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Post by texican on Jun 27, 2018 23:24:40 GMT -6
"BS" That's interesting. I was sharing with an acquaintance, yesterday that I had written a few novels. She looked at me and said, "I have to call BS on that." I just shrugged and took another taste of my beer. She stormed off. Oh well. One more removed from the pool of potentially dateable women in this town. Back to writing. See you later. Oh BS.... You got to role with them as they come at you.... and remember.... There are more women than men.... Texican....
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Post by udwe on Jun 28, 2018 16:55:55 GMT -6
Thank you for bringing Dan back. I missed him!
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Post by texican on Jun 28, 2018 22:48:39 GMT -6
Thank you for bringing Dan back. I missed him! udwe, A few trips to several bars would probably help just as it is helping BS.... Texican....
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Post by bitsmith on Jun 30, 2018 16:48:23 GMT -6
Chapter Twelve
“Dan, I have to admit, that is a good idea, getting Henry and the other Drill sergeants training people to be soldiers. The new soldiers.” Mike admitted. “I had thought about it but did not know how to get it started. But why did you tell him to gather up and start building a plan, then tell him to have everyone on the field at noon?”
“Because the Bastards will be on the field at noon. They will be the example the others will be training to and beyond. Those without jobs on the base will be put to training the Sergeants on building the new training regimen. And, those who have no job, as well as refuse to train to be the new soldiers are welcome to leave. Provide them the equivalent of an other than honorable discharge, but not general. They failed to be or to become soldiers, therefore their services and presence are no longer required.
“Rios is rebuilding the government. And there are A LOT of people who don’t like what he is doing. Like California, for example. He has declined their request to re-enter the Union until they divide. The socialist-leaning leftists see this as an overreach of his authority because they know … they KNOW that the central valley and much of the northern half will be conservative supporters. The southern half will not be able to rely on the tax revenues of the north to support their social agendas. Ie, people will have to work for what they want.
“Someone also recommended he do the same for east and west Oregon and Washington state. He’s dragging his feet on that. Chicago, that parts that are still inhabitable will not be a part of Illinois. He is keeping the electoral college, rewriting parts of the Constitution and Bill of Right’s.”
“I’m not sure I like the sounds of that. What is he changing in the Bill of Right’s?” Mike asked, suddenly concerned as they continued walking towards the mess hall.
“First, he is clearing up the language of both the First and Second Amendments. Even someone such as myself, with the felony background, will have access to firearms. The states may ONLY restrict for a time period of no more than ten years from conviction or 5 years after having paid the debt to society. Adding to the 4th that anyone who has their rights removed, because of a conviction, will have, at no cost to them, a path to full citizenship. Over a course of time to prove they are not likely to be in a cycle.
“Others, like the protection about not being forced to house the military in civilian homes is gone. It really just does not apply anymore, but it is being used as a foundation to protect against ‘imminent domain’ claims without proper compensation. The definition of ‘proper compensation’ is the challenging part for his advisors.
“He is building upon the idea that less is more when it comes to government. Less Federal government. One evening, over a fire and shots of whiskey we discussed the various departments in the Government. Like the Department of Education. He is redefining it to be a basic minimum requirement of skills and education standards that the states must meet as a minimum. If a state wishes to have a higher minimum standard, then so be it. That will give them the ability to compete for businesses in need of trained and educated staff.
“The Department of Energy is to be a coordinator of the different energy businesses in the nation. They will be responsible for ensuring fuel tankers and gas lines are safe and properly maintained. Oil rigs and such are safe with a minimal impact on the ecology. But they will also be responsible to for working with the different energy companies wishing to build nuclear reactors.
“The EPA will be at the individual state discretion. Federal reserves, national parks, etc, as a part of the Interior, will still be protected and if a state’s laws for protecting national resources negatively impacts that land, then the state will be responsible for returning it to the previous condition.
“Those kinds of things. He wants a smaller Federal Government with the individual States more self-governing.”
“That sounds A LOT like the idea of the old Confederacy,” Mike stated, as he opened the door for Dan to enter through.
“In part, it is. And in other parts, it is not. For example, he is still working on a mandatory 2-year service requirement, immediately following high school or age 18. Dropping out of school ensures the worst possible jobs to be assigned to. The better a person demonstrates their education, the better assignments they will have available to them. And they will be sent no less than 500 miles from home. He sees this as an opportunity to keep the nation united as a single entity, rather than the hyphenated mess od easily offended assholes it was. I mean, imagine the kids of Appalachia, who knew their only chance at a job was to be a coal miner suddenly have the entire nation as a possible place of service. Some will return home with a different perspective on other parts of the nation. Imagine actual tolerance for people of different skin color or better yet, differing opinions on social issues.” Dan continued, as they stood in line for their breakfasts.
“Excuse me, sir?” the soldier in front of them interrupted.
“Did I overhear you, correctly? President Rios wants to create a mandatory 2-year requirement of military service between high school and college?”
“2-year CIVIL service requirement. Of which a person may choose the military or a list of other services a person may participate in. The idea being they learn valuable skills such as self-sustainability, basic survival skills, basic medical and such.” Dan stated. “Of course, this is all being discussed and designed for the best interest of both the nation as a whole and the individual. He strongly believes in the individual’s rights to their own pursuit of happiness. And yet he needs to balance with finding a way to avoid socialism yet still building a strong unity in a single nation.”
“So, my heritage of African-American would mean nothing?” He asked, starting to bristle.
“I don’t know you or your name, and let’s keep it that way. So, please speak your mind. I am an advisor to President Rios and I will share your statements with him, along with my own. I will omit nothing, but I will reserve the right to require more details from you on the implementation of anything you suggest.” Dan stated before turning to the cook, “May I have a Western Omelet with cheese, a side of sausage with a biscuit?”
Dan turned back to the newest person in the conversation, “Would you care to join us at a table?”
“I don’t think so, sir.” He said, suddenly realizing who he was talking to. “You are an Officer, I’m just a PFC. It’s not right for us to dine together.”
“Are you new, here?” Dan asked as Mike smiled knowing what was coming.
“Yes, sir. I am. I was just rotated here to help with the communications backlog.” He said. “But you asked that we not share names.”
“That is right, I did. So, hold on to your reservations about eating together for just a few moments?” Dan said. “There is something I would like you to witness before you go passing judgment on people, based upon rank.”
At the end of the line, Dan picked up his tray and asked the last server in the line, “May I have that small bowl of fruit and a word with the Mess Sergeant?”
“The Mess Sergeant, sir? He’s in back correcting a man who made a mistake, sir.” The private responded while handing over the small bowl of fresh melon pieces.
