sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you.
Story Market Day
- Thread starter ComCamGuy
- Start date
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Sabine was on the backside of the adrenaline dump. She knew all the wounds to suspect as soon as she saw Paige and heard the cause. She knew them from the other end. The head wound worried her more long term than the ribs and internal damage from the kicks. If she got there alive and if the trauma surgeons are on their game, they can control the bleeding enough to keep her from bleeding out. That is a known and workable recovery. Head trauma is the unknown. She might be fine, she might be a turnip. Side impact will slam the brain around and depending on what is torn, if there is bleeding and so forth, all has an impact on destruction of brain tissue and the corresponding cognitive impairment.
She was working through the what to do next. She was released for the day by the Sargent Major. She was also told to call when she knew more on Paige’s condition. She even had a letter on letterhead authorizing her full access as the military liaison to the civilian facility concerning Paige’s condition. She wasn’t sure if this sort of thing was actually a thing, but he Sargent Major was trying to shortcut the system.
She stopped by the house on her way to the hospital. This was after making a tough choice in the parking lot. She dug through the shredded remains of Paige’s uniform, pulling out her wallet and car keys. She left her own suv at the shop and drove Paige’s Cherokee. She would hand off the keys to Henrik so he had wheels. She would catch a ride back with Andrea. Correction, she would drive her and Andrea back in Andrea’s car. That girl is a horrible driver and thinks she is the next NASCAR star. All balls and no brain, but because she didn’t know any better, she could cover ground.
Sabine went into Paige and Henrik’s room and gathered a change of clothes for Henrik. She grabbed a set for Andrea after showering and changing herself. She would get there, get the update, give Andrea and Henrik a chance to get cleaned up and food. She had enough money to make it work. She worked the hands-free on her phone as she drove. Twenty minutes later, she had them a hotel room across the street from the hospital. This would make things easier. They now had a good place to rest and recharge not far away. She knew she would never convince Henrik to go home to clean up , sleep and eat. She knew he would need to reset some.
Once she had done what she could constructively do, she had the rest of the drive to think on nothing but all the potential crash points in Paige’s condition. She could also hyper evaluate all her own actions on scene, first medically, then personally.
She was working through the what to do next. She was released for the day by the Sargent Major. She was also told to call when she knew more on Paige’s condition. She even had a letter on letterhead authorizing her full access as the military liaison to the civilian facility concerning Paige’s condition. She wasn’t sure if this sort of thing was actually a thing, but he Sargent Major was trying to shortcut the system.
She stopped by the house on her way to the hospital. This was after making a tough choice in the parking lot. She dug through the shredded remains of Paige’s uniform, pulling out her wallet and car keys. She left her own suv at the shop and drove Paige’s Cherokee. She would hand off the keys to Henrik so he had wheels. She would catch a ride back with Andrea. Correction, she would drive her and Andrea back in Andrea’s car. That girl is a horrible driver and thinks she is the next NASCAR star. All balls and no brain, but because she didn’t know any better, she could cover ground.
Sabine went into Paige and Henrik’s room and gathered a change of clothes for Henrik. She grabbed a set for Andrea after showering and changing herself. She would get there, get the update, give Andrea and Henrik a chance to get cleaned up and food. She had enough money to make it work. She worked the hands-free on her phone as she drove. Twenty minutes later, she had them a hotel room across the street from the hospital. This would make things easier. They now had a good place to rest and recharge not far away. She knew she would never convince Henrik to go home to clean up , sleep and eat. She knew he would need to reset some.
Once she had done what she could constructively do, she had the rest of the drive to think on nothing but all the potential crash points in Paige’s condition. She could also hyper evaluate all her own actions on scene, first medically, then personally.
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Andrea and Henrik arrived at the hospital somehow. Henrik was happy enough to to get out of the car at the curb where Andrea dropped him off. He moved on shaky legs to the ER entrance. Once inside, he hunted down the desk for info.
“Sir, she is in surgery. Other than that, I don’t have much I can you, sir.”
“So, who can tell me more?” Henrik is back to frustrated and agitated.
“The doctor , but he’s in surgery with her right now. You will just have to wait.” And she went back to her screen.
Henrik wanted to reach across the desk and wring the info out of her, but he knew it wouldn’t work. The best thing he could do is wait. He hated waiting.
Andrea came in while Henrik was at the desk. She stakes out a couple of seats in the corner of the waiting room. Henrik joined her and took a seat.
“What did they say? How is she doing? When can we see her?” The questions came rapid fire. Henrik’s answers did not.
“She is in surgery right now. The doc is in there as well. That’s all they will tell me. They said to wait.” Henrik seemed to deflate as he slumped in the chair.
The clock moved slowly. Almost three hours later, Andrea woke Henrik up. He was asleep leaning against her shoulder. The size difference was severely detrimental to her. He was at least twice her weight and over a foot taller. She was slowly being crushed under him. Andrea could take it no more and woke him up.
“Henrik, your turn to be a pillow. You are squishing me.”
Henrik was embarrassed and a little ashamed he fell asleep. He was supposed to be anxious and alert for more news. He also was embarrassed to be leaning and physically touching another woman.
“I’m sorry. I don’t remember falling asleep. I shouldn’t have, much less sprawled against you.”
“its ok, I understand. I was just getting squished.” While they were talking, Andrea caught movement into the ER out of the corner of her eye. She was surprised at what she saw.
It was Sabine in her khaki chiefs uniform, complete with all her ribbons and badges. She walked right up to the desk, spoke a few words, showed an identity badge and a piece of paper. Twenty seconds later, she was walking past the desk and into the back areas of the ER.
“Sir, she is in surgery. Other than that, I don’t have much I can you, sir.”
“So, who can tell me more?” Henrik is back to frustrated and agitated.
“The doctor , but he’s in surgery with her right now. You will just have to wait.” And she went back to her screen.
Henrik wanted to reach across the desk and wring the info out of her, but he knew it wouldn’t work. The best thing he could do is wait. He hated waiting.
Andrea came in while Henrik was at the desk. She stakes out a couple of seats in the corner of the waiting room. Henrik joined her and took a seat.
“What did they say? How is she doing? When can we see her?” The questions came rapid fire. Henrik’s answers did not.
