Story Market Day
- Thread starter ComCamGuy
- Start date
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Nurture or Nature - maybe both .....“Now you know where Veronica gets it”
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
It was three in the morning and they had tried to avoid waking everyone.
Paige and Sabine were in the drivers seats for the starting leg of the trip. If they had anything to say about it, they would be doing most of the driving anyway. Paige was a much better driver than Henrik, especially in less than optimum conditions, and Sabine felt much safer without Andrea behind the wheel. There was enough for the passengers to pay attention to anyway. Laptops, GPSs, maps and radios should suck up any boredom before it raised its ugly head.
Sabine thought it was like watching those movies where the pilots were pre-flighting the airplanes as she watched Andrea go through flipping switches, checking gauges and setting everything. They had a low powered radio setup so they could talk between the two SUVs without broadcasting their chit chat a hundred miles. When they tested it, the sound was great in their headsets, all at the push of the floor buttons.
Andrea labeled the switches on the panel in simple code and explained it a dozen times so everyone understood. She had spent hours making it simpler and nearly foolproof. They could turn up the power on their radios and talk miles apart, but this wasn’t what she wanted. She also had preset frequencies for back to Ivar and for Paige’s Grandfathers place. There were also laminated flip cards with the frequencies and call signs for the emergency stops her grandfather had identified along their route.
All of these stopping positions along with their planned route was drawn out on clear acetate sheets by Henrik. None of the sheets had exact places identified so if you didn’t know what town or landmark to put the orientation reference dot on, a stranger finding the maps and notes couldn’t easily follow, intercept or identify where and with who they could meet. Andrea thought this was a little too woo woo but Henrik insisted, not just for their safety, but also for those Paige’s grandfather had entrusted them with.
Henrik was also the one insisting they dress a bit more warmly than they wanted. His mantra was ‘dress for the weather you are traveling in, not just what the weather in the car was.’ Everyone was in long pants, boots and sweaters or pullovers. This was also to hide the pistols and extra magazines everyone was carrying on them. Sabine had explained Veronica’s warnings often enough to make everyone agree on more rather than less protection. This was one of the reasons Paige had mounted the carbines at all for seating positions and the special pistols on the center consoles as well.
They had done as much as they could think of to prepare for this moment, now all that need be done was begin driving.
Silas and Amber came out to see them off. It was a big round of hugs, well-wishing and not a few tears, followed by promises to be together again real soon. Amber and Sabine’s embrace was a little longer than expected by the others because Sabine isn’t usually the touchy feely type.
“Get them on the road soon. I need you there. I have a lot more to talk about.” Sabine’s voice was soft in Amber’s ear as they held one another. Tears leapt into Amber’s eyes at how far Sabine had come to even say that much to her and how much more she wanted to help her friend.
Silas’ face was wet with tears as well. These guys were like his own children. They would be ok. They had to be. He wouldn’t accept anything less from the universe.
The darkness was pushed back by the glare of their headlights as they left the driveway for the final time.
Paige and Sabine were in the drivers seats for the starting leg of the trip. If they had anything to say about it, they would be doing most of the driving anyway. Paige was a much better driver than Henrik, especially in less than optimum conditions, and Sabine felt much safer without Andrea behind the wheel. There was enough for the passengers to pay attention to anyway. Laptops, GPSs, maps and radios should suck up any boredom before it raised its ugly head.
Sabine thought it was like watching those movies where the pilots were pre-flighting the airplanes as she watched Andrea go through flipping switches, checking gauges and setting everything. They had a low powered radio setup so they could talk between the two SUVs without broadcasting their chit chat a hundred miles. When they tested it, the sound was great in their headsets, all at the push of the floor buttons.
Andrea labeled the switches on the panel in simple code and explained it a dozen times so everyone understood. She had spent hours making it simpler and nearly foolproof. They could turn up the power on their radios and talk miles apart, but this wasn’t what she wanted. She also had preset frequencies for back to Ivar and for Paige’s Grandfathers place. There were also laminated flip cards with the frequencies and call signs for the emergency stops her grandfather had identified along their route.
All of these stopping positions along with their planned route was drawn out on clear acetate sheets by Henrik. None of the sheets had exact places identified so if you didn’t know what town or landmark to put the orientation reference dot on, a stranger finding the maps and notes couldn’t easily follow, intercept or identify where and with who they could meet. Andrea thought this was a little too woo woo but Henrik insisted, not just for their safety, but also for those Paige’s grandfather had entrusted them with.
Henrik was also the one insisting they dress a bit more warmly than they wanted. His mantra was ‘dress for the weather you are traveling in, not just what the weather in the car was.’ Everyone was in long pants, boots and sweaters or pullovers. This was also to hide the pistols and extra magazines everyone was carrying on them. Sabine had explained Veronica’s warnings often enough to make everyone agree on more rather than less protection. This was one of the reasons Paige had mounted the carbines at all for seating positions and the special pistols on the center consoles as well.
They had done as much as they could think of to prepare for this moment, now all that need be done was begin driving.
Silas and Amber came out to see them off. It was a big round of hugs, well-wishing and not a few tears, followed by promises to be together again real soon. Amber and Sabine’s embrace was a little longer than expected by the others because Sabine isn’t usually the touchy feely type.
“Get them on the road soon. I need you there. I have a lot more to talk about.” Sabine’s voice was soft in Amber’s ear as they held one another. Tears leapt into Amber’s eyes at how far Sabine had come to even say that much to her and how much more she wanted to help her friend.
Silas’ face was wet with tears as well. These guys were like his own children. They would be ok. They had to be. He wouldn’t accept anything less from the universe.
The darkness was pushed back by the glare of their headlights as they left the driveway for the final time.
