Story Market Day
- Thread starter ComCamGuy
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Somebody's updated version of spellcheck (in a healthcare facility no less)
corrected
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
“Well, that explains a lot.” Chance sat back in his chair after Sabine spent about thirty minutes giving a thumbnail sketch of most of the events leading up to this point.
“Well, when were you guys planning on heading out from here? I figure you will stay a day or so to get reset and fix your sleep schedules back to what you intended. It might also get the stress levels stabilized a bit on your ‘Princess Anisocoria.’”
At this, Sabine almost choked on the drink she was sipping. Andrea looked over at Sabine choking and laughing. “What?”
Sabine looked over at Andrea. “After Paige’s head injury, one of her pupils doesn’t quite match the other. It doesn’t seem to have the same setting and is about two millimeters bigger than the other. The medical term for this is ‘Anisocoria’”
“I had a cat like that and that was her name. Whenever she got stressed out she would get a bit violent. I figured it fit. Paige has some of the same traits. She is probably sweet, shy and loving until the stress monster creeps up on her, then a switch gets flipped and here goes psycho girl.”
Andrea just shook her head, amazed. “You hit the nail on the head, but this is the first we have really seen of the other one.”
Chance continued. “Just keep an eye on her. Stress is probably the trigger. Nerve tissue is the slowest to heal. She may have issues for a long time. A buddy of mine had ‘Bells Palsey’ years ago and when he gets tired, he still shows some of the neurological effects. On the other hand if it keeps getting worse it could be something different all together. Remember to listen to her body and watch her movements.”
Chance stood up. “You guys are welcome here as long as you need to reset. You saved my niece. That holds a lot of water with me. It helps balance out the almost shooting Ren.” He smiled. “Dang, this is the first time he almost got shot for something he DIDN’T say. Ren is a forgiving young man and it makes for a good story for him to tell his friends if we make it through this. Good night ladies.” Chance headed towards the back of the clinic, leaving Sabine and Andrea at the table.
“Well, when were you guys planning on heading out from here? I figure you will stay a day or so to get reset and fix your sleep schedules back to what you intended. It might also get the stress levels stabilized a bit on your ‘Princess Anisocoria.’”
At this, Sabine almost choked on the drink she was sipping. Andrea looked over at Sabine choking and laughing. “What?”
Sabine looked over at Andrea. “After Paige’s head injury, one of her pupils doesn’t quite match the other. It doesn’t seem to have the same setting and is about two millimeters bigger than the other. The medical term for this is ‘Anisocoria’”
“I had a cat like that and that was her name. Whenever she got stressed out she would get a bit violent. I figured it fit. Paige has some of the same traits. She is probably sweet, shy and loving until the stress monster creeps up on her, then a switch gets flipped and here goes psycho girl.”
Andrea just shook her head, amazed. “You hit the nail on the head, but this is the first we have really seen of the other one.”
Chance continued. “Just keep an eye on her. Stress is probably the trigger. Nerve tissue is the slowest to heal. She may have issues for a long time. A buddy of mine had ‘Bells Palsey’ years ago and when he gets tired, he still shows some of the neurological effects. On the other hand if it keeps getting worse it could be something different all together. Remember to listen to her body and watch her movements.”
Chance stood up. “You guys are welcome here as long as you need to reset. You saved my niece. That holds a lot of water with me. It helps balance out the almost shooting Ren.” He smiled. “Dang, this is the first time he almost got shot for something he DIDN’T say. Ren is a forgiving young man and it makes for a good story for him to tell his friends if we make it through this. Good night ladies.” Chance headed towards the back of the clinic, leaving Sabine and Andrea at the table.
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
The next day was spent doing a reset on several things. Henrik cleaned and reset the rope rescue equipment used during the ravine recovery. Andrea set up the radio out of the crashed deputy vehicle as a base station in the vet clinic. She also showed Ren how she did it so he could use the one in his vehicle to make a base station in his uncle’s house. Chance already had a modified CB/10 meter rig but this would add more flexibility to the system.
Paige was walking around all timid and embarrassed until Ren took her aside.
“Paige, I don’t blame you for being pissed at me. You didn’t know what was going on. You thought I was some asshole who just took her and dumped her somewhere. I was scared to tell you guys when you were helping me. I thought if you knew we were leaving and no longer deputies, you wouldn’t help. Or worse. I shouldn’t have led you guys on.” Ren looked the young guy in his twenties he really was when he was trying to apologize.
“I wouldn’t have blamed you if you had shot me. It was my stupidity and fear that got me in this mess and I, I have to own up to it.” His apology seemed to run out of steam as he was at a loss for words.
Paige could see the sincerity of Ren’s attempt. She didn’t know what to say either. She was so scared herself at what almost happened. It was another element of her loss of self-control. Her emotions seemed to be all over the place these days. Ever since the attack, she found herself in a spiral whenever she was under too much stress.
This wasn’t much different than when she was growing up. She was usually the kid people wanted to be friends with, but she also was the one who didn’t really like going to parties and big groups. She was shy for the most part, but that shyness had at its core her stress and, to be honest, anxiety. This was part of why she loved her job in the Marines. She went to work and worked on things, usually at her bench by herself.