“She is in surgery right now. The doc is in there as well. That’s all they will tell me. They said to wait.” Henrik seemed to deflate as he slumped in the chair.
The clock moved slowly. Almost three hours later, Andrea woke Henrik up. He was asleep leaning against her shoulder. The size difference was severely detrimental to her. He was at least twice her weight and over a foot taller. She was slowly being crushed under him. Andrea could take it no more and woke him up.
“Henrik, your turn to be a pillow. You are squishing me.”
Henrik was embarrassed and a little ashamed he fell asleep. He was supposed to be anxious and alert for more news. He also was embarrassed to be leaning and physically touching another woman.
“I’m sorry. I don’t remember falling asleep. I shouldn’t have, much less sprawled against you.”
“its ok, I understand. I was just getting squished.” While they were talking, Andrea caught movement into the ER out of the corner of her eye. She was surprised at what she saw.
It was Sabine in her khaki chiefs uniform, complete with all her ribbons and badges. She walked right up to the desk, spoke a few words, showed an identity badge and a piece of paper. Twenty seconds later, she was walking past the desk and into the back areas of the ER.
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Ma’am, I am here to follow up on the military patient brought here by helicopter from the warfare center.”
The deck clerk looked up. The military woman looked familiar. She had been here before dropping off trauma patients. She had an access badge and proper documentation.
“She is up in surgery, but you can go on in the back. One of the nurses should be able to fill you in on the progress.”
“Thanks. I appreciate your help, ma’am.” Sabine walked right past her and into the ER. Once there, she looked for one of the nurses she knew from earlier trips.”
“Delores, How are you doing?”
The nurse looked up from her computer. She recognized one of the newer medics from the base. They would bring major trauma or medical patients here if they were too much of an emergency to transport to Fallon NAS.
“OK, a little hectic for a normal Friday. What brings you in? “
“I was initial medic on scene for the female patient we flew to you guys a couple hours ago. The Command wants me up here to follow up on her since she didn’t go through our clinic system other than me. With all the other stuff the military is doing and tasking us with, I’m the POC sent to look at what is next. I understand she is in surgery. What did you guys find before you took her up?” Sabine was in full medical provider mode. Her fears are fully suppressed and locked away. She was here for her patient.
Delores looked in the computer to make sure she was getting it right.
“Spleen was fractured, massive bleeding. We put 10 units in by the time they took her upstairs for surgery. The X-rays showed several cracked ribs and a hairline crack in the right side of the skull. The CT and ultrasound showed bruised lung, liver among other damage. The hypertonic saline helped protect from rising intercrainial pressure. They are working both parts at once upstairs.”
Sabine was both relieved and worried. A cracked skull means the impact was significant, as if there was any doubt. There was no mention of signs of bleeding in the skull but the impact alone can slosh the brain violently and cause swelling and damage. Ten units of blood pre-surgery is a shitload. She still might bleed out
It’s going to be touch and go for some time. She really couldn’t do much more than wait like Andrea and Henrik. She saw them in the waiting room when she walked in, but didn’t want to talk to them when she first came in. She was more worried about gaining access to the ER and being seen with the next of kin/family first could hurt her chances.
Sabine walked back out of the ER and walked up to where Henrik and Andrea were sitting. Henrik started to ask questions, but Sabine motioned for him to wait. She knelt down to eye level with them.
“Alright guys. She is in surgery. There is a crack in her skull, several broken ribs and multiple bruised organs. The biggest life threat was her torn spleen. She got here alive and made it into the OR alive. Both of these are good signs, HOWEVER, this is no guarantee she will make it.” At this Henrik made a choking gasping sound. Andrea tried to throw an arm around him to comfort him. It didn’t reach very far around his massive frame, but she tried. Sabine continued. “I’m not going to sugar coat it. Even when she gets out of surgery, the head wound may still have a massive impact on her recovery. It may even be that she may not recover or regain consciousness at all.”
Sabine let that sink in for a moment. She reached into her pocket and pulled out some key cards.
“These are for our room across the street. You guys go, get cleaned up and rest for awhile. I will stay here and keep an eye on things. As soon as we know something I will call you.”
“I can’t leave!” Henrik exclaimed. Andrea laid her other her hand on Henrik.
“You’re worn out, I’m worn out. We can’t do anything here. We can at least shower and get dressed a little more comfortably to sit around.”
Sabine spoke again.
“I am here and can get more info sooner than you can. I have the watch. You guys rest up so you can be better rested and thinking when she gets out of surgery. It’s all of two hundred yards. You can recharge better there and be better for Paige. Get out, come back in the morning so I can go sleep. Get out!”
Andrea led Henrik out the door, tugging whenever he slowed down.
Sabine walked back through the ER doors. She went in search of Delores. She should be able to get a better place to wait for the surgeons to come out.
The deck clerk looked up. The military woman looked familiar. She had been here before dropping off trauma patients. She had an access badge and proper documentation.
“She is up in surgery, but you can go on in the back. One of the nurses should be able to fill you in on the progress.”
“Thanks. I appreciate your help, ma’am.” Sabine walked right past her and into the ER. Once there, she looked for one of the nurses she knew from earlier trips.”
“Delores, How are you doing?”
The nurse looked up from her computer. She recognized one of the newer medics from the base. They would bring major trauma or medical patients here if they were too much of an emergency to transport to Fallon NAS.
“OK, a little hectic for a normal Friday. What brings you in? “
“I was initial medic on scene for the female patient we flew to you guys a couple hours ago. The Command wants me up here to follow up on her since she didn’t go through our clinic system other than me. With all the other stuff the military is doing and tasking us with, I’m the POC sent to look at what is next. I understand she is in surgery. What did you guys find before you took her up?” Sabine was in full medical provider mode. Her fears are fully suppressed and locked away. She was here for her patient.
Delores looked in the computer to make sure she was getting it right.
“Spleen was fractured, massive bleeding. We put 10 units in by the time they took her upstairs for surgery. The X-rays showed several cracked ribs and a hairline crack in the right side of the skull. The CT and ultrasound showed bruised lung, liver among other damage. The hypertonic saline helped protect from rising intercrainial pressure. They are working both parts at once upstairs.”
