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Post by cutter on Mar 13, 2021 21:05:03 GMT -6
All is reasonably well with me. I'm just making my employer rich and attending to my caregiving responsibilities. I'm a bit disappointed that my muse has gone quiet. She gets this way sometimes when she's overwhelmed or craving time off.
Thanks for checking on me.
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Post by 9idrr on Mar 13, 2021 21:48:01 GMT -6
All is reasonably well with me. I'm just making my employer rich and attending to my caregiving responsibilities. I'm a bit disappointed that my muse has gone quiet. She gets this way sometimes when she's overwhelmed or craving time off. Thanks for checking on me. Cutter- hopefully you know that as much as we like your writin', if your muse deserted for good and you didn't write another story we'd still want to hear from you and know you're okay. As far as I'm concerned, you're one of the best parts of this board and I'm glad we have you. However, if we have to bribe, cajole or scare your muse into comin' back so we get more stories that's okay, too.
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Post by cutter on Mar 15, 2021 5:47:54 GMT -6
9idrr, thanks for the kind words and the laugh. I desperately need both this morning.
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Post by cutter on Apr 6, 2021 20:45:35 GMT -6
Took me long enough. There, I said it for you. Ladies and Gentlemen, enjoy.
Chapter 56
(Waters’ summer kitchen, 9 AM. About half the crew is in full battle rattle.)
“Jordan, Sherry, Noah, Tabby; good job! I’m impressed that you came ready to work. Drop your gear and relax; this is a meeting. Sam, Sky; take a lesson. Everybody grab something to drink and sit down. We have a lot to cover.”
“You didn’t say we were scrambling for a mission!”
“I didn’t say we weren’t, either. I didn’t say anything, except to meet here...quick. This is a whole different situation. Guys, we need to keep our gear and weapons ready, in arm’s reach at all times, until further notice. We have Chicago glowing, people dropping dead out of the blue in Las Vegas, and a country about to go under martial law. People are scared, inside the fence here, and terrified outside. I’m sorry we’re in this position, but we have to be ready for anything, with maybe five second’s notice. All of us need to be mission capable at all times. Now then, let’s get to it.”
“Where’s your gear?”
“Mine and Anastasia’s are there in the corner. Stacy’s loadout is light, because the Docs still have her taking it easy. She still has her AR, handgun, six mags for her rifle and two for her pistol, and her medpack. I have my full loadout.”
“Why don’t you carry an AR like the rest of us?”
“My M1A is chambered in .308. I can shoot through things that will stop your rounds. I can also land accurate hits at much longer ranges. If you hit the chicken plate in body armor, they may not even notice until after it’s all over. If I score the same hit, they’ll live, but will be really unhappy. Honestly, I’d rather you guys all carried AK’s, but the 5.56 ammo is easier and cheaper to get, at least the reloadable stuff is. Depending on how things go, we might re-arm to the AK’s if there’s a need. We have enough in stores to equip our crew. That’s a problem, because we’re going to be mostly on separate teams soon. We don’t have enough AK’s to equip five teams.”
“I thought we were going to break up in pairs to lead four teams.”
“That’s why we’re here. Let’s get to it. I’ve got the volunteer list from Brian. We have 58 volunteers. We can’t train that many at one time. To make matters even more complicated, 31 of those are from the combined homesteads security force. We can’t pull that many off security at one time, or ever, really. Three are Pete’s deputies who want to be trained so they can take that training back to the Sheriff’s department to help Pete train all his deputies.”
“So what are we going to do?”
“We’re going to break the list down into four lists. Each of our lead pairs are going to talk the people on their list. We’re going to get resumes from everybody. We take the 24 people who require the least training. No matter what, eight of those people are going to be security force, and only eight. In addition to that, we’re going to train all three of Pete’s people. Once they’re trained, Pete’s people go back to work with Pete on training the Sheriff’s department. Assuming none of them wash out, we evaluate the eight security people. The best one, we put as the team leader of the dedicated security team, with the second best as his number two. That team will then train the entire security force. We will select eight people, from outside the security force, to backfill those positions and train them. Once we get our own teams trained up to where we want them, we start taking the rest, eight at a time, between our four teams. As we get them trained, we form new teams or use them as reserves, or both. I’d like to form a second dedicated training team outside the security force, to train people who aren’t in the security force. They could also train people on specific skills, who want to learn specific things but don’t want to be in the combat and security teams.”
“What do you mean?”
“Sky, if a kid wanders off and gets lost, do we really need to scramble all of our teams to find them? What I mean is, do we really need all of the skills we have, for a search and rescue mission; and should we have all of our teams committed to that, instead of being available to defend this place if necessary?”
“Depends.”
