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Post by arkansascob on Jul 1, 2019 8:04:54 GMT -6
Thanks A for another Great Chapter. Glad the kids are coming about.
COB
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jkhs
New Member
Posts: 20
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Post by jkhs on Jul 2, 2019 19:22:46 GMT -6
A, I found this story last night and now I’m all caught up. 😁 I just want to thank you for sharing your talent with us. This piece is very well written and I’m really enjoying it. Can’t see where this story takes us.
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Post by texican on Jul 3, 2019 18:03:40 GMT -6
A, I found this story last night and now I’m all caught up. 😁 I just want to thank you for sharing your talent with us. This piece is very well written and I’m really enjoying it. Can’t see where this story takes us. A, You have caught another one, well done.... Now it isn't yet Thursday, but wouldn't it be appropriate to feed this newbie with another chapter and keep him hooked.... Texican....
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Post by smitty60 on Jul 16, 2019 15:00:30 GMT -6
Sure could use some more.
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Post by accountant on Jul 16, 2019 15:10:41 GMT -6
Okay smitty, here you go.
Chapter 39
The Past Comes Calling
For the next two weeks the children spent their days helping out around Safehaven. There was always something that needed cleaning or fixing, or cooking. Gradually, little by little, hope seemed to return to the eyes of the abused children. They began to feel safe and secure within the confines of the gated retreat even as the foreign attackers continued their relentless assault on the country.
One afternoon, while Simon was helping chop vegetables with Darren, he asked, “Mr. Smith, if it’s not too much trouble, could I, um, get a gun?”
“And why would you want a gun, Simon?”, asked Darren, calmly while chopping up a fresh carrot.
‘Well, I just..I think it would be better for me to have a gun to help keep the little ones safe, you know?”, replied Simon.
“You don’t think they feel safe here?”, asked Darren.
“No, I do. I know it’s safe here, it’s just that I’ve been hearing about the reports on the radio how the Mexicans are attacking us and I just want to do my part to keep the kids safe if they ever get all the way up here.”, said Simon.
“You care about them a lot, don’t you? You think you need to protect them.”, said Darren, putting the chopped veggies into a big pot.
“Chelsea’s my sister and the others feel like family after what we’ve been through.”, explained Simon.
Darren put his hand on the boy’s shoulder and said, “Listen son, when you and the others first came here, we all promised to watch over you and protect you with our lives. That hasn’t changed. We’d die before we let anything happen to you or the other kids. That’s a solemn promise.”
Simon looked up at Darren and said, “I understand that, Mr. Smith, honest, I do. And I can’t thank you folks enough for everything you’ve done for us. You saved our lives and I’ll be forever grateful for that. But what’ll I do if you’re all dead?”
Darren scratched his beard and replied, “You do have a point, there. Okay, have you ever shot before?”
“Yes sir, my dad used to take me and Chelsea out shooting all the time. We were just allowed to us .22’s though.”, said Simon.
“Well then, you must know the rule of firearm safety. Let’s hear them.”, demand Darren.
“Always keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction. Always treat all firearms as if they were loaded. Always keep the trigger finger outside the guard and off the trigger until you’re ready to fire. Be certain of your target, your line of fire, and what’s behind your target.”, came the response.
Darren studied the boy carefully.
Finally, after some thought, he said, “Okay, I think we can let you have a Glock, but you have to promise me that you’ll always, and I mean always, keep it unloaded and in the holster, except for when we are at the practice range. You will never leave it anywhere that the other kids can get to it. I’m going to tell Mrs. Jackson to make sure you locked it up at night with the other weapons. If I or anyone else sees you playing with it or leaving it unattended where the other kids can get to it, it will be taken away permanently. This is not a negotiation. Do I make myself clear?”
Simon nodded.
“No, I need you to say the words to me. Do you understand?”, reiterated Darren.
“Yes sir. I understand.”, replied Simon.
Darren tussled Simon’s hair and said, “Good. Now let’s go see about getting you that holster and weapon.”
While Darren was sizing Simon up for the holster, Laura and Boomer were in the communication center listening to the radio.
Don came over the FRS and said, “Eagle’s Nest, this is Sparrow. Come in Eagle’s Nest. Over.”
Laura picked up her FRS and replied, “Sparrow, this is Eagle’s Nest. Over.”
“We just picked up three bears with no Goldilocks headed your way. Not much meat on their bones. We didn’t see any thorns on them either. Probably just looking for a bite to eat. Over.”
“Copy that, Sparrow. We’ll keep our eyes open for them. Thanks for the heads up. Eagle’s Nest out.”
“Hmm, strange.”, said Boomer after Laura had disconnected from the conversation with Don.
“Strange how?”, asked Laura.
