Story Market Day
- Thread starter ComCamGuy
- Start date
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Certainly would have let the invaders know who/what was lying in the weeds, waiting to strike. Personally, I'd keep that part secret from the soon-to-be targets. Once the ball starts .....
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
There was a lot of digging around and shuffling through gear. Doug sent Heidi out to work with Emilia scrounging in the barn for supplies and such. Meanwhile, he was working in the equipment room. He had to pull equipment for a pair of advanced medical bags; one to replace his that was lost with his truck, and a spare.
Doug was trying to figure what they may need. Combat medicine wasn’t what he was trained in. That was more Garen’s corner of the realm. That’s when it hit him. He probably had a recommended packing list to work from in the book from his course. Heidi had it out on the table when she was looking for info on helping him. Heidi.
He figured he owed her an apology, or at least a softening of how harsh he must have come off this morning. He knew some of it was trying to impress on her how important she was. She was probably the only other park employee left other than himself. If he were to die, it would all come down to her.
If he was honest with himself, he would also see it was because this whole thing scared the hell out of him. Right now, other than Heidi, he was it. He had no warning, no build up. All of a sudden, the park was his responsibility. Shoot, he knew the dragooning of Heidi wasn’t exactly legal either, but he would have to defend that with the bean counters later. She was here and she was supposed to come here anyway. That’s a fight for another day.
Doug used the checklists in the refresher book to assemble a couple of med bags. After giving it some more thought, he made a couple more med kits at a lower First Responder level from the list marked ‘Combat Lifesaver’.
Doug came across the box of pouches he had left over from trying this and that when he built his medical belt. There might be enough to build a version for Heidi. He didn’t have another harness belt that would fit, however. He might be able to make a version out of a riggers belt he had laying around. He needed one without stiffeners. This would let it go small enough to fit her waist.
His next chore was digging through all the left over uniform parts and lost and found clothes to get more clothes for his junior trooper and her kid. He was in some luck. There were some uniform shirts that might fit Heidi with a little needle work. Her cargo pants were already close enough to the right color.
Doug was tired from all the digging and building. He knew he had to sit down and rest a little. He went to the kitchen and started some food. While it was heating, he yelled out the door for Heidi and Emilia to take a break and get some lunch. After they ate, Dough figured to apologize to Heidi and tell her his concerns.
Doug was trying to figure what they may need. Combat medicine wasn’t what he was trained in. That was more Garen’s corner of the realm. That’s when it hit him. He probably had a recommended packing list to work from in the book from his course. Heidi had it out on the table when she was looking for info on helping him. Heidi.
He figured he owed her an apology, or at least a softening of how harsh he must have come off this morning. He knew some of it was trying to impress on her how important she was. She was probably the only other park employee left other than himself. If he were to die, it would all come down to her.
If he was honest with himself, he would also see it was because this whole thing scared the hell out of him. Right now, other than Heidi, he was it. He had no warning, no build up. All of a sudden, the park was his responsibility. Shoot, he knew the dragooning of Heidi wasn’t exactly legal either, but he would have to defend that with the bean counters later. She was here and she was supposed to come here anyway. That’s a fight for another day.
Doug used the checklists in the refresher book to assemble a couple of med bags. After giving it some more thought, he made a couple more med kits at a lower First Responder level from the list marked ‘Combat Lifesaver’.
Doug came across the box of pouches he had left over from trying this and that when he built his medical belt. There might be enough to build a version for Heidi. He didn’t have another harness belt that would fit, however. He might be able to make a version out of a riggers belt he had laying around. He needed one without stiffeners. This would let it go small enough to fit her waist.
His next chore was digging through all the left over uniform parts and lost and found clothes to get more clothes for his junior trooper and her kid. He was in some luck. There were some uniform shirts that might fit Heidi with a little needle work. Her cargo pants were already close enough to the right color.
Doug was tired from all the digging and building. He knew he had to sit down and rest a little. He went to the kitchen and started some food. While it was heating, he yelled out the door for Heidi and Emilia to take a break and get some lunch. After they ate, Dough figured to apologize to Heidi and tell her his concerns.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you very much.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Heidi and Emilia worked most of the morning digging around in boxes and moving stuff around. Most of the time, there was no off topic conversation, just 'found two five gallon gas cans' or ‘would this tarp work.’ Neither were really questioning the lists of stuff to find. Emilia because she wasn’t sure what Doug and Jesse had in mind, and Heidi because she wasn’t going to question her boss. This was his terrain, his show. He will tell her when and where her opinion is wanted.
