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Post by feralferret on Mar 25, 2023 17:10:48 GMT -6
Another fine chapter. It looks like Matt is a pretty good horse trader.
Thanks!
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ydderf2
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"I'm from the government and here to help" hahahaha
Posts: 321
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Post by ydderf2 on Mar 28, 2023 10:35:13 GMT -6
Thank you
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Post by CountryGuy on Mar 30, 2023 18:35:07 GMT -6
48
One afternoon in the fall, Merv was working at the office in the city when he received a call on his cell from a number he didn’t recognize. He was going to let it go to voicemail but he could see the area code was from Virginia. “Hello, this is Merv.” “Yes, am I speaking with Merv Cole?” “Yes, I’m he. Who is this?” “Yes Mr Cole, I’m Detective Hall with the Virginia State Police. Is this a good time for you to talk?” Merv thought for a moment “Yes now would be fine just let me close my office door. OK” “Well, Mr Cole, as I said I’m Detective Hall and I’m calling in regards to the case you were involved in last year.” “What about it?” “I wanted to let you know we have been working on the investigation and we are preparing to turn over our evidence and case to the AG and the grand jury. We believe we have sufficient evidence to allow us to make arrests in the case. It might be a few more weeks but I wanted to make you aware that things are progressing.” “Ahh yes… I see. Well can you share who it was that attacked us?” “No Sir, I’m sorry, that is still confidential at this point and we wouldn’t want to jeopardize the case.” “No, I understand.” “I will say this, I am extremely confident we have those who committed the attacks on you as well as those that hired it to be done.” That bit about ‘hiring’ took Merv by surprise and he found himself with more questions swirling in his head after the Detective had said goodbye and hung up. Merv sat there and sipped his coffee pondering this info. But what did it all mean?
Merv got up and went out to the kitchenette area to refill his java. He then walked down the hall to the temp office Matt was using that day and found him sitting there typing away. Merv walked in and sat down in the spare chair and looked at Matt who sensed part of Merv’s mind was somewhere else. “What’s up man?” “I just got a very interesting call from a Detective Hall with the VSP.” Matt stopped typing on his laptop and looked up “What did he have to say?” “He wanted to let me know that the case has been under investigation and they’ve made substantial progress and he’s going to be submitting the case to the AG and then grand jury. He also said he’s highly confident that they have those who attacked us as well as those behind the attack.” “Those behind the attack?” “That was where my brain went as well.” “Did he give you any names or details?” “No. He said if he did it could jeopardize the case so he can’t share anything else at this point. He did say it could be several more weeks or months until the arrests are made and charges are filed.” “WOW!” Matt said and then sat in silence as he and Merv looked at one another. “Yeah, sort of what I thought too.” “Think we should tell Jimbo and his parents?” Matt asked. “I can’t see why not but I think it can wait till we call him this weekend?”
The call had them thinking and recalling the events for the next several days. They both kept going back in their memories trying to think of any detail they might have overlooked. But to keep their sanity they both pushed it back in their minds and life moved on. About two weeks after the detective’s call, the guys were down in the district again working onsite at the office. Merv got a call from the Bossman asking him to meet him in the executive boardroom in 20 minutes. As Merv hung up he wondered what was up. All the normal initial thoughts popped into his head about why his boss would call him so suddenly and then to want to see him in the executive conference room. Was he about to get the ax? He stopped by Matt’s cubicle and told him about the summoning. “Well if I am getting the ax your walking home.” “Fat chance, I drove. If anyone is walking it’s you.” Merv smiled “Oh yeah…” “So you start walking and I’ll pick you up on the way in a few hours.”
Merv headed up to the conference room, getting there a few minutes before the time he was told. He peaked in, it was empty, so he continued on in. He’d only been in this room twice before. The day he interviewed and the time he had a big new project kickoff and the client had come on-site for the kick off meeting. He glanced around the posh surroundings. The conference table was over twenty feet long and made of solid mahogany. It was surrounded by large, plush stuffed, high backed rolling leather chairs in a deep reddish brown color. Around the room on the walls hung portraits of the firm's founders along with framed photos of some of the largest past projects they had made their reputations on. Merv just casually walked around looking at the various pictures unsure of where he should take a seat and feeling like he should wait to sit until his boss came in.