“A couple with a child walking all this way by themselves with no visible protection, not much stuff, and not with a group out here in the middle of nowhere. Just strange.”, said Boomer.
“It’s probably just a family that got lost. We’ll give them some food, let them rest, and send them on their way.”, said Laura, going back to listen to the shortwave.
Twenty minutes later, Laura and Boomer saw the family slowly making their way to the gate.
“Hello the farm.”, yelled out the man.
Looking out the window, Boomer got up with a start, “I don’t freakin’ believe this.”, he exclaimed.
Drawing his Glock, Boomer stormed out of the room, and practically ripped the front door of the main building off its hinges going to the gate.
Laura saw Boomer’s reaction and looked out the window before running out after him.
“You’ve got a lot of nerve showing you face around here!”, yelled Boomer, pointing the weapon at the man’s head.
“How are you, Boomer?”, asked the man.
“I’m alive, no thanks to you. I ought to blow your head off right now, you piece of slime.”, yelled Boomer.
“Boomer, please. I have my family here.”, said the man.
“That’s why I said slime.”, growled Boomer.
“What are you doing here, Chandler?”, asked Laura, “I thought you’d be hiding out in some CIA bunker somewhere.”
“Spider! It’s so nice to see you. You’re looking well. Allow me to introduce you to my wife Jamie and our son, Colton.”, said the man.
“I asked you what you were doing here. Now spit it out before Boomer loses it and does something you’ll regret.”, said Laura.
“Please, Ms. Spider. I know this is an intrusion. But it’s been a long walk in the heat and Colton’s awfully tired. Can we please come inside and get some water for our son? Please.”, begged Jamie.
Laura looked over the trio. It was true. The boy was exhausted and dehydrated.
“Take your backpacks and jackets off, empty your pockets, and do a turn so we can see that you have no weapons. Then you can come inside the main building where we can get you and your son some water and a snack.”, said Laura.
“I knew you wouldn’t turn us away.”, said Chandler, smiling.
“You keep your mouth shut until you’re told to speak.”, spat out Laura, “Come on Jamie and Colton, let’s get you out of this heat.”
Laura led the mother and child into the main building and into a cool conference while Boomer pushed Chandler into the same room with the barrel of his Glock to the base of his skull.
Laura brought some water and cookies for the trio and at the same time contacted Missy to come and take Jamie and Colton to Magnum’s house so that they could rest while she and Boomer talked to Chandler.
After Missy took the boy and his mother away, Laura looked steely eyed across the conference room table at Chandler.
“Now, like I asked before, what the hell are you doing here?”, she asked.
“Come now Spider. We go way back and my family needs your help. We’re looking for sanctuary.”, replied Chandler.
“Sanctuary? Sanctuary? Did you let us have sanctuary in Nicaragua? We had to fight our way out of there, not only from the army but also the death squads you sent after us.”, replied Laura.
“That wasn’t my fault. That was on you. You ditched the mission. There were protocols in place that had to be followed. You know that. You all knew that.”, said Chandler, smirking, “Besides, I knew you could handle it. You’re the best.”
“Don’t try your flattery bullshit on me. It won’t work. Why aren’t you in some bunker somewhere in Virginia?”, demanded Laura.
“Here’s the story. Before everything went to hell, Jamie’s mother in Florida got hit by a car. Jamie demanded that we all go down there for a few days to visit the old lady in the hospital. Being a dutiful husband, I agreed. It also gave me a chance to visit the Tallahassee office. Wouldn’t you know it, when the power went out, Jamie’s mom died so there we were stuck in Florida. Once we got her buried, we took the rental car up to a safe house near Atlanta and holed up there. I figured we’d take the 85 back to DC in a couple of days. We were on our way when the EMP hit. I knew we’d never make it back. One way or another, we were able to make our way here. And so here we are.”, came the answer.
“How did you even know about this place?”, asked Boomer.
“Come on. Did you really think you could dip into the slush fund without anyone noticing? Black ops may be hidden from everyone else, but the money is fully reconciled by the accountants on my team. I knew when you bought this place. I knew what you did to set it up. Hell, I probably know exactly how much TP you have left.”, said Chandler, with a chuckle.
“So, you want sanctuary here. Why the hell should we give it to you?”, asked Laura.
“Cindy, Cindy, you owe me.”, said Chandler, smirking.
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Post by papaof2 on Jul 16, 2019 16:22:11 GMT -6
If you come in sounding like an arrogant a$$, then you might just wind up in the barnyard - or under it...
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Post by gipsy on Jul 16, 2019 16:54:43 GMT -6
Pig pen perhaps?
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Post by texican on Jul 16, 2019 21:00:38 GMT -6
“Cindy, Cindy, you owe me.”, said Chandler, smirking.
A, you keep throwing curve balls and this one has a wife and child....
