|
Post by texican on Feb 20, 2019 18:45:26 GMT -6
“Dude, I can hear you. You know this, right?” Kurt said with a tire expression.
Now Solo, is that a 16 17 or 18 inch tire?
Thanks for the chapter. It's only been nearly a month, but who is counting....
Texican....
|
|
|
Post by solo on Feb 21, 2019 8:59:38 GMT -6
“Dude, I can hear you. You know this, right?” Kurt said with a tire expression.Now Solo, is that a 16 17 or 18 inch tire? Thanks for the chapter. It's only been nearly a month, but who is counting.... Texican.... Keep them coming... I am sure that I missed way more than that. You didn't comment on the mini cliff I gave... Not all cliffs have to stop the ole heart.... I appreciate your input and everyone's readership. Keeps me going even in busy times of the year. V/R, Solo
|
|
|
Post by 9idrr on Feb 21, 2019 21:34:09 GMT -6
Mini-cliff be damned. We ain't lettin' you stop now, boy. I'm sure you don't wanna see this ol' man cry. Now, Texican, he might just rejoice at the thought.
|
|
|
Post by texican on Feb 21, 2019 21:52:00 GMT -6
Mini-cliff be damned. We ain't lettin' you stop now, boy. I'm sure you don't wanna see this ol' man cry. Now, Texican, he might just rejoice at the thought. 9, You mean like this.... Texican....
|
|
|
Post by texican on Feb 21, 2019 21:58:07 GMT -6
“Dude, I can hear you. You know this, right?” Kurt said with a tire expression.Now Solo, is that a 16 17 or 18 inch tire? Thanks for the chapter. It's only been nearly a month, but who is counting.... Texican.... Keep them coming... I am sure that I missed way more than that. You didn't comment on the mini cliff I gave... Not all cliffs have to stop the ole heart.... I appreciate your input and everyone's readership. Keeps me going even in busy times of the year. V/R, Solo Well S, we know that sooner or later you will address the kliffs.... Now, “You also have no animals.” Mr. Landry surmised.
“Yes, we have folks going out tomorrow to recon and see if we can get some Chickens, Goats, a cow or so.” Marc said.
“Just get them from the Mayor. He has collected most of what Purvis had. It is just him and a couple of his cousins left as far as his posse.” Landry offered.It appears that the group will be going to meet with the mayor and rustle up all of the mayor's animals... Now will the mayor and his couple of cousins become fertilizer?.?.?.? Now that is an unanswered kliff.... Thanks S for the chapter.... Texican....
|
|
|
Post by solo on Jul 17, 2019 8:36:36 GMT -6
Hello all,
It has been way too long I know. I have finally gotten back to this one and have a small chapter to hopefully sate you for now. I am writing as I can, I am still active duty and while that has it's perks, there are also times when, well I am not available. Please be patient (Side look at Texican) and I will keep you fed.
Chapter 18
11 May 2018 Purvis Home Site Early Morning
“You two were really on the Space Station when on this HooHa when down?” Mr. Landry asked Marsha and Rod over his plate of steaming hot biscuits with sausage gravy. A cup of coffee was being nursed nearby.
They both nodded.
“So…” While Mr. Landry searched for his words, he looked down at his plate. “Where’d this sausage come from for the gravy.”
Marc chuckled. “Ethan and Chad, during their mad dash down here cleaned out several stores of their cold/frozen food. We have tons of coffee too.”
“Oh, I remember this coffee. They gave me some when I stopped them from moving in.”
“Stopped them?”
They all laughed.
“Luckily, you had a working freezer. The walk-in below was a nice touch.” Ethan said.
“So… Back to it. How did you get here to earth?” Mr. Landry asked.
“We fired some thrusters, relied on some solid calculations and rode the space station out of orbit and to the ground.”
“We essentially surfed the atmosphere, slowing our roll and then landed in south Mississippi.” “
"Why didn’t you just use the shuttle or the Russian craft?” Mr. Landry asked.
“There was only the Soyuz and the Cosmonauts we were replacing decided to leave and go back to their families. Ironically, they landed in South Mississippi, Not in Russia.” Marsha said.
“Really? That’s a hell of a miss, there.” Mr. Landry said.
“It was, they decided not to wait and forgot to fact that the station’s orbit arc was still on our arrival, from Cape Canaveral. Their scorched earth was a straight line toward Cocoa Beach. We actually used that line to calculate the proper tangent; It became our landing zone when all other options fell away. Then we happened to fall right where these guys were heading through. And Eva’s husband was with them.” Marsha said looking at Carl.
“Eva? Have I met her yet?” Mr. Landry looked around.
“No Sir. She died saving our lives during an Extra Vehicular Activity, a space walk.” Marsha said.
Mr. Landry face fell a little. “I’m sorry to hear that. To both of you and to you too Carl.” They were quiet for a moment then Mr. Landry snickered. “I am sorry, this is totally inappropriate, but Eva died on and EVA?”
