|
|
Post by NCWEBNUT on Oct 2, 2021 11:19:02 GMT -6
"This special meeting has been called to discuss the shortages the county is facing in these troubled times, especially food. Some are being accused of hoarding food and we're going to get to the bottom of this.
Mr. Coleman, we have been notified that you have an abundance of food at your ranch. There are people who are starving in our communities and we believe you need to share what you have."
Aren't those “reward cards” from the grocery stores great! Keeping track of all the food you buy so that the government monitors your ever crumb of food for near future reference? Er, I mean the stores reward your purchases with discounts. Surely no one would ever use that info to say you have too much food and are required to give it up for the common good. My stored foods get bought with cash and I don't use rewards cards for it either. Yeah I pay more in some instances but it's untraceable too, the bulk of it comes from Walmart and they don't care what you buy as long as you buy it from them. |
|
|
|
Post by ncsfsgm on Oct 2, 2021 21:30:03 GMT -6
Arturo was sharpening his knives when Sean walked in.
“Have you ever butchered an animal before?” Arturo asked.
“I’ve killed my share of deer.”
Arturo pulled out a .22 mag derringer and dropped the steer. He handed Sean the knife who cut into the leg and attached the hooks. Arturo pressed button on the hoist control and strung the steer. He pushed a big, galvanized tub under the steer’s head and Sean bled the steer out.
“Yes, you know what to do,” Nodded Arturo.
They skinned the hide and Arturo removed the organs and whatever else he wanted. Pointing over to a heavy rolling rack, Sean moved it over and immediately saw its use. He maneuvered and engaged the hooks and Arturo lowered the hoist and the weight of the steer was now on the rack. Arturo moved the rack into the cold room for the carcass to cool.
“Well, young Cazador, thank you for your help. I believe your wife is waiting for you. I will call Cal.”
Patty followed Siobhan to what looked like an apartment building and parked beside her. Siobhan waved for her to follow, opened a door and walked in. Patty walked in and Siobhan showed her around. Siobhan was walking and talking but suddenly stopped when she heard a sob. She turned around and Patty had her hands holding her face, tears streaming.
“Patty, what’s wrong?”
Patty just shook her head and blew her nose on a tissue she pulled from her pocket.
“I’m sorry. It’s….it’s just I never thought we would see anything this nice again.”
“Get used to it. No one lives in squalor on this ranch. Now come to the kitchen.”
Siobhan showed her it was complete with pots and pans, dishes, silverware, dish and kitchen towels, everything they needed.
“All you are missing is food, and as soon as your husband gets here, we’ll fix that.”
Cal pulled up in front of the butcher shop and Sean got in.
“How did it go?”
“Fine, we gutted and skinned the steer and he put it in the cooler. No problem.”
“Have you ever been Elk hunting?” Cal asked.
“No sir, I haven’t.”
“The a private ranch up north of here I go to occasionally…guaranteed to get one.”
Sounds good.”
“For now, we’re putting you and Patty in an apartment. By now, she has shown Patty everything in the apartment and are planning what foods you’ll need. This might be a man's world but the women run it.”
Sean grinned. “You’ve got that right.”
They parked behind Sean’s truck and went in. When Patty saw Sean she squealed and hugged him.
“Would you look at this place!”
She dragged him around and showed him everything. Cal leaned against the counter and grinned. When they came back out Sean was pleased.
“This is very nice.” Sean said.
“Okay, let’s go get you some groceries.” Siobhan said.
“And on the way, we’ll show you where the turkey pen is located.” Cal added. Siobhan, why don’t you take one of the EV34s and I’ll drive my truck back. All of the groceries will fit in back of a 34, won’t they Siobhan?”
“Yes, shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Well, let’s go.”
“That’s the best I can do. I’ve fine tuned the recoil buffer and the best I can do is six seconds between rounds. The computer has to get everything stabilized again to get on target. If you were going to go for multiple targets, you need to deploy the drones in at least pairs.”
Billy looked at the data and nodded slowly.
“Has anyone got anything comparable?”
“If they do they aren’t advertising it. I’d never even heard of that crazy-assed round until Gillum brought them around.”
“All right. On target acquisition, can we pair the drones for a target?”