“True. Ok, assuming no hostile contacts, what skills do we have that would be needed?”
“We’d need a tracker for sure, maybe medical. I guess we might could use our climbing and rappelling skills, and injured evac.”
“All true. Now, assuming no hostile contacts, would we need our combat skills?”
“Unless we ran across a coyote, bobcat, wild dog, or wild hog, probably not.”
“So, we pair one of ours with a person who has the necessary search and rescue skills. That gives us sixteen people, eight pairs, for each of our teams deployed. All sixteen would have the necessary search and rescue skills, and at least one of each pair would have the training needed to deal with threats.”
“I see what you mean. We could theoretically put 64 people searching in pairs, with just our four teams, reinforced with specialists who aren’t necessarily trained for combat ops.”
“Now you’re getting it. Plus, those non-combat trackers can hunt down lost livestock and there would be enough of those non-combat medics to be on every work crew on the whole place. Plus, if we did happen to have a situation where we had to actively defend this place, our teams would only have to get our wounded into the hands of the non-combat medics. That leaves more of us on the job and our wounded in good hands. Any way you look at it, it makes this place more capable and our people safer.”
“I get it now. When do we start?”
“Right now. Here’s your lists. I want you guys to go talk to the people on your list and get resumes. I want any previous training they’ve had, in anything. Military service, past jobs, Red Cross certs, Boy or Girl Scouts, hobbies, everything. We bring those back and evaluate between us. We pick the best of them and assign them into our teams for training. Our Crew is going to work together to train these people. We’ll each teach what we’re best at, but each pair will still be assigned seven people, except me and Stacy; we’ll only have six. I want you guys to teach the deputies.”
“Why?”
“Because you can. I have to oversee the whole thing, in addition to training our team, and Stacy is still limited in what she can do for at least six more weeks.”
“Okay then. Let’s get busy.”
(Noon, CPS office, Sarah’s cell phone rings)
“Todd! Is everything alright? I haven’t heard from you since you told us to pack and go to the homesteads!”
“I’m safe and healthy. I’m ok. I’m being deployed; that’s all I can tell you. I may be out of touch for a while; I don’t know how long. Doug’s going with me, so my back’s covered. I don’t think I’ll be in any real danger, but if something happens to me, he’ll contact you. If something happens to both of us, Major Watts is keeping track of us and will contact you. Belle, I’m ok and I’m not worried. Still, I need you and the kids to know that I love you all. I’ll keep in touch as much as I can, but I don’t know how often that will be.”
“You’re scaring me, Todd. What’s going on?”
“The United States is in trouble. Belle, our country is under attack. I love you and the kids, and I’m sorry, but I have to do my duty. Please Belle, please understand that I’m doing what I have to do.”
“Todd, I love you. I know and I understand, but I just worry. Watch your back; watch Doug’s back, and come home to us when you’re able.”
“I will. I love you, Sarah Belle. Kiss our children for me. Tell them I love them.”
“I will. Be careful Todd.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“I have to go, Major’s calling.”
“I understand. Tell her I’ll hunt her down if she lets anything happen to you.”
“Sarah…”
“I know; I’m just venting. Be careful. Go do what you have to do. Via con Dios.”
“I do, and He goes with me, too. I’ll talk to you again when I can.” (Click)
“Lord, please watch over Todd and bring him home to us.”
(Friday, three days later, Waters’ summer kitchen, 10 AM)
“Ladies and Gentlemen, for those of you who don’t know me, I’m Mark Marshall. Thank you for volunteering. I’m proud to say that the response to our request was overwhelming. Frankly, we couldn’t train all the people who volunteered, at one time. You have been selected because you have the best existing skill sets. The best eight of those who are in the security force, will form a new team. You will be responsible for training any of the security force members who are interested. The best eight of you from outside the security force, will form a new team, to train those who are not members of the security force, and those who wish to acquire specific skills but do not wish to join a team. These three gentlemen are sheriff’s deputies. They will be going back to the sheriff’s department at the end of our training, to assist the Sheriff in training the rest of his deputies. That said, Sheriff Frakes will be doing some of our training too.”
“Now, let me introduce you to our training staff, and your team leaders. This is Bill Shelling, former Army Ranger. Herman Schmitt, former 5th Special Forces. I think you all know my brothers, Brian and Jacob. My wife, Stacy Marshall. She and I will be leading Team One. This is Jordan Waters and his second, Sherry Metcalf. They will be leading Team Two. These two are Noah Waters and Tabby Micheals. They are leading Team Three. And last but definitely not least, Sam Metcalf and Skyler Miller.”