Well, sometimes someone else does it for Eric. Just depends on what Eric is busy with. Rare, but I have seen it.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
The headlights were reflected off of the lightly falling snow. Paige and Henrik were in the lead and keeping the pace slow. One of their bigger concerns was the lack of plows and salting of the roads. Slow and steady was a lot safer than flipping in a ditch.
The glare of their lights on the snow was seriously hampering their vision. Paige’s head was starting to hurt. Her friends the butterflies started to flutter in her head.
“Paige remember science class?” one started to say
Paige looked puzzled as the other one joined the conversation “It’s too early, she has not had enough coffee. Let’s just be simple about this. First turn off those confounded white lights and get rid of the moths. I hate moths, yeah distant cousin but they give us a bad rap always chewing up things. Making holes in people’s good clothes.”
“Look if you are going to explain it to her get on with it before they end up in a ditch or she starts swatting at us like flies.”
Paige for some reason she was not sure of reached over and turned off the all the lights except the yellow fog lights. She instantly notice how things were less harsh and she could see everything better. She noticed they were also not a beacon drawing attention to them.
“ Now “ Norm the butterfly continued, “Ask Henrik for some yellow driving glasses this will help you see ever better.”
Paige started to mumble something but she heard Sabine voice on the radio wanting to know what was going on.
With help from the butterflies in her ears Paige answered “Remember the photographer I told you I met on one of my deployments? How when I sat and listened when she was doing lighting while shooting a story about my guys. The white light is bouncing off the fog but the yellow isn’t so we can see more.”
She was actually starting to like those butterflies. She was going to miss them when they went away. She figure to use every asset available, including them. Time to press on, problem solved.
Henrik was plugging in numbers and already could see he was probably too optimistic about their rate of travel on these backroads. What would be two long days in normal time, would now take several at best and over a week at worst. They weren’t traveling in a straight line, they were traveling over less used roads which the snow and ice would make it worse. All of this was balanced against staying out of major population areas and away from major routes.
Henrik was already scouring his maps looking for some alternate places to hole up for the evening. The plan was to stop well before dark to give them time to set up good sleeping positions and get some quality rest. The driving will wear them out, both mentally and physically. They had to keep fresh, hydrated and well rested to be able to make good decisions.
Andrea and Sabine in the other SUV were having a bit of an easier time. All they had to do was follow the vehicle ahead of them and keep up on the map so they wouldn’t be lost.
The glare of their lights on the snow was seriously hampering their vision. Paige’s head was starting to hurt. Her friends the butterflies started to flutter in her head.
“Paige remember science class?” one started to say
Paige looked puzzled as the other one joined the conversation “It’s too early, she has not had enough coffee. Let’s just be simple about this. First turn off those confounded white lights and get rid of the moths. I hate moths, yeah distant cousin but they give us a bad rap always chewing up things. Making holes in people’s good clothes.”
“Look if you are going to explain it to her get on with it before they end up in a ditch or she starts swatting at us like flies.”
Paige for some reason she was not sure of reached over and turned off the all the lights except the yellow fog lights. She instantly notice how things were less harsh and she could see everything better. She noticed they were also not a beacon drawing attention to them.
“ Now “ Norm the butterfly continued, “Ask Henrik for some yellow driving glasses this will help you see ever better.”
Paige started to mumble something but she heard Sabine voice on the radio wanting to know what was going on.
With help from the butterflies in her ears Paige answered “Remember the photographer I told you I met on one of my deployments? How when I sat and listened when she was doing lighting while shooting a story about my guys. The white light is bouncing off the fog but the yellow isn’t so we can see more.”
She was actually starting to like those butterflies. She was going to miss them when they went away. She figure to use every asset available, including them. Time to press on, problem solved.
Henrik was plugging in numbers and already could see he was probably too optimistic about their rate of travel on these backroads. What would be two long days in normal time, would now take several at best and over a week at worst. They weren’t traveling in a straight line, they were traveling over less used roads which the snow and ice would make it worse. All of this was balanced against staying out of major population areas and away from major routes.
Henrik was already scouring his maps looking for some alternate places to hole up for the evening. The plan was to stop well before dark to give them time to set up good sleeping positions and get some quality rest. The driving will wear them out, both mentally and physically. They had to keep fresh, hydrated and well rested to be able to make good decisions.
Andrea and Sabine in the other SUV were having a bit of an easier time. All they had to do was follow the vehicle ahead of them and keep up on the map so they wouldn’t be lost.
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
They work ok, but can get too much glare and overload easily and shut down.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Shortly after dawn, they pulled off into what was once a roadside gas station. Now it was just a chunk of tarmac with the remains of a small, one bay gas station, the roof long since collapsed, the pumps gone, the windows shattered and the whole thing filled with snow.
Its main attraction for them was a chunk of solid ground they could pull straight in and out of with the trailers. They had a quick hot meal curtesy of Henrik’s camp stove. As they ate, they looked at the main map Henrik had spread out on the hood of Sabine’s SUV, held in place by magnets.
“This morning’s stretch took two hours longer than I calculated.” Henrik pointed out.
“Well, better slower but careful than rushing to meet a time hack and screw up.”
Andrea replied, drawing a look from Paige and Sabine. They were amazed at their little speed demon not minding being slower than projected.
“Now the sun is up, we should be a bit better, I would think.” Sabine spoke after finishing the last of her meatball sub.
The sandwiches were Paige’s idea. They could use one pot to heat up the meatballs in the sauce, scoop it onto the bread, top with cheese, and have a hardy meal with minimal cleanup.
While everyone was talking, Henrik filled the pot with snow and brought it to a boil. A quick wipe with a sponge and it was clean. Before leaving they reviewed the plan for the rest the day, observations and actions in case of attack.