“Yeah, sure, but if you really want a ball-buster, use a team of three drones. One could provide overwatch and pick up the slack for the other two while they are stabilizing..”
“Keep that in mind. We’ve got to write tactics for these things.”
“Hey Bill, you guys need to find another playground.” Andy said.
“What’s going on?”
“MUFON has been reporting UFO activity down in the Uncompahgre National Forest.”
“Crap! We’re going to have to switch to Utah.”
“Keep it random or they’ll establish a pattern. Why don’t you try down in the Ute reservation. They’ve been trying for years to establish a link between Native Americans and UFOs.”
“That’s and idea….”
|
|
|
|
Post by gipsy on Oct 3, 2021 10:31:14 GMT -6
Thanks for the update.
|
|
remembergoliad
Member
if you send friend req on FB, message me too. I won't accept if I don't recognize you.
Posts: 158
|
Post by remembergoliad on Oct 3, 2021 18:10:07 GMT -6
Walked in almost 3/4 of the way through the show. Caught up. Looked, and there's 3 before this. So I went to the beginning.
Really good story, from the first and last few chapters of it! Now I'm gonna go fill in the middle and catch up!
|
|
|
|
Post by NCWEBNUT on Oct 4, 2021 10:48:55 GMT -6
More story Please
|
|
|
|
Post by paulk on Oct 5, 2021 9:58:53 GMT -6
refresh, refresh
|
|
|
|
Post by sniper69 on Oct 6, 2021 5:50:12 GMT -6
ncsfsgm - hope all is well, and thank you for the latest chapter.
|
|
|
|
Post by gipsy on Oct 6, 2021 9:09:41 GMT -6
Hoping for more soon.
|
|
|
|
Post by paulk on Oct 6, 2021 13:35:24 GMT -6
Am beginning to suffer withdrawal pains!
|
|
|
|
Post by texican on Oct 7, 2021 22:22:15 GMT -6
ncsfsgm, Don't you appreciate the not so subtle begging and pleading.  Texican.... |
|
|
|
Post by freebirde on Oct 8, 2021 6:21:46 GMT -6
ncsfsgm, Don't you appreciate the not so subtle begging and pleading. Texican.... He hasn't been logged on since 10/3. |
|
|
|
Post by iamnobody on Oct 8, 2021 6:46:54 GMT -6
He hasn't been logged on since 10/3. Maybe he is visiting with Cal at the ranch
Hopefully he is not having any problems in his personal life
|
|
|
|
Post by texican on Oct 8, 2021 10:17:05 GMT -6
He hasn't been logged on since 10/3. Maybe he is visiting with Cal at the ranch Hopefully he is not having any problems in his personal life
Texican.... |
|
|
|
Post by ncsfsgm on Oct 8, 2021 16:19:44 GMT -6
Maybe he is visiting with Cal at the ranch Hopefully he is not having any problems in his personal life
Texican.... |
|
|
|
Post by ncsfsgm on Oct 8, 2021 16:26:45 GMT -6
Andy was rotating people through the 25 meter range and Hogan's Alley. Even some of the women wanted to participate. No one wanted to lose their acquired skills because most kept a gun near at hand these days. Andy got Sean and Patty licensed, but they were both pretty good shots. Patty had a compact 9mm but she always carried a pump 20 gauge shotgun when she went down to the turkey house. Coyotes soon learned to not come sneaking around. When the coyotes began to stand off and wait for no one to be around, a couple of the snipers set up and picked them off. They soon had the varmint population thinned down considerably. They weren't allowed by state law to use the larger sniper rifles to hunt coyotes but Del had built a couple of tricked out .223s that could reach out there. With the addition of night vision scopes, they could reach out and nail them. The only hindrance was getting everyone the required licenses. Predator control became a favorite past time.
Things were quiet around the ranch and southwest Mesa County, then Andy talked him.
"The City, County, State and Federal Law Enforcement are forming a Task Force to make a sweep of Grand Junction. It is an exercise to learn from roll into other cities. U.S. Marshals Service is involved also because some major players are moving to the smaller cities to stay low."
"They'd better have plenty of people because the criminals will be scurrying like roaches when you turn on the light."
"There was a memo detailing road checkpoints, even on the Interstate."
"Keep an ear open and stay on top of it."