“If you could ask him to join us at General Baker’s table, please, when he finishes, please?” Dan asked politely. Turning to the PFC in their conversation, “I guess you will just have to swallow some pride and come to join two Generals for breakfast. Or perhaps we should join you and your colleagues?”
“If that is what you order, sir.” The PFC stated, suddenly very apprehensive.
“Or not. Your choice, PFC.” Mike added. “You are welcome to join us, at any time. If it is inappropriate, at the time, any officer should politely advise you that timing is not good, as we all discuss work over our meals. And sometimes things Officers are working on are not ready for the general rumor mill. I would ask for permission from the majority, before I took a seat at a table. So would General Curtis.”
“General Curtis?” The PFC visibly was looking for an exit. “If he is General Curtis, then you would be General Baker?”
“Yes, that is us,” Mike said, smiling. “And here is the mess sergeant. General Curtis, you asked for him, here he is.”
“General Baker, sir!” the mess sergeant called out, loudly. “Is there a problem, sir?
“No, Sergeant. I’m the one who asked to speak with you.” Dan stated. “How is that ‘problem soldier’ you had on your team, last time we spoke?”
“Captain Dan!” the sergeant howled! “Sir! It is great to have you with us, again! I took your advice, that soldier is now a sergeant and one of the best men I have. He runs the evening mess.”
“That is great to hear. I’m glad it worked out for you. Mentoring goes a long way in helping people attain the very best of themselves.” Dan said. “But I asked to speak with you because I would like to ask a favor of you if you don’t mind.”
“Anything, Captain. If I can do it, I will.”
“Great. Recalling a few years ago, when we last met, do you recall the two things I suggested a soldier does the same, regardless of rank?”
“Yes, sir! You stated that all soldiers have the need to eat and shit, regardless of rank or title and as such, they are equals, again, regardless of rank or title.” The sergeant stated. “That is why General Baker changed the rules for the mess halls that officers were to go through the line like everyone else. And sir, this is my mess. If there is anyone breaking the rules of the mess hall, I would like to be the one to fix them, sir. Just let me know who it is.”
“No, sergeant, not at all. I was just explaining to this newly rotated in PFC that in here, rank is to be respected, as anywhere else, but should not be used to separate and divide. We are all human beings and in the same Army. We are brothers and sisters and should act like it.”
“Absolutely, sir.” The sergeant continued “And that is how it is, here, sir. One family. I see so many officers eating with the troops and they are tighter for it. Trust is higher, questions get answered, in both directions. PFC, if you are invited to dine with an officer join them. Or if you see an officer you would like to dine with, just ask, politely and respectfully. And don’t be offended if they decline. Somedays we just are not feeling as sociable as on others.”
“So, PFC, still not interested in joining us for breakfast?” Dan asked.
“Thank you, sergeant,” Mike said with a nod and a smile. “You and your men are doing a great job. Also, there are some changes coming, such as getting back to a training base, so appetite patterns may be changing and that could affect the mess halls. Just a heads up to watch for it and be ready to adjust as best you can.”
“Of course, sir.” The sergeant nodded. “And I hope you and the Captain enjoy your meals.”
“Actually, he is a General, now, much like myself.”
“Wow! Please let him know I did not know, sir. If I had known, I would not have called him Captain.”
“Don’t worry about it. He prefers to still be a Captain. But when you die and return to life, someone tends to take notice and they make you a General. I had to earn mine the easy way.”
Chuckling the mess sergeant agreed. “By the way, sir, I’m working on a new recipe. May I bring a sample by your table for your opinions?”
“Sure, so long as you bring samples for the entire table,” Mike added.
“Brothers. Family. Right you are, sir.” The sergeant agreed, before turning to enter the kitchen, before stopping.
“Capta – I mean, General Curtis, I have a soldier I am at my wits end with. He’s a good kid but has a big chip on his shoulder. Would you mind speaking with him?”
“Sergeant, send him to join us at our table,” Dan said. “I’m not sure what I can do in the space of a meal that you have not been able to do in private.”
“As I said, sir, I’m just at the end of my rope with him. He is young and new and believes he can run things better than anyone who outranks him. He also believes he deserves to run the show, because of how good he is. Seriously, sir, he could be a master chef, if he had a bit more patience.”
“OK, send him on over,” Dan said with a smile. “PFC? Care to join us or join your friends?”
“Sir, are you REALLY Captain Dan?”
“He is, PFC,” Mike added. “But his rank, now, is General, in honor of the commitment and tragedies he suffered during the recovery and the war.”
“Then would you mind joining my squad for breakfast?”
“We would be honored to,” Dan stated. “Please, lead the way.”
Once at the table, the PFC called out, “Hey, guys, make room for us?”
Some seat shuffling and Dan and Mike were seated across from each other, with three of four uniformed soldiers on either side.
“Martin, who did you bring with you?” another soldier asked. A corporal from his rank insignia.
“Just a couple of older soldiers who might be worth listening to.” The PFC said. “This is Major General Baker, Commanding Officer of the Fort.” Mike nodded to the various welcoming statements. “And this is Lieutenant General Curtis. We listened on the radio about him, back when he was known as Captain Dan.” And it was Dan’s turn to field introductions.
“So, the PFC and I were talking in the line about how an individual's heritage is important to the individual but should not, necessarily, be a defining part of the heritage of the nation,” Dan stated, leading the conversation away from him and his hero status. “I’m advising the President with some suggestions on the new rules, laws and such to help get our society back in order and on a solid path to true equality. Does anyone have any suggestions?”
“Actually, sir, I interrupted because you mentioned a 2-year interment for service and that got my attention. Being African-American, that coupled with your statements about education … it sounded a lot like racial bias and maybe even slavery, again. Sir.”
“Yes, it is true the new Department of Education, at the federal level will be much less involved with the educational systems of each state. It will be up to the people of the individual states to determine how far above the federally mandated minimum level of education they wish to live within. The minimum level required to meet Federal guidelines will be those most basic of skills needed to flourish in the 2-year civil service programs. No one will be exempt from their civil service. And each of the service opportunities will have their own benefits for serving. When you joined in the conversation, I was explaining that anyone who dropped out of school will find their civil service options seriously impacted because they may be missing specific skills need to succeed.” Dan explained. Mike sat eating and listening intently, ready to jump in and keep the conversations on target.
“Sir?”, a soldier at the end of the of table opened. “What about those, like myself, who were homeschooled? Does that mean public education is now an requirement?”