The stack of stuff grew and the eight-wheeled cart started filling up. Things like the tracks for the ATV and the trailer took up a lot of the space. The other stuff filled in blank spots. Axes, chainsaws and cans of fuel shared the trailer with spools of rope, bow saws and tarps. A chainsaw shaped tool with a big round roller also went into the trailer. A bag with some tree gaffs was next. The stuff that did make sense to Heidi was the big metal rack for the ATV to hold a pair of Stokes litters, the ubiquitous rough terrain basket for hauling injured people around. These were older ones with the separate leg pockets. The corresponding backboards were in each of the baskets as well.
Heidi looked at the pile growing in the trailer and wondered. This looked like a gear set for an extended high angle rescue, not combat operations. She was confused, but as she was so pointedly reminded this morning, she was the worker bee, not the boss. She felt her temper smoldering just below the surface. She knew she had to keep it in check. Maybe she could as a few questions ‘so she could understand’, without getting slapped down.
The stack of stuff grew and the eight-wheeled cart started filling up. Things like the tracks for the ATV and the trailer took up a lot of the space. The other stuff filled in blank spots. Axes, chainsaws and cans of fuel shared the trailer with spools of rope, bow saws and tarps. A chainsaw shaped tool with a big round roller also went into the trailer. A bag with some tree gaffs was next. The stuff that did make sense to Heidi was the big metal rack for the ATV to hold a pair of Stokes litters, the ubiquitous rough terrain basket for hauling injured people around. These were older ones with the separate leg pockets. The corresponding backboards were in each of the baskets as well.
Heidi looked at the pile growing in the trailer and wondered. This looked like a gear set for an extended high angle rescue, not combat operations. She was confused, but as she was so pointedly reminded this morning, she was the worker bee, not the boss. She felt her temper smoldering just below the surface. She knew she had to keep it in check. Maybe she could as a few questions ‘so she could understand’, without getting slapped down.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Doug’s call for them to come to lunch was a welcome break for Emilia. She didn’t mind finding stuff and digging out this and that. It was something different. The part she didn’t like was watching her mother twisting tighter and tighter in frustration. Emilia knew Doug had talked to her after sending her out to the barn. Whatever Doug said didn’t sit well with her mother. That was obvious to Emilia.
Lunch was good stick to your ribs fare of chili over a hamburger patty with cheese and salsa. Doug explained it was some of the leftovers from the snack bar down at main camp. Each fall, when they close down, he brings the leftovers up to the cabin. This is what was in a bunch of the boxes they shuffled through in the barn. That was about the grand extent of the conversation among the three of them at the table. After lunch was done, Heidi and Emilia stood to return outside. Doug spoke.
“Heidi, stick around for a moment, we need to talk.”
Emilia scurried outside in a hurry. She wasn’t sure what was coming next but was sure she wanted no part of it. Heidi felt her guts clench. What was she going to get her ass chewed for now?
“Sit back down, please.” Doug waved her back towards her chair. Heidi sat slowly, on the edge of her chair. She was working hard at presenting her pleasant, attentive look to mask her inner frustration. Doug’s next words were not what she expected.
“Heidi, I owe you an apology. I was out of line this morning. It was born out of frustration and fear. We are probably 'it' as far as responsible people in the park. If the assholes find us or anyone else, they will kill us or worse, if what Jesse saw is true. I’m not up to shouldering this all on my own. I didn’t have warning this was coming. There was no train up period, no easing into the roll. To have any chance of succeeding, I need your help. I know it’s a lot to dump such a burden on you, this being your first week on the job and such, but I don’t have anyone else to turn to. The thing yesterday was like stepping out onto a peat bog. You think its solid grassy meadow and all of a sudden the whole ground ripples under you like walking onto a waterbed. Hell, I have no right to expect you ready 24/7! I wouldn’t blame you in the least if you told me to **** off and you took your daughter and left. I hope you don’t but…..” His voice tapered off as he ran out of steam. The two of them sat there for a good five minutes, just looking at one another. Finally, Doug spoke again. “Heidi, I’m sorry. Will you forgive me? Will you help me? I don’t know what I’m doing and I’m just winging it.”
Heidi could tell he was sincere. He was really sorry and meant his apology. He was really asking for help. In the end, there was only one answer.