This whole shift in the world has forced her into a leadership role, whether she wanted it or not. She couldn’t help feel it either. The whole trip, all of it, is her fault. Once she came to that realization, it landed on her like a ton of bricks. She knew she wasn’t handling it well. Part of her can look at the steps of what she did and see the logic train leading to now. The other part of her was scared at how she could rationalize decisions leading towards her almost shooting an innocent person. All of this was once again racing through her mind as she stood there with a blank look when Ren stopped talking.
Ren looked at the glazed look on Paige’s face. He wasn’t sure if she was waiting for him to say something more or if there was something wrong. He waited a few more moments with no reaction from Paige. Now he was worrying. He saw Sabine walk by the doorway.
“Sabine, can you come here? I think I broke Paige.”
Paige was walking around all timid and embarrassed until Ren took her aside.
“Paige, I don’t blame you for being pissed at me. You didn’t know what was going on. You thought I was some asshole who just took her and dumped her somewhere. I was scared to tell you guys when you were helping me. I thought if you knew we were leaving and no longer deputies, you wouldn’t help. Or worse. I shouldn’t have led you guys on.” Ren looked the young guy in his twenties he really was when he was trying to apologize.
“I wouldn’t have blamed you if you had shot me. It was my stupidity and fear that got me in this mess and I, I have to own up to it.” His apology seemed to run out of steam as he was at a loss for words.
Paige could see the sincerity of Ren’s attempt. She didn’t know what to say either. She was so scared herself at what almost happened. It was another element of her loss of self-control. Her emotions seemed to be all over the place these days. Ever since the attack, she found herself in a spiral whenever she was under too much stress.
This wasn’t much different than when she was growing up. She was usually the kid people wanted to be friends with, but she also was the one who didn’t really like going to parties and big groups. She was shy for the most part, but that shyness had at its core her stress and, to be honest, anxiety. This was part of why she loved her job in the Marines. She went to work and worked on things, usually at her bench by herself.
This whole shift in the world has forced her into a leadership role, whether she wanted it or not. She couldn’t help feel it either. The whole trip, all of it, is her fault. Once she came to that realization, it landed on her like a ton of bricks. She knew she wasn’t handling it well. Part of her can look at the steps of what she did and see the logic train leading to now. The other part of her was scared at how she could rationalize decisions leading towards her almost shooting an innocent person. All of this was once again racing through her mind as she stood there with a blank look when Ren stopped talking.
Ren looked at the glazed look on Paige’s face. He wasn’t sure if she was waiting for him to say something more or if there was something wrong. He waited a few more moments with no reaction from Paige. Now he was worrying. He saw Sabine walk by the doorway.
“Sabine, can you come here? I think I broke Paige.”
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
“I don’t know why it’s happening, but it has been getting worse!” Paige’s voice was full of concern and just a bit of a whine as well.
Henrik was trying to comfort and reassure her. “With all the stress and everything going on, you’ve just overworked yourself. You just blanked out and were thinking through stuff. It’s not like when you passed out at the house.”
“But it’s happening more!” Paige countered.
“But we will pay attention to it better and try to watch all our stress levels. We need to be alert but this isn’t Route Irish or Kabul. We just need to be cautious and alert. We are on our time table and no one else’s. We get too spooled up and need to stop and reset ourselves, we can. If it takes a week or a month, we will get there.”
Henrik wrapped her up in his arms and held her. He felt her relax into his arms. He wasn’t worried. They would get through this. She would be fine as long as they didn’t get too stressed.
Henrik was trying to comfort and reassure her. “With all the stress and everything going on, you’ve just overworked yourself. You just blanked out and were thinking through stuff. It’s not like when you passed out at the house.”
“But it’s happening more!” Paige countered.
“But we will pay attention to it better and try to watch all our stress levels. We need to be alert but this isn’t Route Irish or Kabul. We just need to be cautious and alert. We are on our time table and no one else’s. We get too spooled up and need to stop and reset ourselves, we can. If it takes a week or a month, we will get there.”
Henrik wrapped her up in his arms and held her. He felt her relax into his arms. He wasn’t worried. They would get through this. She would be fine as long as they didn’t get too stressed.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Its been a while since I was active in prehospital healthcare but IIRC, but it seems any one 'stressed out' was dosed w/ Zoloft,
Xanax, Valium, Ativan et al and any dose sufficient to sublimate stress was not conducive to being alert; hence the 'do not drive or operate machinery' warnings.
Given the circumstances, I don't see a resolution although I'm woefully weak on more current medications or herbal treatments. I'm really looking forward to learning how one could deal with this circumstance.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Paige was walking around all timid and embarrassed until Ren took her aside.
“Paige, I don’t blame you for being pissed at me. You didn’t know what was going on. You thought I was some asshole who just took her and dumped her somewhere. I was scared to tell you guys when you were helping me. I thought if you knew we were leaving and no longer deputies, you wouldn’t help. Or worse. I shouldn’t have led you guys on.” Ren looked the young guy in his twenties he really was when he was trying to apologize.
“I wouldn’t have blamed you if you had shot me. It was my stupidity and fear that got me in this mess and I, I have to own up to it.” His apology seemed to run out of steam as he was at a loss for words.