“Not at all,” Dan added. “In fact, the President’s daughter was homeschooled by his late wife. He is very aware of the challenges to homeschooling and wants to ensure that every opportunity is available to those who apply themselves. I used an example of dropout, previously. Perhaps that was a poor choice of words. Way back when I was considered a ‘gifted’ student. Unfortunately, we were in a small, poor town and the teachers just did not have the resources to challenge me to be a better student. Homeschooling, if it had been available, then it might have made a big difference in where my life went. As it was, I was a bored student who absorbed what was taught, usually before the teacher finished the presentation. I was able to see the next steps and often read ahead a chapter or two. My Science and Math teachers both hated and loved that I did that. But that is ancient history. The President’s goal is to return education the single most fundamental and needed profession in the nation. Without a great foundation, buildings cannot be built to withstand the ages. He wants us to be a global leader, again, like we used to be, even longer ago than my school days. We were the nation others wanted to come to, because of opportunity. Because of the freedoms, our citizens had to excel for themselves. And somewhere along the line that got eaten up with greed. Those in power helped their friends stay in positions of power and authority in business, education, and society. And we ended up being a divided nation. A ‘hyphenated society’ of many subcultures trying to stand alone rather than integrating into one.”
“So, pass the federal minimums and be able to succeed in the Civil Service or meet the state minimums and have more choices in life,” the same soldier asked.
“Yes. Exactly. Apply yourself to set yourself up for the jobs you want to work at.” Dan stated, after swallowing a mouthful of omelet. “Pass the salsa and hot sauce, please.”
“General,” Mike intervened, “Those are personal condiments that the mess hall does provide.”
“Oh!” Dan replied, surprised. “Thanks for letting me know. So, whose salsa and hot sauce is that?”
“It’s mine, sir.” Another soldier stated. “Please, help yourself.”
“Hang on a minute,” Dan said. “Are you offering because I’m a man at your table or because of my rank and position?”
“Uhm … uh, Both?”
“Then I will pay you for a portion of the condiments,” Dan said. “I doubt they are cheap and you are spending your own money on them. The least I can do is share in that expense if I am to share in enjoying them.”
“No, sir. I could not. You are a hero and it’s the least I can do to honor that.” The soldier said.
“Let’s take that statement apart, shall we?” Dan asked. “I asked for the condiments, not knowing they were individually owned. I was educated on that fact and asked for permission to have a portion. Can everyone agree with that?”
The table nodded.
“Great. Now the owner has graciously offered to share his bounty with a stranger.” Dan said. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
The consensus at the table was it was a good thing to share with others.
“So, when is not right to share with others?” Dan asked.
“When you have your own squirreled away.” Was the first response and from the table behind Mike.
“Or when you just live off that kindness rather than earning your own.” Was another from the table they were at.
“You should always be willing to share what you have with others who have less,” shared another voice.
“So, we have three different points of view on this,” Dan said.
“The first is that you should not ask others to share what they have when you have your own. Can we simplify that to ‘don’t be greedy at someone else’s expense’?”
Nods all around. Mike started getting nervous as there were many people gathering around the table. Three deep at the ends.
“The second is that we should not empower others to be greedy at our expense?”
Again, more nods.
“And lastly, to share what we have with others,” Dan said. “And this is the one I really want to come back to, in a moment. But first, I need to stand up for a moment.”
Once standing, Dan lifted a foot to the seat, opened a small zipper on the side of his running shoe to extract a key and a silver quarter. “Son, I would like to purchase your salsa and hot sauce. Will you accept this silver quarter as payment?”
“No, sir. I will not.” The young man stated. “I will share because I have enough to share. My mother made both and I like to share it. That is why I brought it with me, this morning. To share with my squad. They were working, this past weekend, while I was on leave to see my family. I believe it’s the least I can do, as they were working, while I was not.”
“In that case, soldier, I gratefully accept your generosity,” Dan said as he sat back down, the quarter on the table.
When both were handed to him, he put a small sample of each on each end of this omelet and took a bit, sampling them both, separately. “Both are very good, soldier. Thank you for allowing me a sample and for sharing with an old soldier. Does your mother have aspirations to go into business making and selling this wonderful recipe?”
“Thank you, sir.” He said. “She will be honored to know you enjoyed them. And no, she only makes it for the family. She does not have the skills to run a business. And she is afraid to partner with someone who can make it in volume. She thinks she will get ripped off.”
“I can respect both of those opinions,” Dan said.
“Now, back to where we were.” Dan continued to the gathered group. “Ignoring rank, was either of us wrong in this exchange?”
“You were, sir.” Came a voice from behind him, laced with anger.
Nodding and taking another bite of his omelet before answering. “How so?”
“Because you used your position of having money to tease that soldier into sharing what you do not need or deserve.”
“So, I bullied him into sharing what he had?” Dan asked, “Simply by offering to pay him for it?”
“Yes. You have money, he does not. He is surrounded by his friends, all of whom look up to you as some kind of hero. They worship who you are. The Savior of the American Way.”
“Ahh,” Dan said as he took another bite and a pause to gather his words, carefully. “Soldier, again, thank you for sharing, but do you agree with the other person behind me? Were you pressured into sharing what you had? Do you believe your friends would have had something negative to say about you, for NOT sharing or for accepting coin for what you have? And please, be honest. We are all adults here.”
“Honestly, sir?” the young man answered. “I am a bit intimated to be having breakfast with you, because of your rank and what you have done. But I shared, because you asked, politely. And because I was taught to share, when I could do so without risking injury to myself.”
“Thank you for your honesty,” Dan agreed. “And I like how you put that. You shared what you have because you could do so without risking injury to yourself. As soldiers, we may be put in a position to risk all we have for the good and safety of others. That is what we understood when we volunteered to be soldiers. But, there is also a limit to that, is there not?”
“I did not volunteer to die for someone else.” Came the same angry voice. “I signed up so I could eat, regularly. I come from a poor place near here and you turned my comfortable life into hell when you came through.”
“And how did I do that?” Dan asked, looking Mike in the eye, shaking his head, as he took the last bite of his now cold omelet.
“You put a whore in charge of my town, asshole!” The angry voice yelled, just as the attack came.
Dan’s face was put into his plate, causing a nosebleed and biscuit crumbs into his eye. Others behind him grabbed up the attacker as Mike stood, shouting loudly for them to stop.
Dan stood, wiping his face and pinching his nose. Someone handed him a towel. “Thanks, General, but, if I may?” Mike nodded, uncertainly.
“This is a fine mess hall. The staff in here, work hard to keep it clean and nice for our use. I will not sully their hard work with this. If there is to be an altercation, then it will happen, outside. As gentlemen. As soldiers. We do not fight where others will have to pay the price for it.” Dan said, loudly, as the mess sergeant was coming through the crowd of soldiers.
