieval missions in the local area to build up supplies and resources.
Heidi watched him move around doing all of this. Her first thought was ‘better him than me’ but she knew that was unfair. He was used to putting a friendly face on for the public. She was used to glaring over gunshields at potentially hostile people trying to kill her. Those were completely different skillsets all together.
As her gaze swept the room, one of the things she couldn’t help notice was Emilia was spending a lot of time with Derek and Gretchen. This wasn’t a bad thing. Those two were well behaved, old beyond their years and generally upbeat people to be around, a lot like Emilia. She caught Emilia blushing at something one of the two said. She wondered what it was. She might have to pay more attention. With Brody not the only fish in the sea, Emilia might be casting her net farther afield. She was a little puzzled though. She couldn’t tell which one was causing her to grin and blush.
Heidi shook her head. She has been hanging out with Kara too much, reading sexual attraction both ways. She needed to just stop it and let whatever progress whichever way it was going to. She trusted Emilia. She was a smart, mature girl, especially for her age. She snorted. Who the hell was she to think or say anything about sex right now. She still had a bit of afterglow from the shower right now and knew she would sleep well tonight. Tomorrow she will be back in her own cabin with Doug, back in her own bed. She didn’t know if Emilia was staying down here to help some more or if she was coming back to the cabin tomorrow. Probably aught to ask her tonight so they don’t drive off and leave her if she was intending to ride with them.
Now that everyone was here, they all gathered for an evening meal. This was a joyous affair, with everyone who would be living here present, plus a few who were here temporarily. The only wrinkle to the whole thing was Garen, Bekka and the others in the black trucks didn’t stay at all after dropping off Heidi, Nolan, Rahel and Silas. They didn’t even shut down the trucks. Kara just thew her bag into Garen’s truck and they left.
Doug made the rounds, introducing Heidi to everyone as he checked in with people, trying to solve problems and answer questions. As he did so, he pointed out some facts, like unless things changed, Veronica was the defacto mayor of this southern compound, and would be working on the various needs and plans elements, beginning with getting everyone oriented to the general layout of the place, find out what people needed in the near term and long term.
Meanwhile, he would be working with the other couple locations in the park to iron out their issues. Once Veronica had a good picture of things, he would get with her to recruit people for more reconnaissance and retrieval missions in the local area to build up supplies and resources.
Heidi watched him move around doing all of this. Her first thought was ‘better him than me’ but she knew that was unfair. He was used to putting a friendly face on for the public. She was used to glaring over gunshields at potentially hostile people trying to kill her. Those were completely different skillsets all together.
As her gaze swept the room, one of the things she couldn’t help notice was Emilia was spending a lot of time with Derek and Gretchen. This wasn’t a bad thing. Those two were well behaved, old beyond their years and generally upbeat people to be around, a lot like Emilia. She caught Emilia blushing at something one of the two said. She wondered what it was. She might have to pay more attention. With Brody not the only fish in the sea, Emilia might be casting her net farther afield. She was a little puzzled though. She couldn’t tell which one was causing her to grin and blush.
Heidi shook her head. She has been hanging out with Kara too much, reading sexual attraction both ways. She needed to just stop it and let whatever progress whichever way it was going to. She trusted Emilia. She was a smart, mature girl, especially for her age. She snorted. Who the hell was she to think or say anything about sex right now. She still had a bit of afterglow from the shower right now and knew she would sleep well tonight. Tomorrow she will be back in her own cabin with Doug, back in her own bed. She didn’t know if Emilia was staying down here to help some more or if she was coming back to the cabin tomorrow. Probably aught to ask her tonight so they don’t drive off and leave her if she was intending to ride with them.
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223shootersc
Veteran Member
Thanks, CCG!
Sportsman
Veteran Member
Whew, all caught up now! Seems to be settling down nicely. Just imagine the complexities of logistics for a group like this and the resources required, not to mention the personnel issues to iron out. Glad it's CCG and not me trying to pick my way through this mine field.
And then, there's the next surprise he has in store for us.
Thank you! This is one of the longest stories I've ever read that kept me interested the entire time.
And then, there's the next surprise he has in store for us.
Thank you! This is one of the longest stories I've ever read that kept me interested the entire time.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
The Next Morning
Jonas heard movement in the room. He looked over and saw a sight he knew he would be more than happy to get used to as he saw Petra’s nude form headed off to the bathroom. Last night was…well, one emotion wouldn’t be enough to describe it.
He was glad he got her to wait until they got here do anything like that. He worked hard at controlling the initial pace of what they were doing. He didn’t want a repeat of high school, although Sabine might be more forgiving than the nurse at the ER was all those years ago when he carried Sheila in with what they both knew to be excess bleeding and, as it turned out, a minor tear requiring stitches, abstinence and a long, long pointed talk with her and his parents.