“OK”
Lunch was good stick to your ribs fare of chili over a hamburger patty with cheese and salsa. Doug explained it was some of the leftovers from the snack bar down at main camp. Each fall, when they close down, he brings the leftovers up to the cabin. This is what was in a bunch of the boxes they shuffled through in the barn. That was about the grand extent of the conversation among the three of them at the table. After lunch was done, Heidi and Emilia stood to return outside. Doug spoke.
“Heidi, stick around for a moment, we need to talk.”
Emilia scurried outside in a hurry. She wasn’t sure what was coming next but was sure she wanted no part of it. Heidi felt her guts clench. What was she going to get her ass chewed for now?
“Sit back down, please.” Doug waved her back towards her chair. Heidi sat slowly, on the edge of her chair. She was working hard at presenting her pleasant, attentive look to mask her inner frustration. Doug’s next words were not what she expected.
“Heidi, I owe you an apology. I was out of line this morning. It was born out of frustration and fear. We are probably 'it' as far as responsible people in the park. If the assholes find us or anyone else, they will kill us or worse, if what Jesse saw is true. I’m not up to shouldering this all on my own. I didn’t have warning this was coming. There was no train up period, no easing into the roll. To have any chance of succeeding, I need your help. I know it’s a lot to dump such a burden on you, this being your first week on the job and such, but I don’t have anyone else to turn to. The thing yesterday was like stepping out onto a peat bog. You think its solid grassy meadow and all of a sudden the whole ground ripples under you like walking onto a waterbed. Hell, I have no right to expect you ready 24/7! I wouldn’t blame you in the least if you told me to **** off and you took your daughter and left. I hope you don’t but…..” His voice tapered off as he ran out of steam. The two of them sat there for a good five minutes, just looking at one another. Finally, Doug spoke again. “Heidi, I’m sorry. Will you forgive me? Will you help me? I don’t know what I’m doing and I’m just winging it.”
Heidi could tell he was sincere. He was really sorry and meant his apology. He was really asking for help. In the end, there was only one answer.
“OK”
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Nice find in-between chores.
steamroller
Contributing Member
Looks like things are coming together.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
The afternoon was a mix of packing stuff from the barn and from the house. Doug showed Heidi and Emilia how to start and drive the 8-wheeled buggy. He went through all the fluids, topped off the tank and pulled some extra cans of fuel. While he was doing this, Heidi took Emilia down one of the side trails to a small niche in the hillside to teach her to shoot her little Glock. She wanted her to be able to defend herself in case something happened. Doug had some more 9mm ammo so they went through several magazines. The terrain helped reduce the distance the noise would travel as well. This was all a calculated risk, but the distances involved, plus doing it in the middle of the day helped mask the event. Emilia was a very focused student, and learned quickly. When they were done, Heidi reloaded the three magazines and gave the pistol to Emilia.
“This is now yours. You are a bit young for such a gift, but with the way things are going, I think it is something you need and are ready for. Keep it on you always. Keep it clean, keep it safe, and keep it ready. You fall in a creek, this is the first thing you dry off and clean, then you. This is also something to keep private. Don’t show it around or show it off. Don’t pull it out to threaten. If you need to pull it, you need to shoot it. When you are done shooting, put it back away after topping off the magazine in it. It should be a surprise to your attacker. Can you do all of this for me?”
Emilia looked her mother in the eyes as she listened to all of this, the importance of all of this rolling out and over her.
“But this one is yours, mom. What are you going to do for protection?” The worry was clear in her shaky voice.
Heidi just smiled and held Emilia’s hands in her own, with the little pistol in both of them between them.
“Don’t worry about me. Until we get to Zed’s, I have the lever gun to use. Once we are there, Mr Barnhart will loan me a pistol to use. I need you to have this, so I know you can protect yourself. You are my number one concern.”
“Ok, mom.” Emilia put the pistol into the holster she had on her belt from practice and pulled the shirt over it. The two spare magazines went into her rear pants pocket.
“This is now yours. You are a bit young for such a gift, but with the way things are going, I think it is something you need and are ready for. Keep it on you always. Keep it clean, keep it safe, and keep it ready. You fall in a creek, this is the first thing you dry off and clean, then you. This is also something to keep private. Don’t show it around or show it off. Don’t pull it out to threaten. If you need to pull it, you need to shoot it. When you are done shooting, put it back away after topping off the magazine in it. It should be a surprise to your attacker. Can you do all of this for me?”
Emilia looked her mother in the eyes as she listened to all of this, the importance of all of this rolling out and over her.
“But this one is yours, mom. What are you going to do for protection?” The worry was clear in her shaky voice.
Heidi just smiled and held Emilia’s hands in her own, with the little pistol in both of them between them.