Paige could see the sincerity of Ren’s attempt. She didn’t know what to say either. She scared herself at what almost happened. It was another element of her loss of self-control. Her emotions seemed to be all over the place these days. Ever since the attack, she found herself in a spiral whenever she was under too much stress and those darn butterflies. They confused her with their meddling. Norm was the most annoying.
This was not who she was, it was so different from the person she was growing up. She was usually the kid people wanted to be friends with, but she also was the one who didn’t really like going to parties and big groups. She was shy for the most part, but that shyness had at its core her stress and, to be honest, anxiety. This was part of why she loved her job in the Marines. She went to work and worked on things, usually at her bench by herself.
This whole shift in the world has forced her into a leadership role, whether she wanted it or not. She couldn’t help feel it. The whole trip, all of it, is her fault, she thought. She knew she wasn’t handling it well.
Instead of listen to Ren, she started serious self-flagellation. Now she was blaming herself for everything from leaving the safety of their home to fall of the Roman Empire. The butterflies were not helping. Norm kept bringing up how she made a mockery of mandatory section in her one person shop by splitting her personality to fill the position.
Part of her looked at the steps of what she did and saw the logic train leading to now.
The other part of her was scared at how she could rationalize decisions leading towards her almost shooting an innocent person. But she did not rationalize things after the fact to justify actions! That was not her or was it? She always thought things through, examined the facts, made a plan, reviewed the plan and lately discussed it with the butterflies who then held a committee meeting with the hummingbirds who handed down a decision. She was not an impulsive individual. Why now! What was going with her she wondered?
All of this was once again racing through her mind as she stood there with a blank look when Ren stopped talking.
Ren looked at the glazed look on Paige’s face. He wasn’t sure if she was waiting for him to say something more or if there was something wrong. He waited a few more moments with no reaction from Paige. Now he was worrying if something was seriously wrong. He didn’t know what to do when he saw Sabine walk by the doorway with Henrik following close behind.
“Sabine, can you come here? I think I broke Paige.”
As Sabine came running toward the door Henrik stopped her. She clearly understood the non-verbal message Henrik sent as she looked into his eyes nodding in agreement it was his to handle.
Henrik walked into the room gently putting his arm around Paige.
“Ren, it was a misunderstanding.” Henrik start to explain in his calming way.
“We have been some ugly places where you shoot first and the good guys turn out to be bad guys. The ones you are supposed to trust do a sneak attack. Kick you in the head, sucker puck you and leave you for dead. Makes you not trust people. When you do trust some one then think they screwed you, well you take it pretty hard. If you can put this to lessons learned.”
Ren nodded in agreement at Henrik. He liked him. He was the big brother Ren wished he had after his father died. He seemed to be raised with the same values and was truthful in what he said. A good God fearing man. A tear welled up
Sabine again thought of her Master Chief and how much Henrik was like him. ‘Yeti you are a good man’ she thought as he walked out with Paige.
Henrik walked Paige toward the door “If you will excuse us. Paige is tired and needs some medication.”
Sabine lingered in case Ren needed to talk.
“I don’t know why it’s happening, but it has been getting worse!” Paige’s voice was full of concern and just a bit of a whine as well.
Henrik was trying to comfort and reassure her. “With all the stress and everything going on, you’ve just overworked yourself. You just blanked out and were thinking through stuff. It’s not like when you passed out at the house.”
“But it’s happening more!” Paige countered.
“But we will pay attention to it better and try to watch all our stress levels. We need to be alert but this isn’t Route Irish or Kabul. We just need to be cautious and alert. We are on our time table and no one else’s. We get too spooled up and need to stop and reset ourselves, we can. If it takes a week or a month, we will get there.”
Henrik wrapped her up in his arms and held her. He felt her relax into his arms. He wasn’t worried. They would get through this. She would be fine as long as they didn’t get too stressed.
“Paige, I don’t blame you for being pissed at me. You didn’t know what was going on. You thought I was some asshole who just took her and dumped her somewhere. I was scared to tell you guys when you were helping me. I thought if you knew we were leaving and no longer deputies, you wouldn’t help. Or worse. I shouldn’t have led you guys on.” Ren looked the young guy in his twenties he really was when he was trying to apologize.
“I wouldn’t have blamed you if you had shot me. It was my stupidity and fear that got me in this mess and I, I have to own up to it.” His apology seemed to run out of steam as he was at a loss for words.
Paige could see the sincerity of Ren’s attempt. She didn’t know what to say either. She scared herself at what almost happened. It was another element of her loss of self-control. Her emotions seemed to be all over the place these days. Ever since the attack, she found herself in a spiral whenever she was under too much stress and those darn butterflies. They confused her with their meddling. Norm was the most annoying.
This was not who she was, it was so different from the person she was growing up. She was usually the kid people wanted to be friends with, but she also was the one who didn’t really like going to parties and big groups. She was shy for the most part, but that shyness had at its core her stress and, to be honest, anxiety. This was part of why she loved her job in the Marines. She went to work and worked on things, usually at her bench by herself.