It took all his control to not get too caught up in the moment and let things get ‘hasty’. Besides, this was something he wanted to savor, not rush. They took their time and, unless she is a wonderful actress, both of them enjoyed it thoroughly.
He was thinking this as he lay there. He must have moved, because she turned her head and looked back.
“Hope I didn’t wake you.” She said in a quiet voice.
“If you did, I don’t mind. Waking up early is worth it for this view.”
She grinned and blushed in the pale light.
“Start some coffee, I get the shower first.”
Jonas heard movement in the room. He looked over and saw a sight he knew he would be more than happy to get used to as he saw Petra’s nude form headed off to the bathroom. Last night was…well, one emotion wouldn’t be enough to describe it.
He was glad he got her to wait until they got here do anything like that. He worked hard at controlling the initial pace of what they were doing. He didn’t want a repeat of high school, although Sabine might be more forgiving than the nurse at the ER was all those years ago when he carried Sheila in with what they both knew to be excess bleeding and, as it turned out, a minor tear requiring stitches, abstinence and a long, long pointed talk with her and his parents.
It took all his control to not get too caught up in the moment and let things get ‘hasty’. Besides, this was something he wanted to savor, not rush. They took their time and, unless she is a wonderful actress, both of them enjoyed it thoroughly.
He was thinking this as he lay there. He must have moved, because she turned her head and looked back.
“Hope I didn’t wake you.” She said in a quiet voice.
“If you did, I don’t mind. Waking up early is worth it for this view.”
She grinned and blushed in the pale light.
“Start some coffee, I get the shower first.”
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Later
The two of them were sitting around the breakfast table plotting what to do today while Jennifer was rearranging her room again, trying to see how she liked it, or at least that was Jonas’s plan. What Petra had to say derailed it.
“You know that thing Garen, Ivar and Silas were talking about, the bad guys that needed investigating?”
“Yeah, they hadn’t got me in on the planning for that yet. What about it?”
“Well, one of the biggest problems, they think, is figuring out who the real bad guys are and who is just stuck there and can’t do anything about it.”
“And?”
“And Violet came up with a plan.” Petra was starting to squirm in her seat now.
“And you’re telling me this why?” Jonas was getting a sinking feeling in his gut. Something wasn’t right.
“Violet came up with a plan to get the info from inside the camp.”
“And we are discussing this right now why?”
“Because I’m a big part of it.”
Jonas sat back. Then he sat forward, picked up his coffee cup and sat back again.
“OK, tell me all of it.”
Jonas sat and listened as she explained. He watched her face. It was like she was expecting him to explode, yell, scream, or something. He didn’t. He had been taught by too many people, people here with them, how to disconnect and analyze things before you fly off the handle. She kept explaining, and explaining. Finally she came to a good pause point.
“And you say you have been talking to Amber and Silas about this for a couple weeks?”
“Ever since Violet showed up.”
“And what do they say?”
“They don’t like it, but they say it will work.”
He sat there and thought. He knew he had to say something. The silence was making Petra squirm again.
“I don’t like it either. Do you think you can pull it off?”
Petra let out a big sigh and stood up.
“Look at me. Hell, you’ve seen all of me. Most the time I look twelve anyway!”
Jonas shook his head side to side. “Maybe when YOU look in the mirror, but no you don’t. Do I think you can convince idiots? Probably. Back to my question. Do you think you can pull it off?”
“Amber, Silas and Violet think I can.”
“How soon?”
“They were talking about doing a lot of scouting long before they make a decision whether to send us in or not.”
“I guess I have a lot of work coming up then.” Jonas said.
“I don’t want you watching the camp if we go in.”
“Why? Watching things and reporting was what I did for a living.”
“I don’t want you to see me like that!”
“Like what?”
“Like a little girl! I worked too hard for too long to convince you I was a woman!”
At this he hung his head and shook it side to side as he spoke.
“Petra, Petra, Petra.” He lifted his head and looked hard into her eyes, fixing her with his gaze. “I knew you were a woman from the first time I laid eyes on you at the Christmas party. Anything else is just acting. Speaking of acting, does Jennifer know?”
“Not yet.”
“You should tell her.”
“I will but first I needed to tell you about it.”
“OK, well, you told me. Now how can I help?”
“Funny you should ask.”
The two of them were sitting around the breakfast table plotting what to do today while Jennifer was rearranging her room again, trying to see how she liked it, or at least that was Jonas’s plan. What Petra had to say derailed it.
“You know that thing Garen, Ivar and Silas were talking about, the bad guys that needed investigating?”
“Yeah, they hadn’t got me in on the planning for that yet. What about it?”
“Well, one of the biggest problems, they think, is figuring out who the real bad guys are and who is just stuck there and can’t do anything about it.”
“And?”
“And Violet came up with a plan.” Petra was starting to squirm in her seat now.
“And you’re telling me this why?” Jonas was getting a sinking feeling in his gut. Something wasn’t right.