“I’m not going to lie, the next six weeks are going to be long and hard. It’s going to be a lot of hot, sweaty, and dirty. None of us are going to get enough sleep; we’re going to miss meals, and our lives are going to be turned upside down. There will be nights when we’ll be out in the field and won’t get to sleep in our own beds or see our families. All I can promise, is that for those of you who make it through the training, you will be a force to be reckoned with. You will be very much up to the task of protecting your families and this homestead. I hope those skills will not be needed. More importantly, you will have skills that can save lives, lives of your families, neighbors, and friends. Any questions?”
“Yeah, Mike. Those guys look like they know something, but y’all are just kids. I don’t know about taking orders from kids.”
“Well, you don’t have to. This is all volunteer; you can walk anytime you want. Tell you what; why don’t you give it a week and see what you think then? Look at it this way, it’s a vacation from your normal work around here. And Jamie, my name is Mark.”
“How’d you know my name!?!”
“Jamie Calloway, 26, served four years in the US Army, 3rd infantry. You enjoy camping, backpacking, hiking, and archery. You’re also an amateur photographer and bird watcher. Those secondary skills figured into the decision to include you in this initial training class as much as your military background. Each team leader and their second have basically memorized the applications for their assigned team members; Stacy and I have memorized them all. Now, what’ll it be? Do you give it a week, or walk now?”
“Who’s going to be my team leader?”
“Noah and Tabby.”
“To hell with that! I’ve got boxer shorts older than they are!”
“Thank you for your time. You may go back to your regular work; you’re out.”
“Seriously!?!”
Brian steps forward.
“You heard the man. You can go back to your regular job, or just go; your choice.”
“Fine” Jamie walks off in a huff.
“Thanks, Brian. Ladies and Gentlemen, I really wish he would have stayed. Like all of you, Jamie has skills, both primary and secondary, that we believe will be invaluable. Hopefully, he will reconsider and join a future class. Either way, he did what he felt he had to do; nobody should think less of him or treat him any differently. As a group, all of you bring an incredible number of valuable skills to the table. We may be your instructors and team leads, but it’s guaranteed that we will learn things from you too. On behalf of the trainers here, we welcome your knowledge and are grateful for it. Over the next six weeks, some of you may decide that this isn’t for you. That’s ok. We all need to bear in mind that everyone here is valuable and worthwhile. It takes all of us to make this operation work. I truly wish that this particular work wasn’t necessary, but we didn’t get to choose the situation. Any more questions?”
“When do we start?
“Today, we’ll make team assignments and issue gear. After that, we have lunch and get to know each other a little better. We’ll start training tomorrow morning.”
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Post by udwe on Apr 7, 2021 18:48:28 GMT -6
It's getting real! Jamie really has no idea what those "kids" are about.
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Post by 9idrr on Apr 7, 2021 20:22:28 GMT -6
Cutter, your stuff is always worth the wait. Hope all's well at your end.
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Post by bluefox2 on Apr 9, 2021 18:12:03 GMT -6
Apparently Jamie missed the sign that read "Check your ego at the door"
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Post by dallanta on Apr 17, 2021 12:27:52 GMT -6
O Hell!! I just caught up! Love the story
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Post by biggkidd on Sept 4, 2021 20:58:02 GMT -6
Sure would be nice to see where this goes...
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Post by udwe on Sept 5, 2021 21:27:31 GMT -6
Like Biggkidd said Sure would be nice to see where this goes!
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Post by cutter on Nov 3, 2021 22:03:19 GMT -6
Chapter 57
(Later in the evening)
“Well, that went well, except for that jackass Calloway. I’m seriously considering firing him, if he doesn’t leave on his own tonight.”
“Don’t do it, Brian. I know he made you mad, but you need to go talk to him...tonight; make sure he stays.”
“Why? We have plenty of help around here. His attitude pissed me off! I may be a little biased, but the Crew is tight, and every one of you is worth at least two of the rest of the people here! I don’t care for him disrespecting my brother either!”
“He didn’t hurt me, or Noah and Tabby. Don’t let family loyalty lead you to a bad decision. Everybody here who pays any attention at all, knows what we bring to the table; they recognize the skills, and the dedication we have to this place and our people. Brian, Jamie is a lot of help. He’s a solid worker and can do things with heavy equipment that shouldn’t be possible. He’s generally well liked; he just has a problem with believing that teenagers can possibly be as good as adults. We can do without him, but we don’t want to.”
“Have I mentioned that I hate it when you’re right?”
(Mark smirks) “Maybe once...in passing. So, do you still want to fire him?”
“Yeah, but I’ll listen to my baby brother and go talk him into staying instead. I better go now, before he gets a wild hair somewhere he doesn’t want one, and leaves.”
“Good luck. For the record, I wanted to fire him too, but I wanted to be like my big brother. I knew you wouldn’t let your emotions override your good sense.”