Chase drove up as Gale was getting out of the EV34.
"Want to have dinner? I've got a Shepherd's Pie ready to go into the oven." Chase asked.
"Sure. Let me change clothes and I'll be over." Gale answered.
Chase went in and preheated the oven and opened a bottle of Merlot. Taking the Dutch oven and the butter out of the fridge, Chase cut slivers of butter and pierced the mash potatoes with them. He added a little more shredded white cheddar the ladies made. A knock one the door sounded.
"COME ON IN!" He yelled.
Getting two wine goblets out of the upper cabinet, he poured wine for both of them.
"Busy day?" He asked.
"Not really. A little phone consultation with Gary today, but mostly going over excavation plans with Diana."
"Well, here's to consultations." Chase said, clinking her glass.
"What were you up to today?"
"Reading reports, marking maps, drinking coffee."
"You say that every time." Gal pouted.
"Ask me not questions and I'll tell you no lies." Chase grinned."
The oven beeped, warning them the oven was at temperature. Chase got up and set the Dutch oven into the oven and set the timer. While he was doing that, Gale got up and put a CD on of soft rock and turned the volume down.
"Chase, what's going to happen?"
"Well, right now, people are getting angry. The Democrats are getting booted out in the next election, if the voting fraud can be kept to a minimum. However, this country has to get there. The anarchist and criminals are getting braver and things will probably blow up in the next three months. A lot of people will probably get killed in the cities. We're pretty safe here. Andy's security plan is solid even if we are surprised."
"Well, I don't even like going into Grand Junction these days. Anyway, I have everything I need right here." Gal said, wrapping herself around Chase's arm.
"Cal, Earl needs some help." Andy said.
"I'll be right down.
"So, what help does he need?" Cal asked.
"They need some roadblock help on 50. He's going to have limited people with all the checkpoints they want to put up."
"This is going to turn into a cluster flop with bullets flying and civilians getting hurt if they're not careful."
Andy grinned. "What if we led them off the main highway to an area we can control?"
"What do you have in mind?"
"Say, the checkpoint was placed on 50 just south of the intersection with 141. The scooters see the flashing lights and try to get away by taking 141, but we have a place to stop them where they can't make a quick U-turn. Darryl's got a couple of tricks that will ensure they won't get away. Plus, we can use the S-70 for chase if needed."
"Okay, run with it. Ken and I will fly the 70."
Darryl was replacing the head and the hoops on a wooden barrel he had charred. As he got the last hoop on, his phone rang.
"Darryl? Andy. Do you have your 'Whammo Car Stoppers' ready?"
"Sure do, Andy. Plus I got two reload canisters ready for them."
"Good. No word from the Sheriff yet, but it will probably be in the next week."
"I'll be ready."
"Good. Talk to you later."
"We need to run the brooder heaters tonight." Patty said.
"Yeah, I saw it was going to get down in the 20s tonight. I'll light them before we leave. Did we lose any?"
"Nope. Still have 34. Cal said they were going to get 15 of the larger birds for Thanksgiving next week."
"Well, if these hens keep laying, we're going to need the room. We need to put out more oyster shells."
"You know, They've got fine gravel at the quarry if we ever need it. I remember one time when I was a little girl, our turkeys got through the range fence and went over and ate all the new pea gravel the neighbor had just put on his driveway. Wild turkeys do without oyster shells."
"We could feed them a little of both, extend the oyster shells."
"Yeah. I'll see if Shay or one of the guys could bring us up a scoop of them. Light the brooder heaters and let's go home."
|
|
|
|
Post by kiwibutterfly on Oct 8, 2021 16:27:48 GMT -6
I hope all goes well for you and you can get back into writing more of this great story. Take care and stay safe.
Kiwi
|
|
|
|
Post by kiwibutterfly on Oct 8, 2021 16:28:59 GMT -6
Well.... thank you kind sir, that was quick lol...
|
|
|
|
Post by ncsfsgm on Oct 8, 2021 16:34:39 GMT -6
Saturday was the last farmers market of the year. The trailer was loaded up and even an extra trailer of the less perishable items was loaded. Cal and a couple of men went along as brawn as well as security and helped the ladies get set up. As people began arriving at the fairgrounds, the produce was quickly bought up… some with bartering. Around 10:00 a group of people, accompanied by news cameras worked their way through the different produce stands and to the HTR setup. Cal recognized the circus. It was the Governor. He was running for re-election and was out pressing flesh, hoping people weren't paying attention to what was going on in the capitol. Cal guessed being the most prominent individual standing around drew the Governor.