“Violet came up with a plan to get the info from inside the camp.”
“And we are discussing this right now why?”
“Because I’m a big part of it.”
Jonas sat back. Then he sat forward, picked up his coffee cup and sat back again.
“OK, tell me all of it.”
Jonas sat and listened as she explained. He watched her face. It was like she was expecting him to explode, yell, scream, or something. He didn’t. He had been taught by too many people, people here with them, how to disconnect and analyze things before you fly off the handle. She kept explaining, and explaining. Finally she came to a good pause point.
“And you say you have been talking to Amber and Silas about this for a couple weeks?”
“Ever since Violet showed up.”
“And what do they say?”
“They don’t like it, but they say it will work.”
He sat there and thought. He knew he had to say something. The silence was making Petra squirm again.
“I don’t like it either. Do you think you can pull it off?”
Petra let out a big sigh and stood up.
“Look at me. Hell, you’ve seen all of me. Most the time I look twelve anyway!”
Jonas shook his head side to side. “Maybe when YOU look in the mirror, but no you don’t. Do I think you can convince idiots? Probably. Back to my question. Do you think you can pull it off?”
“Amber, Silas and Violet think I can.”
“How soon?”
“They were talking about doing a lot of scouting long before they make a decision whether to send us in or not.”
“I guess I have a lot of work coming up then.” Jonas said.
“I don’t want you watching the camp if we go in.”
“Why? Watching things and reporting was what I did for a living.”
“I don’t want you to see me like that!”
“Like what?”
“Like a little girl! I worked too hard for too long to convince you I was a woman!”
At this he hung his head and shook it side to side as he spoke.
“Petra, Petra, Petra.” He lifted his head and looked hard into her eyes, fixing her with his gaze. “I knew you were a woman from the first time I laid eyes on you at the Christmas party. Anything else is just acting. Speaking of acting, does Jennifer know?”
“Not yet.”
“You should tell her.”
“I will but first I needed to tell you about it.”
“OK, well, you told me. Now how can I help?”
“Funny you should ask.”
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Thanks, CCG!
feralferret
Veteran Member
CCG, thank you!
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Amber’s New Office
“You did all this for me?” Amber asked Sabine as they stood looking at the recliners, desk and small bistro table in what was once an office in the newer Admin building.
“I had to make sure there was someplace for us to have coffee and chat, even though you’ll have a bunch of customers on your plate now.” Sabine smiled at her. Amber decided it looked good on her. She liked to see her smile.
“Well, to be fair, I brought a lot of new work with me, but I always have time for you. We can chat over coffee and you can listen to me bitch about patient XYZ has their head up their ass, or QRS needs to get over themselves.”
“True. Sad to say, I might be one of the better adjusted ones now.”
“Speaking of, since I kinda know how you are doing, how is Paige holding up?”
Sabine’s face fell at this. She took a few breaths before she answered her.
“Paige is doing a lot better now, but it’s still rough. Kara’s been a big help, both to me and to Paige.”
“Paige said something, but I wasn’t following it too well, focused on other things.” Amber admitted, a sheepish grin on her own face.
Sabine smiled again, but it was a sad little smile now.
“Kara was engaged to my brother. She was there when he was killed. She was almost killed in the process.”
“Damn!” Amber blurted.
“Yeah, damn. It gets worse though. We, ok I, was told she was killed in the same attack. Christian was so enthusiastic about she and I meeting. He swore I would love her almost as much as he did, and according to his emails and when we talked on the phone, he told me she was looking forward to it as well. Well, after the attack, my parents told me she had died as well. I don’t know if that’s what they were told, or if they did it because they didn’t approve of his choices and, by extension, mine. Maybe they were trying to bring me back to their way of thinking. I don’t know and never will. What I do know is both Kara and I lost my brother and were cut adrift, without even each other to lean on.”
Amber just stood there, knowing where this grief-stained train would take Sabine over her next several years, and the hell it thrust her into. Sabine’s voice snapped her out of her train of thought.
“Kara saved me on the way north. If Garen didn’t tell you about it, I will maybe after dinner. But back to the topic, Kara has been helping Paige work through things, having shared a similar perspective without having known Henrik so she doesn’t break down sobbing when they talk about it, unlike Andrea and me.”
“And you say you are the stable one? That worries me.”
“Yup, just color me the voice of reason.”
Amber made a decision. “Well, voice of reason, I might need your help.”
“Oh?”
“One of the people we brought north went through a hellish ordeal when the wave hit.”
“OK, post-natural disaster PTDS, seems like your bucket, not mine.’
“Normally I would agree, but it was what happened after the wave. It brings it a little more in line with your experience. I can spout platitudes all day long, but I think at one point she might need to hear she can survive and move forward from someone who has kinda been there.”
Sabine was giving Amber a confused look.
“Been where?”