“Damn right!” he shouted. “If you want to fight, do it elsewhere, not in my mess hall!”
“Sage advice from a seasoned sergeant,” Dan said. “Now, someone has attacked me, from behind. That happens. We all need to be aware of our surroundings. This person has a personal issue with me, for my past actions. I’m assuming he is the son of the former mayor of a little town, here in Missouri. A mayor that was using a woman, a close friend of mine, as his party favor to stay in power. Her name is Nada. And her daughter, my Goddaughter is Eleanor.
“That would make this young person son of Mayor Bremsford?” Dan asked. “Tell me, son, did your Daddy take you to see Nada so she could make you a man? Were you in her book, too?”
“Yes, he did. And she was just the town whore until you came along and turned everything upside down!”
“And what do you want to do about that?” Dan asked, already knowing the answer.
“I want to kill you, you son of a bitch!” Bremsford screamed as he tried to charge, only to be stopped by others.
“General Curtis, this needs to be handled by the MP’s. He attacked an officer.” Mike stated, trying to put an end to the confrontation before anyone got hurt.
“I agree, General. But he did not attack an officer. He attacked another soldier, at mess.” Dan said. “One of the downfalls of having a rank-free mess and latrine.”
“He knew you were an officer. He knows you were Captain Dan. He heard others refer to you as General.” Mike stressed.
“Let the Court Martial officers determine which to hold him to, General,” Dan said.
“But this does bring us back to the questions over our meal,” Dan said. “In that small town, Nada had something others wanted. It was, often times taken from her. Against her consent. Then she was coerced into it. She had it, should she have been forced to share it when she did not want to?”
“It’s not the same thing, sir!” came a woman’s voice. “I’ve been raped. I know what that is like. And it’s not the same thing as sharing your salsa with a stranger over breakfast!”
“I know it’s not! “ Dan barked back. “And I never said it was. But I was using it as an example that not all things should be shared, just because someone has it and another wants it.”
“Thank you all, for a fine breakfast. Even you, Bremsford.” Dan said. “Though I wish we could have met under different terms. I would hav eliked to discuss with you your issues with me and what I did almost three years ago. Maybe you would not be so angry about it, now. By the way, how is your little town? How many were lost that first winter?”
“We survived, barely. The town turned on us. We lost everything, because of you,” he said. “If these people will let me go, I will kill you for what you did to my family! Asshole!”
“And what if you do kill me?” Dan asked. “What will that change?
“My mother could rest easier, having her death avenged. She died because of you!”
“Im truly sorry to hear that? How did she die?” Dan asked, stopping on the way to the door.
“She blew out her brains because her life was over. You ended her life. It took her a year, before she did it. Her depression and being cast out by her friends. You ruined our lives!” Bremsford screamed. “And if it’s the last thing I ever do, I will kill you. Just like you killed her!”
Quietly, Dan approached Mike. “Do you know where Captain Jill Woods went to?”
“She is here. I convinced her to stay in the Army and work with us, here. She wants to see you before you leave.” Mike stated. ”And I will have her talk with him.”
“I’ve been where he is, Mike. There is no talking him back from where he is.” Dan stated, simply. “He won’t be satisfied until he gets that rage out of him. He can never be a soldier until he expels it all. The only way to help him is to let him work it out of his system. Or lock him up with lots of therapy.”
“Dan? Are you proposing what I’m afraid you are proposing?”
“Bremsford? Do you consider yourself to be an honorable person?” Dan asked. “I mean if you promise something to someone, do you keep your word?”
“I’ve promised to kill you. And I will do just that.”
“6 AM, tomorrow morning,” Dan said. “You may get the chance. But know this, there will be a rule. It applies to both of us. Regardless who wins, the matter is over. Finished. Done. Neither we nor anyone on our behalf will carry it forward and create a threat to the other. Additionally, no weapons. Finally, come morning, if you have decided you do not wish to follow through, your decision will be respected and no one, NO ONE will criticize you for it. There are times to fight. There are times to not fight. But regardless, by 7 AM, tomorrow, this is over. Before all of these people, do you still wish to put forth a challenge and agree to these terms? These witnesses to hold you to your honor? From your heart, do you still wish to proceed?”
“Yes, I do. And I will kill you.” Bremsford growled.
“Then it is done,” Dan said. “In the morning you will have to again attest to your intent and acceptance of these rules. I do hope, that come morning, you have changed your mind, son. You have an opportunity, in the Army, to be more than your father brought you up to be. Please, take the day and think about what you are getting into.”
“I won’t change my mind,” Bremsford said. “I will kill you, in the morning.”
“The rest of you are all witnesses to this. Get the word around. He is to be allowed to go about his day. No one is to interfere in any way, beyond counsel and advice. He is not to be touched, in any way, by anyone. If anyone assaults Bremsford in an effort to stop him from making this mistake, they will answer to me.” Dan said firmly. “Make it known.”
Dan turned and left the mess hall.
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Post by bitsmith on Jun 30, 2018 17:19:51 GMT -6
Chapter Thirteen
Gibbens stuck his head in the door, after no answer to his knocking. “Major? Are you here? I have information for you.”
“Gibbens? Where the hell have you been? I sent you for coffee three days ago and you disappeared.”
“Sorry, sir. In my search for coffee, I learned that Captain Dan is NOT dead. He is near Camp Freedom, on Borken Bow Lake in Oklahoma. Also, sir, I learned he has a female friend in Thayer, Missouri. She may be able to answer some of your questions about the man.”
“Very good, Gibbens.” The Major replied. “Have the Captain get us as close to Thayer, as possible, then arrange for her to come to me.”
“Sir, I believe it may be more reasonable for us to go find her,” Gibbens replied. “As you stated, sir, you are not as revered, as Captain Dan, yet. She may not come, just because you invite her to.”
“Very well, Gibbens, make the arrangements,” the Major ordered. “Best speed. And I want to know more about this Captain Dan and what is truth and what is hype and marketing.”
“Yes, Major.”
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Post by bitsmith on Jun 30, 2018 20:23:07 GMT -6
Chapter Fourteen
At noon, Dan was on the parade field, with the Bastards, a collection of unassigned soldiers and the Drill Sergeants. Dan smiled when he saw them all marching on to the field, in formation. Each slightly leaning forward at the hips. When dispersed they broke formation, barking young men and women into squads and platoons. There are were far more instructors than were needed. For the company sized gathering. As the unassigned were being gathered up, the Bastards fell into a formation, beside the podium platform. Dan climbed upon it as the Drill instructors started marching the mass towards the podium.