This whole shift in the world has forced her into a leadership role, whether she wanted it or not. She couldn’t help feel it. The whole trip, all of it, is her fault, she thought. She knew she wasn’t handling it well.
Instead of listen to Ren, she started serious self-flagellation. Now she was blaming herself for everything from leaving the safety of their home to fall of the Roman Empire. The butterflies were not helping. Norm kept bringing up how she made a mockery of mandatory section in her one person shop by splitting her personality to fill the position.
Part of her looked at the steps of what she did and saw the logic train leading to now.
The other part of her was scared at how she could rationalize decisions leading towards her almost shooting an innocent person. But she did not rationalize things after the fact to justify actions! That was not her or was it? She always thought things through, examined the facts, made a plan, reviewed the plan and lately discussed it with the butterflies who then held a committee meeting with the hummingbirds who handed down a decision. She was not an impulsive individual. Why now! What was going with her she wondered?
All of this was once again racing through her mind as she stood there with a blank look when Ren stopped talking.
Ren looked at the glazed look on Paige’s face. He wasn’t sure if she was waiting for him to say something more or if there was something wrong. He waited a few more moments with no reaction from Paige. Now he was worrying if something was seriously wrong. He didn’t know what to do when he saw Sabine walk by the doorway with Henrik following close behind.
“Sabine, can you come here? I think I broke Paige.”
As Sabine came running toward the door Henrik stopped her. She clearly understood the non-verbal message Henrik sent as she looked into his eyes nodding in agreement it was his to handle.
Henrik walked into the room gently putting his arm around Paige.
“Ren, it was a misunderstanding.” Henrik start to explain in his calming way.
“We have been some ugly places where you shoot first and the good guys turn out to be bad guys. The ones you are supposed to trust do a sneak attack. Kick you in the head, sucker puck you and leave you for dead. Makes you not trust people. When you do trust some one then think they screwed you, well you take it pretty hard. If you can put this to lessons learned.”
Ren nodded in agreement at Henrik. He liked him. He was the big brother Ren wished he had after his father died. He seemed to be raised with the same values and was truthful in what he said. A good God fearing man. A tear welled up
Sabine again thought of her Master Chief and how much Henrik was like him. ‘Yeti you are a good man’ she thought as he walked out with Paige.
Henrik walked Paige toward the door “If you will excuse us. Paige is tired and needs some medication.”
Sabine lingered in case Ren needed to talk.
“I don’t know why it’s happening, but it has been getting worse!” Paige’s voice was full of concern and just a bit of a whine as well.
Henrik was trying to comfort and reassure her. “With all the stress and everything going on, you’ve just overworked yourself. You just blanked out and were thinking through stuff. It’s not like when you passed out at the house.”
“But it’s happening more!” Paige countered.
“But we will pay attention to it better and try to watch all our stress levels. We need to be alert but this isn’t Route Irish or Kabul. We just need to be cautious and alert. We are on our time table and no one else’s. We get too spooled up and need to stop and reset ourselves, we can. If it takes a week or a month, we will get there.”
Henrik wrapped her up in his arms and held her. He felt her relax into his arms. He wasn’t worried. They would get through this. She would be fine as long as they didn’t get too stressed.
One of the best one liners : "... I think I broke Paige"
Somebody should remind Paige that if she hadn't talked every body into this trip to relocate to the middle of nowhere Tracey would be stone cold dead at the bottom of the ravine. Other than that you spin a pretty good tale. Have you considered retiring and writing full time?
Thanks for the stories though. Greatly appreciate your efforts.
Somebody should remind Paige that if she hadn't talked every body into this trip to relocate to the middle of nowhere Tracey would be stone cold dead at the bottom of the ravine. Other than that you spin a pretty good tale. Have you considered retiring and writing full time?
Thanks for the stories though. Greatly appreciate your efforts.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
I have 7 years left for my second federal retirement, after that........
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Their final meal was once again hardy fare; steak, eggs some potatoes and onions provided the side dishes. Henrik was in heaven.
“Doc, you guys seem to be eating fairly well, considering what all is going on.” Henrik said after a big bite. Chance smiled as he replied.
“Well, I’m a large animal vet in a rural and farming area. Even before the problems, I had many who couldn’t free up hard cash and instead paid in things they could. I get paid frequently in meat, eggs, milk, butter and sometimes vegies. Savannah has a small garden in the old greenhouse up at the house that fills in enough to prevent scurvy.”
At this, Savannah blushed a little. Chance noticed and chuckled a little. “Savannah is living up at the house to keep an eye on me. It’s the ancestral family home with eight bedrooms and all the trappings of a turn of the century Victorian home. My grandfather bought the place and the veterinary practice from the retiring vet decades ago. He was running the vet clinic out of the massive stable building. My dad had this building build down here closer to the road with a more purpose built design. Savannah is in one of the bedrooms. Tracey and Ren still have their own rooms and if I wasn’t wanting such things as x-ray and all the other modern medical assets, we would have been up there when you drove by.” Chance paused, looking over at Savannah who was looking a little sheepish.
Chance looked at Savannah, then at the others. He thought he knew what Savannah was worried about. “None of that! She has her room and I have mine. If I was twenty years younger, I would still be a cradle robber. Now, you guys need anything more that I can help with before you head out?” Chance had a big smile on his face now.