“She was bought, sold and traded as a commodity for entertainment.” Amber shuffled through her bag, producing the pictures she was given.
Sabine stared at the pictures, her eyes hollow and hard. Without looking up she asked in a raspy croak, “how…”
Amber knew what she was asking.
“She escaped, multiple times, and was recaught. The last time, she walked thirty miles or more through snow-covered mountains with nothing. Kingfisher found her and we nursed her back to health as much as we could so far.” Amber wasn’t sure what the look on her face meant. “Look, I don’t know what I expected you to do…I”
Sabine cut her off. “I’ll do it. Let me know when and I’ll help.”
“You did all this for me?” Amber asked Sabine as they stood looking at the recliners, desk and small bistro table in what was once an office in the newer Admin building.
“I had to make sure there was someplace for us to have coffee and chat, even though you’ll have a bunch of customers on your plate now.” Sabine smiled at her. Amber decided it looked good on her. She liked to see her smile.
“Well, to be fair, I brought a lot of new work with me, but I always have time for you. We can chat over coffee and you can listen to me bitch about patient XYZ has their head up their ass, or QRS needs to get over themselves.”
“True. Sad to say, I might be one of the better adjusted ones now.”
“Speaking of, since I kinda know how you are doing, how is Paige holding up?”
Sabine’s face fell at this. She took a few breaths before she answered her.
“Paige is doing a lot better now, but it’s still rough. Kara’s been a big help, both to me and to Paige.”
“Paige said something, but I wasn’t following it too well, focused on other things.” Amber admitted, a sheepish grin on her own face.
Sabine smiled again, but it was a sad little smile now.
“Kara was engaged to my brother. She was there when he was killed. She was almost killed in the process.”
“Damn!” Amber blurted.
“Yeah, damn. It gets worse though. We, ok I, was told she was killed in the same attack. Christian was so enthusiastic about she and I meeting. He swore I would love her almost as much as he did, and according to his emails and when we talked on the phone, he told me she was looking forward to it as well. Well, after the attack, my parents told me she had died as well. I don’t know if that’s what they were told, or if they did it because they didn’t approve of his choices and, by extension, mine. Maybe they were trying to bring me back to their way of thinking. I don’t know and never will. What I do know is both Kara and I lost my brother and were cut adrift, without even each other to lean on.”
Amber just stood there, knowing where this grief-stained train would take Sabine over her next several years, and the hell it thrust her into. Sabine’s voice snapped her out of her train of thought.
“Kara saved me on the way north. If Garen didn’t tell you about it, I will maybe after dinner. But back to the topic, Kara has been helping Paige work through things, having shared a similar perspective without having known Henrik so she doesn’t break down sobbing when they talk about it, unlike Andrea and me.”
“And you say you are the stable one? That worries me.”
“Yup, just color me the voice of reason.”
Amber made a decision. “Well, voice of reason, I might need your help.”
“Oh?”
“One of the people we brought north went through a hellish ordeal when the wave hit.”
“OK, post-natural disaster PTDS, seems like your bucket, not mine.’
“Normally I would agree, but it was what happened after the wave. It brings it a little more in line with your experience. I can spout platitudes all day long, but I think at one point she might need to hear she can survive and move forward from someone who has kinda been there.”
Sabine was giving Amber a confused look.
“Been where?”
“She was bought, sold and traded as a commodity for entertainment.” Amber shuffled through her bag, producing the pictures she was given.
Sabine stared at the pictures, her eyes hollow and hard. Without looking up she asked in a raspy croak, “how…”
Amber knew what she was asking.
“She escaped, multiple times, and was recaught. The last time, she walked thirty miles or more through snow-covered mountains with nothing. Kingfisher found her and we nursed her back to health as much as we could so far.” Amber wasn’t sure what the look on her face meant. “Look, I don’t know what I expected you to do…I”
Sabine cut her off. “I’ll do it. Let me know when and I’ll help.”
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223shootersc
Veteran Member
Thanks, CCG!
notchman
Curmudgeon in Training
CCG, shouldn't "Paige was engaged to my brother." read "Kara was engaged to my brother."?
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
why, yes, you are right, good sir. Unless they are hiding something I don't know.
Fixed. Thanks!
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Outside the Admin Building
Veronica was confused and concerned by the flurry of activity outside the new Admin building. A bunch of people were working with rakes, shovels and other implements of destruction. She walked over to Kingfisher, who was leaning on a shovel as another load of lava rock was being dumped.
“Do I want to know what the hell is going on?”
“We got the word we had to go around and make this place ADA compliant.” As he started flattening the pile of landscaping rock.
Veronica was going to say more when a tractor came around the corner, it’s front bucket full of large concrete paving stones. She looked around until she found her father. She walked over to him.
“Why isn’t she out here with a damn conductors baton?” She asked as she walked up to him.