IMHO, this sleazy POS needs to be dropped a long way away or 6' under for he is not to be trusted.... Keep the mom and child if they wish to stay after explaining the the POS that Chandler is....
Thanks A for the chapter....
Texican....
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Post by arkansascob on Jul 17, 2019 10:24:24 GMT -6
Nice Chapter A. Thanks Not sure I can go almost 3 more weeks before we find out more about this Chandler person or what his real intentions are. I done see anything good coming out of his sudden appearance.
COB
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Post by texican on Jul 17, 2019 17:04:24 GMT -6
Nice Chapter A. Thanks Not sure I can go almost 3 more weeks before we find out more about this Chandler person or what his real intentions are. I done see anything good coming out of his sudden appearance. COB A, Will begging help? Texican....
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Post by goinpostal on Jul 20, 2019 0:31:02 GMT -6
Well A, Pretty well set it up for a complete failure.... But, not all things go the way man plans.... I for one would stay.... You can only die once for freedom but die thousands of times if you run.... Texican.... Born Free, Living Free and Will Die Free... PS: Do you not surmise that a large percentage of military vehicles have been modified to be EMP resistant if not EMP proof.... With all of the hoop ta do about the chinese hardware in our military equipment and missiles, you think that our military hasn't and isn't addressing this under emergency measures.... Bombers can deliver hell on target across china russia, mexico and the world much less launch EMP charges over all continents including the ME.... Just how many nukes and lasers and pulse weapons do we have in space over china and russia? China, Russia and Mexico will be hurt beyond belief.... Now Russia and China are not friends and when the missiles fly missiles will fly between China and Russia and the rest of the world.... The sheep will be rounded up, but the patriots will not be rounded up.... How many jack boots will bite the dust before they fall back to the camps to have some fun with the tenants/prisoners? Most modern trucks and cars are at least partially shielded from an HEMP weapon. The automakers have had to shield the vehicles computers from themselves,do to having high energy components like multiple coil packs,high output alternators,and ghetto blasting sound systems. Also vehicles in the shadows of buildings,mountains,aka a shielding mass,opposite the detonation will recieve little effect if any from hemp. A CME(Coronal Mass Ejection) on the other hand. All bets are off. There would be little shadow effect on one whole side of the planet. Then only vehicles shielded under 3'or more of mass or on the opposite side of the planet from the suns flare would come out of it unscathed. Matt
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A New Life
Jul 20, 2019 11:17:35 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by goinpostal on Jul 20, 2019 11:17:35 GMT -6
Best by dates can be extended in grain products, some dairy products, some oils, and nut products by freezing. Close-out bread, on sale peanut butter, big bags of brown or white rice all go into our freezer. I would like to get a second chest freezer to keep things that won't quickly spoil if thawed. Something I learned from Alton Brown, the faster something freezes, the less time for ice crystals to grow. Any boxed food products should be left in the original packaging,and then vacu sealed with O2 absorbers. Though it makes them take up more storage space,the shelf life will be extended greatly left in the original packaging. The reason is that the manufacturers packaging contains built in preservatives. Matt
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A New Life
Jul 20, 2019 11:26:19 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by goinpostal on Jul 20, 2019 11:26:19 GMT -6
We do not have this problem since we have a walk in pantry room.... We still mark every can, jar, box, package with a label with the Best By Date written in large black numbers.... Helps to keep food rotated and meals set up to use the oldest first.... We will also give away food that is not being used very well.... Marking your food containers where the date can be readily read helps to control loss.... Texican.... We mark everything either with either a P-Touch (black on white label) or a black Sharppie - usually depending on the date: soup with a date that's 2 years out needs a more durable label than crackers that won't be around long. Though a pain in the backside with smaller cans. If you wrap each one with saran wrap for long term storage.It will keep the label intact,along with the original best buy date. It will also keep the cans rust free for many years. Matt
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Post by papaof2 on Jul 20, 2019 11:32:40 GMT -6
Semi-true for original packaging. Mac & cheese in the original box will likely not keep as long as macaroni in aluminized mylar bags because of the chemicals used in processing the paper the carton is made of. The packaged "cheese" in mac & cheese doesn't last long even in its better-than-paper packaging.
How do I know? I put some new boxes of mac & cheese in individual aluminized mylar bags and checked them after the "Best by" date. The mac was OK but would have been better stored directly in aluminized mylar. The cheese packet only survived a few months past the "Best by" date.
Dried beans in their original packaging are fine in another, vermin-proof container - doesn't take a big "vermin" to eat through the plastic/cellophane wrappers...
Cans and jars also work well for long term storage of dry foods.