Sabine was both relieved and worried. A cracked skull means the impact was significant, as if there was any doubt. There was no mention of signs of bleeding in the skull but the impact alone can slosh the brain violently and cause swelling and damage. Ten units of blood pre-surgery is a shitload. She still might bleed out
It’s going to be touch and go for some time. She really couldn’t do much more than wait like Andrea and Henrik. She saw them in the waiting room when she walked in, but didn’t want to talk to them when she first came in. She was more worried about gaining access to the ER and being seen with the next of kin/family first could hurt her chances.
Sabine walked back out of the ER and walked up to where Henrik and Andrea were sitting. Henrik started to ask questions, but Sabine motioned for him to wait. She knelt down to eye level with them.
“Alright guys. She is in surgery. There is a crack in her skull, several broken ribs and multiple bruised organs. The biggest life threat was her torn spleen. She got here alive and made it into the OR alive. Both of these are good signs, HOWEVER, this is no guarantee she will make it.” At this Henrik made a choking gasping sound. Andrea tried to throw an arm around him to comfort him. It didn’t reach very far around his massive frame, but she tried. Sabine continued. “I’m not going to sugar coat it. Even when she gets out of surgery, the head wound may still have a massive impact on her recovery. It may even be that she may not recover or regain consciousness at all.”
Sabine let that sink in for a moment. She reached into her pocket and pulled out some key cards.
“These are for our room across the street. You guys go, get cleaned up and rest for awhile. I will stay here and keep an eye on things. As soon as we know something I will call you.”
“I can’t leave!” Henrik exclaimed. Andrea laid her other her hand on Henrik.
“You’re worn out, I’m worn out. We can’t do anything here. We can at least shower and get dressed a little more comfortably to sit around.”
Sabine spoke again.
“I am here and can get more info sooner than you can. I have the watch. You guys rest up so you can be better rested and thinking when she gets out of surgery. It’s all of two hundred yards. You can recharge better there and be better for Paige. Get out, come back in the morning so I can go sleep. Get out!”
Andrea led Henrik out the door, tugging whenever he slowed down.
Sabine walked back through the ER doors. She went in search of Delores. She should be able to get a better place to wait for the surgeons to come out.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you for todays chapters.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Sabine was on her umpteenth cup of coffee when she was startled by the Sargent Major’s arrival in the wee hours of the morning. He was looking quite tired and a bit frazzled.
“What are you doing here Sargent Major?” She asked when he came into the waiting area.
“Looking for you, Chief. What’s the word on your patient?”
“I spoke to the Doc about an hour ago. He came out and briefed me before going back into surgery. They were not sure she was going to make it to the table. It was touch and go. It seems one of those kicks connected just right with the spleen. She took more units of blood to stabilize than my last IED victim with inguinal blast damage. She got a couple of units in the helicopter, plus at least ten in the ER, and I’m not sure how many once they wheeled her up. They removed the spleen. This will impact her ability to fight infection in the future at least some. She has bruising to her liver, but most of the time, they leave it and treat non-operatively, at least for the liver. The ribs are going to be a danger for pneumonia since it will hurt to breath. She will get stabbing pains with anything other than shallow breaths.” Sabine took a breath and gave the Sargent Major a chance to absorb what she has described so far before continuing.
“The one that worried them is her head wound. She had a skull fracture, non-displaced. If he had been able to kick her one more time anywhere around her head, it would have been all over. The neurosurgeon is still in there working, but the game plan right now, unless he finds something else, is to leave her in an induced coma for a week or so, depending on what they find and how she responds to everything they are going to do. She is intubated and, on the ventilator, which will help the pneumonia and the rib issue. Unless you have an issue, I would like to stay up here with her and her boyfriend and our other housemate at least until they bring her back up, unless it goes past a week.”
The Sargent Major thought about all the elements Sabine rolled out. Her request to stay in place would actually be convenient.
“Request granted. In fact, I kind of need you here. You are an unimpeachable defender of Paige, quite literally. The Commander and I are going through the unit, scrubbing everyone. That attitude exhibited by the captain can be like syphilis. It infects all who play around with it. If you told me last week this was going to happen, I wouldn’t believe you. Instead, we are where we are now. I have found one or two more potentially sympathetic or supportive of the captain. If his witnesses could be intimidated or compromised, then he could throw doubt on his position. The task would be easier if the victim wasn’t able to refute any of the horrific things she supposedly did to him to provoke this final action of his out of self-defense.”
Hearing all of this stunned Sabine. She had flashbacks of the trial, her being blamed instead of being the victim she was. This was all the old ‘admit nothing, deny everything, make counteraccusations’ methodology used against women all the time. Rape victims blamed for being raped for basically walking around in possession of a vagina. Wife being beat? Well, what did she do to set it off? God! She should have shot him!
“Don’t tell me this asshole is going to get away with any of this!”
The Sargent Major was shaking his head side to side as soon as he saw what Sabines concerns were. He already knew quite a bit about her background, a lot more than most.
“No, he’s not getting away with anything. I am concerned he might try, though. He has some powerful connections politically. I don’t want him to get his hands on her though. Your duty position for the next week or so will be here. I have hijacked the two who helped you to fill in for any medical emergency until you are back. Their class has been pushed back and we are not sending any med gear or support from the compound with the crew headed to San Diego. I have something else for your use here in your current assignment.” He pulled a small brown messenger pack from his shoulder and handed it to Sabine.
Sabine took the bag. It was a bit big for what seemed to be a smaller heavier object inside. The Sargent Major spoke again.
“That should make you feel a little better. Don’t forget your earlier lesson from this morning. Here are the instructions.” He handed her a small leather wallet.
Sabine opened it up. Inside was a small id card. She recognized her picture and looked closer, reading the card. It was the same one issued to aircrew members allowing them to conceal carry a firearm in conjunction with their duties as required. She looked in the messenger bag. Inside was a couple different holsters, several magazines and a mid-sized pistol. She vaguely recognized the compact shape of the M11 9mm pistol issued to most of the DoD investigators. He was issuing her a gun, plus giving her a permit to carry it on duty! He must be worried.
“You sure about this?”