“You know your mother. She set one part in motion and is now inside trying to make a way she can work in the snack bar kitchen to help with the sick kids’ rehab.”
“Dang it! She’s supposed to be healing, not working her ass off!”
“Helping others IS healing for her. You know that. With a concrete path from our cottage and Tracy and Ren’s, she and Tracy can feel useful and a part of things. Tracy did shifts in dispatch at the Sherriff’s office when they were shorthanded, so if she’s in there, Bron can escape and do other things you need her to do. Trust your minions to do the things they can, so you can focus on what you need to do instead of worrying about every little, tiny issue.”
“I’ll try. I should have let Garen make you or Silas the boss down here.”
“We don’t want it. It’s in great hands as it is. We are here to help, and advise, but you are the boss.”
She swept her hands around at the work going on. “Evidently not…”
He smiled at her. “Sure, you are. We just knew you would delegate it to us, so we didn’t bother making you go through the process.”
“I guess.” Veronica looked around again. “Have you seen Bron?”
“She said she was going to start hooking up the cabins with those little radio router things, whatever they were.”
“Good. That should help with communications and shit. What about Felicia?”
“The kinda oriental chick?”
Veronica shook her head at his comment. “You know comments like that can get you sent to HR.”
“Won’t be the first, won’t be the last. She took Nolan and they are doing a sweep down by the gate area so we start getting some left seat-right seat so we can be useful around here.”
She looked at him, not saying anything for a moment.
“I’m so glad you guys are here.”
“Us too, kidlet.”
“I’m going inside and find out what chaos got started in there.”
“Probably a good idea. I think she was talking about a raised platform so she and Tracy don’t have to get out of the wheelchairs.”
“I wonder how long we can keep her in the chair?”
Ivar smiled. “Amber made her promise at least thirty days, otherwise she was going to taze her and put her in a full body cast.”
Veronica was confused and concerned by the flurry of activity outside the new Admin building. A bunch of people were working with rakes, shovels and other implements of destruction. She walked over to Kingfisher, who was leaning on a shovel as another load of lava rock was being dumped.
“Do I want to know what the hell is going on?”
“We got the word we had to go around and make this place ADA compliant.” As he started flattening the pile of landscaping rock.
Veronica was going to say more when a tractor came around the corner, it’s front bucket full of large concrete paving stones. She looked around until she found her father. She walked over to him.
“Why isn’t she out here with a damn conductors baton?” She asked as she walked up to him.
“You know your mother. She set one part in motion and is now inside trying to make a way she can work in the snack bar kitchen to help with the sick kids’ rehab.”
“Dang it! She’s supposed to be healing, not working her ass off!”
“Helping others IS healing for her. You know that. With a concrete path from our cottage and Tracy and Ren’s, she and Tracy can feel useful and a part of things. Tracy did shifts in dispatch at the Sherriff’s office when they were shorthanded, so if she’s in there, Bron can escape and do other things you need her to do. Trust your minions to do the things they can, so you can focus on what you need to do instead of worrying about every little, tiny issue.”
“I’ll try. I should have let Garen make you or Silas the boss down here.”
“We don’t want it. It’s in great hands as it is. We are here to help, and advise, but you are the boss.”
She swept her hands around at the work going on. “Evidently not…”
He smiled at her. “Sure, you are. We just knew you would delegate it to us, so we didn’t bother making you go through the process.”
“I guess.” Veronica looked around again. “Have you seen Bron?”
“She said she was going to start hooking up the cabins with those little radio router things, whatever they were.”
“Good. That should help with communications and shit. What about Felicia?”
“The kinda oriental chick?”
Veronica shook her head at his comment. “You know comments like that can get you sent to HR.”
“Won’t be the first, won’t be the last. She took Nolan and they are doing a sweep down by the gate area so we start getting some left seat-right seat so we can be useful around here.”
She looked at him, not saying anything for a moment.
“I’m so glad you guys are here.”
“Us too, kidlet.”
“I’m going inside and find out what chaos got started in there.”
“Probably a good idea. I think she was talking about a raised platform so she and Tracy don’t have to get out of the wheelchairs.”
“I wonder how long we can keep her in the chair?”
Ivar smiled. “Amber made her promise at least thirty days, otherwise she was going to taze her and put her in a full body cast.”
feralferret
Veteran Member
Thanks, CCG!
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Thanks, CCG!
Armadillo3
Member
Thanks, CCG!
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Armadillo3,
I have a new one going over on the pawfiction.proboards.com site. Just FYI.
Thanks for the kind words!!!
223shootersc
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
A Day Later
It was a long car ride for the kids, especially after the past week. Violet kept looking in the mirror as they got close. She stopped on the other side of the hill, just short of their destination.
“Girls! We are almost there. Remember your parts. You guys are hanging out here while your parents get settled in at their new houses and get things ready. The kids here are nice, and between here and the other two houses, they will help you guys learn things around here.”