"How do you do? I hope people are having a great day!"
Cal didn't even offer his hand.
"Rome never looks where she treads.
Always her heavy hooves fall
On our stomachs, our hearts or our heads;
And Rome never heeds when we bawl."
"Excuse me?" The Governor said. "I'm not sure of what you are trying to say."
"Oh, just a few lines from a poem Rudyard Kipling wrote about the Picts." Cal said. "Basically it means the minions got pissed and revolted. Remember this… Rome fell. Your love of big government, mandates and spending taxpayer's money on projects we can't afford could very well end up being your party's doom.
Governor, I might have given you the benefit of a doubt but after seeing you carry around your party's endorsement after large groups of radicalized punks have terrorized the country, seemingly at will, because your party believes their actions enhances its power and so turn a blind eye to their actions. Not one word of protest was uttered from your lips. You just rode the wave of inattention with the rest of your party. Your party is tearing the social fabric of this country apart to the detriment of all, for power, and you just don't care. You, and anyone else who proudly wears the big 'D' on their chest will never get my vote."
The Governor looked at him blankly, then saw someone he just had to talk to and moved away.
Siobhan walked up a grabbed Cal's arm. "Try not to start anything."
"What? I was just reciting poetry to the good Governor."
Siobhan gave him a stern look. "Behave!"
Andy planned to have Dave set up the decoy after sunset on the south-bound lanes of 50 about 400 meters south of the 141 intersection. No County or state law enforcement cars were there. All there was at the checkpoint were 5 sawhorses with LEO lightbars powered by 12 volt batteries. There was one county Deputy with Andy and the rest of the men about a mile down 141 set up to stop anyone coming south. They were ready for whatever resistance the fleeing criminals wanted to offer. The location of their checkpoint was at a place in the highway you could not pass. Just as a precaution, Darryl had a couple of his super "Whammo" stop strips ready to make sure no one got through unscathed. Cal, Ken, Sean and Aedan were sitting with the S-70 on a hill 500 meters to the southeast, ready to swoop in and take out the engine of the vehicle with a .50 caliber round if they decided to make a getaway on their rubberless rims.
Ducks in a barrel.
Cal had Arturo butcher four of his steers to replenish the freezers. He had brought in his two nephews with the success of his butcher shop and it made the work much easier. Bella appreciated it when her husband was able to come home at night mostly free of the aches and pains the work brought to him.
Both Earl Gilmore and Dale Hartman came out to see Cal.
"Well, this can't be good." Cal thought.
"Well, this is a surprise! Come on in and let's get some coffee." Cal said.
Pouring their coffee, Cal waited for them to start the show.
"Cal, I know Andy has kept you abreast of what is about to go down. Whether it is successful or not, our families' lives are in danger. We'd like to keep them out here for a bit until things settle down."
Cal looked at the two men.
"You two, if anyone, shouldn't even think you needed to ask. Of course they can come out here, and they will be welcomed. I've got plenty of space for them."
"Thanks Cal. It will make our jobs easier knowing they are out here with you and Siobhan."
"Guys, bring them out here anytime."
"Well, we'll get them here in the next couple of days. Our 'Project' will go down Saturday night."
"We'll be ready Earl."
Cal watched the two drive off and went and found Siobhan to tell her what was happening. She, Belinda and Alice would make sure a couple of suites were set up in the Shelter for them.
"Cal, there is something that I've been meaning to talk to you about." Siobhan said. "The Shelter has gotten extensive and people may have a problem getting around. Remember the stripes on the wall at St. Jude's to direct you to different areas of the hospital? Why can't we do something like that here?"
"You've got a point. I don't have time right now, but after things cool down, I'll get on it."
"No, I didn't mean to dump something else into your lap. I can take care of getting it done."
"Okay, it's all yours then."
Cal's episodic memory kicked in and he Called Andy.
"Andy, what about security here when the 'Project' is launched?"