“Glad ONE of us knew that. I’ll let you know how it goes...tomorrow. Get some sleep; I doubt you’ll have many more opportunities for the next six weeks.”
“Goodnight, Brian. I love you.
“I love you too. Kiss Stacy for me.” (Brian leaves. Mark goes inside.)
“Did you get Brian calmed down?”
“Yeah, Love. It wasn’t all that easy though; Jamie rubbed Brian ALL the wrong ways!”
“Are you surprised?”
“Not that he was mad, just that he actually listened to me. Brian’s a little stubborn and hard headed.”
“OH MY GOD! If that ain’t the pot callin’ the kettle, because you’re not stubborn or hard headed at all!”
“Not a bit. I’m the most easy going and open minded person I know.”
“Are you TRYING to get struck by lightning!?! I can’t believe you managed to say that with a straight face!”
“Humf! Seriously, are you sure you’re up to this?”
“No, but I’m not going to let that stop me. Mark, I can do this. It’ll be good for me. It will help me get my strength and stamina back. We talked about this. I will get better and I WILL be able to keep up with you again.”
“Then we better get some sleep, while we can.”
“We will, but it’s going to have to wait a little while. We still have some catching up to do.”
“If that’s the way you want it...let’s go to bed.”
(Hand’s quarters, Jamie’s room) (Knock)
“Brian? Don’t worry; I’m packing. I’ll be out in the morning.”
“If that’s what you really want, but it’s not what we want.”
“Huh?”
“Jamie, you’re a real asset to this place. You’re a good hand, and a good man. I’m not going to lie; you pissed me off with the way you treated my brother and his crew, but we don’t want you to go.”
“Who’s ‘we’?”
“Me and Mark. We had a long talk tonight, about a lot of things. You were one of those things. Mark talked hard to keep you. I’ll admit that I let my temper get in the way of my good judgment. I was wrong and Mark helped me to see that. I came here to ask you to stay. I’m not asking you to reconsider joining the teams, just stay and do what you do.”
“Alright, but I won’t have you getting back at me about this.”
“I won’t, and if I do, I expect you to call me out on it.”
“Remember you said that...I will.”
“Fair enough. See you tomorrow.”
(Next morning, 5 AM)
“Glad everybody made it on time. Welcome to day one.”
“What’s the plan, Boss?”
“Well, since everybody’s already formed up in teams, we’ll go straight into our assigned training. Your team leaders already have your assignments. And Karen, don’t call me boss. My name is Mark.”
“I know your name. You didn’t think I’d call you Mike, did you?” (Karen turns to the man standing next to her and hands him a dollar.) “You won the bet; here’s your dollar.”
“Like I said yesterday, Jamie did what he had to do. In about two hours, he’s going to be on a dozer, leveling out for a new building. He’s just as important to this place as any of us are. Also like I said yesterday, I don’t expect all of you to make it through the next six weeks. Tell you what, everybody look around. Now, in six weeks, we’ll do this again. If all 27 of you make it through this training and are still here, I’ll hand each and every one of you a $100 bill. By the way, what were you two betting on?”
“Whether or not you’d let me get away with calling you boss.”
“There are exactly two people here this morning who can get away with that. I won’t tell you which two.”
“Yes Sir.”
“Now the respect, I appreciate. Noah and Tabby, range. Sam and Skyler, Sheriff Frakes at the activities building. Jordan and Sherry, Bill and Herman at the cabin.”
“On it.”
“See y’all at lunch.”
“You guys get to have all the fun today. We’re out.”
“What did Sherry mean by that? What are we doing?”
“Taking a ride.”
“In what?”
“Not in...on. According to your questionnaires, not one of you has ever been on a horse. With the fuel situation like it is, they’re the best way to get around the properties in most cases. With some of the terrain around here, they’re the only way.”
“My uncle got thrown off a horse when I was a kid. It took four surgeries for him to walk again and he still has constant pain. Horses scare me.”
“Paul, I understand. If you can’t do this, I won’t think any less of you. I’ve been thrown a couple of times too. I won’t lie; it hurts and is scary as hell. If you think you can manage to give it a try, I think I know a good horse for you to start on, if I can get her.”
“I’ll try.”
“Good enough. Guys, get another cup of coffee; Stacy and I need to make a few arrangements.” (Mark and Stacy step out of earshot of the team)
“What are you thinking?”
“Will you let Paul ride Gwen?”
“Of course! I’ll take Honeycomb; he’s always good for me.”
(Mark makes a call)
“What’s up, Mark?”