“Don’t worry about me. Until we get to Zed’s, I have the lever gun to use. Once we are there, Mr Barnhart will loan me a pistol to use. I need you to have this, so I know you can protect yourself. You are my number one concern.”
“Ok, mom.” Emilia put the pistol into the holster she had on her belt from practice and pulled the shirt over it. The two spare magazines went into her rear pants pocket.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
By mid-day, they were traveling up side trails and hillsides, staying away from main roads and routes as much as possible. Doug did all the navigating, but all three took turns driving the strange little vehicle. Doug wanted Heidi and especially Emilia comfortable piloting the little thing. A kernel of a plan was germinating, and Emilia would probably be needed as a driver in it.
Doug was glad Heidi taught Emilia to shoot. He figured it was a good thing and helped bring the group back together somewhat. He was worried at the stress between the three of them that cropped up when Jesse arrived. Things seemed to be a bit more normal, especially after lunch.
Doug didn’t know how long they would be at Zed’s, but he hoped not too long. He wanted to solve this problem quickly. The longer they waited, the worse the situation might get and the greater the possibility for detection. It would be better to fight them when Doug and the crew wanted, rather than forced into a sudden fight unprepared. All of this weighed on his mind as they traipsed across the hills and valleys.
Doug was glad Heidi taught Emilia to shoot. He figured it was a good thing and helped bring the group back together somewhat. He was worried at the stress between the three of them that cropped up when Jesse arrived. Things seemed to be a bit more normal, especially after lunch.
Doug didn’t know how long they would be at Zed’s, but he hoped not too long. He wanted to solve this problem quickly. The longer they waited, the worse the situation might get and the greater the possibility for detection. It would be better to fight them when Doug and the crew wanted, rather than forced into a sudden fight unprepared. All of this weighed on his mind as they traipsed across the hills and valleys.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Emilia was really enjoying driving the 8-wheeled thing around. She was too young for a driver’s license so this was all new to her. She listened hard to Doug’s description on how to see the possible lines of travel over the terrain, how steep it would climb and what not to do. It seemed to her Doug was more training her than her mother in this driving. She wasn’t sure why, but she had a sneaky suspicion there was a plan afoot.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Doug was back behind the controls as they rolled up to Zeds cabin. Sitting on the porch were Jesse and Zed. Doug was struck by how similar this was to not long ago when her drove up and found then there. It seems like a lifetime ago, and yet not so much on the calendar.
Doug brought the machine up to almost the base of the stairs before shutting it down. As everybody got out, Doug was watching Zed and Jesse. Something was different. It took a moment, but he finally figured it out. Jesse looked older and Zed looked younger. It didn’t make much sense to Doug so he filed it away for later.
Both the older gentlemen came down from the porch to greet the newcomers. Doug started with introductions all around. This was easy since Zed was the only new person here. Everybody else already knew one another.
“Zed, this is Heidi and her daughter Emilia. Heidi is the new Backcountry Ranger. I was hiring her to take over for Tracy when she moved to the front office.” Doug paused a moment or two as they remembered what happened to Tracy. Doug continued. “This is her daughter Emilia. They ran into a bit of trouble in the park. I don’t know if Jesse filled you in about it.”
Zed stood there silent for a few moments. He could see the basic resemblance in body type, shape and stature Jesse was telling him about. He knew for sure, backlit and all of a sudden, Heidi standing in front of him, he would have thought ghost too. He was broken from his momentary pause by the sun glinting through Heidi’s blond hair. That was one big difference between her and Karen. He could see it was naturally blond as well. Her daughter had the same hair and bone structure, but was a little taller and not so…so…what was the word he was looking for? Finished? Defined? Whatever the word, she wasn’t quite done growing into her frame, but you could see there was absolutely no doubt Emilia was Heidi’s daughter. There were going to be a string of lovesick young gentlemen when they start getting campers back in the park. That was when Jesse nudged him.
“Heidi, Emilia, welcome to my home. Let’s get you three settled in so we can start comparing notes. Jesse and I have a few ideas, but we need the full group of brains brought to bear on this invasion problem.” Zed led the women into the cabin, which looked much larger on the inside than it did on the outside.
As Zed led the women inside, Doug looked over at Jesse. He was standing there with a strange look on his face as he watched Heidi and Emilia walk past him and up the steps. Doug moved up beside him.
“Jesse, I was out of line. I don’t know what went on, and I was wrong to chew your head off. This whole thing has me rattled and scared. I shouldn’t have flown off the handle the way I did. I’m sorry.”