"Taken care of Cal. They will be on high alert until we return."
"Good. Just checkin'."
|
|
|
|
Post by ncsfsgm on Oct 8, 2021 16:45:43 GMT -6
Cal and Ken set the helicopter down and waited on the hill. Aedan and Barry were in the back checking their equipment again for the umpteenth time. Aedan with the M82 .50 caliber rifle and Barry was manning the M134.
While waiting, Cal was thinking about Aedan. He was a walking dichotomy. He was quiet and unassuming to those who didn't know him. After graduating college, he went to work with Ryan and had shown his brilliance at the hydrogen plant. On the other hand. He was deadly. He took to Andy and Dave's training and perfected it. With the ability to knock the buttons of a gnat's suspenders at 1000 yards, he was deadly efficient.
The first two cars fleeing Grand Junction turned onto 141 when they came in view of the flashing lights on 50. To make sure they weren't innocent locals just traveling on 141, a patrol car with flashing lights and barricades had been set up in a pattern to slow traffic. When they came in view of the checkpoint, they sped up and went through but 200 feet down the road there was a flash on the left side of the road and Darryl's gift to criminals came flying across the road. The cars rolled over the spiked cable and instantly 8 tires were flattened. They rolled on for ¼ of a mile, which Andy estimated they would travel before they would stop, if they did indeed. Six heavily armed men were there waiting for them as they got out of their cars. They were immediately put on the ground and flex-cuffed. The lone deputy there with them radioed in their I.D. information and were told by the Command Center to hold them for various warrants. By daylight, when the Command Center suspended operations, Andy and his crew had taken 17 personnel into custody. Cal called the Ranch and had them send out a cattle trailer to transport the suspects to the Command Center.
The women were busy with getting ready for Thanksgiving. Everyone was excited on the upcoming dinner and readily pitched in to help with the preparations.
Amy had been quietly working on her biggest art project to date. Becky and Darryl had helped her make the frame and staple the canvas to the frame. She had started it several weeks previously so it would be ready for the Thanksgiving celebration at the Community Center so everyone could enjoy it. She had told her Mother and Becky what she was doing and they immediately became guardians of the gate and kept everyone out of the art room and away from Amy when she was working.
On Thanksgiving morning people began arriving at the Community Center bearing the food they had prepared. Again, everything was well organized and the men lent a hand when asked. Turkeys and hams lined the meat table, assorted vegetables were steaming in their dishes and pies, cakes and cobblers lined the dessert tables. What really caught everyone's eye was the draped frame over the fireplace. No one was allowed to peek at it and Becky had Craig standing guard. Before Reverend Lambry gave the blessing, Siobhan spoke up.
"Our children, as well as the grownups here have found that during the year, and not just this important day, they find reason to be thankful for something. The people here are truly more than just friends to each other, but more like family. My daughter Amy has painted a picture to be displayed above the fireplace to commemorate the atmosphere we share here."
Craig carefully removed the covering from the painting. It was of the people in the Community Center gathered around over the food tables as Reverend Lambry gave the Blessing over the food and people.
After the Reverend had given the Blessing, many began lining up for the delicious food but many also had great fun in recognizing themselves in the painting. All through the afternoon people would gather in front of the fireplace, picking out each other in the painting.
Sam called Cal two days after Thanksgiving and asked if there was any work he needed done. It was getting near Christmas and he wanted work for the men and women he had working for him. He had three house kits on the yard that had been sitting for months and would like to get rid of them.
Cal agreed to buy them if he could get them up before Christmas, also promising a performance bonus for the men. The weather was decent so Sam's crews were out the next morning digging the basements out.
"What are you going to do with three more cabins? You have two that are empty now." Siobhan asked.
"I thought you might get with Dale and Earl's wives and have them get it ready for a weekend retreat when they want a break from city life." Cal replied.
Siobhan studied Cal for a second. "What's the real story?"
"This last 'roundup' of people probably won't last. It very well could come down to outright anarchy some time. I think they would enjoy having a safe place to come to."
"It's getting that bad?"
"Well, watch the news, even the local news. The liberals are blaming, poverty, racial and criminal injustice and anything else but the perps for doing the crimes. They never look at the policies they employ that only sink us deeper in the morass. Every day is Preparation Day."