“Doc, you guys seem to be eating fairly well, considering what all is going on.” Henrik said after a big bite. Chance smiled as he replied.
“Well, I’m a large animal vet in a rural and farming area. Even before the problems, I had many who couldn’t free up hard cash and instead paid in things they could. I get paid frequently in meat, eggs, milk, butter and sometimes vegies. Savannah has a small garden in the old greenhouse up at the house that fills in enough to prevent scurvy.”
At this, Savannah blushed a little. Chance noticed and chuckled a little. “Savannah is living up at the house to keep an eye on me. It’s the ancestral family home with eight bedrooms and all the trappings of a turn of the century Victorian home. My grandfather bought the place and the veterinary practice from the retiring vet decades ago. He was running the vet clinic out of the massive stable building. My dad had this building build down here closer to the road with a more purpose built design. Savannah is in one of the bedrooms. Tracey and Ren still have their own rooms and if I wasn’t wanting such things as x-ray and all the other modern medical assets, we would have been up there when you drove by.” Chance paused, looking over at Savannah who was looking a little sheepish.
Chance looked at Savannah, then at the others. He thought he knew what Savannah was worried about. “None of that! She has her room and I have mine. If I was twenty years younger, I would still be a cradle robber. Now, you guys need anything more that I can help with before you head out?” Chance had a big smile on his face now.
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Chance and Savannah stood in the doorway, his arm across her shoulders and her arm around her waist as they watched the group drive off in the night.
“You’re not that old, Chance.” Savannah said as she leaned her head against his arm.
“You deserve someone younger, better. Not some worn out relic twice your age.” Chance countered.
“What I deserve is someone who treats me right, accepts that I have a brain and believes in the art of being a gentleman. I’ve window shopped enough to know a good thing when I see it. One of these days I will wear you down and you come over to my side of thinking.”
“I don’t want to ruin ‘us’”
“It wouldn’t ruin it, I won’t let it.” Savannah shot back.
“What will the kids think? You’re more their age than mine.”
“So, you’re saying as long as it’s OK with the kids, you are good with it? I guess I better talk to the kids.” Savannah ducked out from under his arm and darted inside before he could catch her.
“Oh, Hell! What have I done?” Chance said to himself as the vehicles passed out of sight around the bend. He closed the door and went inside.
“You’re not that old, Chance.” Savannah said as she leaned her head against his arm.
“You deserve someone younger, better. Not some worn out relic twice your age.” Chance countered.
“What I deserve is someone who treats me right, accepts that I have a brain and believes in the art of being a gentleman. I’ve window shopped enough to know a good thing when I see it. One of these days I will wear you down and you come over to my side of thinking.”
“I don’t want to ruin ‘us’”
“It wouldn’t ruin it, I won’t let it.” Savannah shot back.
“What will the kids think? You’re more their age than mine.”
“So, you’re saying as long as it’s OK with the kids, you are good with it? I guess I better talk to the kids.” Savannah ducked out from under his arm and darted inside before he could catch her.
“Oh, Hell! What have I done?” Chance said to himself as the vehicles passed out of sight around the bend. He closed the door and went inside.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
The next few days were like the ones before they stopped to rescue Tracey. An early morning start followed by an early stop in as sheltered a location as they could manage. Henrik was back within his element. He hated to admit it, but he was really enjoying the trip in spite of the stress.
Back before the trip started being planned, Henrik felt like a third wheel most of the time. He was never really sure what he was contributing to things other than brute strength and moral support. There wasn’t a real need for backwoods skills, open ocean navigation, boat handling or any of the other things he might be the best at out of the group. Once the trip planning started, he began to, in his mind, contribute.
Now he was really in full swing. A rope rescue, camping, navigating, this was so much more his specialty. The vehicles were built, no one was sick, the radios worked so he was now the center of what needed done. If he could just get Paige to stop shouldering the whole burden of responsibility, he was sure it would be better. He didn’t like her stressing so much.
They needed a new life. After getting married, this made it easier to start creating some space between Andrea and Sabine. They could be a family but still be close to the other two while not living with them. Paige would always find an excuse not leave them. The others would not leave either nor could or would he suggest it even if he wanted to, which he didn't
In the end as things got worse, Paige’s solution was their best hope. It had been a group decision, Paige was the one with the solution, but not the sole one deciding to take advantage of her grandfather’s offer.
If they didn’t, Henrik didn’t know what their unknown future would have held. No real jobs, assets and resources dwindling and safety net of the military vanishing. It was like the old history books; a wagon train bound together by the promise of possibilities.
All of this was great, but Henrik’s biggest worry right now was fuel vs distance. Henrik was concerned because Paige’s Grandfather had not yet been able to send the contacts he had to help. However, Chance had given him some ideas and people to contact along the way. Hopefully, they would come across one of these or somewhere else to buy or scavenge some soon.
Henrik did not like his latest calculation. They confirmed his earlier projections. They will run dry a couple hundred miles short of their goal. This was the greatest danger with the low profile route. The freeways would have been shorter mile wise but a whole lot more dangerous in other aspects.