“General! U Company is assembled!”
Dan smiling at the man’s temperament, he called out, “Have the company stand easy, Sergeant.”
“Company! Parade Rest!” he barked over his shoulder. Other instructors then marched into the company, correcting the outliers and adjusting individuals who were out of position.
Dan waited until all the instructors had left the formation.
“Men and Women of Uniform Company! I am General Daniel Curtis!”
“Bastard!” Came the call from Dan’s own people.
“Formerly known as Captain Dan.”
“Hero!”
“You all have been gathered here to correct an issue with how you have been treated,” Dan called out. “You are soldiers, but you are unassigned. You do not have jobs or duties you are responsible for. And you are of a variety of ranks. Even these Drill Sergeants have been unassigned and wanting of people to train to be soldiers. And I’m sorry that you all have been so mistreated. We are here, now, to correct this issue. These Drill Sergeants are going to take charge of you as a group.”
“Hoowah!” the Bastards called out.
“They will train you to be the new soldiers this nation needs.”
“Like us!” again that bastards called out.
“You have had it easy for some time. Paid for doing nothing, hiding from responsibilities, avoiding work.” Dan shouted. “That is over. If any of you do not wish to be soldiers, fall out to my left.”
A bit more than a dozen soldiers fell out to the left of the podium. Dan nodded to one of the Drill Sergeants who took charge of them, marching them into the Admin building behind him.
“Thank you for volunteering for the Army. Once inside, you will be out processed. An ‘Other than Honorable Discharge’. That means that you were here and decided to no longer be a soldier. Much like politely telling a civilian supervisor that you are not happy with your job and would like to seek employment elsewhere. No harm. No foul. Your military record will state you requested to be released from your contract. If anyone else wishes to join them, do so, now.”
Dan waited for a full ten count, before continuing.
“Very well, then. You are all Trainees. If you have rank, you will maintain it. The Drill Sergeants will tell you the rest. This is a new trainee program. There will be hiccups. There will be mistakes, all around. But I guarantee you, that if you put in the effort, these men and women will make the best soldier this nation has ever seen. We believe in having our newest Privates through to our Sergeants Major be the most effective soldiers on the planet. Not just as killing machines, but as leaders, teachers, supporters and nation builders. If you are qualified, upon completion of this new training program, you will be recommended for the new Officer Training Program. This program is being designed with the idea of sending one to three officers with supporting non-commisioned officers and soldiers to help rebuild towns. Wade into a civil mess and help the town get back on their feet, again. Perhaps you are here, because the town you come from, the place you call home, was no place to stay. A place with no future. Or a place where justice just had not caught up with, yet. It will be the responsibility of our newest soldiers, you in this new training program to help those towns get back on their feet, again. Or if necessary, move to another town that they can be a part of.”
“Again, I call out for anyone who does not wish to be a part of this, fall out, now. Do not waste your time, or ours, if you are not going to work at being a part of this.”
Two more fell out. One of the previous ran around to the front of the stage.
“Do you mean it? That we will be helping our homes get back on their feet?”
“Yes, I do mean it. But you will not be going back to your own homes. You will be assigned to another town, far from your own home. You will be expected to do your best in that town. Same as you would expect your brothers and sisters here to do the same in your hometown.” Dan said. “If you wish to stay, and be a part of that mission, then fall back in with your new family.”
The man ran back towards the company. One of the Drill Sergeants snagged him up and put him in a different platoon than where he had been.
“Are there any other questions?”
“Sir? Why not our own hometowns? If we are from there, we already know who to work with to make the right changes.”
“That is exactly why. You are known there. You have ties there. It would be far too easy to put people into leadership positions that really should not be because you believe in them. Who we have in our hearts as leaders may not be the right leader for a place. That is how it must be. Maybe your Daddy is not the best person in the town to be mayor. The team that goes in, must be able to walk in with untainted eyes. To put the right person in place, right then. Perhaps your Daddy is already mayor. That is fine. Our soldiers going in to help rebuild that town will support that mayor, to reach the end goal of the town being self-reliant.”
Dan waited a moment, before asking, “Any other questions?”
“Are you really going to kill Bremsford, in the morning?”
“I hope he comes to his senses and that does not have to happen, in the morning,” Dan stated. “But, yes. That young man has issues with how I helped put a town back on its feet, a few years ago. I helped throw out a corrupt leadership. The new leadership was elected by the townspeople. His family was a part of the problem and of the corrupt leadership. As others were going without, they were taking what they wanted.”
Another called out, “Will we learn to be real killers?”
“You will be taught and trained to be Soldiers. Big S Soldiers. Soldiers that know how to kill and more importantly WHEN to kill. And when to walk away.”
“Then why don’t you just walk away?” the same person asked. One of the Drill Sergeants started to approach him.
“Sergeant. It is a fair question.” Dan answered. “Because if I do walk away, I will, for a long time, have to be looking back over my shoulder. This young man is intent on harming me. He has sworn, repeatedly, to kill me. He is a troubled young man. He suffered great loss after I left that small town. And he blames me for it.”
“So you will sentence him to die?” the young man called out. “You will kill him, just so you can sleep safer, at night?”
“I will put an end to his threats. I do not wish to kill him. I do not wish to harm him. I would much prefer that he put an end to his threats and that this comes to an end, peacefully.” Dan said. “If you know him, speak with him. Beg him to reconsider the road he is on. That is all I have to say about tomorrow morning. Any other questions?”
“Very well. Your Drill Sergeants will now start working with you. Learning your skills, your expertise, and your dreams. Be honest with them. They will be in a rush as there are many of you that need to be sorted. Sergeants, be honest with them. Be direct. Train them and train them well.”
“Sir!” they all shouted back.
The Senior Drill Sergeant saluted Dan. Dan returned the salute. The man then executed a perfect about-face.
“Attennnnntion!”
“Riiiiiiiight-Face!”
“Fooorwarrrrrrrd March!”
Dan watched as the company was marched off the parade field.
“Sir?” Oatmeal called up to Dan.
“Yes, Miller?” Dan replied.
“Sir, will you really kill him? Bremsford, I mean.”
“I sure hope I don’t have to,” Dan said.
“Sir, we can take care of him, if you want.”
“No!” Dan barked.
“Now you all listen to me. If you are worried about me, thank you. If you are worried about him, good. That means you still have a heart. Having a heart is a good thing. It is because I know the anger this young man feels that I am doing this. I know how that hatred can consume you. Limit your field of vision. Delete options because you hurt so much, you can not see any other way out. Remember when we were hunting Reaper? I was in that place that this young man is in, now. My wives were dead. Those I loved most dear taken from me. And my family, all of you, in danger because of him. For what he did this morning, he could be court-martialed, tossed in prison and maybe, with a lot of therapy come out a balanced individual. Or, he may have the chance to heal himself, if he faces his hatred head-on.”