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Post by goinpostal on Jul 22, 2019 9:45:35 GMT -6
Just be sure to read the label on the Claymores - the one that has "This side to enemy" ;-) Nah, if ya sit the two idiots about five yards apart, facin' each other, don't much matter which way the Claymores are pointin'. Used to work somewhere that had a customer who claimed he'd worked in munitions development and was part of designing those things. One of our guys asked him if it would be like gettin' hit with both barrels of 00 buck. Ol' Bill told us he'd be right back and he returned in about a half-hour. Showed us his notes and had figured it'd be like thirty rounds of buckshot. If you've ever seen what one of those suckers can to, you'd never wanna be walkin' in front of one unless you could see there were no wires attached. Don't mean to hijack the thread, but here's a link to the an article that mentions Bill and his part of the work. Really interesting guy to talk to, quite a historian and great supporter of our military. military.wikia.org/wiki/M18_Claymore_mine RIP, Bill. Something of note about claymores,and similar devices. You can concentrate the effective kill zone by putting it into a drum,cook pot/pressure canner(Think Boston terror bombing). Guerilla fighters have been using this method,since the invention of gunpowder. You are essentially making a crude cannon. Matt
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A New Life
Jul 22, 2019 10:37:01 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by goinpostal on Jul 22, 2019 10:37:01 GMT -6
Nah, if ya sit the two idiots about five yards apart, facin' each other, don't much matter which way the Claymores are pointin'. Used to work somewhere that had a customer who claimed he'd worked in munitions development and was part of designing those things. One of our guys asked him if it would be like gettin' hit with both barrels of 00 buck. Ol' Bill told us he'd be right back and he returned in about a half-hour. Showed us his notes and had figured it'd be like thirty rounds of buckshot. If you've ever seen what one of those suckers can to, you'd never wanna be walkin' in front of one unless you could see there were no wires attached. Don't mean to hijack the thread, but here's a link to the an article that mentions Bill and his part of the work. Really interesting guy to talk to, quite a historian and great supporter of our military. military.wikia.org/wiki/M18_Claymore_mine RIP, Bill. Something of note about claymores,and similar devices. You can concentrate the effective kill zone by putting it into a drum,cook pot/pressure canner(Think Boston terror bombing). Guerilla fighters have been using this method,since the invention of gunpowder. You are essentially making a crude cannon. Matt Matt Unless pressure canned in glass jars/metal cans. Things containing animal products/byproducts don't have a very long shelf life in comparison. Dry packaged products with milk fat,eggs,lard,ect.,tend to go rancid over a much shorter time period than their home/factory canned counterparts. Same thing goes for stuff packaged in jars/containers made of plastics,or with plastic lids. Other than soda bottles that are designed to hold pressure. Most plastic containers will breath to a certain extent over time,even with optimal temperature/light conditions. This is a great tale,and I eagerly await more. Matt
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Post by accountant on Jul 22, 2019 10:54:17 GMT -6
Chapter 40
Chandler the Handler
“The only thing I owe you is a painful drawn out death. What the hell are you talking about?”, asked Laura with fire flashing in her eyes.
“I kept you safe and alive. Once I found out about what you were doing with this place, I pushed your team’s dossier to the dead files. If I didn’t do what I did you would have been found and quietly liquidated. How often do you hear about an entire company wet work team just disappearing? Didn’t you think it was odd that none of you ever engaged a team of hunters since you set up this place? I did that. I kept you all alive. In fact, you could say that I was the one who set up this place, you just did the heavy lifting for me. So yeah, you owe me your lives.”, explained Chandler.
“Oh really, and all those times we had to go back into hiding when we heard a team was close. What about that?”, asked Boomer.
“I knew about your sources. Ingrid in Munich, Walter in Dublin, Sanjeev in Mumbai, Roger in Brisbane. I knew them all and I fed them just enough to keep you moving on this project. In fact, the last time, when you were in Fairfax, I really pushed it and leaked the intel on the attack to your contacts. The timelines needed to be sped up to complete things here. I just didn’t figure I’d be stuck in Florida when it happened.”, said Chandler.
“You knew about the attack and did nothing?”, asked Laura, incredulously.
“We knew we were going to get hit, just not when or how. We tried to get as much info as we could but the Russians and Chinese were playing it close to the vest. When we did find out about the grid going down, it was already too late. We did let the cabinet know, but Homeland and the FBI couldn’t keep their eyes on every aspect of the grid.”, said Chandler.
“So we let them attack us and did nothing?, said Boomer.
“What did you want us to do? Were we supposed to nuke another superpower and our biggest trading partner without solid proof? That’s not how things work at those levels. The president’s poll numbers were already down and the other party would have had a field day with this. The best I could do was to force you to set this place up and to keep you safe.”, said Chandler.
“You’re lying. You sent a kill team here.”, snapped Boomer.