“Kit, I need you to get Ladybug and get to the stables right now; take a truck. I want you to saddle up Gwen and have Ladybug putting her through her paces in the paddock when we get there in about a half hour. I don’t want her doing anything real exciting, just some riding and sidestepping and such, real low key. We have a team trainee who’s afraid of horses, with good reason. I want to try to put his mind at ease. Ladybug’ll know what to do when we get there.”
“You bet. We’re on our way now.”
(Back with the team.)
“Ok guys, we’re delayed about 30 minutes. Let’s go over the plan for today.”
(Scout Sniper School, Major Watts’ office)
“Good morning, Major. You wanted to see us?”
“Todd, Doug, come on in and take a seat.”
(Both men sit down. From experience, they know Major Watts prefers to dispense with military courtesy in private meetings, though she acts like she doesn’t.)
“Alright gentlemen, you’re going to Colorado. We Have intel that a group has set up a compound, deep in the mountains. Your job is to observe and learn. We want to know who and how. Both of your security clearances are more than high enough, but it has been decided that it’s better that you don’t have all the information right now. We believe that this group is made up of American citizens with less than total loyalty to the US. We also believe they are being supported by some undetermined foreign group or government. It’s your job to get the intel we need to find out who that is. Understand, this whole operation is off the books. It doesn’t exist...and if you’re caught, neither do you. This mission is volunteer, but the higher ups really want you two to do it. Off the record, I don’t give a politician’s ass what they want, so long as I get you both back in one piece.”
“I’m in.”
“I’m in too, but there’s one thing I don’t understand. Why isn’t the FBI handling this? We are seriously on their turf.”
“Todd, I don’t know. What I do know is that Carol Stevens showed up in the General’s office, unannounced, and asked for you and Doug by name.”
Carol Stevens? Director of Homeland Security, Carol Stevens?”
“That’s her.”
“She’s a legend in the intelligence community. She and President McCallister brought down the New Soviet. Director Stevens’ husband was killed on that mission. She was Navy Intel before she got sheep dipped into the CIA. I heard she’s been on ops all over the world.”
“Let’s just say that when she orders an op, she is crystal clear on what she’s demanding of the operatives.”
“Doug, do you remember when I disappeared for three weeks from the squad on our second deployment??
:Yeah.”
“Do you know where I was?”
“No.”
“And you never will, because you don’t know when to stop asking questions. Lieutenant Commander Stevens was a talented and frighteningly effective Special Operator. When she joined the CIA, her skills and effectiveness increased...exponentially. Stop talking.”
“Todd, are you sure Sergeant Masters is the best choice for this op?”
“Yes Ma’am, unless you want to go with me. Let’s just say that I’m aware of your, um, lesser known talents. Doug can do the job well and keep it quiet; he’s just too curious about others’ exploits. Alyssa, I trust either of you to bring me home alive, fake leg and all.”
“Ok. Here are your orders. They are eyes only and do not leave this room. You read them, hand them back to me, and I burn them. You are authorized to draw whatever you want out of the armory and supply. If they don’t have it and you want it, I’ll try to get it for you. You leave in two days. Todd, I want both of you back, be careful.”
(Major Watts hands orders to both men. After a few minutes, Doug hands his papers back.)
“Major, you say this mission is volunteer?”
“That’s right.”
“Well, with all due respect, I don’t. They’re not throwing us under the bus with this mission; they’re throwing us under the whole damn freight train. I’m out.”
“Very well, Sergeant Masters; you may return to your duties. Bear in mind that if you say so much as one word about this, your next duty station will either be a twenty year stint in Leavenworth...or Gitmo.”
:Understood, Ma’am. I’ll not say a word. Todd, I’ll tell Sarah you died with honor, and nothing else.”
Doug, we’ve been friends for a long time; that just ended. You have a year left; don’t re-up.”
“What are you saying?”
“I mean you’re a coward and don’t deserve to wear that uniform. If you sign another contract, you won’t live to fulfill it. Do I make myself clear...Sergeant Masters?”
(Doug turns pale)
“Yes, Sir.”
“Good. Dismissed, and Doug, don’t ever speak to me again. Don’t even look at me.”
(Doug stands and leaves.)
“Todd, you went too far. Did you mean what you said?”
“Alyssa, you left the Marines for a while, as a first Lieutenant. You came back after three years, as a Major. I know what you did...in Iran, and in China, and Saudi Arabia. I never said a word about it. You know what’s at stake here, and you know I meant every word.”
“How do you know I was in any of those places!?!”
“Because I know. I will never tell you how I know. I never said a word...and I never will. This conversation never happened.”
“Todd, I don’t have anyone else to send with you.”