“Is that why you did not kill the Reaper when you had the chance?” Jones asked.
“Yes, HotShot. That is exactly why. I came to my senses. I had him in my hands I had his life in my hands. I could have delivered unto him, the same he gave me for a very long time. I could have become just like him. Or, I could be more than him. Better than him. And I’m hoping that in the morning, Bremsford will decide that he can be better than me.” Dan explained. “And if any of you decide to speak with him, do not threaten him. Encourage him to be more than me. But do not interfere with his decision. I’m sure there are a lot of people giving him counsel, today. Some will be telling him to kill me. Either because they want the entertainment. They don’t like me. Or they don’t like him. It is the ones who just want the entertainment that scare me the most. They are the ones who want to return to the way things were. You all remember ‘Reality TV’, right? Those fake dramatic competitions? People watched them just so they could see someone having a worse day than themselves. They wanted someone else to stand on, so they could feel better about their own lives. That is the mindset of those who will be there, in the morning, looking to be entertained. In the morning, I want you all to be there. To keep the crowd from going out of control. I want you all to realize and to share that this is a shame. The Bremsford is putting his life and his future at risk. Also, if any of you see Captain Woods, let her know what is happening, in the morning, if she does not know, already.”
“I heard, already.” She said from where she was, behind the stage. “I was worried about you initiating this. But I see you are not. I have spoken with Bremsford, already. You are correct. He is not going to let this go. He would have hunted you down, had he not been pushed into acting this morning.”
“Did I push him?” Dan asked. “Or was someone else pushing his buttons?”
“I believe someone else is pushing his buttons. And you pulled him in.” She said. “As he is, right now, he will not back down in the morning.”
“Then get him quarantined and speak with him,” Dan said. “Get him isolated so he can think for himself. Counsel him, please!”
“I will try. If he will even speak with me.” She promised.
“And take a Chaplain with you,” Dan said. “Convince the Chaplain to help you convince him that there is nothing to be gained in this, but everything to be lost.”
“Dan? Are you scared of him?”
“Scared of him? No. Not really. I don’t know if he can fight, or not. That really does not matter. All he would need is a lucky hit or two and that could be the end of it for me. The same could have happened this morning in the training.” Dan said. “Honestly, I’m more afraid of what is going to happen to him. I’ve already died. More than once. He has his whole life ahead of him, still. I’m afraid that it will come to an end, tomorrow morning.”
“Dan, the Colonel, I mean the General, wanted me to evaluate you, as well,” Woods said. “He is worried about you. And he is worried you may be angry at Bremsford. I can honestly tell him that you are not. And that you have the right fears for the right reasons. You do not want this, but you also see that is the logical consequence of past actions.”
“Yes. Exactly. And in the morning, When I explain to everyone what is going on, I will explain it just that way. That the young man has been hurt by my actions and over time, that hurt has festered until he is blinded by hate and pain. And it must come to an end.” Dan said. “I must own this consequence. And what follows he must own.”
“I will try to speak with him, again.”
“Thanks, Jill,” Dan said. “Are there any other questions? No? Good. Go find those Drill Sergeants. Help them sort and filter those trainees into career paths. Try your damnedest to convince them to NOT want to be SpecOps. Share the horrors. Share the guilt you each have. Wilson? Tony? HotShot? Can you guys do that, please? We need good, dedicated clerks even more than we need SpecOps soldiers, right now.”
“You got it, sir.” LT Wilson stated. “And I agree with you on everything. There comes a time when you have to hurt someone to stop them from hurting themselves or trying to hurt you. Maybe when you have a chance, you could go back to Thayer and check in on your friend? See how the town has survived since you left it.”
“Thanks, LT. But I’m not sure that would be a good idea.” Dan said, grinning. “At least not without some recon, first.” Half the team’s hands went up, volunteering to go.
“Nope. You all have training assignments. Go to them.” Dan said.
After they all cleared away, Dan climbed off the stage to find himself face to face with Bremsford.
“I heard all you had to say about me.” He said. “About how pathetic I am all because I miss my Mommy. This is about more than that, you asshole. Who made you God to ride into my hometown and erase our way of life? Huh? You decided you did not like it because your precious whore was giving it up to everyone in town? Where were you when that started?”
“I was living a life you have no idea about. Situations you can not even imagine the pain of.” Dan said. “Please, just go. This will be settled in the morning, one way or the other. Take the time you have to decide what guarantee you want in the morning.”
“Make peace with your pagan gods, asshole. Tomorrow you die.” Bremsford spit in Dan’s face.
“Bremsford, there are some very good people who are going to come to talk with you. They want to put an end to this insanity before anyone gets hurt. One of them is Woods. She is a very good psychologist. She knows the human mind and emotions. And she knows how to help people get past them. She has helped me when I was in the same place you are. Listen to her. Talk to her. Let her try to help you. To help us both. That is the only guarantee that we both have for surviving the morning.” Dan said. “I don’t want to die, in the morning. And I don’t want to have to hurt you, either.”
“Don’t worry about hurting me, old man,” Bremsford said as he walked away. “I will be the only one leaving the ring alive, in the morning.”
“Dan?” Mike called from the door into the Admin building.
“Yeah, Mike?”
“I heard all of that,” Mike said. “You really don’t want to hurt him, do you?”
“No, I don’t. But I’m afraid that until he has the chance to face his hatred, head on, he does not have a chance of getting clear of himself.”
“I was going to wait until morning and put an end to this, then. But, I can see, that will not happen. He will find you and force you to fight, somewhere else. Someplace uncontrolled. Someplace that will become a mob beating you, not just him.” Mike said. “It won't be a fair fight, in the morning. He does not know what he is doing.”
“No, he does not. And that is the worst part about it all.” Dan said. “In the morning, I want the Bastards working security with the MPs. There will be a crowd to see the spectacle. Could easily become a riot, either way, it goes.”
“I was thinking the same thing,” Mike said. “Jill thinks you are sane, for a change.”
“Well, that says a lot, doesn’t it?”
“Come on, let’s get you doing something else. Take your mind off of this situation.” Mike suggested.
“Thanks, Mike. But I think I would rather just be alone for a while.” Dan said. “I created this situation, by doing what I thought was the right thing. Fixing a broken town. Bringing some law and order and justice to a bad situation. Maybe I overreacted because my friend was involved. Maybe … There is always a maybe. I own this, too, Mike. I make choices. This is the consequence of those choices. But I do not have to own the pain that young man is in. He is blind to it. I hope that Jill and a chaplain can get through to him.”