“What? You mean the Canadians? They made contact. Very cool. That wasn’t me. That was the damn software that they developed. When they came back and said they got a hit, I had to let them run with it. I have people I answer to, too, you know. But I did get them to agree to bring you in alive and to me and nobody else, so there’s that. I could have just let them take you out.”, answered Chandler.
“Why?”, asked Laura.
“Why what?”, asked Chandler.
“If we assume you’re not lying through your teeth like the snake you are, why did you keep us alive? If what you say is true, you knew where we were and what we were doing. You could have had us picked up any time you wanted, but you didn’t. You could have got Homeland, the FBI, or the NSA involved, but you didn’t. What’s in it for you?”, demanded Laura.
Chandler chuckled and said, “DC is a funny place, Spider. Technically, the company can’t work on US soil and the rest of alphabet city would have loved to have brought you in and say that they were cleaning up the company’s mess. That would have been ugly for the organization and for me. I’d have been shipped off to run the department in Baku or some other God-forsaken place. Frankly, I’ve become accustom to the DC lifestyle so it was in my best interest to keep quiet about what was happening here.”
“Still playing the angles and looking out for yourself, just like always, you weasel.”, said Boomer.
“Hey, this weasel kept you alive and under the radar. I did what I had to do.”, responded Chandler.
“The way I see it, what happened in the past is the past now. Since the attack, everything’s changes. I know you wanted to get Safehaven set up and you haven’t told us the truth about why. Now, in the present, we’re the ones with the weapons, shelter, and food and you’re the one with nothing. So, again, why should we let you stay or even keep breathing?”, said Laura, coldly.
“Well, for one thing, Like I said, I already saved your skin and the company already paid for this place and everything on it. But that’s neither here nor there now. What I really need is a safe place for Jamie and Colton. I know you may think I’m scum, but they’re not. They’re both innocent in this and I’ll do whatever I can to help keep them safe. So here’s what I’m offering. I know about a company bunker full of food, supplies, fuel, and ammunition not far from here. I have access to it. I’m willing to let you have it as a way to buy our way into your group. With everything that’s going on, it never hurts to have extra supplies. I just want to keep my family safe, Spider. Jamie’s been good for me and Colton, well, he’s just the best. I’d do anything for them, honest. They’re all I have left.”, said Chandler with sincerity.
“Where’s the bunker?”, asked Laura
“Not far from here.”, said Chandler.
“Why didn’t you go there, instead of coming here?”, asked Laura.
“We could’ve easy enough and we could’ve stayed there. But with just us, we wouldn’t have been able to hold it if raiders or someone else found it and attacked. I’m just one man. I needed people I could trust.”, said Chandler.
“And you think you can trust us?”, asked Boomer.
“I know you wouldn’t rape Jamie and kill them both. I trust you that much.”, said Chandler.
“The thing is, we don’t trust you.”, said Boomer, “How do we know you’re not going to screw us over when all is said and done.”
“Who am I going to screw you over to? There’s no government any more, no company, hell the only kind of authority right now is the National Guard and they’d be begging to get you into the fight. They can use all the help they can get. Honestly, you’re free and clear as far as I’m concerned and if you help me take care of my family, I’d be indebted to you as long as this thing places out.”, said Chandler.
“If we cut you loose, where’d you go?”, asked Laura.
“We’d make it to the bunker and hold it as long as we could. When we can’t, I’ll put a bullet in each of our heads before raiders or the invaders get to my wife and son.”, said Chandler, grimly before taking a sip of water.
Laura studied the man in front of her, carefully.
“You mean that, don’t you? You’d kill your family?”, she asked.
“I do and I will.”, said Chandler.
“Tell us about your wife. Is she with the company too?”, asked Laura.
“No, Jamie never worked for the firm. She’s a former Miss Illinois and came in fifth at the Miss America pageant. When I first met her, she was an aide to Senator Cromwell. Still is. She’s a good wife and a great mom. She loves Colton and me with all her heart.”, started Chandler.
“Senator Cromwell, the chair of the Senate intelligence committee? Did you use her to get dirt on Cromwell so he would leave the CIA alone.”, asked Laura.
“Yep, that one. And no, I never got her to do anything underhanded. I really don’t think she’s capable of it. She’s sweet, has morals, and a heart of gold, but isn’t very bright. She’d just tell me about her day and what the senator did that day and who he met.”, said Chandler.
“So you never blackmailed him? I find that hard to believe.”, said Boomer.
“I couldn’t, not with Jamie working as his aide, but that didn’t stop me from giving some information to those higher up. It’s just part of the game in DC.”, said Chandler.
“Why’d you let us build this place? And don’t give me any crap about alphabet city. This place had something to do with you. What was your plan? I want the truth or no deal.”, asked Laura.