“Just as well, this job is better done alone. I leave in two days. I’ll get the intel that Director Stevens wants and pass it to Bluebell as instructed, if it exists. Within four weeks, I will be back in this chair. You will not know when I’m coming until you walk into this office and find me here. You can lock the door if you want; it will be a cute joke that won’t matter. I expect a bottle of at least 20 year old Scotch and two glasses on your desk, the next time I walk through that door. When you get around to coming to work that day, we’ll have a drink and celebrate a successful mission.”
“You know you’re cruisin’ to get sucked into the CIA, right?”
“They can suck all they want; I’m too high profile to do them any good. I became too well known, the day the President put that pretty blue ribbon, that I never wanted, around my neck.”
“I’m sorry, Todd.”
“You didn’t do anything.”
“Ask me about it when you get back.”
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Post by cavsgt on Nov 4, 2021 10:34:28 GMT -6
Nice add but had to go back and read to refresh my mind. Problem was my old addled mind not your timing. Maybe don't wait that long on the next chapter.
Thank You Phill
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Post by cutter on Nov 4, 2021 11:06:02 GMT -6
Sorry Cav. Things have been crazy and the words weren't coming. Hopefully I'm getting back into the swing of it now
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Post by cavsgt on Nov 4, 2021 13:58:11 GMT -6
Sorry Cav. Things have been crazy and the words weren't coming. Hopefully I'm getting back into the swing of it now No need to apologize as we are like pigeons on the sidewalk. Any thing that you can produce is very much appreciated. The fact that you can write a good story keeps me in awe, as any and all writing efforts are beyond me.
Thank You Phill
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Post by udwe on Nov 4, 2021 14:59:53 GMT -6
Wow, things are heating up!
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Post by 9idrr on Nov 6, 2021 20:10:26 GMT -6
Cutter, your stuff's always worth the wait.
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Post by cutter on Nov 7, 2021 8:34:59 GMT -6
Thanks to everyone for your collective patience
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Post by freebirde on Nov 7, 2021 9:39:03 GMT -6
Thanks to everyone for your collective patience Don't mind sitting in a blind on this game trail, the reward is worth it.
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Post by cutter on Jan 2, 2022 17:56:36 GMT -6
Happy New Year (a little late) from the Crew. Enjoy!
Chapter 57
(Next morning)
(knock) “Come in.”
“Major Watts. Sergeant Marshall, requesting a favor, Ma’am.”
(Alyssa looks up and returns Todd’s salute) “Close the door and sit down. What do you need?”
(Todd places a legal envelope on Alyssa’s desk)
“There are letters for my wife, each of my children, and each of my brothers in there. Alyssa, we’ve known each other a long time. I respect you as my superior officer and cherish our friendship. I’m eternally grateful that we have managed to maintain both relationships and keep them separate. We both know this mission is dangerous. If I don’t make it, I want you to personally place that envelope in Sarah’s hands. Please Alyssa, I don’t want anyone else to do it, because I don’t trust anyone else to have your compassion. Will you do this for me?”
“Todd, I…”
“Cut the crap, Alyssa. Will you do it?”
(Deep sigh) “If it comes to that, I will. Todd, Doug was right; this mission really is sticking your head in the lion’s mouth. Do you really understand what you’re getting into? This really is volunteer; you can still back out.”
“No, I can’t. Have you ever heard of a man by the name of Bill Marshall?”
“B-Bill Marshall? My Dad served in the Army with a Sergeant Bill Marshall.”
“First Sergeant Bill Marshall, Delta Force, callsign Doc. Your dad is Master Sergeant Pemberton Watts, callsign peanut butter. They served together for six years. They executed missions together in eleven countries on three continents. Bill Marshall was on the team that extracted your dad and the rest of his team from an Al Qaeda prison camp in Yemen. Bill carried him over a mile to the extraction point. Bill Marshall was my father.”
(A tear traces down Alyssa’s cheek) “I was just a little girl, seven years old. Your father personally delivered Dad to our front door. He carried Dad up our front steps while he pulled Dad’s wheelchair up with his other arm. When they got on the porch, Sergeant Marshall sat him back in his wheelchair and shook his hand. I remember they hugged like they were family. Your Dad had tears in his eyes when he apologized to me for bringing my Daddy back hurt. I kissed your Dad on the cheek and thanked him for bringing my Daddy back to me alive. When I finally got up the nerve, I asked Dad why he did all that. Dad told me that Bill was closer than his brother and we always bring our own home. Todd, our fathers are why I became a Marine. I wanted to be as brave as Dad and as honorable as your Dad. Todd, I never knew.”
“I intentionally never told you. It took a while for me to put the pieces together, but when I did, I figured it might change our working relationship.”