“Dan, given what happened, I believe you did the right thing. And as you said, this is a consequence of that.” Mike said. “At least take a radio and a Bastard with you. I don’t want you alone. He has friends on this post.”
“I sent all of the Bastards to help with the trainees,” Dan said.
“The go be with the trainees,” Mike said. “That should help you and maybe you can help them.”
Dan nodded as I turned to walk away.
From the open doorway, Dan could hear the Drill Sergeants shouting orders, keeping everyone confused. Even the Bastards were a part of it.
Dan stepped into the open door, yelling “DOWN! Every one of you DOWN! On your faces! NOW!”
A third of them just dropped onto their faces. Another third skipped a beat, looked around before dropping to their faces. The last third just stood there, confused and uncertain, dumbfounded like deer in headlights on a dark road.
The Drill Sergeants looked around, as well, to see what was going on.
“First off, those of you who hit the ground first. You are right. And you are wrong. Those of you that waited a moment, before getting down is wrong. Those of you who did nothing are dead.” Dan said. He looked around to see nodding Round Browns.
“You do not take orders from some strange sumbitch who happened to stick his head through the door and start yelling orders.
“You do not stutter a moment, evaluate the situation and then eat dirt.
“And you do not stand around with your thumb up your ass while trying to figure it out.
“Jones! Why did I say those still standing would be dead?”
“Because they took no action, sir,” Jones answered.
“Miller! What does that mean?”
“It means be decisive. Right or wrong. Take action. And own that action.”
“But it does not mean putting your fellow soldiers at risk!” shouted one of the Drill Sergeants.
“Exactly. A split second to recognize your situation and take action is too long.” Dan agreed. “Drill Sergeants, What would you have done, if I stuck my head through that door and shouted GRENADE!”
As one, they answered, “Eaten dirt!”
“Why?”
One answered for all “To live to kill the sumbitch who threw in a grenade, sir.”
“Your chain of command starts with these men and women in the brown hats. These men and women are responsible for your training on how to survive in dangerous situations. These men and women are your lifelines.” Dan said.
“My Bastards are here to help you. To present you with a target. An example of what you CAN be. And what you can be MORE than.” Dan said.
“Sir?” one of the men still on his face asked.
“Yes. Recover.” Dan said. All of them stood up. And the Drill Sergeants went apeshit on them, ordering them back down with ‘He was not talking to you!’ and ‘Who do you think you are?’ or ‘GET BACK DOWN THERE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO MOVE!’
Looking around the young soldier was suddenly very aware of his situation. Angry Drill Sergeants glaring at him.
“Well? What is it?” Dan asked, impatiently.
“Why were we wrong to drop immediately?”
“Drill Sergeant? Would you, please, answer this trainees question?” Dan asked.
“Yes, Sir!” the woman said. She smartly marched herself to face the young man. “You stand at attention when speaking to a General unless he tells you otherwise. “ She yelled in his face. “He already told you why, maggot! You followed the orders of someone NOT in your chain of command! If we were in combat and you did that shit you could end up dropping a bomb right in the middle of your own company. THAT is why. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, Drill Sergeant!”
“Gooooood.” She said with a syrupy tone, before changing it up and screaming for him to start doing pushups until he was ordered to stop. As the trainee dropped to his face, she pointed to one of the Bastards who immediately dropped in beside the trainee, keeping a hand on the young man’s back, providing resistance to the pushups, at the same time, encouraging him, quietly on form, tempo and rhythm.
“Sir, is there something, in particular, we can help you with?” the Senior Drill Sergeant asked.
“Yes, Drill Sergeant. I came to retrieve a few of the Bastards. I have another duty for them if you can spare them.”
“We have a few, here, sir, and the rest are next door.” He said, pointing the way.
Dan made eye contact with Wilson, Tony, and Pemberton.
“As you were, Drill Sergeants,” Dan said before leaving.
Once outside, Dan turned to the others. “Alright, we go running into the other building yelling ‘Incoming’ and duck behind the walls,” Pemberton said, with an evil grin on his face.
“No. Because the instructors could end up dropping, too, and that would not be the right message.” Dan said. You three hang out here. I will go in for who I am looking for.”
Dan went inside, quietly, alone. He stayed to the wall, quietly working his way around the room.
“Attention!” One of the Drill Sergeants called out. All the trainees jumped to attention. One of the other Drill Sergeant’s stepped forward, saluting Dan. “General! How can I help you?”
Dan returned the salute. “Drill Sergeant, I came to retrieve a couple of my Bastards. I have another assignment for them. Unless you need them, that is. The training of these new soldiers is important.”
“Thank you, sir. We are a bit overloaded, at the moment for the number of trainees we have. I can spare three, sir.”
“Three is exactly the number I need, Sergeant,” Dan said with a wink. He made eye contact with Miller, Hotshot, and Elliot gave a single nod towards the door.
Then Dan saw it. One of the trainees trying to subtly flip the Drill Sergeant the bird, behind his back. Dan marched right up to that trainee. Less than an inch from his nose he started yelling “Do that again! Do that to me! Go on, DO IT! DO IT! If you have something to say, SAY IT!”
“I have nothing to say, Sir!”
“I don’t think so! Tell the Drill Sergeant what I saw you do! DO IT! Tell him!” the young man did nothing. “Drill Sergeant! What do the regs say about hitting a trainee that shows a disrespectful manner?”
“Sir! The regs state that a Drill Instructor is NOT to have hostile contact with the trainees. However, sir, you are NOT a Drill Instructor.” As one, every Drill Sergeant executed an about-face maneuver so they all had their backs to Dan.
“You little maggot,” Dan ground out between his teeth. “Do you see what they have done? That is so they can honestly testify that they did not see me beat you half to death with your own middle finger. That is so they can honestly testify they did not see me break it off of your hand and shove it so far up your ass it comes back out your nose! You did it! Take ownership of your actions. Or I swear to all the gods, your life as a soldier will be the very worst possible. You will be on KP duty followed by latrine duty. And I don’t mean digging them, I mean cleaning them! Are you going to soldier the hell up and take ownership or am I going to start kicking your ass as a warm-up for Bremsford, in the morning?”
“Ownership, Sir,” he said, “I will take ownership.”
Dan stepped back. “Faaaace ME!” he ordered. The Drill Sergeants snapped back to face him. So did a few of the trainees.
“Senior Drill Sergeant! This trainee has something he wishes to share with you.” Dan said barely a half step away from him.