“Learn things like what?” the younger of the girls asked.
“Milking cows, skinning pigs, making butter, reading a compass…”
The older girl cut Violet off.
“Sounds like a bunch of slave labor. Just dumping us here to get us out of your hair cause we’re a ****ing burden.”
“That’s bullshit, and you know it! And watch your mouth! You need to be polite to them! They don’t deserve any of your snotty attitude.”
The older one crossed her arms and sat back in a huff.
Violet drove on.
At Larissa’s
When they pulled up in front of the farmhouse, the first one they saw was a tall young man who was almost fast enough to open Violet’s door for her.
“Hi, ma’am.”
“Hey, Brody! How are thing going?”
“Pretty good. Mom said you were bringing us some new people to hang out with us a while.”
“Yeah, they just got into the southern compound and their parents are running all over trying to get things set without driving the kids nuts.”
“Oh, like Kateri and Chayton when Ms Odina got here.”
“Yeah.” Violet looked over. “Hey, Ruby.”
“Good morning. Ms Violet. Are these the new friends mom told us were coming?” Said the smiling girl with the absolutely overwhelming, barelycontrolled mass of flame red hair.
“Yes, they are.” Violet turned back towards the Suburban. “Girls, get off your asses and get out here.”
The girls climbed out of the back seat and joined Violet at the same time another girl came out of the house.
“Hey Ruby. Is this them?” the girl asked.
“No Ashley, they’re the dang plumbers! Yes, these are our new guests. Why don’t you help them with their bags?”
“Sure thing.” She headed towards the back of the Suburban.
“Well, since you and Ashley are here and have things all squared away, I still have to finish the repair to the goat pen.” Brody said. He turned and flashed a hundred-watt smile at the newcomers. “I hate to run off, but I’ll see you at lunch.”
“Yeah, that will give you time to shower up, and me to warn them about you.” Ruby shot back, but her own smile showed it wasn’t mean-spirited.
Ruby turned back to the new-comers.
“Hi, I’m Ruby, and you are?”
“I’m Jennifer.” Said the younger blonde.
“Jennifer, Ashley will show you to the room you will be staying in.” she turned and said over her shoulder. “Isn’t that right, Ashley?”
“Gotcha. I will get her all set.” Ashley said, a big grin on her face now.
Jennifer gave Violet a quick hug before Ashley grabbed her hand and started dragging her away, already talking a mile a minute about something.
“And you are?” Ruby asked the other older blonde.
“Brittany.”
“Well, Brittany, to keep you sane and out of the swirling ten-year-old zone, I have you over with me in the bedroom in the loft.” She waved towards the barn behind her.
“That sounds ok, I guess.”
“Cool, I’ll grab your bag.” Ruby started walking towards the back of the Suburban.
Brittany turned and gave Violet a hug.
“I love you, mom.”
“I love you too, kid.” She squiggled her head, knocking her hat askew.
Brittany straightened her hat as she walked over to join Ruby as they walked to the barn.
It was a long car ride for the kids, especially after the past week. Violet kept looking in the mirror as they got close. She stopped on the other side of the hill, just short of their destination.
“Girls! We are almost there. Remember your parts. You guys are hanging out here while your parents get settled in at their new houses and get things ready. The kids here are nice, and between here and the other two houses, they will help you guys learn things around here.”
“Learn things like what?” the younger of the girls asked.
“Milking cows, skinning pigs, making butter, reading a compass…”
The older girl cut Violet off.
“Sounds like a bunch of slave labor. Just dumping us here to get us out of your hair cause we’re a ****ing burden.”
“That’s bullshit, and you know it! And watch your mouth! You need to be polite to them! They don’t deserve any of your snotty attitude.”
The older one crossed her arms and sat back in a huff.
Violet drove on.
At Larissa’s
When they pulled up in front of the farmhouse, the first one they saw was a tall young man who was almost fast enough to open Violet’s door for her.
“Hi, ma’am.”
“Hey, Brody! How are thing going?”
“Pretty good. Mom said you were bringing us some new people to hang out with us a while.”
“Yeah, they just got into the southern compound and their parents are running all over trying to get things set without driving the kids nuts.”
“Oh, like Kateri and Chayton when Ms Odina got here.”
“Yeah.” Violet looked over. “Hey, Ruby.”
“Good morning. Ms Violet. Are these the new friends mom told us were coming?” Said the smiling girl with the absolutely overwhelming, barelycontrolled mass of flame red hair.
“Yes, they are.” Violet turned back towards the Suburban. “Girls, get off your asses and get out here.”
The girls climbed out of the back seat and joined Violet at the same time another girl came out of the house.
“Hey Ruby. Is this them?” the girl asked.
“No Ashley, they’re the dang plumbers! Yes, these are our new guests. Why don’t you help them with their bags?”
“Sure thing.” She headed towards the back of the Suburban.