“Sure am, Chief. Once Paige wakes up, she will be getting the instructions as well,” pointing at the wallet. “Until this whole thing is sorted, the Commander is fully committed to the safety and wellbeing of his troops, period. With you guys up here out of the picture, it keeps you guys safe as we clean house. Capt. Frickel is already in a prisoner transport van on his way to a holding facility at Dugway Proving grounds over in Utah. I explained he couldn’t be held at Fallon due to the spec ops units there. I wanted him far away and middle of nowhere as far as political support and resources.”
“Why there?” A smirk starting on her face.
“Army base without a lot of the people he might know. Far enough away he couldn’t cause more shit here. Navy guy in the middle of nowhere on an Army base. Who’s going to look for him there? Meanwhile, we can clean out the garbage here. Can you do the job I need you to do here?”
“You knew the answer before you asked. I’ll call you when we get more updates."
“What are you doing here Sargent Major?” She asked when he came into the waiting area.
“Looking for you, Chief. What’s the word on your patient?”
“I spoke to the Doc about an hour ago. He came out and briefed me before going back into surgery. They were not sure she was going to make it to the table. It was touch and go. It seems one of those kicks connected just right with the spleen. She took more units of blood to stabilize than my last IED victim with inguinal blast damage. She got a couple of units in the helicopter, plus at least ten in the ER, and I’m not sure how many once they wheeled her up. They removed the spleen. This will impact her ability to fight infection in the future at least some. She has bruising to her liver, but most of the time, they leave it and treat non-operatively, at least for the liver. The ribs are going to be a danger for pneumonia since it will hurt to breath. She will get stabbing pains with anything other than shallow breaths.” Sabine took a breath and gave the Sargent Major a chance to absorb what she has described so far before continuing.
“The one that worried them is her head wound. She had a skull fracture, non-displaced. If he had been able to kick her one more time anywhere around her head, it would have been all over. The neurosurgeon is still in there working, but the game plan right now, unless he finds something else, is to leave her in an induced coma for a week or so, depending on what they find and how she responds to everything they are going to do. She is intubated and, on the ventilator, which will help the pneumonia and the rib issue. Unless you have an issue, I would like to stay up here with her and her boyfriend and our other housemate at least until they bring her back up, unless it goes past a week.”
The Sargent Major thought about all the elements Sabine rolled out. Her request to stay in place would actually be convenient.
“Request granted. In fact, I kind of need you here. You are an unimpeachable defender of Paige, quite literally. The Commander and I are going through the unit, scrubbing everyone. That attitude exhibited by the captain can be like syphilis. It infects all who play around with it. If you told me last week this was going to happen, I wouldn’t believe you. Instead, we are where we are now. I have found one or two more potentially sympathetic or supportive of the captain. If his witnesses could be intimidated or compromised, then he could throw doubt on his position. The task would be easier if the victim wasn’t able to refute any of the horrific things she supposedly did to him to provoke this final action of his out of self-defense.”
Hearing all of this stunned Sabine. She had flashbacks of the trial, her being blamed instead of being the victim she was. This was all the old ‘admit nothing, deny everything, make counteraccusations’ methodology used against women all the time. Rape victims blamed for being raped for basically walking around in possession of a vagina. Wife being beat? Well, what did she do to set it off? God! She should have shot him!
“Don’t tell me this asshole is going to get away with any of this!”
The Sargent Major was shaking his head side to side as soon as he saw what Sabines concerns were. He already knew quite a bit about her background, a lot more than most.
“No, he’s not getting away with anything. I am concerned he might try, though. He has some powerful connections politically. I don’t want him to get his hands on her though. Your duty position for the next week or so will be here. I have hijacked the two who helped you to fill in for any medical emergency until you are back. Their class has been pushed back and we are not sending any med gear or support from the compound with the crew headed to San Diego. I have something else for your use here in your current assignment.” He pulled a small brown messenger pack from his shoulder and handed it to Sabine.
Sabine took the bag. It was a bit big for what seemed to be a smaller heavier object inside. The Sargent Major spoke again.
“That should make you feel a little better. Don’t forget your earlier lesson from this morning. Here are the instructions.” He handed her a small leather wallet.
Sabine opened it up. Inside was a small id card. She recognized her picture and looked closer, reading the card. It was the same one issued to aircrew members allowing them to conceal carry a firearm in conjunction with their duties as required. She looked in the messenger bag. Inside was a couple different holsters, several magazines and a mid-sized pistol. She vaguely recognized the compact shape of the M11 9mm pistol issued to most of the DoD investigators. He was issuing her a gun, plus giving her a permit to carry it on duty! He must be worried.
“You sure about this?”
“Sure am, Chief. Once Paige wakes up, she will be getting the instructions as well,” pointing at the wallet. “Until this whole thing is sorted, the Commander is fully committed to the safety and wellbeing of his troops, period. With you guys up here out of the picture, it keeps you guys safe as we clean house. Capt. Frickel is already in a prisoner transport van on his way to a holding facility at Dugway Proving grounds over in Utah. I explained he couldn’t be held at Fallon due to the spec ops units there. I wanted him far away and middle of nowhere as far as political support and resources.”
“Why there?” A smirk starting on her face.
“Army base without a lot of the people he might know. Far enough away he couldn’t cause more shit here. Navy guy in the middle of nowhere on an Army base. Who’s going to look for him there? Meanwhile, we can clean out the garbage here. Can you do the job I need you to do here?”
“You knew the answer before you asked. I’ll call you when we get more updates."
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sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Very good, thank you.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
So this Frickel is being transported to a remote post about 750-800 miles from where most of the Part I & II action has transpired; are we likely to see Paige get some payback when she trips over this scum bag bottom feeder near the end of Part III?
I so love to watch that 'here comes YOURS! ball' gather velocity before it lands where it needs to be.
Just a thought.....
Thanks for this mi Amigo.
G.
I so love to watch that 'here comes YOURS! ball' gather velocity before it lands where it needs to be.
Just a thought.....
Thanks for this mi Amigo.
G.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
The phone on the nightstand rang, waking the two of them up. Henrik got to the one next to his bed before Andrea got to the one next to her bed in the other room.