Other around the table smiled, “I’ve never thought of that, but it is very poignant and something Eva would have actually appreciated. The Irony and all.” Carl said.
“Very Interesting.” Mr. Landry said. “And you two were stranded on an Oil Well?” Mr. Landry asked Carl and Carmen.
“Yes, luckily, I was able to auto rotate back to the deck as I had just taken off in my Sikorski.” Carl said.
“And then this crew, surfaced an undersea habitat, took out pirates on a barge then just happened to land at your rig out of hundreds maybe thousands of rigs out there?” Mr. Landry talked out loud. “Then you guys make it to shore at the Base in Panama City Beach and fight a running battle with Chinese Submariners to get to the Pascagoula River where you just happened to meet this fine Gentleman,” Mr. Landry pointed at Thomas.
“Well, he found us actually.” Carl offered.
“Okay, but he happened to have a shelter when the radiation came.”
“Yes he did.”
“Then you found the space people and made your way here where you had to fight one last battle.” Mr. Landry paused. “And this was after you ran the gauntlet from a baseball game to here, picking up two of the most beautiful women in the world in Julie and Gina along the way. And then saving Doc over there sometime later, then saving his Brother and wife afterwards. Am I all caught up?”
“I think that about does it.”
“Well do you know what happened to the Sheriff? No one has seen much of him of late.”
Marc related the story about Jacob and what happened at their compound. To which Mr. Landry replied, “Well, I think we need to see this Jacob feller and get it all set up.”
“Get what setup?” Logan asked.
“Well, it is a little too late for a MAG, so we are going to have to get something in place to ease our overcrowding,” Landry stopped to see if anyone protested his self inclusion into this group before him; none did. “and to plan out how we are going to plant, grow, raise and how ever else we will get our food in the near and far term. You guys have all fought too hard to get to here to just sit around and die from starvation. And I hope you haven’t used up all of you luck getting here.”
|
|
|
Post by texican on Jul 17, 2019 17:19:18 GMT -6
Hello all, It has been way too long I know. I have finally gotten back to this one and have a small chapter to hopefully sate you for now. I am writing as I can, I am still active duty and while that has it's perks, there are also times when, well I am not available. Please be patient (Side look at Texican) and I will keep you fed.Solo, Thanks for the chapter.... The moar hounds are grateful and well feed.... Thou, more is always devoured greedily.... Texican....
|
|
|
Post by 9idrr on Jul 18, 2019 20:51:54 GMT -6
More is always appreciated. Post more when you can. Don't mind all the weepin' and moanin' from those of us who've almost perished from our lack of this story. We'll just sit in the corner, mopin' and whimperin'. Pay us no mind. Really. We're but pitiful peasants, awaiting more manna from the great Solo.
|
|
|
Post by texican on Jul 23, 2019 14:08:00 GMT -6
More is always appreciated. Post more when you can. Don't mind all the weepin' and moanin' from those of us who've almost perished from our lack of this story. We'll just sit in the corner, mopin' and whimperin'. Pay us no mind. Really. We're but pitiful peasants, awaiting more manna from the great Solo. 9, Weeping and moaning occasionally helps.... Texican....
|
|
|
Post by solo on Jul 24, 2019 12:48:19 GMT -6
Chapter 19
11 May 2018 Sheriff's Old Homesite
Jacob couldn’t help but smile a little as he watched the helicopter land outside in the road that ran the length of the fence in front of the house. He looked over to his wife, Belinda and nodded. He knew she would have his back as he went to investigate. He pulled his shoulders back, his shoulder blades lightly touching the scabbard hanging there with his sawed off double barrel 12 gauge tucked neatly away, ready with just a reach over his shoulder. He took his hunting 12 gauge and checked to make sure it was locked and loaded. There were five shells of double ought buckshot waiting for anyone who he felt needed it.
Jacob and his wife had settled into their new digs and had actually prospered a bit. They had a small garden tucked in behind the house. Jacob still marveled at how few people even paid attention to his homestead. He purposefully made the house look like it had been ransacked and that all that had been there had been taken.
He headed toward the door and stared out the lookout hole for a moment. “Looks like the rich keep getting richer.”
“You know that rich is a state of mind and not about what you have, right?” Belinda said.
“I was just commenting on the new helicopter.”
“I know, I was just making sure you realize your true riches before you start wanting other’s perceived riches. Besides, there isn’t anyone refining fuel. What you are seeing is a richness in a glass room. It is finite.” Belinda counseled.
“That may be so, but this capability may help them to outlast everyone else.”
“Are you going out there?”
“Yes, I don’t they are malicious. But don’t let your guard down.” He instructed.
Jacob waited for the rotor to wind down. Two young men jumped out from the back of the helo and took up positions about 100 yards in each direction from the bird. “Yeah, you got to protect your assets.” Jacob thought. The left door in the front of the helo opened and the man Jacob recognized as Logan stepped down. Another man that he didn’t remember stepped out from the right seat. He helped an older man out of the rear who was riding in the middle. The three approached the gate.