“You want the truth? Fine, here it is. When I figured out what you were doing here, I liked it. I thought it was a good idea. I let you set it up. My plan was that once it was set up, I’d send out a team, and wipe you out. This place would become forfeit to the federal government under the proceeds of crimes act and I’d buy it for pennies on the dollar before it even went up for auction. It would be my BOL if things went to shit. There, that’s what my plan was. Happy now?”, asked Chandler, grimly.
Laura sighed and said, “You’re a sleazebag, but at least you weren’t lying that time.”
“Where’s your camp? I know you must have one. You came here with practically nothing.”, asked Laura.
“About five miles back, in the woods. We left it there in case you turned us away.”, said Chandler.
“How many other bunkers are around here?”, she asked.
“Two others. If you agree to keep me and my family safe, I’ll tell you where they are.”, said Chandler.
“Tell us where they are now and we’ll consider it.”, said Laura.
“Nope, these are the only bargaining chips I have. If I tell you, you can easily just kick us out on our butts. But if you do, just remember, sooner or later, the deaths of that woman and that innocent child will be on your hands.”, said Chandler, locking eyes with Laura.
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Post by papaof2 on Jul 22, 2019 11:45:28 GMT -6
How far do they trust him? How far can his son throw him?
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Post by texican on Jul 22, 2019 22:04:43 GMT -6
“How many other bunkers are around here?”, she asked.
“Two others. If you agree to keep me and my family safe, I’ll tell you where they are.”, said Chandler.
“Tell us where they are now and we’ll consider it.”, said Laura.
“Nope, these are the only bargaining chips I have. If I tell you, you can easily just kick us out on our butts. But if you do, just remember, sooner or later, the deaths of that woman and that innocent child will be on your hands.”, said Chandler, locking eyes with Laura.
Chandler is a snake and will always be a snake not to be trusted, but three bunkers with food, weapons, ammo and no telling what else are great bargaining chips....
Don't think the group has much choice but to deal straight up with Chandler and keep him on a short chain....
Only time and several more chapters will tell.
Thanks A for the chapter....
Texican....
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Post by arkansascob on Jul 23, 2019 9:09:26 GMT -6
And the plot thickens. The question now is : Will A make us wait a week or 2 weeks for more of the Great Story.
Thanks A for a little bit MOAR.
COB
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Post by texican on Jul 23, 2019 14:06:09 GMT -6
And the plot thickens. The question now is : Will A make us wait a week or 2 weeks for more of the Great Story. Thanks A for a little bit MOAR. COB A can be cruel at times by making the Moar Hounds beg and beg, but ok as long as A posts moar.... Texican....
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Post by nancy1340 on Jul 23, 2019 17:12:00 GMT -6
O And another thing! What the hell??? I bring up a classic vintage muscle car and there are no comments on that??? Where are my gearheads??? LOL A. But, but, but it's a "automatic". Where the hell is the fun in that? ;-)
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Post by accountant on Jul 25, 2019 9:51:21 GMT -6
Chapter 41
Boomer’s Solution
After Chandler was secured in the meeting rooms with restraints, ear plugs, and a blindfold, Laura sent out a call to the adult residents of Safehaven and the Wilson farm to discuss the situation. Of the Canadians, Don, Benji, and Phil remained at the Wilson farm while Bill and Claude attended the meeting. Eugene and Tara manned the LP/OP. Missy stayed with Jamie and the children at Clarice’s home.
When everyone necessary was in the main room of the main building, Laura said, “We’ve had a new development that needs everyone input. Today, three people came to the retreat. There’s no easy way to say it, so I’ll just say it. It was Chandler and his family.”
“Chandler?”, asked Clarice, in shock, “You don’t mean that nasty SOB who’s been sending people to try and kill everyone?”
“Yes, the very same.”, said Laura with a sigh.
“Where is he? After what he put everyone including my kids though, I’m going to rip him a new one!”, yelled Clarice.
“Hang on, hun. Let’s hear Spider out first, then we’ll do some ripping.”, said Rattler, trying in vain to calm down his wife.
Laura explained what Chandler had said in their interrogation and what his offer was.
After hearing it all, Magnum said, “I don’t like it. I don’t trust that man as far as I can throw him.”
“I understand that, Magnum.”, said Laura, “But we need to think about what he said about killing his wife and child.”
“Do you really think he’d do that?”, asked Claude.
“Knowing the kind of person his is, yes I do.”, replied Laura.
“Hang on. We really don’t know if that’s his real family or not. Jamie could be another operative from the company.”, said Rattler.
“That’s true, we don’t. But even if she was, we have to think about the boy.”, said Martha.
“If we were to let them stay, we’d have three more mouths to feed. I’m not sure how long we’re gonna last, what with taking in the youngsters, the damage from the storm, and the tractors being out of commission.”, said Henry.
“He did mention three bunkers full of food and supplies.”, said Laura.
“We don’t even know if those are real.”, said Rattler.