Driving for Henrik and Paige would be easier after lunch with Andrea and Sabine out front. It was Andrea’s turn in the driver’s seat while Sabine did the map and lookout duty for the leg after lunch. Paige would be doing the heavy map work while Henrik drove them in the Cherokee as they left the gas station. They would swap again mid-afternoon and find their evening campsite before dark. Their plan was early camp so they won’t have to use lights to set up, then wake early and head out long before dawn. This way, any lights would only be seen briefly before they left camp and anyone looking for them would only find an abandoned site rather than sleeping people.
One of their observations as they drove was the absence of others out and about. This was worrisome to them. This meant they stuck out like a sore thumb by being the only thing moving about. They also saw a lot of empty looking houses, or at least not very may showed smoke or movement. It was spooky at times.
The person riding shotgun needed to be ready. Keep anyone approaching at a distance. Trust no one.
Its main attraction for them was a chunk of solid ground they could pull straight in and out of with the trailers. They had a quick hot meal curtesy of Henrik’s camp stove. As they ate, they looked at the main map Henrik had spread out on the hood of Sabine’s SUV, held in place by magnets.
“This morning’s stretch took two hours longer than I calculated.” Henrik pointed out.
“Well, better slower but careful than rushing to meet a time hack and screw up.”
Andrea replied, drawing a look from Paige and Sabine. They were amazed at their little speed demon not minding being slower than projected.
“Now the sun is up, we should be a bit better, I would think.” Sabine spoke after finishing the last of her meatball sub.
The sandwiches were Paige’s idea. They could use one pot to heat up the meatballs in the sauce, scoop it onto the bread, top with cheese, and have a hardy meal with minimal cleanup.
While everyone was talking, Henrik filled the pot with snow and brought it to a boil. A quick wipe with a sponge and it was clean. Before leaving they reviewed the plan for the rest the day, observations and actions in case of attack.
Driving for Henrik and Paige would be easier after lunch with Andrea and Sabine out front. It was Andrea’s turn in the driver’s seat while Sabine did the map and lookout duty for the leg after lunch. Paige would be doing the heavy map work while Henrik drove them in the Cherokee as they left the gas station. They would swap again mid-afternoon and find their evening campsite before dark. Their plan was early camp so they won’t have to use lights to set up, then wake early and head out long before dawn. This way, any lights would only be seen briefly before they left camp and anyone looking for them would only find an abandoned site rather than sleeping people.
One of their observations as they drove was the absence of others out and about. This was worrisome to them. This meant they stuck out like a sore thumb by being the only thing moving about. They also saw a lot of empty looking houses, or at least not very may showed smoke or movement. It was spooky at times.
The person riding shotgun needed to be ready. Keep anyone approaching at a distance. Trust no one.
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Yeah, they have appeared in earlier scenes after her attack, mostly when Paige is stressed and a bit brain overloaded. More specifically after the attack on Jenson and his wife. Its kind of an unconscious coping mechanism, just like some people talk to themselves as they go through a problem.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
The weather held calm most of the day with only a few small flurries. The wind kept what small clouds were in the sky moving briskly along. Henrik knew this boded a cold night for them with no cloud cover.
Late in the afternoon, Henrik found their overnight rest position. He spotted a likely candidate on the map; a state campground. They were not going to use the actual campground, which was closed. What they were after was the road into it and the parking lot for it. They wanted to get off the actual road and out of sight, but not leave asphalt.
Henrik used a pair of bolt cutters on the lock on the chain holding the gate closed. He had another lock handy to put on the chain after they drove in. Most people shouldn’t even look twice at the locked gate, even with the tire tracks in the snow. The only ones they needed to worry about would be state park personnel, and they didn’t anticipate any of them out this late in the day. They would be gone by three in the morning, so tomorrow wasn’t a worry either. They would use some string to hold the chain in place after they left.
The road curved behind some trees before opening into a flat snowy parking lot. Both vehicles swung around the parking lot so they were pointed back towards the road they drove in on. Henrik had them pull up next to one another, leaving a ten foot space between them.
A small rollup table held the cookie sheet Henrik set up the camping stove on for Andrea who would be working dinner while Paige, Sabine and Henrik worked on the sleeping positions.
Henrik selected a spot just inside the trees beside the parking lot. He wanted a spot where the SUVs were between them and the road. He staked out spots for the two small pop-up tents he had for them to use as windbreaks. Once he had the outline for the tents, all three of them used the shovels to dig out the snow all the way to the forest floor, piling the snow around the holes they had dug. This positioned them below the level of the snow, giving them another layer of protection from the weather.
As they dug, Henrik slipped into instructor mode and explained some of the what’s and why’s of his plan.
“OK, so the little pop up tents I got from the base were not designed for winter camping, but what we are using them for, they should work. Besides, if we have to leave in a hurry and leave them behind, we haven’t lost much.” Henrik said as he scooped another shovel of snow.
“We use it to block the wind, so we can get undressed, change clothes and such. The snow to the sides will also block the wind, our biggest weather worry tonight. There shouldn’t be much snowfall without any clouds overhead, but the reason we don’t have clouds is the wind. Our sleeping bags are rated good enough that with the bivy sacks, we can just flop in the snow and be good, but this way we can be a little more comfortable and refreshed for the early wake up.”
Sabine looked over at him from the second hole that she and Paige were digging. “So, why two holes and not one big one?”
“Because the little spring form pop up tents are two person tents that will barely hold two people and a back pack for each. I already gave the bigger tents from the base out and I don’t want to unpack one of my really good expedition grade tents for this purpose. For all I know, we may need them to live in while we build the houses once we get there so I don’t want to leave one behind if we have to rush away from camp in a hurry.” Henrik explained as he trudged along like a machine, shoveling more snow himself than Paige and Sabine combined in the other hole.
Paige was glad Henrik didn’t expect them to set up one of his big tents. She had watched him do it often enough in the barn. She knew it would protect them at Everest Basecamp if it had to, but it was not quick to set up or take down, especially in the dark.