“Hello?”
“Wake up, grizzly. I’ll meet you two at the restaurant next door and give you the intel dump.” Sabine’s voice sounded tired. She didn’t even wait for his response before she hung up.
He was sitting there looking at the receiver when Andrea poked her head around the doorframe.
“What’s the scoop?”
“We are going to breakfast next door so Sabine can fill us in.” He looked over at the clock. It was almost six AM.
Fifteen minutes later, Henrik and Andrea walked into the restaurant. The waitress took them over to a large table in a closed section. Sabine was already sitting at the table, a carafe of coffee half gone.
“Its about time. I’m starving. The waitress was nice enough to let us use this section since we need some privacy.”
Andrea got a worried look on her face and Henrik’s stomach clenched in knots.
Sabine had gotten the rundown from the docs not long ago. Paige was in recovery and would be up in the ICU soon. She would be staying there for probably a week or more while they kept her in an induced coma. The docs said the surgery went well and the body should recover well, the brain is the question. The answer is wait and see. She beelined to the restaurant and called Andrea and Henrik.
“OK, Paige made it through the surgery.” She spent the next half an hour giving the rundown of damage and repairs. The waitress brought their food and several carafes of coffee. Henrik was livid at the damage done to Paige, especially once it was all laid out in front of him. Sabine had to calm him down a couple of times. She expected this. She didn’t expect Andrea’s reaction.
Andrea seemed to feel every blow as Sabine described the damage. Paige was her first friend here on base. She was her big, strong friend that everyone turned to, everybody liked. For someone to beat her almost to death, especially at work, made Andrea feel scared and vulnerable. Sabine’s next topic didn’t help.
“The Acting Commander and the Sargent Major are concerned there may be some who will take the Captains side or support his point of view about women in the military. At the very least, he’s worried there might be a few friends looking for revenge for the destruction of his career.”
“What the hell are we supposed to do about that!” Andrea’s voice carried across the restaurant.
“Well, we have the support of the Commander. The idea is…..” Sabine started
“How the **** is the ‘support of the Commander’ supposed to protect us when Paige wasn’t safe even in her own workshop?” Andrea cut her off.
Henrik could see Andrea was rapidly headed to a full-blown fit. He had to short-circuit this train.
“Andrea, let’s hear her out so we can get done and go see Paige!”
Andrea clamped down and put on her pouty face to hide her scared face.
“As I was saying, we can stay here, rotate sitting with Paige for at least the week, however, if we are worried about retaliation, you two should swing back past the house and pick up a week’s worth of stuff and shut things down there for the week. Everything is nuts with the whole country reacting to the earthquake. Classes are on hold while everybody shifts and adjusts. You guys go see Paige, and then run to the house and get stuff. I’m going to the room and crash.” Sabine slid a piece of paper with the floor and room number for Paige.
“Hello?”
“Wake up, grizzly. I’ll meet you two at the restaurant next door and give you the intel dump.” Sabine’s voice sounded tired. She didn’t even wait for his response before she hung up.
He was sitting there looking at the receiver when Andrea poked her head around the doorframe.
“What’s the scoop?”
“We are going to breakfast next door so Sabine can fill us in.” He looked over at the clock. It was almost six AM.
Fifteen minutes later, Henrik and Andrea walked into the restaurant. The waitress took them over to a large table in a closed section. Sabine was already sitting at the table, a carafe of coffee half gone.
“Its about time. I’m starving. The waitress was nice enough to let us use this section since we need some privacy.”
Andrea got a worried look on her face and Henrik’s stomach clenched in knots.
Sabine had gotten the rundown from the docs not long ago. Paige was in recovery and would be up in the ICU soon. She would be staying there for probably a week or more while they kept her in an induced coma. The docs said the surgery went well and the body should recover well, the brain is the question. The answer is wait and see. She beelined to the restaurant and called Andrea and Henrik.
“OK, Paige made it through the surgery.” She spent the next half an hour giving the rundown of damage and repairs. The waitress brought their food and several carafes of coffee. Henrik was livid at the damage done to Paige, especially once it was all laid out in front of him. Sabine had to calm him down a couple of times. She expected this. She didn’t expect Andrea’s reaction.
Andrea seemed to feel every blow as Sabine described the damage. Paige was her first friend here on base. She was her big, strong friend that everyone turned to, everybody liked. For someone to beat her almost to death, especially at work, made Andrea feel scared and vulnerable. Sabine’s next topic didn’t help.
“The Acting Commander and the Sargent Major are concerned there may be some who will take the Captains side or support his point of view about women in the military. At the very least, he’s worried there might be a few friends looking for revenge for the destruction of his career.”
“What the hell are we supposed to do about that!” Andrea’s voice carried across the restaurant.
“Well, we have the support of the Commander. The idea is…..” Sabine started
“How the **** is the ‘support of the Commander’ supposed to protect us when Paige wasn’t safe even in her own workshop?” Andrea cut her off.
Henrik could see Andrea was rapidly headed to a full-blown fit. He had to short-circuit this train.
“Andrea, let’s hear her out so we can get done and go see Paige!”
Andrea clamped down and put on her pouty face to hide her scared face.
“As I was saying, we can stay here, rotate sitting with Paige for at least the week, however, if we are worried about retaliation, you two should swing back past the house and pick up a week’s worth of stuff and shut things down there for the week. Everything is nuts with the whole country reacting to the earthquake. Classes are on hold while everybody shifts and adjusts. You guys go see Paige, and then run to the house and get stuff. I’m going to the room and crash.” Sabine slid a piece of paper with the floor and room number for Paige.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you, I have popping in and out all day to see if more was up, lol.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Henrik stood next to Paige’s bed staring. There was a war going on inside him. One part of him was filled with rage and loathing towards the thing that did this to her. The other part was frustrated because there was nothing he could do right now to help her other than be here for her. The staff were kind and professional. The Doctor was thorough in answering all his questions. Now it was just sitting there holding her hand while she slept.
Andrea was still freaked out. She kept telling herself it sounded worse than it was when she was driving Henrik here yesterday. Last night when Sabine spelled it out, it was still surreal. This morning after breakfast, it started to feel real in spite of her wishes. Now, standing here, looking at Paige in the bed, wires and tubes going everywhere, half her head shaved, the other half puffy and bruised, she felt a calm cold sensation overcome her.