“Hello the House.” Logan called out. The two younger men had M1s slung over their shoulder.
Jacob took a deep breath, “Well better get this over with.” He opened the door and began to weave his way through the front yard that was strewn with broken furniture, broken glass and subtle, at least to him, metal spikes buried into the grown with the sharp end up.
Logan watched Jacob amble toward them and had already pickup up on the countermeasure. He approved.
“What do you need?” Jacob asked and then immediately kicked himself at his screw up. By asked what they needed instead of what they wanted, he conveyed to the group before him a totally unintended message; He was in a position to help. Meeting a need and meeting a want are two totally different things.
Logan picked up on the use of need. “We wanted to talk with you about possibly forming some sort of alliance.”
“Really?” was all Jacob said and it was in a sarcastic manner.
“You interested?” Logan asked.
“Why would I be? Last time we spoke, you made it clear that we weren’t apart of your little group.”
“What did you expect? You were chauffeuring the Sheriff around. And we were dealing with some things. Not exactly a good time for good neighbor bonding.”
Jacob stared, “Maybe so, but that still remains. Besides, adversity do bring neighbors together.”
“Look, you have right to be wary. We are okay with that. We just want to talk with you, it can be out here.”
“Okay, talk. Where you are.” Jacob instructed.
Mr. Landry spoke up. “Listen, Son. Here is where we are at. Our compound is overcrowded and if we don’t act now, food may become an issue. I’ve farmed my whole life and have that covered, but we do not have the room for the size garden we need.”
“That seems like a ‘you’ problem and not a ‘we’ problem.” Jacob scoffed.
“Maybe so, but from where we sit, with just the two of you out here alone…” Mr. Landry spoke up, but stopped when Jacob pulled his shotgun from the low and ready position to the “very” ready position.
“Is that a threat old man?” He spat.
Mr. Landry held up his hands to his side with palms forward. “No son. Just a statement of fact. We would actually like to add to your number and maintain both sites. Kind of like watching each other’s back. We can focus on foraging for all and your compound can focus on food product for all.” Mr. Landry was unflappable.
“How do you feel about this?” Jacob looked at Logan.
“I’m all for it. Look, I’m sorry about before, I’d like to very much work with you on this group. I know trust will have to be built.” Logan said.
“Psst! Psst!” They all heard from the house. Then Belinda followed with this, “Company’s comin’. There’s a dust trail coming down the road from Columbia.
“You brought this to our door step with your helo!” Jacob put out.
Logan looked down in the distance and said almost dreamily, “No, it would have happened sooner or later. We may have just pushed the time line.” He paused. “You better get her back in the air. We will see what these folks want.”
Jacob turned and headed back to the house.
“Wait, we are here to help. How do you want to handle this?” Logan asked.
Jacob turned and watched the dust trail get closer. “I’ve handled things on my own thus far. You all can go.”
“That is at least three distinct plumes… You may not have a choice.” Logan said.
“Do what you want. Just don’t get into my cross hairs!” With that Jacob entered the house and slammed the door.
“You got some work to do with that one.” Mr. Landry stated. “Is he worth it?”
“I’ve got a feeling about him. Come on, let’s see what this is all about.” Logan said as the rotors started to rotate on the helo. “Hey Lieutenant! Come on this way and set up in the high grass across from Gina. Remember that grass is only concealment, it isn’t cover.”
The young diving doctor trotted by, giving Logan a “duh” look.
“What about me? Am I the bait?” Mr. Landry stated.
“Bait? Oh…. No, you just seem somewhat harmless. Just remember we have you covered and my bet are that Jacob has you covered as well.” With that Logan stepped off and was soon hidden by the shrubs across the street.
Mr. Landry watched as the vehicles got closer. He leisurely dropped his hand on the gate and stood watch. The three vehicles were all older Chevy S-10s and all painted black or blue by hand. The first truck stopped about fifty yards off and one of the occupants stood up and leaned over the cab. “You a long way from anywhere out here old man.”
|
|
|
Post by texican on Jul 24, 2019 17:31:58 GMT -6
Solo,
Well the meeting with Jacob went as about expected....
Now the older Chevy S-10's present an opportunity if handled correctly....
Fireworks will be going off.... or not.... but probably....
Don't shoot the S-10's....
The Moar Hounds are devouring another chapter....
Thanks for the chapter....
Texican....
|
|
|
Post by 9idrr on Jul 24, 2019 17:42:32 GMT -6
I'm just wonderin' of black & blue is some kind of clue?
|
|
|
Post by texican on Jul 25, 2019 23:25:12 GMT -6
I'm just wonderin' of black & blue is some kind of clue? 9, Now Solo wouldn't do that now would he.... Texican....
|
|
|
Post by solo on Oct 11, 2019 8:06:59 GMT -6
Felow Authors, readers and friends;
I am very sorry that I haven't been on a lot lately; I PCS'ed in late August and though it was a local move, it still came with its drama as only a Navy Move can. On top of this, having hit the half century mark, my body took the obligatory downturn in health. I won't share what exactly, but let just say I have a stock pile on no refrigeration needed insulin now. This naturally requires all kinds of waivers to remain on flight status, which in turn requires all kinds medical appointments and follow-up appointments...