By the time they had their shelters set up, bags inside along with a small change of clothes, Andrea had dinner ready for them. It was some sort of stew or goulash, full of meat and potatoes and vegetables. Everyone sat in folding chairs between the vehicles. Not a lot was said during the meal. Everyone was too focused on the task at hand.
Late in the afternoon, Henrik found their overnight rest position. He spotted a likely candidate on the map; a state campground. They were not going to use the actual campground, which was closed. What they were after was the road into it and the parking lot for it. They wanted to get off the actual road and out of sight, but not leave asphalt.
Henrik used a pair of bolt cutters on the lock on the chain holding the gate closed. He had another lock handy to put on the chain after they drove in. Most people shouldn’t even look twice at the locked gate, even with the tire tracks in the snow. The only ones they needed to worry about would be state park personnel, and they didn’t anticipate any of them out this late in the day. They would be gone by three in the morning, so tomorrow wasn’t a worry either. They would use some string to hold the chain in place after they left.
The road curved behind some trees before opening into a flat snowy parking lot. Both vehicles swung around the parking lot so they were pointed back towards the road they drove in on. Henrik had them pull up next to one another, leaving a ten foot space between them.
A small rollup table held the cookie sheet Henrik set up the camping stove on for Andrea who would be working dinner while Paige, Sabine and Henrik worked on the sleeping positions.
Henrik selected a spot just inside the trees beside the parking lot. He wanted a spot where the SUVs were between them and the road. He staked out spots for the two small pop-up tents he had for them to use as windbreaks. Once he had the outline for the tents, all three of them used the shovels to dig out the snow all the way to the forest floor, piling the snow around the holes they had dug. This positioned them below the level of the snow, giving them another layer of protection from the weather.
As they dug, Henrik slipped into instructor mode and explained some of the what’s and why’s of his plan.
“OK, so the little pop up tents I got from the base were not designed for winter camping, but what we are using them for, they should work. Besides, if we have to leave in a hurry and leave them behind, we haven’t lost much.” Henrik said as he scooped another shovel of snow.
“We use it to block the wind, so we can get undressed, change clothes and such. The snow to the sides will also block the wind, our biggest weather worry tonight. There shouldn’t be much snowfall without any clouds overhead, but the reason we don’t have clouds is the wind. Our sleeping bags are rated good enough that with the bivy sacks, we can just flop in the snow and be good, but this way we can be a little more comfortable and refreshed for the early wake up.”
Sabine looked over at him from the second hole that she and Paige were digging. “So, why two holes and not one big one?”
“Because the little spring form pop up tents are two person tents that will barely hold two people and a back pack for each. I already gave the bigger tents from the base out and I don’t want to unpack one of my really good expedition grade tents for this purpose. For all I know, we may need them to live in while we build the houses once we get there so I don’t want to leave one behind if we have to rush away from camp in a hurry.” Henrik explained as he trudged along like a machine, shoveling more snow himself than Paige and Sabine combined in the other hole.
Paige was glad Henrik didn’t expect them to set up one of his big tents. She had watched him do it often enough in the barn. She knew it would protect them at Everest Basecamp if it had to, but it was not quick to set up or take down, especially in the dark.
By the time they had their shelters set up, bags inside along with a small change of clothes, Andrea had dinner ready for them. It was some sort of stew or goulash, full of meat and potatoes and vegetables. Everyone sat in folding chairs between the vehicles. Not a lot was said during the meal. Everyone was too focused on the task at hand.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Warm food and the quiet evening brought a sense of peace over the group. They had water heating to clean up the dinner dishes as they ate so clean up after dinner was quick.
After packing the table and chairs back into the SUVs, Andre and Sabine went to their tent. Paige was headed that way as well when she noticed Henrik wasn’t.
“You coming to bed?” Paige said as she walked back to him.
“I’ll be there in a few minutes.” He said as he filled a cup from a bottle.
“Whatcha drinking?”
“A little mulled wine. Want some?” He held out his cup to her. Paige wrinkled her nose and shook her head.
“No, I’ll pass. It gives me a headache unless I drink a lot and then I won’t wake up ready to drive.”
“Suit yourself.” Henrik took a sip and looked around. Paige slid up to him, wrapping an arm most of the way around his waist.
“What’s going on, Henrik?” She looked up at him.
“Just looking at the trees and the mountains.” Paige saw a look on his face she didn’t see that often. It was a relaxed contentment different than his normal look. After a few moments of silence, he continued. “The mountains and the wilderness gives me the same feeling as being at sea. You’re ‘in’ nature, not just looking at it. That’s why I’m looking forward to getting to your grandfathers place. From what you tell me, it will be a lot like here with trees, and snow and all the wildlife like they should be.”
“You will love it there. Up at Zed’s you can go days, shoot, even weeks depending on where you go, without seeing anyone. We can be as isolated as we want to be.” She squeezed him and let go. Backing up, she looked up at him. “But first we have to get there. So, you mister, need to get some sleep as well. We still have a lot of driving to do. Don’t stay out here very long.” She stood on her toes and Henrik bent down to kiss her. He watched her walk up to their tent and go inside. He finished his wine and followed her.
After packing the table and chairs back into the SUVs, Andre and Sabine went to their tent. Paige was headed that way as well when she noticed Henrik wasn’t.
“You coming to bed?” Paige said as she walked back to him.
“I’ll be there in a few minutes.” He said as he filled a cup from a bottle.
“Whatcha drinking?”
“A little mulled wine. Want some?” He held out his cup to her. Paige wrinkled her nose and shook her head.
“No, I’ll pass. It gives me a headache unless I drink a lot and then I won’t wake up ready to drive.”