“OK Henrik, she’s napping, so what are we going to do? Sabine said we should go get stuff for a week. I also think we should look some more at what we may need for the winter since we are in town for the week. If we just sit here, it will make us crazy. OK, it will make me crazy” Andrea had the vision of Henrik doing a Rip Van what’s his name and just sitting there, not moving for a week, two, a month, until she woke up. That wouldn’t be good. She needed to help her friend and take care of her boyfriend while she was laid up.
Henrik saw the sense of this. He wanted to do something, but there was nothing but sitting here to do here.
“What do have in mind?”
“Let’s go back to the house, get the stuff there, then come back here. We have at least two hours to figure out what we may need to shop for, pick up, ect.” Andrea seemed to be back. The panicky girl was gone, the forward thinking female Marine was back. “I need to dig around to find the info for Paige’s Grandfather. I don’t know if she ever updated her emergency data card after her mother passed away and I know she has a crappy relationship with her dad.”
Andrea was still freaked out. She kept telling herself it sounded worse than it was when she was driving Henrik here yesterday. Last night when Sabine spelled it out, it was still surreal. This morning after breakfast, it started to feel real in spite of her wishes. Now, standing here, looking at Paige in the bed, wires and tubes going everywhere, half her head shaved, the other half puffy and bruised, she felt a calm cold sensation overcome her.
“OK Henrik, she’s napping, so what are we going to do? Sabine said we should go get stuff for a week. I also think we should look some more at what we may need for the winter since we are in town for the week. If we just sit here, it will make us crazy. OK, it will make me crazy” Andrea had the vision of Henrik doing a Rip Van what’s his name and just sitting there, not moving for a week, two, a month, until she woke up. That wouldn’t be good. She needed to help her friend and take care of her boyfriend while she was laid up.
Henrik saw the sense of this. He wanted to do something, but there was nothing but sitting here to do here.
“What do have in mind?”
“Let’s go back to the house, get the stuff there, then come back here. We have at least two hours to figure out what we may need to shop for, pick up, ect.” Andrea seemed to be back. The panicky girl was gone, the forward thinking female Marine was back. “I need to dig around to find the info for Paige’s Grandfather. I don’t know if she ever updated her emergency data card after her mother passed away and I know she has a crappy relationship with her dad.”
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
The phone rang, waking Sabine up after only a couple hours of sleep. She fumbled for the phone.
“Hello?”
The Sargent Major answered her hello.
“Sabine, I understand things have stabilized on your end. We have had some hiccups on our end. The transport to Dugway didn’t happen. I also have two more individuals segregated. There is some other weird stuff going on. You guys are covered for being gone for the week. Stay scarce. I’ll come talk with you guys in a day or two. What do you have for me?”
“Lots of questions that can wait. I’ll call if her situation changes.”
“You guys get some rest, I’m going to need you soon, but right now I need you guys safe and on top of the situation with Paige. I’m working to make things safe here. If someone shows up saying they are from me, the confirmation they are from me is artichoke. The hospital security has been apprised to protect her since she is the victim in a federal attempted murder case. You three have access, but no one else.”
Sabine was still too fatigued to catch all of this. She would have to puzzle through it when the coffee kicks in. Since she was awake now, she decided to shower and go check on Paige.
“Hello?”
The Sargent Major answered her hello.
“Sabine, I understand things have stabilized on your end. We have had some hiccups on our end. The transport to Dugway didn’t happen. I also have two more individuals segregated. There is some other weird stuff going on. You guys are covered for being gone for the week. Stay scarce. I’ll come talk with you guys in a day or two. What do you have for me?”
“Lots of questions that can wait. I’ll call if her situation changes.”
“You guys get some rest, I’m going to need you soon, but right now I need you guys safe and on top of the situation with Paige. I’m working to make things safe here. If someone shows up saying they are from me, the confirmation they are from me is artichoke. The hospital security has been apprised to protect her since she is the victim in a federal attempted murder case. You three have access, but no one else.”
Sabine was still too fatigued to catch all of this. She would have to puzzle through it when the coffee kicks in. Since she was awake now, she decided to shower and go check on Paige.
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sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you.
steamroller
Contributing Member
Thank you.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Sabine was a little surprised to see a uniformed officer at the door to Paige’s room. He stopped her, checked her ID against a clipboard and list before letting her into the room.
Once inside she found Henrik and Andrea. Andrea was playing solitaire with actual cards while Henrik was wiping Paige’s face with a wet cloth. Neither looked up when she came in.
“I see we now have a gate guard.” Sabine’s voice was tentative. “when did that happen?”
Andrea didn’t even look up from her cards.
“He’s been here a couple of hours. They rotate in and out about every two from what he says.” Andrea seemed to be bored.
“Yeah, they seem to be taking this whole thing rather serious. Armed guard at the door? What do you think they know that they aren’t telling us?” Henrik’s voice seemed soft and gentle, to be expected while he was taking care of Paige.
“Well, the Sargent Major said he wasn’t taking any chances. I guess this is part of that. The transport of the Captain didn’t happen yesterday like he intended, however, so that may be why he’s jumping up things. He wants us to be careful and stay alert.”
At the mention of the transport not happening, both Henrik and Andrea looked up at Sabine. Henrik was the first to speak.
“So, stay alert for what? Armed guards and a warning? What is the Sargent Major worried about? This isn’t some sort of action movie! That asshole better be locked in a cell and stay locked up!” Henrik’s voice now held worry and the beginnings of rage.
Sabine tried to defuse the situation. A raging boyfriend with no real focus would not be beneficial for all involved.
“Guys, there is no reason for all three of us to sit here twenty-four hours. He woke me up, I can take a shift. Why don’t you guys go on down to the house like we discussed. If anything changes, I’ll call you.”
Andrea jumped at the suggestion.
“Come on, Henrik. Let’s go get some stuff done. Sleeping beauty will be fine until we get back.”