He didn’t have to wait long as the doors opened and in walked the firm's CEO Mr Hutchinson, followed by their CFO Mr Randolph who was trailed by Merv’s boss. The Mr Hutchinson seated himself at the head of the table with Mr Randolph taking the seat to his right and Bossman motioned for Merv to take the seat to the CEO’s left and he took the seat to Merv’s left. Merv felt like he was the lamb to the slaughter, being penned in.
“Mervin, good to see you again.” “Thank you Sir, good to see you again.” “How are you doing; since all that unpleasantness that happened to you, Matthew and James; are you fully recovered? I’m probably not to ask that with all the HIPAA mumbo jumbo but please understand it comes from a place of concern.” Merv shifted slightly in his chair at the question. “Yes Sir I am, Matt as well, James is still having a time of it, still going thru therapy due to the TBI but he improves everyweek when we talk to him.” “I see, so you talk with him every week? Yes Sir, Matt and I try to call him every Sunday to check in.” “That’s good to hear. You three are close. I want you to know I have been checking in with Timothy here every few months checking on you all. I’m glad to hear you two are doing well but we’ll reach out to James and his family to see how we can help further.” “I think they would be very grateful for that Sir.”
“It is good to see you both back and working. I’ve been monitoring this remote work situation the two of you have been doing the last year. You two are a bit of pioneers for us in the whole remote or hybrid role.” Uhh ohh Merv thought, they’re going to pull the plug on us being remote. “I admit I was very skeptical at first on how this would go so we’ve been monitoring it and we’re very impressed with both of your performances. Yours especially with the last few projects has been stellar. You’ve shown some very out of the box thinking yet also provided excellent risk assessment prior to executing, it wasn’t just shoot from the hip decision making. Very innovative approaches indeed.” “Thank you Sir, but my team was a big part of those successes and risk assessments.” “Indeed and I’m glad to hear you bolstering their accomplishments, but your leadership was a substantial driving force in bringing them together and harvesting all of that success to fruition. “Mervin, do you know why you have been asked in here today?” Mr Hutchinson said, glancing towards the Bossman, as if checking to see if he’d spilled the beans. “No sir, but since you and Mr Randolph are here and not Laurie from HR, I’m guessing I’m not getting fired. They don’t bring in the big guns for engineers.” The two execs chuckled “No my boy, far from it, in fact I’d say its the opposite. Now, before I lay out our cards, understand if you decline what we are proposing, we are ok with that and things will continue to carry on as they are currently. We know you’ve been through a lot in the last year but we believe you have the skills and strengths to be successful in the task we have in mind.” Merv just nodded as Mr. Hutchinson went on, thinking to himself… what are they buttering me up for. “Interested to hear more?”
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Post by feralferret on Mar 30, 2023 19:26:48 GMT -6
“I will say this, I am extremely confident we have those who committed the attacks on you as well as those that hired it to be done.”
That certainly puts a different light on things.
I wonder what Merv's bosses are up to?
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ydderf2
Member
"I'm from the government and here to help" hahahaha
Posts: 321
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Post by ydderf2 on Mar 31, 2023 7:37:39 GMT -6
Thanks
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ahsga
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Post by ahsga on Mar 31, 2023 8:10:59 GMT -6
I thought there was something about a ex girlfriend and the attack? I could be dreaming.
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Post by kaijafon on Mar 31, 2023 16:48:22 GMT -6
YES I'M INTERESTED IN HEARING MORE!!!! SO MOAR PLEASE
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tsam
New Member
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Post by tsam on Apr 1, 2023 8:15:31 GMT -6
Nice cliffhanger
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Post by CountryGuy on Apr 1, 2023 17:11:20 GMT -6
49
“After an intro like that Sir, how could I not want to hear more. Please, continue.” Hutchinson smiled and then continued “Have you heard of our Pascal 3 project?” “I’ve only heard the name in passing, Sir, but I don’t know anything beyond that.” “Well it is a very large and critical project we have where we’re jointly serving the federal government, the military and several commercial companies in the oil and gas sector. This is one of our largest undertakings in the history of the firm and one that has some security aspects to it. To be honest there is the very real possibility that it will make or break us on any future government projects as well as in the energy sector. Currently, it is breaking us.”