“Alyssa, Dad taught me and my brothers everything he knew. He was training me before I was three. By the time I was twelve, I was shooting like I do now and had learned everything he could teach me about battlefield medicine without using cadavers. I lost this leg, trying to live up to his standard. I’m not sorry I did.”
“Todd, I cost you, your leg. I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry that you requested the distraction that sent me and my platoon into one of the hottest and most contested areas of Kandahar province, to provide a distraction for the mission you were on? You’re sorry that you knew whoever they sent was going into a killing field? You’re sorry my best friend was killed, my LT was killed, and I lost my leg on a patrol that allowed you to capture a senior province commander? You’re sorry that his capture threw the Taliban command in the area into a tailspin for two months? Which part are you sorry for, Alyssa? Capturing that bastard saved dozens of US lives and only God knows how many of our local allies lives. We knew the risks and we did our duty. You made the right choice. If our places had been reversed, knowing how it would go down, I would have made the same one…and sent you into that killing field.”
“How…”
“What I am about to tell you will end our careers, if it doesn’t end our lives, should this conversation ever leave this room. Your CIA handler when you were on loan to them, was named Brian Spangler. Spangler served two masters. In addition to being a CIA agent, he was a double agent for the SVR. He was killed by a 7.62X54R round, fired from a range of 391 meters, with a three kph crosswind from the south, entering just in front of his left temple and exiting through his spinal column, just below the skull. I know that, because I fired that bullet from a rifle that I own. Those three weeks I was away, I was assigned to kill him on an op. The Farm knew he was a double agent, but needed him to go away quietly. One of Dad’s contacts in the CIA knew that I was an expert with that weapon and that my loyalty and discretion are absolute. That he was killed with a round in common use by the local forces, during an off the books mission, allowed plausible deniability. That same contact of Dad’s, came to see me in Landstuhl. He felt like he owed Dad, so he told me the truth about how I ended up where I was…off the record. Alyssa, it’s ok.”
“Todd, you’ve given enough for king and country; I don’t want you to pay any more.”
“My soul belongs to God and my children deserve a better future than our current circumstances. No matter what happens, I win. I’ll see you in four weeks.”
“Good luck, Sir.”
“Alyssa, save the Sir for when I’m your commanding officer.”
“Smartass. Really Todd, be careful.”
(Two days later, CIA safehouse in Hayden, CO)
“So you’re Reaper.”
“That’s my callsign, yes.”
“What’s your name?”
“Come on, Bluebell, you know that isn’t how this game is played. Besides, you’re from the Farm; you already know my name, if you really wanted to know. I don’t have a lot of time and even less patience; show me what you have and what you want.”
“Fine. I’m just trying to be sociable. The camp is about 15 miles north of here. Here are the satellite photos of the camp. With the canopy, they’re not much.”
(Todd looks closely at the photos with a magnifying glass.)
“Ok, this long building in the southeast corner is most likely the command center for the camp. If it’s set up anything like the compounds in Afghanistan were, the senior command staff will have quarters in that building as well, most likely on the second floor. These two buildings are barracks, as is this one. The single will be for instructors, with a few of those also housed in the trainee barracks. Look at this construction here. Terrorists love their caves. My bet is that it covers and secures an old mine or cave entrance. That will be where their munitions, supplies, and at least a backup set of comms will be set up.”
“How do you know so much about the Taliban?”
“I spent the better part of five years humping around that God forsaken excuse of Satan’s toilet. I learned a thing or two along the way.”
“Do you speak the language?”
“من دری را روان صحبت می کنم (I speak Dari fluently.)”
“یا پښتو ته ترجیح ورکوی (Or would you prefer Pashto?)
“What did you just say?”
I told you, in Dari Persian, that I speak Dari fluently; then I asked, in Pashto, if you would prefer Pashto. Does that answer your question?”
“You have one helluva’ high opinion of yourself.”
“Sir, I am well aware of my abilities and the limits of those abilities. Tell me what the CIA wants and I’ll get it for you…or die trying.”
“I hope your words don’t come back to bite you. Ok, we need to put names to faces. We need to know who’s there. We need to know who the leader is and who they’re working for. We need to know what they are planning. Can you do that?”
“I can do that.”
Ok, I did a recon, but didn’t have the time to get what we need. We’re shorthanded. There’s a cave here (Bluebell points out a point on a map.). I managed to stock a week of supplies in that cave and some gear. I think that’s your best bet for a hide to observe. When do you leave?”
“Now. I’ll be in touch in a week.”
(Two weeks later, 9 PM)
“Thought you were keeping the teams out on a four day mission.”
“None of them were gonna’ quit, so we brought them in early. Brian, everybody’s past exhausted, including the crew. I didn’t see the sense in pushing until somebody got hurt.”
“How many have you lost?”