Henrik looked torn. He didn’t want to leave Paige, but Andrea and Sabine were making sense. Andrea came over and took him by the arm, dragging towards the door. Or at least as well as a poodle could drag a Mastiff. She was insistent and Henrik finally complied. After they left, Sabine moved one of the chairs around to stretch out and catch a second nap.
Once inside she found Henrik and Andrea. Andrea was playing solitaire with actual cards while Henrik was wiping Paige’s face with a wet cloth. Neither looked up when she came in.
“I see we now have a gate guard.” Sabine’s voice was tentative. “when did that happen?”
Andrea didn’t even look up from her cards.
“He’s been here a couple of hours. They rotate in and out about every two from what he says.” Andrea seemed to be bored.
“Yeah, they seem to be taking this whole thing rather serious. Armed guard at the door? What do you think they know that they aren’t telling us?” Henrik’s voice seemed soft and gentle, to be expected while he was taking care of Paige.
“Well, the Sargent Major said he wasn’t taking any chances. I guess this is part of that. The transport of the Captain didn’t happen yesterday like he intended, however, so that may be why he’s jumping up things. He wants us to be careful and stay alert.”
At the mention of the transport not happening, both Henrik and Andrea looked up at Sabine. Henrik was the first to speak.
“So, stay alert for what? Armed guards and a warning? What is the Sargent Major worried about? This isn’t some sort of action movie! That asshole better be locked in a cell and stay locked up!” Henrik’s voice now held worry and the beginnings of rage.
Sabine tried to defuse the situation. A raging boyfriend with no real focus would not be beneficial for all involved.
“Guys, there is no reason for all three of us to sit here twenty-four hours. He woke me up, I can take a shift. Why don’t you guys go on down to the house like we discussed. If anything changes, I’ll call you.”
Andrea jumped at the suggestion.
“Come on, Henrik. Let’s go get some stuff done. Sleeping beauty will be fine until we get back.”
Henrik looked torn. He didn’t want to leave Paige, but Andrea and Sabine were making sense. Andrea came over and took him by the arm, dragging towards the door. Or at least as well as a poodle could drag a Mastiff. She was insistent and Henrik finally complied. After they left, Sabine moved one of the chairs around to stretch out and catch a second nap.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you, 
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Andrea was like a twelve year old. She couldn’t sit still and was bored easily. It was her way of dealing with uncomfortable situations and events. She was glad she was able to get Henrik out of the hospital, if only for a little while. First stop was the house.
While at the house, Henrik packed a weeks-worth of clothes and his laptop. Andrea reminded him to put together some clothes and toilet stuff for Paige as well since none of her clothes but her panties made it to the hospital.
Andrea crammed clothes for herself and Sabine in a bag. She also grabbed a few racier items in case she got some alone time with Sabine. After all, no reason to waste a great hotel room. She finished before Henrik and started looking through everything at the house. A shopping list was building in her head. If Paige was going to be convalescing, there would be other things to make her more comfortable while she was laid up.
Henrik found himself standing in the middle of their walk-in closet. He was just standing there holding one of her scarfs. It smelled of her favorite perfume. He already had clothes for her, a jacket and was trying to figure out what he was missing. His eyes wandered over to the small pistol safes bolted to the built in shelves of the closet. He wondered about maybe the pistol in there. She had given it to him. They didn’t have permits since this was California, but at least around the house they could have them.
He hated the feeling he might need it. He also thought of the other thing buried in the foam of the pistol safe. He really needed to get it sized. He didn’t want to give her the ring until it was the right size. He wanted to be able to slide it on her finger when she said yes. No other answer would work in his mind. The stone wasn’t traditional for an engagement ring, but it had been in the family for five generations. The oval shape and size of the blood red ruby set in the white gold filigree would look just right size wise on her hand. Her hands weren’t tiny, they were sized right to actually do things, and strong. It would be a perfect ring for her. It just had to be sized.
Andrea found Henrik standing in the closet, staring off into space.
“Hey, let’s get a move on. We take this stuff back to the hotel, then make another shopping run. We meet Sabine for dinner, then we take a shift or we start splitting things up and shuffling who’s where. We got plenty of time for you to stand in the closet later.”
Henrik looked over at her.
“Andrea, do you know a good jeweler? I need to get a ring sized.”
Andrea’s heart skipped a beat.
“You’re finally going to do it?”
“Yeah,” a sheepish grin spread across his face, then dropped into a sad frown. “I was reminded how fragile and fleeting life is. I don’t want to waste it.”
“You’re going to have to wait until she is out of the hospital. It’d be a dick move to propose while she’s still in the hospital bed. We can find you somewhere better, more romantic.”
Henrik wrapped Andrea up in a great big bear hug.
“I don’t know how I would have gotten through any of this without you two. Hell, without Sabine, Paige would already been dead.” A sob choked the last of his statement.
“It’s going to be OK. Let’s get a move on. That ring isn’t going to size itself.”
While at the house, Henrik packed a weeks-worth of clothes and his laptop. Andrea reminded him to put together some clothes and toilet stuff for Paige as well since none of her clothes but her panties made it to the hospital.
Andrea crammed clothes for herself and Sabine in a bag. She also grabbed a few racier items in case she got some alone time with Sabine. After all, no reason to waste a great hotel room. She finished before Henrik and started looking through everything at the house. A shopping list was building in her head. If Paige was going to be convalescing, there would be other things to make her more comfortable while she was laid up.
Henrik found himself standing in the middle of their walk-in closet. He was just standing there holding one of her scarfs. It smelled of her favorite perfume. He already had clothes for her, a jacket and was trying to figure out what he was missing. His eyes wandered over to the small pistol safes bolted to the built in shelves of the closet. He wondered about maybe the pistol in there. She had given it to him. They didn’t have permits since this was California, but at least around the house they could have them.
He hated the feeling he might need it. He also thought of the other thing buried in the foam of the pistol safe. He really needed to get it sized. He didn’t want to give her the ring until it was the right size. He wanted to be able to slide it on her finger when she said yes. No other answer would work in his mind. The stone wasn’t traditional for an engagement ring, but it had been in the family for five generations. The oval shape and size of the blood red ruby set in the white gold filigree would look just right size wise on her hand. Her hands weren’t tiny, they were sized right to actually do things, and strong. It would be a perfect ring for her. It just had to be sized.