Hutchinson continued on… “We hired an outside contracting firm to manage and direct our selected construction firm. What has happened so far is they brought in their team, fired our chosen construction company, replaced them with their chosen vendor and now we’re about five months behind schedule and almost twenty five percent over budget of where we should be at this point and we are not getting answers, just smoke and what seem to be weak excuses. What we’d like is for you to go there, initially, sort of undercover as just a member of the crew, likely a crew leader. Then you take a couple weeks to get a feel for what is going on and report back to us on what you’re seeing on the ground. In short, we need for you to be boots on the ground and figure out what the hell is going on. Have you ever watched the TV show ‘Undercover Boss’?” Merv nodded “Well sort of like that but ur not the CEO”.
“John and I think, or should I say, have suspicions, as to what you’re going to find. If we’re right, you will then step in and with our full support and backing, take full control of the program and determine how much damage has been done and determine how to get things back on track, lay out a plan and execute. You do whatever you feel needs to be done to right the ship and get her back on course.” Merv sat for a moment considering the magnitude of the task and also understanding the faith and trust they were placing in him, he also realized what a boon this could be for his career.
“It sounds like a very interesting and also very challenging tasking. Can I ask, just where exactly is Pascal 3 located?” With a chuckle John responded “Guess we skipped over that part.” he laughed. “Pascal 3 is located on the North Slope of Alaska and down into ANWR. It’s a bit of a trip from D.C.” Merv was speechless… Alaska! He’d always hoped to make it there someday though he never imagined in this sort of situation. He always envisioned some fishing and hunting trips, maybe even moving there someday in the distant future.
“Now, as Mark was explaining, we think there is something going on and it’s not to our benefit and potentially laws are being broken. We’d like you to initially be our spy, try to figure out what is and isn’t going on and then once we know that we’ll discuss and work to determine where to go. We need you to bring this job back in line as quickly as possible to try and reduce timing impact as there are heavy penalty fees if we’re late and we need to reduce as much egg on our face as possible.”
Mark picked up “You will have access to whatever resources you need from us and we’ll let you pick any team members you think you need. We’ll also have a group here to support you. There is cell coverage in Prudhoe but not far from it so we’ll get you set up with a Sat phone and a Sat internet connection for when you’re not at the base camp. You should find they have anything you need there.” Merv was absorbing everything he was being told and trying to figure out if there was anything he wasn’t being told.
Mark spoke again “Now, there is no doubt this isn’t a simple task that we are asking you to hang around your neck and there is both risk and danger. ANWR is an extreme environment and the task we’re asking will be very difficult in a potentially deadly environment and weather. The sites are remote and in several cases only accessible by helicopter or by vehicle in winter when the ground is frozen. We anticipate that you’re going to be there for a year. Now we’d not expect you to stay their the entire year. We were thinking on having you come back at least every three months for say a two week break.”
“If you accept this assignment we want to get you there sooner than later. However, even though there is urgency in getting you there it won’t be before we ensure your literal survival skills are brushed up. Tim here has told us you’re an outdoorsman but we want to ensure your safety. We want you to go through some skills courses, actually more realistically they are wilderness survival courses. From your resume we know you were an Eagle Scout and we’re assuming you had a fair amount of outdoor skills?” “Am Sir, I am an Eagle Scout. Once an Eagle, always an Eagle.” Mark grinned “Quite right, we saw you are an Eagle Scout. We’d like to refresh and bolster those skills and hopefully add to them along with your survival and first aid skills. When you get in to Alaska we’ll have you go thru an additional intense, but short training to understand the nuances of surviving in remote Alaska. When you get to Prudhoe Bay you’ll go thru the standard on boarding and safety training required of all the crew there. For the time you will be there, you will be based out of Prudhoe but much of the work is at the sites down in ANWR.”