“Jeremy went out on a fractured ankle, but he’ll go through with another group after he heals. One of Pete’s people had to bail when he got called to active duty. That’s it.”
“Two out of twenty-seven, not bad. How good are they?”
“We caught Alan, didn’t we?”
“Yeah. How’s that falling out anyway?”
“So-so. He still hasn’t forgiven Skyler for breaking his nose. He IS talking to Jen again. From what little I’ve heard, they’re trying to work things out. He left her hanging, but she REALLY messed him up. I don’t know if they can work it out, but I hope so. It was dicey at the time, but he agreed to rejoin the Crew. I’m glad of it; his fieldcraft and stealth skills are magic.”
“Think he’ll stay?”
“I’ll think so. I hope so. Heard from Todd?”
“Not in two weeks, not a word. Sarah’s starting to worry.”
“He’s not at Quantico. He was assigned a mission that he refused to discuss. No contact for two weeks. Brian, I’m worried too. I wish one of us was with him to watch his back.”
“So do I. Where’s your head?”
“On the mission. Brian, we can’t afford for me to fall apart right now. The Crew has to get the teams trained. It’s my job to lead that effort; I can’t lay it on anyone else. For now, I’ve compartmentalized Troy, Malachi, the trial, and everything else. Brian, if I live long enough, I’ll deal with it later. Right now, I’m focused on training the new teams and helping Stacy heal. Brian, it’s the best I can do.”
“Mark, come out of the teams and get your head on straight.”
“NO! You’re one of at least five people who have said that! Who’s gonna’ take my place, you? Anastasia? You’re too busy trying to hold the whole thing here together! Anastasia’s getting better, but she’s still struggling! I’m the only one who has the time and ability to do this! Jacob’s the only other one who could do it…maybe…and you’ve got him scouring Hell’s half acre, trying to find the things we need to protect this place and keep it running! I’m the best you got and my weak little whiny side is just going to have to wait!”
“I’ll reassign Jacob and he can take over the training.”
“Aw horseshit, Brian! These people respect me! If you stick Jacob in my place cold, we lose that and it would take weeks for him to earn their respect…to get back to where we are right now! And while we’re talking about Jacob and his abilities, he’s the best scrounger this side of Todd! Todd’s not here, and I hope he’s not dead, so you best keep your best procurement officer right where he is! What’s the matter with you, Brian? You know better than this! Dad taught you better.”
“Dad would have already made you stand down! Don’t push me Timothy Marcus; I can and will relieve you of your duties, if you make me!”
“If that’s what you feel like you have to do, then do it! Just know one thing, I’ll never forgive you for it if you do. Do you really want to go there, big brother!?!”
“We don’t want to do this, little brother. Mark, I’m worried about you.”
“I’d be worried about me too, if I had anything left to worry with. Brian, you know me; I’ll deal with all of it, in my own time and in my own way. Right now, all I want is for all of us to be ok. I really hate what I’m training our people for. Brian, if it really hits the fan, not all of the people me and the Crew are training right now will make it through.”
“That thought haunts my dreams every night. I expect it haunts yours too,”
“It does, but they don’t stand a chance if things go bad and they don’t know how to defend themselves or the combined homesteads. Don’t forget, for most of them, this is home.”
“Will you do me one favor, at least?”
“Depends. What is it?”
“Stand down the training for 48 hours. Let your people go home to their families, and you come home to yours.”
“That I can do. It’s Wednesday, I’ll suspend training until next Monday. Our trainees have definitely earned it. I’ll tell them tomorrow morning.”
“What are you going to do with the time?”
“We’re going into Franklin in about an hour to fill out paperwork. We’re having a wedding this weekend.”
“About damn time. Don’t forget to call Craig.”
“According to this text, Anastasia just did.”
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Post by cavsgt on Jan 2, 2022 20:33:15 GMT -6
Thank You!!!! Welcome back, you have been sorely missed.
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Post by cutter on Jan 2, 2022 20:58:28 GMT -6
I've missed being here. I've missed the characters talking to me. I'm not going to lie, that chapter was a little bit of a struggle. Given the likes and your comment, it was well worth the work. Thank you.
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Post by workhorse on Jan 2, 2022 21:52:07 GMT -6
Thanks been really hoping this one would not end. This is such a great story.
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Post by 9idrr on Jan 3, 2022 13:27:27 GMT -6
Cutter- you're gonna get us hooked again...
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Post by texican on Jan 3, 2022 15:26:46 GMT -6
Cutter good chapter. Thank you.
Texican....
Could have asked for another chapter, but that would be crass...
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Post by udwe on Jan 3, 2022 20:31:55 GMT -6
Glad you're back! Just give us whatever you can, please!
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