“Suit yourself.” Henrik took a sip and looked around. Paige slid up to him, wrapping an arm most of the way around his waist.
“What’s going on, Henrik?” She looked up at him.
“Just looking at the trees and the mountains.” Paige saw a look on his face she didn’t see that often. It was a relaxed contentment different than his normal look. After a few moments of silence, he continued. “The mountains and the wilderness gives me the same feeling as being at sea. You’re ‘in’ nature, not just looking at it. That’s why I’m looking forward to getting to your grandfathers place. From what you tell me, it will be a lot like here with trees, and snow and all the wildlife like they should be.”
“You will love it there. Up at Zed’s you can go days, shoot, even weeks depending on where you go, without seeing anyone. We can be as isolated as we want to be.” She squeezed him and let go. Backing up, she looked up at him. “But first we have to get there. So, you mister, need to get some sleep as well. We still have a lot of driving to do. Don’t stay out here very long.” She stood on her toes and Henrik bent down to kiss her. He watched her walk up to their tent and go inside. He finished his wine and followed her.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Andrea and Sabine were in the tent, trying to change clothes and wipe down with some baby wipes without freezing themselves in the process. The tent was small and they quickly decided it would work best for one of them to help the other rather than both moving around and banging and clattering about. Sabine helped Andrea out of her traveling clothes and wiped her down with the baby wipes as she went. As a part got clean, it got dressed in fresh clothes for bed. Both were silent as Sabine did this. When Sabine was done, she kissed Andrea.
“My turn.”
Andrea seemed to be taking longer than Sabine did. At first, Sabine put it down to being taller and there being more of her to do, but after a few moments, Sabine realized Andrea was being slower deliberately. She wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t like Andrea seemed to be trying to start something, either.
Andrea was taking her time. She knew she was always in a rush, most of the time, in everything she did. She was trying to fix that, though. She had to think more and react less. She was going to be a mother soon and had to plan ahead for her future and her child’s future. Part of all of it, before she even brought up getting pregnant, was the realization she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Sabine. Her crush on Paige was just that; a crush. She loved Paige, for sure, but it was a different kind of love she now knew. What she felt for Sabine was so different from everything else she had felt before, she hadn’t realized it was real love, not the infatuation she was used to and mistook for love.
With the moon up and the translucent tent top, Andrea could see almost as well as a brightly lit room. She had Sabine here and she wasn’t in a rush now. She was looking, hell, studying her body, looking for more clues about her. Sabine was always so guarded. She wished she could bring that relaxed contentment to her face she had only glimpsed a few times out by the fire.
Andrea ran her hands with the wipes along everywhere. She could feel the stiffness in Sabine’s fingers, the slight grinding in her shoulder joints as she raised her arms. Andrea could feel the bands of scar tissue she didn’t dwell or linger on in other places. When she was finished, they both lay down on one sleeping bag and spread the other one over them like a blanket. They had to get up soon and need their sleep.
“My turn.”
Andrea seemed to be taking longer than Sabine did. At first, Sabine put it down to being taller and there being more of her to do, but after a few moments, Sabine realized Andrea was being slower deliberately. She wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t like Andrea seemed to be trying to start something, either.
Andrea was taking her time. She knew she was always in a rush, most of the time, in everything she did. She was trying to fix that, though. She had to think more and react less. She was going to be a mother soon and had to plan ahead for her future and her child’s future. Part of all of it, before she even brought up getting pregnant, was the realization she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Sabine. Her crush on Paige was just that; a crush. She loved Paige, for sure, but it was a different kind of love she now knew. What she felt for Sabine was so different from everything else she had felt before, she hadn’t realized it was real love, not the infatuation she was used to and mistook for love.
With the moon up and the translucent tent top, Andrea could see almost as well as a brightly lit room. She had Sabine here and she wasn’t in a rush now. She was looking, hell, studying her body, looking for more clues about her. Sabine was always so guarded. She wished she could bring that relaxed contentment to her face she had only glimpsed a few times out by the fire.
Andrea ran her hands with the wipes along everywhere. She could feel the stiffness in Sabine’s fingers, the slight grinding in her shoulder joints as she raised her arms. Andrea could feel the bands of scar tissue she didn’t dwell or linger on in other places. When she was finished, they both lay down on one sleeping bag and spread the other one over them like a blanket. They had to get up soon and need their sleep.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Sabine was putting their tent and bags into their SUV when Paige came walking up to Andrea who was at the little stove pouring coffee.
“Sorry we are a little late.” Paige began when Andrea cut her off, a lopsided grin on her face taking the sting out of her words.
“We could have left an hour ago if you didn’t have to get your ‘horn dog’ on ,,,,Again.”
Paige turned a couple shades of crimson as she started to reply. Once again, Andrea cut her off.
“Don’t even try it. Just after we all went to bed, Sabine thought she was going to have to grab her med bag and go treat whatever wounded coyote was outside making such a racket! I stopped her and told her it was no coyote and that wasn’t hurt.” Andrea handed Paige a cup of coffee. Paige was so embarrassed she couldn’t even look at Andrea.
“I’m sorry. I was just…..I forgot to be quiet.” The last part was almost a whisper. Part of her was mortified, but only part. She knew Andrea loved needling her about such things. She always had. In most things, Paige was quite shy, and to have her sex life discussed and critiqued, even by her best friends, was quite embarrassing.
“Not a problem, Coyote.” Sabine said as she walked up.
“I guess I got to take this from you too, Sabine?”
“Yup. At least I knew what it was that woke us up a little bit ago. I got to admit, it’s a little more pleasant than a ringing alarm clock, and now I know it’s not something wounded, the second time was fine.” Sabine smiled as Andrea poured more coffee in Sabine’s cup.