Having complained enough, I went through the story to date and cleaned it up and wrote some new chapters. I had felt that my muse was leading me a bit of a twisty path without an objective illuminated. I feel the new chapters have shown me the light at the end of the tunnel and more importantly, how to get there. As this is a forum that is cool with content ownership, I will keep posting until finished. The edited, self published version will be slightly different in the beefed up and smoothed out catagory, but certainly not the content. As I am by fare my own worst critic, I am also scrubbing a second edition to my first published work in this series, Divers Down. I hope to have this cleaner version online soon.
So without further ado, here is chapter 20.
Chapter 20
11 May 2018 Sheriff’s Old Homesite
“What is going on out there?” Belinda asked as Jacob peered out the window.
For the moment, he just watched and didn’t respond to Belinda. He raised the small two-way radio to his mouth and whispered, “David, do not engage. This isn’t our fight.”
“Copy that. Out.”
“They set up a loose perimeter around the old man. He is just standing leaning on the fence. The guys in the first truck have their weapon training on him.” Jacob describe the scene.
“So we are sitting this one out? That helicopter couldn't have held much. What is it three or four against what ever?”
“There are three trucks. Each has what looks like five to six men in each.” Jacob continued.
“We have to help them. If they get through them, where the hell do you think they are coming next?” Belinda sort of berated him.
“I know. Look, their flank is exposed to us. If something goes down, we can jump in and help.”
Belinda went back to the rear of the house and laid her 12 gauge down on the bed and reached in to the closet for an older AK47. They had found it with the Sheriff’s impressive collection and Belinda just seemed to shoot better with this little attention getter. She looked toward the front where Jacob was looking out and then turned toward the back door. She eased out without a sound and headed toward the corner of the house.
Out front, Mr. Landry stood looking at the man who had spoken to him and responded. “A lot closer than you realize.”
The man looked hard at the older man before him then raised his rifle to fire. Surprise hit his face before he fell back into the bed of the truck. It took a second or two to register what happened before all three trucks emptied and fire began to be returned. It no time, Logan realized that he, Chad and Brian were overmatched. He got Chad’s attention and motioned for him to pull back. He looked up to where Brian was, but couldn’t see him. A scan at where Mr. Landry was also proved to be fruitless.
A moment longer and Logan decided that he would have to go get Brian so they could all leave and regroup. As he was about to make his move he paused as a new weapon began firing. He recognized it right away. It was an AK47 and it was coming from the house side of the formation. He surmised that Jacob had flanked the opposition and if this were the case, now was as good as any to head up to Brian. He got on his hand and knees and began crawling along the ditch. He hadn’t gone but about a yard when it felt like a horse kicked him in the side. He found himself lying face up in the ditch looking at the sky.
A few seconds later, Brian’s head blocked his view and he wasn’t looking at him eye to eye. Instead, he was looking Logan’s body over. He didn’t feel anything, but the look of concern in his eyes began to worry him a little. Next he felt some tugging under his arm and saw that Brian had broken out a battle dressing and a small roll of saran wrap. This worried Logan a bit. It mean that either Chad or Mr. Landry had a sucking chest wound. Yet he couldn’t understand why Brian wasn’t leaving him attend those things. The final two things that Logan remembered what Brian breaking out what looked like a Morphine pen. The final thing was the distinctive sound of 50 Cal rounds being fire with a slow sure rhythm that lulled him up until the point that Brian raised his fist up and plunged the morphine pen into his thigh. Then Logan felt nothing.
Brian saw that Logan had passed out and finished his field patching as best he could. All other firing died out in response to speech being held by the Barrett. Brian grabbed the back of Logan’s web gear and drug him across the road. No one paid him any attention as the opposition were all trying to keep their head down under the mini barrage of the 50 cal.
Like a drum beat, steady driving, Brian used it to keep dragging the diver. He had several yards to go when Jacob’s wife showed up from his right with an AK47 slung over her shoulder. She grabbed the harness and help drag Logan toward the house. Jacob, finally seeing what was going on opened the door and relieved Brian who almost dropped where he was. Together, they pulled Logan inside and closed the door. Jacob blurted out at Belinda, “What the Hell?”
“Someone had to do something!”
Brian cut them off. “Guys! I need help here and Chad needs help out there!”
“You two go! I got this!” Belinda yelled. Before the two men left, they helped to hoist Logan onto the kitchen table after Belinda swept everything on it to the floor. Brian took one look at the gray palor on Marc’s face then stepped out behind Jacob.
“Where to? Whoever is on the Barrett is doing a masterful job.” Brian said. Without waiting for answer, he said, “Good to your front corner there and lay down some covering fire. Make it steady, I am going to see if I can find Mr. Landry.”