Back before the trip started being planned, Henrik felt like a third wheel most of the time. He was never really sure what he was contributing to things other than brute strength and moral support. There wasn’t a real need for backwoods skills, open ocean navigation, boat handling or any of the other things he might be the best at out of the group. Once the trip planning started, he began to, in his mind, contribute.
Now he was really in full swing. A rope rescue, camping, navigating, this was so much more his specialty. The vehicles were built, no one was sick, the radios worked so he was now the center of what needed done. If he could just get Paige to stop shouldering the whole burden of responsibility, he was sure it would be better. He didn’t like her stressing so much.
They needed a new life. After getting married, this made it easier to start creating some space between Andrea and Sabine. They could be a family but still be close to the other two while not living with them. Paige would always find an excuse not leave them. The others would not leave either nor could or would he suggest it even if he wanted to, which he didn't
In the end as things got worse, Paige’s solution was their best hope. It had been a group decision, Paige was the one with the solution, but not the sole one deciding to take advantage of her grandfather’s offer.
If they didn’t, Henrik didn’t know what their unknown future would have held. No real jobs, assets and resources dwindling and safety net of the military vanishing. It was like the old history books; a wagon train bound together by the promise of possibilities.
All of this was great, but Henrik’s biggest worry right now was fuel vs distance. Henrik was concerned because Paige’s Grandfather had not yet been able to send the contacts he had to help. However, Chance had given him some ideas and people to contact along the way. Hopefully, they would come across one of these or somewhere else to buy or scavenge some soon.
Henrik did not like his latest calculation. They confirmed his earlier projections. They will run dry a couple hundred miles short of their goal. This was the greatest danger with the low profile route. The freeways would have been shorter mile wise but a whole lot more dangerous in other aspects.
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Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
On the road again
Just can't wait to get on the road again ......
-- WH Nelson, © 1980 (I think)
pathfinder03
Member
Really appreciate the writing. Took me a few weeks to catch-up to current. It’s been a fun adventure and getting better. Thanks.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
During the evening stop, Andrea and Henrik were pouring over the maps looking for a good location to try and get some info from Paige’s grandfather. They needed a spot with decent concealment and some altitude to work with.
“Well, how about this peak? There’s a road listed but its forest land not subdivisions.” Andrea pointed at one location.
“The problem is, with lack of upkeep and such, even before the shutdown, it would be dicey. With the snow load, we wouldn’t be able to tell road from ditches and once we get up there, it could be impossible to turn around and get back down.” Henrik countered. He pointed at another location.
“How about here?”
“Not enough rise to make it worthwhile to detour. How about over here?”
This went on for some time. While Andrea and Henrik were pouring through the map, Paige was going over the vehicles, checking fluids, tire pressures, filters and such. Sabine was helping her. OK, she was standing there kibitzing as Paige did it.
“I hope my grandfather can give us some leads to justify the potential detour.” Paige sounded a bit worried.
“We will find a solution. There must still be some fuel out there to be had. I know these are set up for diesel but what else can we burn in them to extend the fuel we have?”
“Well, we could mix in kerosene. Shoot, we could run on pure kerosene for a short while but the power would be lower. Jet fuel would work as well since it’s just a kerosene variant. We just don’t want to mix standard gasoline in, or at least not very much. It’s bad on the engine.” Paige was thinking this through some since Sabine asked.
This set another idea off in Sabine’s head. She turned to where Henrik and Andrea were looking at the maps. “Guys, while you are looking, keep an eye out for a small to medium sized airport. Paige said we could extend our fuel with kerosene and that’s basically jet fuel. They have probably been stripped of high octane aviation fuel, but the jet fuel might still be there.”
Paige added. “Home heating oil would work as well, since it’s diesel anyway, so keep an eye out as we go for anything about heating oil.”
They weren’t out of fuel yet, but they wanted a solution long before they were sputtering at the side of the road.
“Well, how about this peak? There’s a road listed but its forest land not subdivisions.” Andrea pointed at one location.
“The problem is, with lack of upkeep and such, even before the shutdown, it would be dicey. With the snow load, we wouldn’t be able to tell road from ditches and once we get up there, it could be impossible to turn around and get back down.” Henrik countered. He pointed at another location.
“How about here?”
“Not enough rise to make it worthwhile to detour. How about over here?”
This went on for some time. While Andrea and Henrik were pouring through the map, Paige was going over the vehicles, checking fluids, tire pressures, filters and such. Sabine was helping her. OK, she was standing there kibitzing as Paige did it.
“I hope my grandfather can give us some leads to justify the potential detour.” Paige sounded a bit worried.
“We will find a solution. There must still be some fuel out there to be had. I know these are set up for diesel but what else can we burn in them to extend the fuel we have?”
“Well, we could mix in kerosene. Shoot, we could run on pure kerosene for a short while but the power would be lower. Jet fuel would work as well since it’s just a kerosene variant. We just don’t want to mix standard gasoline in, or at least not very much. It’s bad on the engine.” Paige was thinking this through some since Sabine asked.
This set another idea off in Sabine’s head. She turned to where Henrik and Andrea were looking at the maps. “Guys, while you are looking, keep an eye out for a small to medium sized airport. Paige said we could extend our fuel with kerosene and that’s basically jet fuel. They have probably been stripped of high octane aviation fuel, but the jet fuel might still be there.”