“You guys need to stop picking on her. You’re just jealous.” Henrik said as he walked by with their gear on one huge shoulder, headed towards the Cherokee. Andrea and Paige laughed, the mood light. Neither noticed as Sabine watched Henrik walk on by. No one heard Sabine’s reply under her breath.
“God yes, but in ways I hope you will never know.”
“Sorry we are a little late.” Paige began when Andrea cut her off, a lopsided grin on her face taking the sting out of her words.
“We could have left an hour ago if you didn’t have to get your ‘horn dog’ on ,,,,Again.”
Paige turned a couple shades of crimson as she started to reply. Once again, Andrea cut her off.
“Don’t even try it. Just after we all went to bed, Sabine thought she was going to have to grab her med bag and go treat whatever wounded coyote was outside making such a racket! I stopped her and told her it was no coyote and that wasn’t hurt.” Andrea handed Paige a cup of coffee. Paige was so embarrassed she couldn’t even look at Andrea.
“I’m sorry. I was just…..I forgot to be quiet.” The last part was almost a whisper. Part of her was mortified, but only part. She knew Andrea loved needling her about such things. She always had. In most things, Paige was quite shy, and to have her sex life discussed and critiqued, even by her best friends, was quite embarrassing.
“Not a problem, Coyote.” Sabine said as she walked up.
“I guess I got to take this from you too, Sabine?”
“Yup. At least I knew what it was that woke us up a little bit ago. I got to admit, it’s a little more pleasant than a ringing alarm clock, and now I know it’s not something wounded, the second time was fine.” Sabine smiled as Andrea poured more coffee in Sabine’s cup.
“You guys need to stop picking on her. You’re just jealous.” Henrik said as he walked by with their gear on one huge shoulder, headed towards the Cherokee. Andrea and Paige laughed, the mood light. Neither noticed as Sabine watched Henrik walk on by. No one heard Sabine’s reply under her breath.
“God yes, but in ways I hope you will never know.”
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Sub-textual sexual tensions? In this little herd?!!?
I can hardly wait to catch up w/ First & 2nd Herd then watch the 'blending'!!
Get ready for some high speed course corrections interspersed w/ Cliff & his brother, CLIFF .....
edit - the 2nd Herd slipped my mind for a second
Who knows? There might even be a worthy addition or two picked up on the way North ,,,it could happen .....
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
The group saw the flashing blue and red lights long before they got to them. As they slowly rounded a bend, in front of them was a Sherriff’s vehicle, lights ablaze. Over at the side of the road, a deputy was looking over the edge of the ravine next to the road.
Paige pulled up next to the officer. She rolled down the window so she and Henrik could speak to the officer. As he approached her, Paige also depressed the foot pedal push to talk button so Andrea and Sabine could hear the conversation.
“What seems to be the problem, officer?”
The officer was frantic, not seeming to know what to do or say as he got to the side of the Cherokee.
“One of our officers was run off the road by a guy she was chasing. Her truck is down the ravine. And she’s hurt. I can’t get anyone else on the radio and besides, there’s really no one to help me. I don’t know what I’m going to do. It took me almost an hour to get here and find where she went over the side. She stopped answering me on the radio about 20 minutes ago.”
Paige and Henrik looked at one another. While the unspoken question passed between them, their earpiece crackled with Sabine’s voice.
“We’re going to do this, right?” the way Sabine said it, it wasn’t a question.
Paige nodded to Henrik, who then swung open the door and stepped out. He looked at the officer.
“Sherriff, I guess this might work out for you this morning. Show me where she went over.” The Deputy relaxed some. He wasn’t by himself trying to solve this problem. He walked Henrik over to where the guardrail was sheared off. Henrik could see the tracks and torn up snow where the deputy’s vehicle slid and tumbled down the steep ravine. Henrik pulled the flashlight from his pocket and swept the hillside and the vehicle down below. He didn’t see any movement.
Henrik turned and shouted over his shoulder towards the other SUV where Sabine was standing next to the rear door, adjusting a med pack on her back. “Hey, it looks like about 40 meters and about a seventy-five or eighty degree slope. The SUV has rounded roofline so it’s tumbled at least once. It’s in some trees. What do you think?” Henrik started back towards the group standing around their vehicles.
Sabine was pulling on a headlamp and some gloves as she stepped forward. “If you have the rope, I’ll get my ass down there and see what we have while you guys figure out how to get me and her back up the hill.”
Paige, Sabine, Andrea and Henrik were all next to the trailer as they worked a fast game plan. Henrik was taking the lead since this was mountain rescue, his actual bailiwick. While Henrik was talking, Andrea pressed some radios at them to connect to their headsets.
“OK, got it. Toss a rope, I need to get down there.” Sabine was all full of anxious energy, practically bouncing up and down. Henrik took one of his rope bags, clipped the free end with the carabineer around the brush guard of the Cherokee and flung the bag over the side towards the downed vehicle. Before it even landed, Sabine was next to the edge, the rope in her hands. Henrik stepped up to her.
“Whoa, slow down. Let me get you a harness and a rappel device.” Henrik said as she was grabbing the rope.
“Don’t worry about that, I have one and I’m good. In this weather, hypothermia kills. I need to get to her if she is to have a chance.” Sabine took a large heavy locking carabineer in one hand and clipped the rope through it a couple of times, ending up with several wraps around it’s back.
“A bineer wrap? Are you sure? Henrik’s voice sounded worried now. This was an old school technique he had seen and done a few times, but he wasn’t sure how much experience Sabine had for doing something like this.
“Not a problem. You start work on how you are getting me back up with the patient.” Sabine reached behind her back, clipping the carabineer to the back of her riggers belt. Before Henrik could even react, Sabine shot over the side, face first, the beam from her headlamp bouncing crazily along the snow and trees as she went down.