Brian waited until Jacob was ready and started firing and began to move. He made it a couple of steps before he saw Chad stand up from the far side of the road. Brian stopped and waved for Jacob to cease fire. The Barrett had already stopped. Chad held up two fingers to his eyes and motioned forward. He eased toward the trucks.
First thing he noticed was that the trucks were useless. Each had taken several heavy caliber rounds. Next thing he noticed was the carnage. He only found two out of seventeen men who were still alive. He motioned Jacob and Brian over and with some effort he had these two propped up against one of the trucks.
“The boss isn’t going to like this. You best be watching your backs.” One of them croaked.
“Maybe so. Who is this boss?” Chad asked.
“You will see.” With that, the man drew his last breath.
“I’m bleeding out, help me please.” The other man gurgle though the blood that filled his mouth.
“That’s going to happen anyway. Why did you attack us?” Chad asked.
The man smiled, his brownish teeth were outlined in red. “We attack everyone. This ain’t over.”
“No, I ‘spect it’s not. But for you it is.” They turned and walked away.
“How’s Marc? I saw you grabbed him. Thanks! I was tied down.” Chad asked him.
“It’s not good. Jacob’s wife is working on him.” Brian filled in.
“Belinda.” Jacob said.
“What’s that?” Chad asked.
“Her name is Belinda.”
“Well, by pressing the flank the way ya’ll did, that turned the tide. That Barrett was the icing on the cake.” Chad said.
“That was all her. I didn’t even know she had left the house.” Jacob said.
Chad stopped and looked at him. “You better hang on to that one. She’s a keeper. She saved us all today. Of course, whoever you got in the barn didn’t do half bad themselves.” Chad then looked at Brian. “They were two well trained. They bunched up and did not use their cover best. It could have turned out a lot worse.”
They walked in and saw Belinda sitting slumped beside the still form of Logan on the kitchen table. She looked up and just stared at them. “He’s hanging on. I’ve done all I can do for him.”
Chad looked at Logan and could barely make out his shallow breathes slightly pushing his chest. “Let’s get the helo back and take him to Tim. He’ll know what to do.
Belinda shook her head, “That’s not a good idea. Any increase in altitude could cause a pneumothorax. Let’s put him in the Sheriffs old car. Take him that way.”
With some difficulty they loaded him into the back seat and Brian went around to jump into the driver’s seat.
Belinda shook her head and said, “Uh uh un. My car, I drive.”
“Are you sure?” Jacob asked.
“Yes, I need to get out. I haven’t enjoyed being cooped up. Besides, it’s time I got to know our neighbors.”
Chad nodded at Brian. “You go, I will stay incase more tangos show up.”
Brian simply nodded, ran around the front and jumped in. Belinda eased the car down the lane, dodging the unseen obstacles that Jacob had integrated into the property and then rapidly picked up speed when they turned right onto the main road. In the back seat, Logan was mercifully out cold. Still to Brian it seemed the fine line between living and dead was fast approaching.
|
|
|
Post by texican on Oct 11, 2019 13:26:16 GMT -6
S, Take care of your health for that is paramount.... Now who is the Boss that sent out 17 to kill everyone? Seems like this Boss needs to find ground temperature.... Thanks for the chapter.... Texican....
|
|
|
Post by NCWEBNUT on Oct 11, 2019 15:14:08 GMT -6
Glad to see you back, I have followed this story since Divers Down Thanks for your efforts
|
|
|
Post by 9idrr on Oct 11, 2019 21:19:57 GMT -6
Sure is good to see more from you, Solo. As good ol' T said, your health is most important. For that reason I'll try not to badger you for another chapter. Well, not too soon. I'm known for my patience around here. Far be it from me to wanna guilt-trip a gentleman and writer of your caliber. There'll be no emotional appeals to your sense of decency and fair play when it comes to you deprivin' your loyal and trustin' fans who're direly in need of more of your work. I'd surely hate to have to mention voodoo dolls and foot long pins. Short-sheetin' your bunk would never be considered. Kidnappin' your goldfish would be a last resort. And nobody would even think of tar and feathers. Thanks for keepin' this one goin'.
|
|
|
Post by solo on Oct 25, 2019 8:58:23 GMT -6
Chapter 21
2 February, 2010 Navy Diving and Salvage Training Center Panama City Beach, Florida
The older man sat at the head of the small conference table that was situated in the corner of his office. As he smoked an old cheap cigar, he perused the file that was before him. He was dressed in the standard khaki UDT shorts and dark blue shirts that were characteristic of the training cadre at the Navy Diving and Salvage Training Center (NDSTC). He was smoothly shaven on top of his head and had a faced that told on him about the many years of working hard and playing hard he had put his body through. All the divers in the training cadre were at the peak when it comes to fitness, but this grizzly of a man sat quietly, his muscles etching his shirt and shorts alike.