“If that wasn’t true, he’d be a fool to make that kind of offer.”, said Magnum.
“We really could use what’s in those bunkers.”, said Bill.
“The fact remains, if we let them go, he’d end up killing the woman and the boy, sooner or later.”, said Darren.
“And if we let them stay, we’d all be on edge, wondering when he’d make his move. ‘Cause you know he would. He’d sell us out to God knows who just to save his own skin when the time came. That man has no loyalty to anyone but himself.”, said Clarice.
“How about we let Jamie and Colton stay here and he stays at the Wilson farm?”, asked Darren, “Would that work?”
“If he’s as bad as you all say he is, one of us would need to keep an eye on him constantly. That would be using valuable resources.”, said Bill.
“This is getting us nowhere. Do we let him stay or do we tell them to go?”, asked Clarice.
“If it was only him, I’d send him packing or gift him with a bullet to the head after what he’s done to y’all, but there’s that boy involved. That makes a world of difference.”, said Martha.
Boomer, who had been quiet during the entire exchange, finally spoke up and said, “I have a solution that I think might work. I’ve been thinking about this a long time with everything that’s happening out there. I love this country and it’s killing me to think that I’m sitting here while others are trying to protect us from all those foreign invaders. I was going to tell you sooner or later, but I have decided to leave and help the National Guard. Those men and women are dying trying to do what’s right and they need all the help they can get. It’s the right thing to do. With the Canadians here and Eugene and Tara helping out, I’m confident in the safety and security of this place. I know I can leave and that you guys will be okay. I have to go. Now when it comes to the slimebucket in the other room, if Jamie and Colton truly are his family, he’ll do whatever he can to keep them safe. Let me take him with me. The woman and the boy would be safe and everyone else could feel secure knowing that Chandler wasn’t here. Ask him in front of his family. If they are his family, he’ll accept the deal to protect them. If he doesn’t accept, we shoot him, dump him in the back forty, and the woman and boy get to stay in my place. There won’t be extra mouths to feed as they will take my share. That’s the solution to the whole thing.”
Everyone in the room was quiet for a long time thinking about what Boomer had just proclaimed.
“Dammit Boomer!”, yelled Magnum, “You think you can just go and leave us like this? After all we’ve been through together? You just decided in that thick skull of yours and that’s the end of it? We’re family! You think I’m just gonna let you skip away like this? I’ll tie you to a God-damn tree until you get your head straight if I have to, boy! You ain’t goin’ nowhere! Ya hear?”
Boomer looked at Magnum with wet eyes and softly said, “I’m sorry, Mag. It’s just something I have to do. You all are my family and always will be, but family’s family and country’s country. I’m a soldier and I took an oath to defend the constitution of this great land against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Just because I don’t wear the uniform anymore doesn’t mean I’m not bound by that oath. I have to do this. You have to understand.”
“You’ve heard the reports. The guard is being cut to shreds. Even if you do go, what difference would it really make?”, screamed Magnum.
“If I can take out one enemy soldier before they shoot one of ours, it’ll make all the difference in the world to the one I save and to his family. Please Mag. You have to let me go.”, said Boomer.
“No! You’re turning your back on us! You never thought of us as family! We all risked everything for each other! EVERYTHING! And now you want to throw what we had away. Damn you! DAMN YOU!”, screamed Magnum through his tears.
Clarice took Magnum into her arms and held him.
With a lump in her throat, Laura said to the assembled crowd, “We’ll make that offer to Chandler and see if he takes it. I think that’s all for now. Boomer, let’s you and me take a walk.”
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Post by texican on Jul 25, 2019 23:13:39 GMT -6
A,
Now Boomer's proposal is based in honor for his nation, America, and his oath to defend America from "enemies foreign and domestic"....
When Boomer and chandler leave, Boomer needs to keep chandler out in front at all times until whatever happens....
Thanks for the chapter....
Texican....
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Post by accountant on Aug 7, 2019 11:43:24 GMT -6
Chapter 42
Another Goodbye
The next morning brought a drizzle of rain as Laura, Darren, Boomer, and Rattler stood in the main building with Chandler, and his family.
“We’ve made a decision, but we need to ask you a few questions before we tell you what we’ve decided.”, said Laura, calmly and coldly.
“I’m ready to answer anything you need to ask me so go ahead.”, replied Chandler.
“Are you a patriot?”, asked Laura.
“I’ve always tried to do what’s in the best interest of the country, so yeah, I consider myself a patriot.”, said Chandler.
“Do you love your family?”
Chandler pulled Jamie and Colton close to him and said, “With all my heart.”
“Would you do anything to keep them safe here?”
Chandler looked into Jamie’s eyes and answered, “Anything.”