Jesse still hadn’t looked away from the door Zed and the women went in. Doug could see a tear start down one cheek. Jesse didn’t turn towards Doug. He just started talking.
“Heidi looks like my late wife, Karen.” Doug could barely hear him, it was almost a whisper. Doug didn’t know what to say. Jesse continued.
“Karen was Zed’s older sister. The last time I saw her was over thirty years ago. Right here. She kissed me on the cheek and walked up those steps. I drove down to the airport and flew out. I wasn’t supposed to be gone long, just a couple of months. That’s the last I saw of her. Until the day before yesterday.” Jesse stopped talking and walked towards the stairs, leaving Doug standing where he left him.
Doug brought the machine up to almost the base of the stairs before shutting it down. As everybody got out, Doug was watching Zed and Jesse. Something was different. It took a moment, but he finally figured it out. Jesse looked older and Zed looked younger. It didn’t make much sense to Doug so he filed it away for later.
Both the older gentlemen came down from the porch to greet the newcomers. Doug started with introductions all around. This was easy since Zed was the only new person here. Everybody else already knew one another.
“Zed, this is Heidi and her daughter Emilia. Heidi is the new Backcountry Ranger. I was hiring her to take over for Tracy when she moved to the front office.” Doug paused a moment or two as they remembered what happened to Tracy. Doug continued. “This is her daughter Emilia. They ran into a bit of trouble in the park. I don’t know if Jesse filled you in about it.”
Zed stood there silent for a few moments. He could see the basic resemblance in body type, shape and stature Jesse was telling him about. He knew for sure, backlit and all of a sudden, Heidi standing in front of him, he would have thought ghost too. He was broken from his momentary pause by the sun glinting through Heidi’s blond hair. That was one big difference between her and Karen. He could see it was naturally blond as well. Her daughter had the same hair and bone structure, but was a little taller and not so…so…what was the word he was looking for? Finished? Defined? Whatever the word, she wasn’t quite done growing into her frame, but you could see there was absolutely no doubt Emilia was Heidi’s daughter. There were going to be a string of lovesick young gentlemen when they start getting campers back in the park. That was when Jesse nudged him.
“Heidi, Emilia, welcome to my home. Let’s get you three settled in so we can start comparing notes. Jesse and I have a few ideas, but we need the full group of brains brought to bear on this invasion problem.” Zed led the women into the cabin, which looked much larger on the inside than it did on the outside.
As Zed led the women inside, Doug looked over at Jesse. He was standing there with a strange look on his face as he watched Heidi and Emilia walk past him and up the steps. Doug moved up beside him.
“Jesse, I was out of line. I don’t know what went on, and I was wrong to chew your head off. This whole thing has me rattled and scared. I shouldn’t have flown off the handle the way I did. I’m sorry.”
Jesse still hadn’t looked away from the door Zed and the women went in. Doug could see a tear start down one cheek. Jesse didn’t turn towards Doug. He just started talking.
“Heidi looks like my late wife, Karen.” Doug could barely hear him, it was almost a whisper. Doug didn’t know what to say. Jesse continued.
“Karen was Zed’s older sister. The last time I saw her was over thirty years ago. Right here. She kissed me on the cheek and walked up those steps. I drove down to the airport and flew out. I wasn’t supposed to be gone long, just a couple of months. That’s the last I saw of her. Until the day before yesterday.” Jesse stopped talking and walked towards the stairs, leaving Doug standing where he left him.
Last edited:
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
The five of them sat around the table comparing and consolidating notes for a couple hours. During this time, Zed was also nursing a big pot of food on the stove for dinner and Jesse was keeping one ear on the radios he had scanning the frequencies.. There was some creative editing of some elements such as Zed quartering the bodies. Once it all seemed to be laid out and everyone seemed to pause, Doug stood up.
“Alright, now we know what is out there, we think, what do we do about it?” He looked around the room at the faces staring back at him. Well, he guessed this was fair since technically it was his responsibility now to manage the park and everything in it. “I’m open to suggestions,” he continued.
Jesse was the first to speak.
“Well, I guess the first question would be what the real goal is. Is it to drive them out or is it to eliminate them?”
At this, Doug’s brain seemed to fracture. His base instinct was visceral and primal. They killed his grandfather, tried to kill him and his daughter. They also killed Heidi and Emilia’s friends. They killed his co-workers. He wanted blood. He wanted vengeance. This scared him. The overlay of two decades of law enforcement rallied against such vigilantism. That wasn’t how things were done in society today. Correction, that wasn’t the way it was done in the United States last month.