The fact that he was quiet did not bode well for the two diver trainers that sat across from each other in front of him. Both petty officers were sitting with their head slightly down looking anywhere but at the old master diver. They knew what was coming, yet they did not know how or when.
The Master Diver finally closed the folder and placed it precisely in front of him on the table. It was in one move, there was no need for adjustment. He stared at the two youthful men in front of him, daring one of them to make eye contact with him. They were dressed identical to him and had their hair trimmed in a Marine Corps high-n-tight.
Finally the young man on his left looked up at him. The Master Diver thought to himself, ‘Finally, one of them found his guts.” He then looked at the one who was still looking down and asked quietly, “BM3 (Boatswain Mate Third Class), what am I not seeing here?”
“Master Chief?” The young man looked up at the older diver.
The master diver, who turned out to be the Command Master Chief and the last stop for any student who was boarded for performance, academic or behavioral deficiencies, locked eyes with the young man and waited.
Finally the diver training began to speak, “He just went nuts and began to attack us. He threw me and DC2 (Damage Controlman Second Class) here into the pool. It took four others to restrain him.”
The older man was quiet. “What did you two do to provoke him? This student has three years of service and zero record of any of this type of behavior. So what is it?” The young man looked down again and swallowed hard. He knew why but also knew that it would get him a one way ticket out of the diving navy and onto a tincan (Destroyer) on permanent paint chipping detail with little to no chance for future advancement. So he stuck to his story and repeated it. What he didn’t know is that the Master Chief had gotten suspicious when the other diver trainers that were present during the incident had recited the exact statement. Word for word.
The old diver sighed and then said, “Go get him.” The young man got up quietly and left.
“What do you think?” The old diver asked the DC2. “You were there.”
Without hesitation, the younger man began to speak, “This man you are about to meet is not human. He was totally unfazed for any of the harassment training we do during pool week. Hell, he was cool as a cucumber when we did the confidence training the first week. Everyone has a short panic moment when we tie their hands and feet and toss them in.” The idea is to stand on the bottom and push off to the top when you needed air then to settle to the bottom again. “Not only that, his calmness rubbed off on some of his classmates. There were about six of them that mastered this event within 5-10 minutes.”
“Sounds more like leadership. Tell me more about the harassment training.”
“Well, we would do our twenty seconds of problem inducement and then we would come back up and watch from above. Chastain was on scuba and had the duty to watch from the bottom and he said that this guy would sit there, hanging on to his gear for an additional 20-30 seconds and then would calmly solve the problem. During that time, you could see him working the problem mentally and then when solving it, there was no wasted motion. Even when we did the re-inflated tied hose, which gets to everybody.”
At that moment, there was a knock on the door and a loud announcement, “HM3 Logan reporting as order, Master Chief!” The old man just shook his head, wishing he had more time.
Yet never one to shrink from the moment, he grunted out a gruff, “Report!”
Logan entered the room and marched smartly up to the Master Chief and repeated his response to the reporting order. The Master Chief raised his eyebrows as he looked over the young man standing at sharp attention before him. He was in his Kahki’s which was required for the board, and his uniform was a perfect fit with razor sharp creases and precisely lined out rank, name tag and ribbons. When the Master Chief got to the ribbons, what caught his eye first was the Fleet Forces Marine warfare device and the three rows of ribbons indicating his time overseas and in battle. The old man began to feel older. He thought to himself, why didn’t these morons tell me this man was as well decorated and has seen a lot of action. “Looks like you tromped some sand over in the sand box, HM3.”
Logan for a fraction of a second got a puzzled look on his face then answered, “Yes Master Chief, two consecutive tours with Recon. I spent some time in Fallujah.” Logan was not impressed, all of this was in his record. He didn’t like to talk about it. He had decided after his training to serve with Recon as their Corpsman, that he liked diving and wanted to get more complete training.
The old man was not happy as he glared at the DC2 that was sitting there wondering why this man’s prior service wasn’t included in his training jacket. What stuck out to him was the gold star that was placed in the center of a purple ribbon. This indicated that on two separate occasions, the man before him had been wounded in battle.
“Okay, Logan, walk me through today.” The Old man paused. “Hold on, DC? I want you to go and get me someone in IT to come up here.” Then turning back to Logan, he said, “Have a seat. And then start at the beginning.”
11 May 2018 Logan Compound Purvis, MS
Belinda tore down the road, barely making the turn through the gate and into the compound. Brian had radioed ahead to make sure the three Docs were all ready. When they screeched to a stop, multiple hands reached in and pulled the limp body out of the back and took it quickly inside where they laid him on the prepped dining room table.
They quickly cut off his shirt and began to work the wound. Sara quickly and expertly got an IV going and hung the bag and then checked his tags for his blood type. Seeing O+ she went to the cold storage and pulled out one bag of whole blood and two bags of plasma. Then she stopped as she look at his body and the two puckered scars on Marc’s stomach. Only pausing for a moment, she thought, ‘I wonder what happened there?’ Then she proceeded to hang the bags.
|
|
|
Post by accountant on Oct 25, 2019 14:04:38 GMT -6
Outstanding as usual, my friend.