“Fine. Then here’s the situation we’ve come up with. We are ready to keep Jamie and Colton safe here and treat them just like everyone else here on the retreat. They will be cared for and protected completely with our lives. You, on the other hand, are a different issue. We just can’t trust you. Boomer is leaving today to join the National Guard troops to defend against the foreign aggressors. You say you’re a patriot. You will go with him. Before joining the guard, the two of you will stop at all three caches and Boomer will verify that they are real. If they are, you two will continue on your way to the guard. If they’re not, Boomer will end you and continue alone to the guard. Those are our terms.”, said Laura, curtly.
“You can’t do this. The deal was for my family and me. This is a death sentence.”, said Chandler.
“We’re giving your family safety and security and we’re willing to lay down our lives for them. Aren’t you? You said you’d do anything for them. Prove it.”, asked Rattler.
“Come on, Spider. A boy needs his father…”, pleaded Chandler.
“A boy needs honest, moral, patriotic role models. Colton will have those in this group.”, interrupted Laura, “It’s time you became one.”
Chandler knelt down, looked into his son’s eyes, and pulled him close. The man, knowing he had no other choice, looked at Laura and simply nodded.
“Good, now that we have that out of the way, we’ll give you some time alone together. You leave in 20.”, said Laura before walking away.
Twenty minutes later, Boomer had finished packing his bag in the trunk of the Chevelle and was standing in the drizzle with Laura, Rattler, and Darren when Chandler and his family came out of the main building. The group outside could see that tears had been shed by all of them.
“You’ll take care of them, won’t you?”, asked Chandler, sincerely.
“You have my word.”, said Laura.
Chandler just nodded and headed to the passenger seat of the muscle car.
“Just a minute. Put your hands behind your back.”, said Boomer, who promptly zip tied Chandler’s hands behind him.
“Okay, now you sit in the back.”, he ordered.
“This really isn’t necessary.”, said Chandler, somberly.
“Yeah, it really is.”, said Boomer, as he zip-tied Chandler’s ankles together.
Slamming the door shut, Boomer said, “Well, I guess this is it.”
He gave Rattler a hug, followed by a hug to Darren.
“You’re a good man, Flower. Take care of my Spider for me.”, he whispered in Darren’s ear.
Boomer then gave Laura a long hug and whispered, “Thank you for all you’ve done for me. You, Rat, magnum, and everyone else here mean more to me than anything in the world. I love you all. Can you tell everyone that and help Magnum understand why I have to go?”
Through her tears, Laura whispered, “You just take care of yourself. Don’t be a hero. You don’t need to prove anything to anyone. You’re ours and we need you to come back to us.”
Releasing himself from Laura, Boomer headed to the driver’s door of the car when over his shoulder he heard a voice saying, “That’s how you’re gonna leave! Without saying goodbye to me? You really are a stubborn, old mule, you know that!”
Boomer turned and saw Magnum marching towards him.
“You damn fool!”, said Magnum, as he gave Boomer a bear hug.
“I love you too, buddy.”, whispered Boomer.
Magnum’s eyes were glistening as Boomer opened the car door.
“Wait! Wait!”, yelled Eugene, coming down the hill from the farm with Henry in tow.
Eugene was carrying his AR15 and had an ALICE pack on his back.
“I’m coming with you.”, he said as he reached the car.
“No, you shouldn’t. You don’t know what it’ll be like out there.”, said Boomer, trying to dissuade the young man.
“I have to. This is what I need to do. I talked it over with Pa, Mom, and Tara. They’ve accepted it. Pop the trunk so I can put my stuff in there.”, said Eugene.
‘Eugene, I…”, Boomer started.
“No, I’m going and that’s final.”, said Eugene.
“Henry?”, said Boomer.
“The boy knows what he’s doing. He has our blessing and our prayers.”, said Henry.
Boomer took a heavy sigh, and opened the trunk so Eugene could stow his pack.
“If you’re coming, you can sit in the back and keep an eye on our friend.”, said Boomer.
As Eugene sat in the back seat, Laura stuck her head in the door and said, “Eugene, Boomer has a lot of experience in what you’re going to be seeing. Do exactly what he tells you to do. It could be the difference between life or death. And make sure you both keep this car close by. If you get overwhelmed, you run, understand? You run to the car and you hi-tail it back here. Don’t worry about Boomer, he’ll find his way back here, but you run!”
As Laura was speaking to Eugene, Henry was talking to Boomer.
“Please take care of my boy, Boomer. Him and Tara are all Martha and me have. Please try to keep him safe.”, said Henry, holding back the sobs.
“With my life, Henry.”, said Boomer.
Boomer turned the ignition and the engine rumbled to life.
Magnum held the gate open and Boomer slowly accelerated away from the safety and security of Safehaven.
Further down the road, the car passed a line of Canadians standing at attention and saluting.
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