John picked back up “Now you are probably sitting there thinking ‘that's all well and good but what’s in all this for me’. If you take on this role, on acceptance, your salary will immediately triple…” Merv just about swallowed his tongue… “...your title will change to Director of New Programs, Northwest Division. While you are in the field, separate from your salary, all your expenses will be paid, both their and we will cover your rent or costs to put your things in storage if you choose. You will also be provided a clothing and equipment allotment to go and purchase all of the gear, work clothing and cold weather clothing you will need during your training as well as while in ANWR. Think of it as an all expense paid trip, sort of like you won a trip on a game show. Beyond that, if you are able to right the ship and get things under control, there will be a generous bonus, based on the results you are able to deliver.”
There was silence for a second as Merv continued absorbing the train load they just dumped on him. Mark spoke again “Mervin…” “Just Merv Sir.” Mark smiled “OK, Merv, so long as Sir becomes Mark.” John quickly inserted “and John.” “ Deal Si… Mark and John” Mark smiled. “Habits are hard to break.” Merv said. “Fair enough, Merv. Today is Thursday, I’d like to give you today and tomorrow to talk with Tim and get a little more understanding of the project and to gather any questions you have. Now due to the security aspects, he won’t be able to give you in-depth details yet. Take the weekend to think on it, speak with your family. I know it’s quick, but as we said, we’re behind the eight ball and if you do say yes there is a lot to happen till we can put you on the ground. If you say no, we have to drop back and punt and try to come up with another candidate. Can you be prepared to give us your answer Monday morning?” Merv thought a second “Yes, I’ll be ready to give you an answer by Monday.” “Great, if you’re a go, things will kick into high gear with getting your clearances approved so that you can see the entire project and details. This isn’t fair to ask, I know, but do you think there is at least a 50/50 chance you might say yes. I ask, because if there is, we’ll go ahead and start the ball rolling on fast tracking your clearance, there are some advantages of being in the District.”
“Yes, I can say it’s at least a 50% chance I’ll say yes. At least right now.” Mark said “Fair enough.” John picked back up Assuming you’re a go, we’ll have some people start working with you on scheduling your training and trying to figure when we can get you on the ground. I’m going to guess it’s going to take at least 2 weeks to get your clearance checks done. In the meantime, any training courses we can get you into, we’ll do. Until the approval comes thru on the security, we can’t get to in the weeds on the project. Once we do, you’ll have full access and you will get a full presentation on it and the latest status we have, though we all assume it is highly suspect.”
Bossman was next to speak, Merv turned to look towards him for the first time since the meeting had started. “Merv, I know what John and Mark have just laid out is a lot to take in. Why don’t we head to my office and we’ll talk over a few more of the details on the job that I can discuss and let you ask some questions or start formulating some.” “Sure, sounds good.” With that John and Mark both stood, So Merv and Tim did as well. Mark held out his business card. “Merv, both my and John’s cells are on here, if you have any questions that are major to your decision over the weekend, don’t hesitate to call with or both of us to discuss.” Merv took the card and as he did Mark offered his hand as then did John. They all turned and left the room.
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Post by feralferret on Apr 1, 2023 17:53:03 GMT -6
What an interesting twist of events! Excellent chapter. Thanks.
"Think of it as an all expense paid trip, sort of like you one a trip on a game show. "
Shouldn't this be "won"?
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Post by CountryGuy on Apr 1, 2023 18:04:08 GMT -6
What an interesting twist of events! Excellent chapter. Thanks. "Think of it as an all expense paid trip, sort of like you one a trip on a game show. " Shouldn't this be "won"? Thank you, corrected!
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Post by kiwibutterfly on Apr 1, 2023 19:01:41 GMT -6
ohhh this is getting exciting, thank you
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Post by kaijafon on Apr 1, 2023 19:14:57 GMT -6
ROAD TRIP!!!
Thanks!
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Post by 223shootersc on Apr 1, 2023 20:32:02 GMT -6
A turn of events! Thanks for the fine writing!
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Post by freebirde on Apr 1, 2023 21:13:09 GMT -6
Unless you want to play "Ice Road Trucker" you wouldn't get you much closer than Fairbanks. There may be roads and tracks that only the locals know that may be able to get there, but it's not something to be taken lightly.
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dannab1
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Post by dannab1 on Apr 1, 2023 22:31:35 GMT -6
Wow! That was quite unexpected! Love it!!