I just have one little quibble.
Finally the young man on his left looked up at him. The Master Diver thought to himself, ‘Finally, one of them found his guts.'
I'm pretty sure a grizzled old Master Chief wouldn't use the word "guts". He wouldn't even think it. He'd probable use a word for a couple of things found hanging a little lower on a man's anatomy.
Thanks for continuing with the story.
A.
|
|
|
Post by solo on Oct 25, 2019 14:12:54 GMT -6
Outstanding as usual, my friend. I just have one little quibble. Finally the young man on his left looked up at him. The Master Diver thought to himself, ‘Finally, one of them found his guts.' I'm pretty sure a grizzled old Master Chief wouldn't use the word "guts". He wouldn't even think it. He'd probable use a word for a couple of things found hanging a little lower on a man's anatomy. Thanks for continuing with the story. A. You are exactly right... have to maintain my PG-17 rating though... LOL
|
|
|
Post by texican on Oct 25, 2019 20:18:26 GMT -6
Thanks Solo for the chapter....
Texican....
|
|
|
Post by 9idrr on Oct 25, 2019 21:02:13 GMT -6
Just as good as we could ever expect, solo. Thanks.
|
|
|
Post by texican on Oct 26, 2019 22:41:15 GMT -6
Just as good as we could ever expect, solo. Thanks. Even better with another chapter.... Texican....
|
|
|
Post by solo on Oct 28, 2019 9:45:21 GMT -6
Chapter 22
2 February, 2010 Navy Diving and Salvage Training Center Panama City Beach, Florida
Logan began the story. “Master Diver, I was finning with my dive buddy on the bottom and we had each gone through a hit a piece.” A hit was a round of the problem solving. “I noticed that my dive buddy’s hit was way more complicated than mine. Then after my hit, we took two more whole circuits, then my dive buddy was hit four more times in quick succession, while I wasn’t hit once. Then the session ended and we were told to get out of the water.”
The Master Chief held up his hand to Logan and looked at the BM3. “I will ask you one more time, what am I missing here? Why did Logan not get his three hits and his buddy got five? According to this performance sheet they each got their three and had excellent scores.”
The BM3 looked blank for a moment then stuttered out. “Sir, to my recollection, they each got three hits. Maybe the HM3 miss counted.”
“So, you’re going all in then?” The Master Diver asked. The BM3 knew not to answer.
The older man was beginning to see the picture a bit and turned back to Logan. “Who was your dive buddy?”
“Seaman Davis.”
So there it was, the old master chief thought. Tall, Gangly, intelligent and African American. Even in the 21st century we still have this crap going on.
“Sir, I sincerely don’t think this was about race.” Logan stated.
The Master Chief was a bit surprised but managed not to show it. “Did I ask you what you thought? If I wanted you to have a thought I would have given it to you. You understand?”
Logan cleared his face and responded. “Clearly, Master Chief.” He was beginning to get the sense that he wasn’t going to get an even shake.
The older man took notice of the subtle change from the use of Master Diver to Master Chief, the first giving a nod to the profession, the second, much more formal. “Continue.”
Logan continued. “When we surfaced, we helped each other doff our equipment then when to the rinse tanks. After I finished I hung my gear up in my assigned cage and then turned to head to the showers. When I turned these two and two others were standing there in a half circle, which caused me some immediate concerns.”
“What were these concerns? And why would you have them at a school house?”
“Well, I have only been surrounded like this on two other occasions, and either of them went well. This time turned out the same way.”
The Master Diver filed this away and nodded for Logan to continue. “I decided to talk first and asked why they gave Sal so many more hits and not make them equal. Did they have something against him or the color of his skin? One of them said it that they had no problem with SN Davis. He was doing what he was supposed to do. It was then that I realized that their problem was with me. I sensed that they felt I wasn’t going along with the program and suffering from their harassment like I should. Looking back on it, I should have seen it. The 20 second problem inductions grew to over a minute at times. And I still was able to execute the appropriate solutions. I think they felt it made them look bad. In honesty, that part isn’t difficult.”
The DC2, who had returned, had sat through this and then exploded, “You are full of Shit, Scumbag!”
“If you don’t mind, DC2, I will conduct my own interview!”
“Master Diver, nothing what he just said is true! We always induce the problems within the allotted time.” The DC2 whined.
“DC2? Here, go get the HM2 and me a fresh cup of coffee. Get one for yourself too, you need to settle down. I’ll not have this turn into a circus!”
The DC2 stared daggers at Logan then left.
“Then what happened?”
“About the time I realized that their problem was with me, I realized it was there all along from the first week, two of them grabbed me and then dunked my head into one of the rinse tanks and held me there for at least a minute.”
“You didn’t fight back?”
“Negative, Master Chief, I knew I had a couple more minutes.”
“Go on.”