“Well, since you and Ashley are here and have things all squared away, I still have to finish the repair to the goat pen.” Brody said. He turned and flashed a hundred-watt smile at the newcomers. “I hate to run off, but I’ll see you at lunch.”
“Yeah, that will give you time to shower up, and me to warn them about you.” Ruby shot back, but her own smile showed it wasn’t mean-spirited.
Ruby turned back to the new-comers.
“Hi, I’m Ruby, and you are?”
“I’m Jennifer.” Said the younger blonde.
“Jennifer, Ashley will show you to the room you will be staying in.” she turned and said over her shoulder. “Isn’t that right, Ashley?”
“Gotcha. I will get her all set.” Ashley said, a big grin on her face now.
Jennifer gave Violet a quick hug before Ashley grabbed her hand and started dragging her away, already talking a mile a minute about something.
“And you are?” Ruby asked the other older blonde.
“Brittany.”
“Well, Brittany, to keep you sane and out of the swirling ten-year-old zone, I have you over with me in the bedroom in the loft.” She waved towards the barn behind her.
“That sounds ok, I guess.”
“Cool, I’ll grab your bag.” Ruby started walking towards the back of the Suburban.
Brittany turned and gave Violet a hug.
“I love you, mom.”
“I love you too, kid.” She squiggled her head, knocking her hat askew.
Brittany straightened her hat as she walked over to join Ruby as they walked to the barn.
Armadillo3
Member
I am on it. Thanks for more reading material.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Bekka
Garen and Kara were gone for a little over two weeks. Not a lot of time to race south with Veronica and Violet, collect their parents and friends, add a veterinarian and his family, wait for a group of Veronica and Violet’s parent’s friends, then bring the whole group home, saving some children along the way. Yet, with all that going on, it was a tight contest on who had to deal with more stuff, face more chaos, them or those of us left here.
We had the whole fight on the hillside where most of Carla’s family were killed. The only reason her and the kids survived was Angelique’s stand at the ridgeline. She held the line, regardless of what it might have cost her. Emilia literally ran headlong into that desperate sacrifice, willingly giving herself body and soul to stand with Angelique.
When that all kicked off, this also thrust some of our newest forest protectors into the raging chaos. Derek and Gretchen were thrown into leading the survivors to safety. This was a huge moment for them, especially Gretchen, who was plunged into a medical emergency she had to handle, with only a voice she barely knew at the far end of a radio for help. Her success was the difference between Sandy living or dying. Now we have half a dozen refugees temporarily living in the yurt on Zed’s front lawn while Sandy is recovering.
With Angelique and Emilia in a rearguard fight of their lives, Heidi, Allyson and I had to run to back them up, leaving almost everything committed, no reserves left. When the fight was over, Allyson and I came to some conclusions, especially as more data came in from Garen and Kara down south. I knew we had to have a way to help pull their bacon out of the fire if it all went to shit.
Right in the middle of all of this, Doug drops a bombshell of there being others living in the forest we never detected. This didn’t make me happy. What other surprises await us? What will become of it remains to be seen, but he puts a lot of faith and trust in this guy Steven. I hope he’s right.
To help Garen and Kara, we started planning. If we used the other big black truck, we could get wherever we needed to be in a hurry. Allyson and I would split the driving. The next need was firepower. The obvious choice was Heidi and the belt-fed, but I didn’t want to stop there. If we made sure I was in the driver’s seat when we got to the target zone, Allyson could use the M-203. We didn’t have much to feed it, but every little bit would help. Not good enough. I wanted more.
It took damn near tripping over the Lewis gun stuff in the Connex to remember we had it. I put Paige on the task of getting it running, and Heidi on teaching Angelique how to shoot it.
Between the planning and the training, I still searched for another edge, and another and another. I still didn’t feel ready when Garen called and told us they were rolling out.
The whole debacle of driving out, reconnaissance along the way, fires, counter-ambush, on and on felt like it went on forever and a hazy blur, all at the same time. At least we got them all home.
I barely slowed down when we rolled into the southern forest camp. Just long enough to drop the new people off and pick Kara up. It was time to get home.
Home. Getting home was just the start. We had to bring Garen and Kara up to speed on what all happened, while at the same time they filled Allyson, Angelique and me in about all the new people, but there was more than that. Garen told me about Violet’s secret intel gathering plan. That was a whole other potential nightmare unfolding, but Garen and Kara told us they thought it could work. They even wanted to set up a trial run as a ‘proof of concept’. That part made sense.
I thought through the next steps needed. The pretend teenager hadn’t seen Allyson, Angelique or me. We would stay away from Larrissa’s. I had to. I knew the part I would have to play. I didn’t like it but I knew I had to do it. Her life might depend on it. I sent Kara over to make the arrangements with Larrissa instead.