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Post by feralferret on Apr 1, 2023 22:41:08 GMT -6
"The sites are remote and in several cases only accessible by helicopter or by vehicle in winter when the ground is frozen."
"Unless you want to play "Ice Road Trucker" you wouldn't get you much closer than Fairbanks. There may be roads and tracks that only the locals know that may be able to get there, but it's not something to be taken lightly." - Freebirde
Freebirde is right. Many of the so called roads are nothing but mus unless frozen. Bush pilots with small, often amphibious planes are the major source of transportation and delivery for most of the state. Helicopters are used to reach areas where the is no suitable location to land a bush plane.
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Post by CountryGuy on Apr 2, 2023 8:40:28 GMT -6
I'm not sure how deep I'm going to get into the adventures in Alaska. I don't want to do it injustice and my writings would be completely fictitious as I've never been there, well other than a few hour layover in Anchorage in the middle of the night a few days before Christmas in an otherwise closed airport on our battalions way to Okinawa.
I'm not sure.... I don't want to ruin the story-line if people start needing to correct me on every third thing saying nope, that's not real, that's not how it happens, etc... and to be honest, I don't have the time to invest to try and research it to get it right.
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Post by weapons762 on Apr 2, 2023 8:57:39 GMT -6
one of the reasons i like you writers to post your storys in one segment, to many people have to nitpick over stupid things. not every writer can be an info specialist on every subject.
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Post by iamnobody on Apr 2, 2023 9:40:25 GMT -6
I'm not sure how deep I'm going to get into the adventures in Alaska. I don't want to do it injustice and my writings would be completely fictitious as I've never been there, well other than a few hour layover in Anchorage in the middle of the night a few days before Christmas in an otherwise closed airport on our battalions way to Okinawa. I'm not sure.... I don't want to ruin the story-line if people start needing to correct me on every third thing saying nope, that's not real, that's not how it happens, etc... and to be honest, I don't have the time to invest to try and research it to get it right. I like your story and writing. Keep it coming.
My own story, that is why I use vague areas and not go into details of names of towns and roads. With my hectic life of work and raising 3 children as a widower, I have no time to do deep research on names and etc. If I did that, I would have to charge more for my stories.
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Post by freebirde on Apr 2, 2023 11:40:08 GMT -6
I didn't mean to start anything, I was just letting Kaj know not to expect a leisurely drive.
You know how it is for those Arkansans, you have to explain everything to them. JK
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Post by feralferret on Apr 2, 2023 18:14:11 GMT -6
Country Guy, my follow up to Freebirde was not meant as a criticism either. You will notice that the first thing I did was quote he supporting section of your story.
It's your story. Whatever areas you wish to emphasize or minimize are your call. I'm just here to enjoy the ride. Thanks for the story and all of the effort you put into it. Although I've only done technical writing rather than fiction, I can affirm that it requires serious effort by the author.
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Post by CountryGuy on Apr 2, 2023 19:28:45 GMT -6
I didn't mean to start anything, I was just letting Kaj know not to expect a leisurely drive. You know how it is for those Arkansans, you have to explain everything to them. JK Country Guy, my follow up to Freebirde was not meant as a criticism either. You will notice that the first thing I did was quote he supporting section of your story. It's your story. Whatever areas you wish to emphasize or minimize are your call. I'm just here to enjoy the ride. Thanks for the story and all of the effort you put into it. Although I've only done technical writing rather than fiction, I can affirm that it requires serious effort by the author. Nope, no offense taken from either of you or anyone else. I'm not that thin skinned. I enjoy getting feedback, I'm to new and dumb to know any better. I didn't take anything by the comments and mine wasn't in response to either of yours. I've been thinking on this topic and how to approach it for a bit. Likely not going to get real in depth. I can speak to a lot of places in general, at least of places on the east coast, south and upper midwest. I can't speak to much of anything in the northwest, western states etc not Alaska. Guess just an internal battle of whether to jump in and write what I think would be rather than knowing how it actually is.
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Post by gipsy on Apr 2, 2023 20:59:29 GMT -6
I am more interested in the job then the scenery. I think he is being asked to kick ass and take names.
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Post by feralferret on Apr 2, 2023 22:45:15 GMT -6
I agree with Gipsy.
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