Paige added. “Home heating oil would work as well, since it’s diesel anyway, so keep an eye out as we go for anything about heating oil.”
They weren’t out of fuel yet, but they wanted a solution long before they were sputtering at the side of the road.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
The group was in good spirits again. As they drove along Sabine kept seeing the satellite dishes and antennas in the distance. Some in the middle of nowhere and some on abandoned homes. This got her thinking maybe if they could find antenna that was still working they could use it to make contact with Paige’s grandfather.
When the group made the mid-morning rest stop she brought up the idea of finding an antenna, home built towers or using one of the satellite dishes to contact Paige’s grandfather. This spurred their thoughts towards looking for commercial, aviation or military towers, which they should have done sooner.
They did a quick search of the maps and found a suitable location they could reach and hide close to, enabling them to use the tower in the dark, out of sight to most people. After a short rest and a meal, they mounted up to head out to the tower.
The group reached the site just before sundown. Henrik did a rapid recon of the campsite before joining Andrea in setting up the radios. He could not leave her alone to long in her condition. She would do too much if left by herself. Paige and Sabine could finish setting up the rest of the camp. They knew how to recce with best of them, after all he taught them.
It did not take long to get the radios set up and working. Every one was relieve but contact would settle the nerves.
It was up to Paige now and Henrik knew he had to approach this without causing her stress.
He handed her the head set “ Ok Sprout time to make the call” is all he said hoping not to stress her out.
“Redbeard, Sprout, Redbeard, Sprout,”
There was not response.
“Redbeard, Redbeard, Redbeard, Sprout” Again and again they tried. The radio crackles then silent. The group went a little numb and it seemed all hope was lost.
“Sprout, Redbeard” the signal was weak at first but it became stronger.
“Sprout, it good to hear your voice. We were beginning to worry.”
“Good to hear you too Redbeard, not sure how long we can talk so I will be brief”
“ Go ahead”
“Short fuel”
“CW to our song ”
“Will do Sprout let me know when you get it and anything else I can do”
“ See you soon, love you, Redbeard out.”
Paige’s grandfather began working on their problem right away. Once Henrik had identified the area they projected to be empty, her grandfather began working his contacts hard to find a secure location to either get fuel or wait while he arranged fuel to come to them.
The crew stayed in place until the next night, waiting for a reply from Paige’s grandfather. Deep in the night, He relayed a location of a friend just shy of the empty point. It was a farm where they could meet up with a couple of her grandfather’s friends who would drive down, deliver some fuel and lead them back to her grandfather’s place. It was, according to Henrik, a couple hundred miles from the farm to the forest. The rendezvous should be only about five days away.
When the group made the mid-morning rest stop she brought up the idea of finding an antenna, home built towers or using one of the satellite dishes to contact Paige’s grandfather. This spurred their thoughts towards looking for commercial, aviation or military towers, which they should have done sooner.
They did a quick search of the maps and found a suitable location they could reach and hide close to, enabling them to use the tower in the dark, out of sight to most people. After a short rest and a meal, they mounted up to head out to the tower.
The group reached the site just before sundown. Henrik did a rapid recon of the campsite before joining Andrea in setting up the radios. He could not leave her alone to long in her condition. She would do too much if left by herself. Paige and Sabine could finish setting up the rest of the camp. They knew how to recce with best of them, after all he taught them.
It did not take long to get the radios set up and working. Every one was relieve but contact would settle the nerves.
It was up to Paige now and Henrik knew he had to approach this without causing her stress.
He handed her the head set “ Ok Sprout time to make the call” is all he said hoping not to stress her out.
“Redbeard, Sprout, Redbeard, Sprout,”
There was not response.
“Redbeard, Redbeard, Redbeard, Sprout” Again and again they tried. The radio crackles then silent. The group went a little numb and it seemed all hope was lost.
“Sprout, Redbeard” the signal was weak at first but it became stronger.
“Sprout, it good to hear your voice. We were beginning to worry.”
“Good to hear you too Redbeard, not sure how long we can talk so I will be brief”
“ Go ahead”
“Short fuel”
“CW to our song ”
“Will do Sprout let me know when you get it and anything else I can do”
“ See you soon, love you, Redbeard out.”
Paige’s grandfather began working on their problem right away. Once Henrik had identified the area they projected to be empty, her grandfather began working his contacts hard to find a secure location to either get fuel or wait while he arranged fuel to come to them.
The crew stayed in place until the next night, waiting for a reply from Paige’s grandfather. Deep in the night, He relayed a location of a friend just shy of the empty point. It was a farm where they could meet up with a couple of her grandfather’s friends who would drive down, deliver some fuel and lead them back to her grandfather’s place. It was, according to Henrik, a couple hundred miles from the farm to the forest. The rendezvous should be only about five days away.
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Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Way better - gave me a much better image
THX
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Henrik knew this was probably the last opportunity for them to relax somewhat. They were in the last of the fairly empty forested mountains on their projected route. He hoped to help everyone recharge some before this next push.