Jesse could see the war going on in Doug’s head. It was written on his face. Jesse saw the bunched fists and the pain in his eyes. Heidi saw this as well. She knew Doug was still thinking like a lawman. He couldn’t help it. It was his default.
Zed was a little confused. He thought the answer was clear, but he had to let Doug get there. He couldn’t force him to the decision, otherwise he would hesitate when the time came. All the brainwork had to be done long before the time to act. He had come to his conclusion days before he went on his reconnaissance. That was why he had no hesitation after he heard enough from those guys with the flat tire. Two quick shots with his rifle dropped them both. They were not any different from the poachers he dealt with in Africa. Correction, those guys were trying to feed their families, these ‘things’ in the park were hunting and torturing humans for profit.
He and Marta were quiet supporters of a couple anti-poaching teams in the national parks in Africa. They sent money and equipment, as well as sponsored annual training trips from the best in a variety of talents from bushcraft to mantracking, to shooting. The controlled hunting done in the parks was systematic and kept the populations manageable and healthy. Poachers were decimating the healthy young futures of the herds. Several times Zed had gone over to attend the training camps and learn from the teams. More than once he ended up exchanging fire with the poachers. The poachers never came out well in the end of such an exchange. He never told anyone other than Marta about those times. To Marta, it was understated as well. ‘We eliminated a couple poachers today.’ She would ask if anyone got hurt. His reply was usually ‘no one who mattered’ unless one of the members of the anti-poaching team got hurt. He saw Doug was still stalled. Time for a push start.
“Doug, these ****s are killing and torturing in our park. You know the answer. There is no one to turn them over to. We have you and Heidi to make it legal. Its Federal land, so county and state don’t play into it. They need stopped and we don’t have a SWAT team to make them surrender. Given half a chance, they will fight back. Fair fights are for suckers. What do you say, Doug?”
Doug looked around the table again. He knew Zed was right in what he said, but this was a real big step. But was it really? A police sniper shooting a guy holding hostages is a first shot type of thing, and legal if there is a perceived threat, and there sure as hell was a perceived threat here. They were all looking for his approval, he realized.
“OK, we take them out. Next question, how do we do it without getting ourselves killed in the process?”
“Alright, now we know what is out there, we think, what do we do about it?” He looked around the room at the faces staring back at him. Well, he guessed this was fair since technically it was his responsibility now to manage the park and everything in it. “I’m open to suggestions,” he continued.
Jesse was the first to speak.
“Well, I guess the first question would be what the real goal is. Is it to drive them out or is it to eliminate them?”
At this, Doug’s brain seemed to fracture. His base instinct was visceral and primal. They killed his grandfather, tried to kill him and his daughter. They also killed Heidi and Emilia’s friends. They killed his co-workers. He wanted blood. He wanted vengeance. This scared him. The overlay of two decades of law enforcement rallied against such vigilantism. That wasn’t how things were done in society today. Correction, that wasn’t the way it was done in the United States last month.
Jesse could see the war going on in Doug’s head. It was written on his face. Jesse saw the bunched fists and the pain in his eyes. Heidi saw this as well. She knew Doug was still thinking like a lawman. He couldn’t help it. It was his default.
Zed was a little confused. He thought the answer was clear, but he had to let Doug get there. He couldn’t force him to the decision, otherwise he would hesitate when the time came. All the brainwork had to be done long before the time to act. He had come to his conclusion days before he went on his reconnaissance. That was why he had no hesitation after he heard enough from those guys with the flat tire. Two quick shots with his rifle dropped them both. They were not any different from the poachers he dealt with in Africa. Correction, those guys were trying to feed their families, these ‘things’ in the park were hunting and torturing humans for profit.
He and Marta were quiet supporters of a couple anti-poaching teams in the national parks in Africa. They sent money and equipment, as well as sponsored annual training trips from the best in a variety of talents from bushcraft to mantracking, to shooting. The controlled hunting done in the parks was systematic and kept the populations manageable and healthy. Poachers were decimating the healthy young futures of the herds. Several times Zed had gone over to attend the training camps and learn from the teams. More than once he ended up exchanging fire with the poachers. The poachers never came out well in the end of such an exchange. He never told anyone other than Marta about those times. To Marta, it was understated as well. ‘We eliminated a couple poachers today.’ She would ask if anyone got hurt. His reply was usually ‘no one who mattered’ unless one of the members of the anti-poaching team got hurt. He saw Doug was still stalled. Time for a push start.