Cal headed down to Supply and was immediately taken by the direction stripes on the walls of the corridors. He followed the purple stripe labeled "SUPPLY" and followed it all the way. He found Charlie going over the inventory database and taking notes.
"How's it going, Charlie?"
"Cal! I just found a distributor going out of business and bought up his entire stock of Black Berkey Filter Elements for 40% off!"
"Good deal. What about the systems?"
"I bought their last 8 Royal Berkeys for 40% off."
"Good. Keep watching for deals."
Cal, got a cart and checked all the corridors and they were all marked with the direction stripes for the Maintenance Area, Exits, Habitation Area, Kitchen and dining, Armory and Infirmary. It was a great idea Siobhan had.
Cal went down to the forge and found Joshua and the guys busy working on one of the sickle bar mowers.
"I've never seen that done." Cal said.
Odell and Ben were running the blades through what looked like a custom made blade sharpener.
"Yeah, normally, when a blade gets dull, they'd knock out the two rivets that hold the blade on and put on a new blade. I've got plenty of blades but why waste them?"
The guys finished sharpening the bar, oiled it, then replaced the assembly back on the mower. Cal walked around and stopped at a contraption sitting over in the corner.
"What's this?
"That's a spit rotisserie that can be powered by a hit-and-miss. I got the sprockets from some junk machinery at the old quarry to gear it right.
"We'll have to try it out on a pig roast come spring."
"Yeah, take a look at this." Joshua said.
Joshua pointed to a steal frame box, lined with ½ inch mesh that had bearings on the ends.
"We can split a pig down the middle and lay it in here and set it in the brackets on the spit supports. Nothing falls off into the fire. I'll cure it with soy oil over a light fire for a few hours so the meat doesn't stick to it."
"I can taste the pork now."
"Yeah, I could eat some of that!" Odell said.
Cal chuckled. "I'll let you guys get back to work. I'll talk with you later."
Cal went back to the house and took a bottle of Smithwick's out of the refrigerator and looked at it. He had less than a pallet left.
"I wonder if Darryl can brew an Irish Red?" He thought.
|
|
|
|
Post by gipsy on Oct 8, 2021 17:19:36 GMT -6
Major Disaster if there is no more Smithwicks for sure. Hope things go well for your health. Thanks for the update.
|
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Oct 8, 2021 19:22:26 GMT -6
I had my annual week of medical tests. Having a few problems with my Gall Bladder and will probably have to shuck it. Lost the gall bladder 2 years ago. There are a number of things that I no longer attemopt to eat (carrots) and others that I only eat in linited quantities (broccoli, but very little of the stems) or with the aid of a bile supplement (large meals, large serving of red meat - if you feel the need, start with half a tablet). My 2-year-post-operative opinion is that I would have been better off to have just had the gallstones removed - it took 70+ years for them to be a problem and if it took only half that long for them to surface again, I probably wouldn't be bothered by it ;-) Good luck with the surgery. |
|
|
|
Post by gipsy on Oct 8, 2021 19:41:35 GMT -6
I guess I am the lucky one.  I got to pass mine after a Lithotripsy session (Sound gun). It made them smaller but gave them sharp edges. Ouch. |
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Oct 8, 2021 20:01:53 GMT -6
I guess I am the lucky one. I got to pass mine after a Lithotripsy session (Sound gun). It made them smaller but gave them sharp edges. Ouch. Not an option I was offered :-( I pegged the surgeon as just a little too scalpel-happy when he walked in the room - seems I was correct as the only options available there were some type of surgery. Had I not been in pain and my heart rate above 150, my better half might have done as I asked and NOT gone to the closest hospital - there are better places just a little farther up the road... |
|
|
|
Post by texican on Oct 9, 2021 11:52:09 GMT -6
I had my annual week of medical tests. Having a few problems with my Gall Bladder and will probably have to shuck it. ncsfgm, I didn't realize that you had medical problems and apologize for my comment. Texican....ncsfgm |
|
|
|
Post by paulk on Oct 10, 2021 10:00:00 GMT -6
Hang in there. I had my gall bladder removed and didn't realize how bad I had been feeling until I wasn't (if that makes sense).
|
|