Unbeknownst to the others, Henrik had some steaks from Chance squirreled away, along with some potatoes and some green onions. He prepared the feast for them.
Henrik was talking as he put the steaks on the coals to cook alongside the baked potatoes in the fire. “Guys, it’s been hard getting this far. The next few days are going to be stressful and our heads need to be in the game. We are going to be moving through more populated areas soon. It’s probably time to break out the uniforms and the cover story, just in case.”
“Do you really think it will be necessary? “ Andrea had a skeptical tone to her question.
“Hey, no real reason to ruin good clothes and, besides, if it eliminates questions and gets us smoother sailing, mores the better” was Paige’s reply. It was pretty out here. The four of them, sitting around a fire, surrounded by the trees and mountains, this felt like back at their house and more like home.
Paige finally got what Henrik loved about being out like this. She liked the outdoors, but now she really got what he connected with. She couldn’t wait to find someplace with this feel for them to build their house and Sabine and Andrea’s house. They would have a great fire pit between the two houses so they could get together like this, and big enough for the rest of the crew when they got there as well. Paige was sitting in front of Henrik, his arms wrapped around her, she was relaxed. She was safe. The next few days would be stressful, but she could handle it. She knew she could.
Sabine sat quietly looking around the group. For the first time in a really long time she truly felt loved. This group, this little group didn’t judge her. They didn’t try to manipulate her. She was starting to feel a little more like her old self, her pre-marriage, pre-tragedy self. She knew it was completely different, but in some ways it felt almost like being back on the beach with her brother, just feeling the power of the sea. This wasn’t the ocean, but it held the same type of power, the same force of nature.
Everyone sat by the fire for some time. They were going to adjust their travel time some. Moving through populated places at night might draw even more attention than mid-day, so they would head out early morning, take a long mid-day break, than travel again in the evening. It broke it up into two sections but had them moving at dawn and twilight to hopefully shift their observability.
Henrik and Andrea already had potential stopping points identified on the map all the way to the farm Paige’s grandfather was sending them to. With the past several days to draw on, they had a better idea of how fast and how far they could go so the pause points were adjusted for this. The fuel would give them a ten to fifteen percent reserve when they got to the farm at their current rate of consumption.
As the fire burned low, everyone reluctantly got up. Henrik pulled them into a group embrace.
“Guys, five days and then we will be on the home stretch.”
Both couples went to their tents and curled up. They needed the rest and sleep. The crux of the trip was coming. The forest wrapped around them like a warm blanket.
Just before dawn, a blood-curdling shriek shattered the silence.
Unbeknownst to the others, Henrik had some steaks from Chance squirreled away, along with some potatoes and some green onions. He prepared the feast for them.
Henrik was talking as he put the steaks on the coals to cook alongside the baked potatoes in the fire. “Guys, it’s been hard getting this far. The next few days are going to be stressful and our heads need to be in the game. We are going to be moving through more populated areas soon. It’s probably time to break out the uniforms and the cover story, just in case.”
“Do you really think it will be necessary? “ Andrea had a skeptical tone to her question.
“Hey, no real reason to ruin good clothes and, besides, if it eliminates questions and gets us smoother sailing, mores the better” was Paige’s reply. It was pretty out here. The four of them, sitting around a fire, surrounded by the trees and mountains, this felt like back at their house and more like home.
Paige finally got what Henrik loved about being out like this. She liked the outdoors, but now she really got what he connected with. She couldn’t wait to find someplace with this feel for them to build their house and Sabine and Andrea’s house. They would have a great fire pit between the two houses so they could get together like this, and big enough for the rest of the crew when they got there as well. Paige was sitting in front of Henrik, his arms wrapped around her, she was relaxed. She was safe. The next few days would be stressful, but she could handle it. She knew she could.
Sabine sat quietly looking around the group. For the first time in a really long time she truly felt loved. This group, this little group didn’t judge her. They didn’t try to manipulate her. She was starting to feel a little more like her old self, her pre-marriage, pre-tragedy self. She knew it was completely different, but in some ways it felt almost like being back on the beach with her brother, just feeling the power of the sea. This wasn’t the ocean, but it held the same type of power, the same force of nature.
Everyone sat by the fire for some time. They were going to adjust their travel time some. Moving through populated places at night might draw even more attention than mid-day, so they would head out early morning, take a long mid-day break, than travel again in the evening. It broke it up into two sections but had them moving at dawn and twilight to hopefully shift their observability.
Henrik and Andrea already had potential stopping points identified on the map all the way to the farm Paige’s grandfather was sending them to. With the past several days to draw on, they had a better idea of how fast and how far they could go so the pause points were adjusted for this. The fuel would give them a ten to fifteen percent reserve when they got to the farm at their current rate of consumption.
As the fire burned low, everyone reluctantly got up. Henrik pulled them into a group embrace.
“Guys, five days and then we will be on the home stretch.”
Both couples went to their tents and curled up. They needed the rest and sleep. The crux of the trip was coming. The forest wrapped around them like a warm blanket.
Just before dawn, a blood-curdling shriek shattered the silence.
Old Gray Mare
TB Fanatic
Dang that cliff! Fox and hounds? Maybe after they got the reply, they should have moved camp away from the place they transmitted from?
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