Henrik watched her the whole way down. Sabine made it to the vehicle quickly. She looked back at Henrik and flashed a thumbs up, then turned towards the vehicle. Henrik went back to Paige and Andrea to begin setting up a raising system to get them back up to the road.
Paige pulled up next to the officer. She rolled down the window so she and Henrik could speak to the officer. As he approached her, Paige also depressed the foot pedal push to talk button so Andrea and Sabine could hear the conversation.
“What seems to be the problem, officer?”
The officer was frantic, not seeming to know what to do or say as he got to the side of the Cherokee.
“One of our officers was run off the road by a guy she was chasing. Her truck is down the ravine. And she’s hurt. I can’t get anyone else on the radio and besides, there’s really no one to help me. I don’t know what I’m going to do. It took me almost an hour to get here and find where she went over the side. She stopped answering me on the radio about 20 minutes ago.”
Paige and Henrik looked at one another. While the unspoken question passed between them, their earpiece crackled with Sabine’s voice.
“We’re going to do this, right?” the way Sabine said it, it wasn’t a question.
Paige nodded to Henrik, who then swung open the door and stepped out. He looked at the officer.
“Sherriff, I guess this might work out for you this morning. Show me where she went over.” The Deputy relaxed some. He wasn’t by himself trying to solve this problem. He walked Henrik over to where the guardrail was sheared off. Henrik could see the tracks and torn up snow where the deputy’s vehicle slid and tumbled down the steep ravine. Henrik pulled the flashlight from his pocket and swept the hillside and the vehicle down below. He didn’t see any movement.
Henrik turned and shouted over his shoulder towards the other SUV where Sabine was standing next to the rear door, adjusting a med pack on her back. “Hey, it looks like about 40 meters and about a seventy-five or eighty degree slope. The SUV has rounded roofline so it’s tumbled at least once. It’s in some trees. What do you think?” Henrik started back towards the group standing around their vehicles.
Sabine was pulling on a headlamp and some gloves as she stepped forward. “If you have the rope, I’ll get my ass down there and see what we have while you guys figure out how to get me and her back up the hill.”
Paige, Sabine, Andrea and Henrik were all next to the trailer as they worked a fast game plan. Henrik was taking the lead since this was mountain rescue, his actual bailiwick. While Henrik was talking, Andrea pressed some radios at them to connect to their headsets.
“OK, got it. Toss a rope, I need to get down there.” Sabine was all full of anxious energy, practically bouncing up and down. Henrik took one of his rope bags, clipped the free end with the carabineer around the brush guard of the Cherokee and flung the bag over the side towards the downed vehicle. Before it even landed, Sabine was next to the edge, the rope in her hands. Henrik stepped up to her.
“Whoa, slow down. Let me get you a harness and a rappel device.” Henrik said as she was grabbing the rope.
“Don’t worry about that, I have one and I’m good. In this weather, hypothermia kills. I need to get to her if she is to have a chance.” Sabine took a large heavy locking carabineer in one hand and clipped the rope through it a couple of times, ending up with several wraps around it’s back.
“A bineer wrap? Are you sure? Henrik’s voice sounded worried now. This was an old school technique he had seen and done a few times, but he wasn’t sure how much experience Sabine had for doing something like this.
“Not a problem. You start work on how you are getting me back up with the patient.” Sabine reached behind her back, clipping the carabineer to the back of her riggers belt. Before Henrik could even react, Sabine shot over the side, face first, the beam from her headlamp bouncing crazily along the snow and trees as she went down.
Henrik watched her the whole way down. Sabine made it to the vehicle quickly. She looked back at Henrik and flashed a thumbs up, then turned towards the vehicle. Henrik went back to Paige and Andrea to begin setting up a raising system to get them back up to the road.
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
reminds me of a story from a couple up years ago. Bad bus accident in the middle of somewhere (Arizona or Texas) miles from everywhere, several down people involved and in the traffic jam being directed by one of the only couple of cops on hand was a pair of fifteen passenger vans, both half full of people and half full of gear- it was a group of Pararescue guys coming back from a jump, complete with their normal med gear. They asked if they needed some help.
A dozen prehospital trauma paramedics specializing in vehicle extrication? How could you ask for anything more appropriate
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Correction, my numbers were off-reminds me of a story from a couple up years ago. Bad bus accident in the middle of somewhere (Arizona or Texas) miles from everywhere, several down people involved and in the traffic jam being directed by one of the only couple of cops on hand was a pair of fifteen passenger vans, both half full of people and half full of gear- it was a group of Pararescue guys coming back from a jump, complete with their normal med gear. They asked if they needed some help.
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFNS) -- Eight Airmen from the 48th Rescue Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base were first responders on a 19-vehicle accident involving more than 20 people Oct. 29, on Interstate 10 near Picacho Peak, Ariz., .
Six pararescuemen, a combat rescue officer and a communications specialist were driving through a dust storm with reduced visibility after jump training in Eloy, Ariz. when they drove by the accident.
"We were driving down the frontage road when we saw the pile-up," said Caleb, a 48th Rescue Squadron combat rescue officer. "We noticed there were police on either end, but no emergency, medical or rescue services at the crash site."
The Airmen witnessed an individual from the accident walk down the hill from the freeway and then fall down. They turned around and offered their assistance.
When they pulled over to the side of the road, they talked to a sheriff. Lucas, 48th Rescue Squadron pararescueman, identified himself as a U.S. Air Force pararescueman with seven paramedics and asked if the sheriff needed help.
"The sheriff said 'Right now, I got three dead and five critical, help as fast as you can,'" Lucas said. "At that point, we completely unloaded both of our vehicles."
They suited up with helmets, goggles and gloves and headed into the scene with what medical gear they had. The first thing they noticed was fuel leaking onto the road and under vehicles.
"We immediately noticed three or four vehicles with trapped personnel," Caleb said. "We assessed them and their situations and started getting people out using basic tools and equipment."