“When they let me up, I quickly escaped their holds and in turn defended myself against all four. The two that had a hold of me are probably in sickbay right now. I figured the other two were up to no good as well and put them in the pool neutralizing them. Sal and a couple of other classmates then took me to the showers and I got dressed. Now I find myself here.”
“Interesting story. So you think you were the target and not your dive buddy?”
“They have been after me and when they realized that they couldn’t get to me, they went after my dive buddy. It wasn’t racism. I don’t know what it was. I have worked my butt off to be here and to do everything right. I don’t see what the issue was.” Logan spoke plainly. At that moment the IT walked in and reported. The Master Chief told him, “Pull up all the underwater videos from yesterday afternoon and this morning’s trainings. I want them on the overhead. And I want all the security footage from the rinse area from this morning.”
The IT went to work and the video began to play. The DC2 came back in and placed the coffee in front of the Master Chief, Logan and himself. To see better, the Master Chief asked the DC2 to turn off the lights. When he got up, Logan switch his identical styofoam cup of black coffee with the DC2’s casting a quick look at the Master Chief. The Master Chief chose to wait and see where this was going.
As the videos played, it became apparent whose story was panning out. The video from yesterday afternoon showed problem induction at around one minute, 10 seconds with successful solutions each time. The Master Chief was amazed at Logan’s lung capacity and his coolness under pressure. The video from that morning showed the disproportionate hits on the dive buddy and then the security footage showed the events unfolding as Logan had described.
“What fighting style was that?” The Master Chief asked.
“Krav Maga. I was friend with an exchange student in high school who showed me some things and I spent some time working with the Israeli MOD (Ministry of Defense) after I enlisted.” He then reached down and took a long slug of his now cooled slightly coffee. The DC2 took a good swig of his and smiled.
“Logan, I do not condone fighting. Yet, I can only conclude you were not in the wrong here. Before I reach my conclusion, I want to know, just how do you keep your cool in the water?”
“Sir, have you heard of XTerra?” Logan looked up and saw no recognition in the Master Diver’s face, so he continued. Over the last Seven or Eight years, I have run three Ironman’s and 11 XTerra triathlons, three of those world championships. I guess I am just comfortable in water and when you have been shot at in anger, it tends to put everything into perspective.”
“Indeed it does. Before you start back to training, I will need you and everyone involved to take a drug test. Standard procedure. Then comeback in the morning ready to go.”
“Master Chief, I don’t want to miss any training time this afternoon if it is okay with you.”
“No training today. We are having a brief safety stand down. You are dismissed.”
With that, Logan picked up his cup and drank the remaining liquid, then stood and reported out.
After Logan left, the Master Diver looked up the Ironman and XTerra races on the internet and saw that not only did Logan compete, but was a top ten finisher in all of the races except for the 2007 XTerra World Championship. That one he won. He thought to himself, ‘This man is a world class athlete. That explains why there was no lingering outward signs of his two purple heart wounds and why he is killing it here.”
When Logan returned the next morning to resume dive training there were four new instructors with the scuttle butt that three of the ones who attacked him had been reassigned to remote duty out of diving while the fourth, the DC2 was administratively discharged after cocaine was found in his urine sample from the day before. Logan just smiled.
11 May 2018 Logan Compound Purvis, MS
Tim, Sara and Dana prepped Marc for surgery, disinfecting and sanitizing him and the surrounding area. Sara noticed the rapid eye movements and silently said a prayer of thanks that he was deeply out and dreaming. Of what she could only guess.
With the prep complete, they removed the battlefield bandaging job and while the entry point was about the middle of his chest cavity, the rib the bullet had hit changed the trajectory just enough to only nick a lung and nothing else. It passed, miraculously between ribs in the back on the right side. It just missed the right side lung and the spine on its passage. In passing, Tim thought it had to be .223 or there abouts.
Repairing the damage to the one lung and cleaning out the actual bullet track took the team roughly about five hours. They were thoroughly spent by this time and they all thought it would be better for Logan to be sedated through the night to give his body a jump start on healing. He would need it as he had lost a lot of blood.
“How is he? Will he make it?” Marsha asked. She was the first person the doctors met.
“He came through surgery okay, but the risk now is infection and how he rebounds form the blood loss. In normal times he would be in an ICU somewhere. And these aren’t normal times. That was a very serious wound.”
“Can I see him?”
“Come, We will get you sanitized and you can sit with him. I don’t think a couple hundred MBZs could keep that from happening anyway. He is a fighter, and he will need close supervision in the next few days to weeks.”
Marsha smiled her thanks and went in. All she could do was stared at the Man she knew she loved and she noticed the eyes moving every which way in deep sleep.
|
|
|
Post by texican on Oct 28, 2019 10:29:49 GMT -6
Solo, Once had a girlfriend that sanitized me and I couldn't move or walk for a couple of hours.... Stupid me, let her slip away after dating and sanitizing for months.... Texican....
ps: Thanks Solo for the chapter.... Pretty certain that Logan will be ok.... Now Marsha was also sanitized which would have been worth watching....
|
|