Andrea found Henrik standing in the closet, staring off into space.
“Hey, let’s get a move on. We take this stuff back to the hotel, then make another shopping run. We meet Sabine for dinner, then we take a shift or we start splitting things up and shuffling who’s where. We got plenty of time for you to stand in the closet later.”
Henrik looked over at her.
“Andrea, do you know a good jeweler? I need to get a ring sized.”
Andrea’s heart skipped a beat.
“You’re finally going to do it?”
“Yeah,” a sheepish grin spread across his face, then dropped into a sad frown. “I was reminded how fragile and fleeting life is. I don’t want to waste it.”
“You’re going to have to wait until she is out of the hospital. It’d be a dick move to propose while she’s still in the hospital bed. We can find you somewhere better, more romantic.”
Henrik wrapped Andrea up in a great big bear hug.
“I don’t know how I would have gotten through any of this without you two. Hell, without Sabine, Paige would already been dead.” A sob choked the last of his statement.
“It’s going to be OK. Let’s get a move on. That ring isn’t going to size itself.”
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Between the fractured sleep and the windowless room Paige was in, the weekend seemed to both drag and fly. Sabine took mostly the nighttime shits while Andrea and Henrik spent more time beside Paige during the day.
Early Monday morning, before the doctors made their rounds, the room had some fresh visitors. Sabine was reading a book when she heard voices outside the door she didn’t recognize. Her hand went to the messenger bag in her lap she got from the Sargent Major. The grip of the pistol was heavy in her hand.
The door swung open and two women walked in. Sabine did a double take. The first woman in the door looked to be anywhere from mid-twenties to mid-thirties. She was dressed quite casually in plain blue jeans and a Vassar sweatshirt. Except for the brownish-blonde hair instead of strawberry blonde, she could almost be Paige’s twin. The second one was tall and thin, same general age but dressed in the ugliest pair of pink and green checked capris golf pants and a pink sweater. The first one spoke.
“Hi, you must be Sabine. Relax. Artichoke.”
Early Monday morning, before the doctors made their rounds, the room had some fresh visitors. Sabine was reading a book when she heard voices outside the door she didn’t recognize. Her hand went to the messenger bag in her lap she got from the Sargent Major. The grip of the pistol was heavy in her hand.
The door swung open and two women walked in. Sabine did a double take. The first woman in the door looked to be anywhere from mid-twenties to mid-thirties. She was dressed quite casually in plain blue jeans and a Vassar sweatshirt. Except for the brownish-blonde hair instead of strawberry blonde, she could almost be Paige’s twin. The second one was tall and thin, same general age but dressed in the ugliest pair of pink and green checked capris golf pants and a pink sweater. The first one spoke.
“Hi, you must be Sabine. Relax. Artichoke.”
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
The second woman stepped forward, extending a hand to Sabine.
“Hi, I’m Agent V, and this is Sargent V. No relation.” She shook Sabine’s hand. “I’m with Air Force OSI out of Hill AFB, UT, just up the road from Dugway. We were brought in TDY, or TAD for you Navy types, to bring the Captain over to the Dugway holding facility pending final relocation for trial. They brought us in since there is no way we are involved with the accused.”
Sabine figured this was an opportunity to ask more questions.
“So do you know why he didn’t get sent the other day?”
Vassar Shirt girl fielded this one.
“From what we understand, the command staff detected some potential issues with the current staff available to make such a trip with him. He then requested we come to do this. We will rest up and drive out tonight with him. The sooner he is away from here, cut off from his support base, the better everyone will sleep, I’m sure.” She was looking at Paige the whole time she was talking.
This was when Henrik and Andrea came in. A repeat of intros all around was followed with a simple rehashing of the last few minutes of explanation.
Agent V spoke again.
“We wanted to come see how she was.” gesturing to Paige. “This is the sort of thing that burns us up. Don’t worry, he will get to a nice dank isolated cell in the middle of nowhere to wait a long time for his trial. There is plenty of evidence, both physical and eyewitness. He won’t be seeing the outside of a cell for a long time. From what I understand, your commander wants to go bring back keelhauling, not that he will get it.”
Sargent V added “Your commander and Sargent Major are working hard and have a special interest in this case. They will make sure you are taken care of.”
Agent V touched Sargent V on the shoulder. “Come on, we better go. I need some sleep before we get to work.”
“What you need is volume knob on those pants. I know where we are going, we can crash, then dinner, then paperwork, and pick up the prisoner.” They continued their discussion as they walked down the hall.
“Hi, I’m Agent V, and this is Sargent V. No relation.” She shook Sabine’s hand. “I’m with Air Force OSI out of Hill AFB, UT, just up the road from Dugway. We were brought in TDY, or TAD for you Navy types, to bring the Captain over to the Dugway holding facility pending final relocation for trial. They brought us in since there is no way we are involved with the accused.”
Sabine figured this was an opportunity to ask more questions.
“So do you know why he didn’t get sent the other day?”
Vassar Shirt girl fielded this one.
“From what we understand, the command staff detected some potential issues with the current staff available to make such a trip with him. He then requested we come to do this. We will rest up and drive out tonight with him. The sooner he is away from here, cut off from his support base, the better everyone will sleep, I’m sure.” She was looking at Paige the whole time she was talking.
This was when Henrik and Andrea came in. A repeat of intros all around was followed with a simple rehashing of the last few minutes of explanation.
Agent V spoke again.
“We wanted to come see how she was.” gesturing to Paige. “This is the sort of thing that burns us up. Don’t worry, he will get to a nice dank isolated cell in the middle of nowhere to wait a long time for his trial. There is plenty of evidence, both physical and eyewitness. He won’t be seeing the outside of a cell for a long time. From what I understand, your commander wants to go bring back keelhauling, not that he will get it.”
Sargent V added “Your commander and Sargent Major are working hard and have a special interest in this case. They will make sure you are taken care of.”
Agent V touched Sargent V on the shoulder. “Come on, we better go. I need some sleep before we get to work.”
“What you need is volume knob on those pants. I know where we are going, we can crash, then dinner, then paperwork, and pick up the prisoner.” They continued their discussion as they walked down the hall.