With the Airmen being some of the first on scene, they improvised with knives, crowbars and any other objects they could locate to extract people from their vehicles.
They were on scene about 15 minutes before emergency medical services arrived and 30 minutes before heavy extrication equipment showed up.
They triaged, splinted and provided medical care to more than 20 individuals at the crash scene. Additionally, they provided emotional support to patients.
If you find something that will bring a patient comfort, give it to them, Lucas said. Even just going back and asking 'How are you doing Stanley?' brought them comfort simply because their name was not forgotten.
The Airmen extracted five people from vehicles, coordinated four medical helicopter flights and organized ground transportation for about six injured individuals.
After the critically injured were transported off scene, the Airmen collected all of their gear, ensured EMS no longer needed their services and continued back to Davis-Monthan.
Four of the pararescuemen were right out of initial training and had never responded to a real-world situation like this before.
"I'm a Department of Training instructor," Lucas said. "The fact these Airmen just rolled in and got it done, it's a great feeling to know they are new and they accomplished something like this. It shows them how they can make a difference."
All the Airmen credited their training and experience in allowing them to keep calm and render aid in conjunction with the other authorities at the scene.
"You do all these medical scenarios and train so much, sometimes you wonder, 'Am I going to know what's right?'" said Dan, a 48th Rescue Squadron pararescueman. "When you get in there and start doing it for real, all your training pays off."
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
“Alright, Paige, we will use the capstan winch on the front of the Cherokee. I’ll get the second rope out for that. Andrea, can you get the roll up litter Sabine has in your vehicle.” All the time he was working on a couple plans, he was also wondering at Sabine charging down the hill in a fast Australian style rappel. He would have to ask her later when she learned to do that.
Paige was at the front of her Cherokee pulling covers off of the winches. She had the super powerful one with the cable spool for vehicle recovery, but this wasn’t the one she was going to use. The other one was a type of winch that dated back to sailing ship days. It was a round capstan you wrapped a couple of loops of whatever rope you were using around. One of its advantages was you weren’t limited in length of rope you can use. You don’t even need a free end of the rope to use it. You just flip a couple of loops around it and, presto! Paige knew Henrik had a portable version he scavenged from the search and rescue cache. His was built with a chainsaw for use on cliffs and mountains. They didn’t want to unpack it since she had the one on the front of the Cherokee.
Andrea knew exactly what Henrik was talking about. The rolled up plastic sheet was the same type the group used to bring back the deer. She had no idea what Henrik needed to hook it up, but she could dig it out and get it ready as far as she could.
The Deputy came over to them.
“What can I do to help?” His worried tone, combined with not knowing what to do, had him spinning in circles. Paige figured to put him to work.
“Sir, come over here.” When he got to her, Paige continued. “OK, first thing, once we bring her up, depending on her condition, she will need to go to the hospital. We don’t know where the closest one is and from what you are saying, there won’t be an ambulance coming here to get her.” At this he nodded. “So, first thing, you need to get your vehicle set up for a patient. Run the heater up all the way so it is warm when we get her up.”
“I can do that. What after that?”
“Get back over here and help us with the ropes. I’m not sure exactly what we will be doing, but extra hands will help.” Paige said as she turned back towards Henrik as he arrived with the other rope.
“OK, Paige, here’s the free end of the rope. I’ll clip the other end to the stretcher bag so when she calls for it, I’ll toss it down to her.” Henrik made it sound simple. Paige knew it wasn’t.
“So, she is going to set up the stretcher, load the patient and set everything up herself? I don’t think so. You better get ready to go help her. I can run the winch.”
Henrik thought for a few moments and knew she was right. Andrea wasn’t going over the side. Paige could run the winch and he could help Sabine. He started putting his harness on.
Paige was at the front of her Cherokee pulling covers off of the winches. She had the super powerful one with the cable spool for vehicle recovery, but this wasn’t the one she was going to use. The other one was a type of winch that dated back to sailing ship days. It was a round capstan you wrapped a couple of loops of whatever rope you were using around. One of its advantages was you weren’t limited in length of rope you can use. You don’t even need a free end of the rope to use it. You just flip a couple of loops around it and, presto! Paige knew Henrik had a portable version he scavenged from the search and rescue cache. His was built with a chainsaw for use on cliffs and mountains. They didn’t want to unpack it since she had the one on the front of the Cherokee.
Andrea knew exactly what Henrik was talking about. The rolled up plastic sheet was the same type the group used to bring back the deer. She had no idea what Henrik needed to hook it up, but she could dig it out and get it ready as far as she could.
The Deputy came over to them.
“What can I do to help?” His worried tone, combined with not knowing what to do, had him spinning in circles. Paige figured to put him to work.
“Sir, come over here.” When he got to her, Paige continued. “OK, first thing, once we bring her up, depending on her condition, she will need to go to the hospital. We don’t know where the closest one is and from what you are saying, there won’t be an ambulance coming here to get her.” At this he nodded. “So, first thing, you need to get your vehicle set up for a patient. Run the heater up all the way so it is warm when we get her up.”
“I can do that. What after that?”
“Get back over here and help us with the ropes. I’m not sure exactly what we will be doing, but extra hands will help.” Paige said as she turned back towards Henrik as he arrived with the other rope.
“OK, Paige, here’s the free end of the rope. I’ll clip the other end to the stretcher bag so when she calls for it, I’ll toss it down to her.” Henrik made it sound simple. Paige knew it wasn’t.
“So, she is going to set up the stretcher, load the patient and set everything up herself? I don’t think so. You better get ready to go help her. I can run the winch.”
Henrik thought for a few moments and knew she was right. Andrea wasn’t going over the side. Paige could run the winch and he could help Sabine. He started putting his harness on.