All of this was an added complication on top of all the other shit we had coming down the pike. Between scrounging, planting, taking care of the sick, keeping the others healthy, training the next generation and a thousand other things, we are seriously overtasked.
At least the house feels right. Garen and Kara are back in their places. Angelique and Allyson are here too. Soon we will get down to the southern camp for a proper meet and greet. But not tonight. Tonight, we relax. We need a breather. We have been going too hard and spread too thin.
HERE ENDS PART 8
Garen and Kara were gone for a little over two weeks. Not a lot of time to race south with Veronica and Violet, collect their parents and friends, add a veterinarian and his family, wait for a group of Veronica and Violet’s parent’s friends, then bring the whole group home, saving some children along the way. Yet, with all that going on, it was a tight contest on who had to deal with more stuff, face more chaos, them or those of us left here.
We had the whole fight on the hillside where most of Carla’s family were killed. The only reason her and the kids survived was Angelique’s stand at the ridgeline. She held the line, regardless of what it might have cost her. Emilia literally ran headlong into that desperate sacrifice, willingly giving herself body and soul to stand with Angelique.
When that all kicked off, this also thrust some of our newest forest protectors into the raging chaos. Derek and Gretchen were thrown into leading the survivors to safety. This was a huge moment for them, especially Gretchen, who was plunged into a medical emergency she had to handle, with only a voice she barely knew at the far end of a radio for help. Her success was the difference between Sandy living or dying. Now we have half a dozen refugees temporarily living in the yurt on Zed’s front lawn while Sandy is recovering.
With Angelique and Emilia in a rearguard fight of their lives, Heidi, Allyson and I had to run to back them up, leaving almost everything committed, no reserves left. When the fight was over, Allyson and I came to some conclusions, especially as more data came in from Garen and Kara down south. I knew we had to have a way to help pull their bacon out of the fire if it all went to shit.
Right in the middle of all of this, Doug drops a bombshell of there being others living in the forest we never detected. This didn’t make me happy. What other surprises await us? What will become of it remains to be seen, but he puts a lot of faith and trust in this guy Steven. I hope he’s right.
To help Garen and Kara, we started planning. If we used the other big black truck, we could get wherever we needed to be in a hurry. Allyson and I would split the driving. The next need was firepower. The obvious choice was Heidi and the belt-fed, but I didn’t want to stop there. If we made sure I was in the driver’s seat when we got to the target zone, Allyson could use the M-203. We didn’t have much to feed it, but every little bit would help. Not good enough. I wanted more.
It took damn near tripping over the Lewis gun stuff in the Connex to remember we had it. I put Paige on the task of getting it running, and Heidi on teaching Angelique how to shoot it.
Between the planning and the training, I still searched for another edge, and another and another. I still didn’t feel ready when Garen called and told us they were rolling out.
The whole debacle of driving out, reconnaissance along the way, fires, counter-ambush, on and on felt like it went on forever and a hazy blur, all at the same time. At least we got them all home.
I barely slowed down when we rolled into the southern forest camp. Just long enough to drop the new people off and pick Kara up. It was time to get home.
Home. Getting home was just the start. We had to bring Garen and Kara up to speed on what all happened, while at the same time they filled Allyson, Angelique and me in about all the new people, but there was more than that. Garen told me about Violet’s secret intel gathering plan. That was a whole other potential nightmare unfolding, but Garen and Kara told us they thought it could work. They even wanted to set up a trial run as a ‘proof of concept’. That part made sense.
I thought through the next steps needed. The pretend teenager hadn’t seen Allyson, Angelique or me. We would stay away from Larrissa’s. I had to. I knew the part I would have to play. I didn’t like it but I knew I had to do it. Her life might depend on it. I sent Kara over to make the arrangements with Larrissa instead.
All of this was an added complication on top of all the other shit we had coming down the pike. Between scrounging, planting, taking care of the sick, keeping the others healthy, training the next generation and a thousand other things, we are seriously overtasked.
At least the house feels right. Garen and Kara are back in their places. Angelique and Allyson are here too. Soon we will get down to the southern camp for a proper meet and greet. But not tonight. Tonight, we relax. We need a breather. We have been going too hard and spread too thin.
HERE ENDS PART 8
Last edited:
feralferret
Veteran Member
Thank you, CCG. Looking forward to the next one.
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Thanks, CCG! I say MOAR please to the continued Saga!
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Up in Frisco TX, dodging thunderstorms and tornadoes while playing pinball this weekend at the festival. Working on the rebuild and expansion of part two during the drive and the wife has forbidden me from starting posting part 9 for up to a week so I can concentrate on finishing formatting part 1.
FNFAL1958
Senior Member
I'm trying to put a possible name to these ladies you have posted above. Put me on the list to buy this story as a book, I retain the story line better, without breaks. I'm a binge reader, so I lose my train of thought about the story sometimes when it's broken up. Thanks for all the effort you and your wife put into these stories.