“Doug, these ****s are killing and torturing in our park. You know the answer. There is no one to turn them over to. We have you and Heidi to make it legal. Its Federal land, so county and state don’t play into it. They need stopped and we don’t have a SWAT team to make them surrender. Given half a chance, they will fight back. Fair fights are for suckers. What do you say, Doug?”
Doug looked around the table again. He knew Zed was right in what he said, but this was a real big step. But was it really? A police sniper shooting a guy holding hostages is a first shot type of thing, and legal if there is a perceived threat, and there sure as hell was a perceived threat here. They were all looking for his approval, he realized.
“OK, we take them out. Next question, how do we do it without getting ourselves killed in the process?”
Last edited:
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you. 
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Jesse threw out the first emphatic point.
“We can’t let them get that helicopter in the air. That would be a severe game changer. So, how do we do that?” Heidi spoke up.
“Well, unless someone has an RPG hidden away, we need to either break the bird or take out the pilot.”
“Well, even if we knew which one was the pilot, that’s a moving target and we could end up with too much interference at the time of action.” Jesse looked at the rest of them a moment, then continued. “Which brings me to my next thought or suggestion. We need to hit both camps at once, otherwise one will be alerted and much harder to take out.”
At this, Doug nodded, along with Zed. Heidi didn’t look as convinced and said so.
“If we try to hit two camps at once, we split up our force, cut our volume of fire dramatically and we may not have enough at either to get either job done. I don’t know if the benefit is worth the risk.”
Zed spoke next.
“You guys may be looking at this wrong. This isn’t a battle. If we let it become a battle, we can lose. These guys have fought cops and other gangs before, I’m sure. They know what to do if a truck load of guys show up to take them out. Screw that. It’s a stalk and kill. We need to hit as many of them up front to shock them into inaction or the wrong actions. You shoot an elk, he doesn’t know he’s been shot. He just knows something hit him and he’s hurt. He staggers away a short distance. You don’t chase him, he will just go a little bit until he feels safe. You chase him, he knows he’s being attacked. We need to hit these guys in their lairs, hard and by the time they know they have been ambushed, they are done.” He looks at Heidi and Jesse. “You guys did ambush reaction drills, right?” The both nodded. “That was for when you were out on missions. How many ambush reaction drills did you do for walking to the chow hall or the shower in camp?” Heidi looked from Zed to each other and back to Zed and started nodding. Zed continued. “Exactly. These guys are kicking back. Here is where they are in full control. Right up to the point we decide they aren't.”
Doug understood. Zed was right. If they did this right, they could pull this off. “So, how do we break the chopper?”
“In the Marines, we would throw a satchel charge in it or a hand grenade in the intake. I don’t have any of those, though.” Jesse was shaking his head.
“Too bad we don’t have that machine gun ourselves, or one of those fifty caliber rifles the EOD guys use to break shit with.” Heidi bemoaned. At this Zed grinned.
“How hard is it to break enough with that fifty caliber to make it not work?” A grin was plastered on his face. Jesse got worried.
“Don’t tell me you have a fifty caliber machine gun around here!” Zed just smiled.
“No, Jesse, but that thing can’t be harder than a cape buffalo or elephant skull. Is it?” Now Jesse started to grin as well.
“You still have that thing?” Jesse got excited
“I told you the only other person that would get that rifle was you. I didn’t sell it. I have about two hundred rounds for it already loaded.”
Doug, Heidi and Emilia watched this go back and forth a few times, until Heidi, her patience worn thin had to intervene.
“What is it you have and what are you talking about?” She said in a clearly exasperated tone.
Jesse, the excitement still in his voice, told everyone.
“Zed has the most amazing old school double rifle, built for African big game hunting. You wanted a fifty. He has the next best thing, and a lot easier to carry.”
“Yeah, I used to do a lot of Africa hunting. I was really bitten by the bug. The whole old school safari glamour and such. I had the money and desire, so I tracked down and bought the quintessential Africa Big game rifle. A 1920’s double rifle in 505 Gibbs. It will tunnel end to end in a Cape buffalo. It should hit the engine hard enough to break it.” Zed was smiling. He had something good to contribute to the situation after all.
Doug was liking the sound of this. The helicopter had him baffled. Now he had a solution to it.
“OK, Zed. Your new mission unless we develop something else will be on the upper team. Your job, bag the helicopter.”
“We can’t let them get that helicopter in the air. That would be a severe game changer. So, how do we do that?” Heidi spoke up.
“Well, unless someone has an RPG hidden away, we need to either break the bird or take out the pilot.”
“Well, even if we knew which one was the pilot, that’s a moving target and we could end up with too much interference at the time of action.” Jesse looked at the rest of them a moment, then continued. “Which brings me to my next thought or suggestion. We need to hit both camps at once, otherwise one will be alerted and much harder to take out.”
At this, Doug nodded, along with Zed. Heidi didn’t look as convinced and said so.
“If we try to hit two camps at once, we split up our force, cut our volume of fire dramatically and we may not have enough at either to get either job done. I don’t know if the benefit is worth the risk.”
Zed spoke next.
“You guys may be looking at this wrong. This isn’t a battle. If we let it become a battle, we can lose. These guys have fought cops and other gangs before, I’m sure. They know what to do if a truck load of guys show up to take them out. Screw that. It’s a stalk and kill. We need to hit as many of them up front to shock them into inaction or the wrong actions. You shoot an elk, he doesn’t know he’s been shot. He just knows something hit him and he’s hurt. He staggers away a short distance. You don’t chase him, he will just go a little bit until he feels safe. You chase him, he knows he’s being attacked. We need to hit these guys in their lairs, hard and by the time they know they have been ambushed, they are done.” He looks at Heidi and Jesse. “You guys did ambush reaction drills, right?” The both nodded. “That was for when you were out on missions. How many ambush reaction drills did you do for walking to the chow hall or the shower in camp?” Heidi looked from Zed to each other and back to Zed and started nodding. Zed continued. “Exactly. These guys are kicking back. Here is where they are in full control. Right up to the point we decide they aren't.”
Doug understood. Zed was right. If they did this right, they could pull this off. “So, how do we break the chopper?”
“In the Marines, we would throw a satchel charge in it or a hand grenade in the intake. I don’t have any of those, though.” Jesse was shaking his head.
“Too bad we don’t have that machine gun ourselves, or one of those fifty caliber rifles the EOD guys use to break shit with.” Heidi bemoaned. At this Zed grinned.
“How hard is it to break enough with that fifty caliber to make it not work?” A grin was plastered on his face. Jesse got worried.
“Don’t tell me you have a fifty caliber machine gun around here!” Zed just smiled.
“No, Jesse, but that thing can’t be harder than a cape buffalo or elephant skull. Is it?” Now Jesse started to grin as well.
“You still have that thing?” Jesse got excited
“I told you the only other person that would get that rifle was you. I didn’t sell it. I have about two hundred rounds for it already loaded.”
Doug, Heidi and Emilia watched this go back and forth a few times, until Heidi, her patience worn thin had to intervene.
“What is it you have and what are you talking about?” She said in a clearly exasperated tone.
Jesse, the excitement still in his voice, told everyone.
“Zed has the most amazing old school double rifle, built for African big game hunting. You wanted a fifty. He has the next best thing, and a lot easier to carry.”
“Yeah, I used to do a lot of Africa hunting. I was really bitten by the bug. The whole old school safari glamour and such. I had the money and desire, so I tracked down and bought the quintessential Africa Big game rifle. A 1920’s double rifle in 505 Gibbs. It will tunnel end to end in a Cape buffalo. It should hit the engine hard enough to break it.” Zed was smiling. He had something good to contribute to the situation after all.
Doug was liking the sound of this. The helicopter had him baffled. Now he had a solution to it.
“OK, Zed. Your new mission unless we develop something else will be on the upper team. Your job, bag the helicopter.”
Last edited:
Grouchy Granny
Deceased
Just wow!
CCG - when you get this published, I want an autographed copy and will happily pay for the privilege! Can't wait till they meet up with Garen - just call it hell's a popping! (Darn spell check!)
CCG - when you get this published, I want an autographed copy and will happily pay for the privilege! Can't wait till they meet up with Garen - just call it hell's a popping! (Darn spell check!)
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
It all goes to hell w/ the first round, except maybe ambushes; its the 'adapt, persevere & overcome' that puts the bad guys down. I think they need some more bodies: Oh Garen, doing anything later?
Last edited:
Texican
Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
“OK, Zed. Your new mission unless we develop something else will be on the upper team. Your job, bag the helicopter.”
And Zed has the fire power to do it.
Got to read several chapters for have been out of town working and no time to read, but back home.
Thanks CCG.
Texican....
And Zed has the fire power to do it.
Got to read several chapters for have been out of town working and no time to read, but back home.
Thanks CCG.
Texican....