“Well? What is it? The General does not have all day to wait for you grow a pair!”
“I was being disrespectful while your back was turned, Drill Sergeant.” He said, quietly.
Dan leaned in, quietly he asked: “Is that what you have to say?” The young man nodded as Dan stepped away from him. “THEN OWN IT! ADMIT TO IT! YOU DID WRONG SO TAKE THE PUNISHMENT FOR IT!” Dan yelled like he was ready to start beating on the trainee. “DO IT! AGAIN! OWN IT!”
“Drill Sergeant! While your back was turned I made an inappropriate and disrespectful gesture!” the young man sounded off.
Dan backed off, turned on his heel and started marching away only to stop after a handful of steps.
“These men and women who are your Drill Sergeants … They deserve your respect. They are your teachers. They will break you down so they can make soldiers of you. What they teach you may save your life, someday. What they have to teach you may help you save a life, someday. Don’t ever lower yourself to a common thug by using such vulgar actions. If you have something to say, say it. At the right time and at the right place. If you do not the right time or place, ask. They are here to teach you. Learn from them. Be the Soldiers they see you being able to be.”
“Drill Sergeants, as you were.”
Dan waited outside, looking through a window as the Senior Drill Instructor demonstrated a full-on display of disgust with the disrespectful manner the young man put on. Dan was spotted by one of the others, behind the trainees who gave him a grin and a wink. Dan felt better that he had not gone too far and that they had it under control. Dan was confident the young man would regret his display and that the sergeants would not abuse him.
As Dan walked away, Miller asked “Sir? What was that about?”
“The kid was flipping off the sergeant in a way his buddies could see it, but the other drill sergeants might not have,” Dan said. “I did the same thing before Basic even officially started, and I got busted for it, too.”
“Man, I thought you were going to rip that kid’s head off!” Tony said.
“Captain? Are you OK?” Wilson asked. “This is not like you.”
“I honestly do not know, men,” Dan admitted. “And to be truthful with you, that scares me. I’m on the edge of no control. I’m worried what that will mean in the morning.”
Pemberton touched the back of Dan’s neck. “Well, you are worried about something, sir. Those short hairs are on end and they are not relaxing for anything.”
“Look, men, tomorrow morning may go really bad,” Dan said.
“Sir, he won’t beat you,” HotShot said, jovially. “He does not have a clue how to actually fight.”
“That is only a part of what I’m worried about, Jones,” Dan said. “I feel like I stepped into a trap that has not sprung, yet. If I beat him too badly in the morning, there could be a riot. If there is no fight, there could be a riot. If he wins, in the morning, there could be a riot. That is why I want you all working security with the MPs. That young man needs to burn off his anger and hatred or it will eat him alive. And he will end up alone for the rest of his life. There is too much life to be lived to live it alone. This will be my last mission. After we find this EMP, I’m done. Actually retiring. I’m going to just disappear and not be found, again. I’m 50 years old running around and getting into fights like I’m a twenty-something.”
“Hotshot, Oatmeal, go find Woods. Have her find us at the vehicles.” Wilson ordered. “Sir, you need to relax. You are finding and fighting ghosts.”
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Post by udwe on Jun 30, 2018 22:14:12 GMT -6
Wow! Like I said before, I'm so glad you brought Dan back!
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Post by bitsmith on Jul 1, 2018 11:04:24 GMT -6
Chapter Fifteen
“Sir,” Wilson started as soon as found General Baker, “Can we speak, privately?”
“Wilson, Sure, give me just a minute.” Mike said as he turned to those in his office. “And I will be certain to speak with the General about his men being held up as examples. I’m certain he was referring to the men’s attitude and readiness, not the shit storms they have been through, following him. Or their dedication to him as a leader. Let’s met again, in a week to review the changes. Have a good day, gentlemen, and ladies.”
Wilson waited as the room cleared.
“How is he, Willie?” Mike asked recognizing the man’s visible change in character.
“Sir, something is not right with him. Ever since he covered the President in that explosion … I don’t know, sir. He’s just different. I mean picking a fight with a PFC? Really? And now, he is so worried about it … I think he is making himself physically ill.” Wilson said. “I had Pemberton look him over. His blood pressure is through the roof. Nervous energy. Edgy. Irritable. There is more to this than just some punk needing an attitude adjustment. If I did not know better, I would say he was mixing coke and steroids. His paranoia is through the roof. And this situation has brought up his shorthairs about his friend Nada in Thayer. That is where the kid is from.”
“Wait, you said he is worried about her enough that his shorthairs are standing out?”
“Like a brush.” Wilson advised.
“I don’t believe in the supernatural, LT. But I do believe in his intuition. Let me see what I can do about getting him in touch with her, today.”
“Sir, I’m worried about his lack of control. He could kill that kid, in the morning.”
“It won’t come to that.” Mike said. “I will put them both in the stockade, if I have to, just to keep them both alive.”
“Unfortunately, sir, that would only make things worse. The kid would stew more and Dan will still carry the guilt of that kid being unhinged.” Wilson advised. “At this rate, they must resolve it, between themselves.”
“Willie, the only way that battle is going to happen is both are in full pads. And I will talk with Dan about taking a dive.”
“You expect him to lie, sir?”
“To save that kid’s life, yes, I believe he will.” Mike said.
“Sir? Really?” Wilson asked, getting loud. “You want to convince him to take a dive, in the morning, to take a beating so that punk will think he is right? That Dan is the cause of his problems? Sir, I think you need to talk with Woods about that plan. It may save lives, but it will destroy them both.”
“You think it is that bad?”
“Sir, I KNOW it will be that bad.” Wilson stated emphatically, “Dan would not have let it get this bad, on his worst day if it was not needed. I’m certain he does not intend to hurt the kid. But I can not guarantee that he won’t take a hit and go full butcher on the kid. Pads or no pads. Jill hates this kind of violence. But she also has stated if the kid can not be convinced to let go of his pain, this is the quickest way to get him through it. And as long as he has been carrying this, he is not likely to just let it go. Dan has put himself into a no win situation.”
“Wilson, of all the people I have served with, Dan is the only one I trust to find an exit from a no-win situation. He drug us through more than one of them.” Mike said, thinking aloud. “OK. Here is what we will do. Rules. Head gear, gloves. Protect both men from seriously hurting each other. Dan will respect that.”
“The kid won’t. He wants to KILL Dan. Not just beat him.” Wilson said.
“And the kid will have to get accustomed to disappointment!” Mike shouted with frustration.
Taking a deep breathe, Mike stepped back behind his desk to look out the window at the parade grounds. People were setting up grand stands and boxing ring. “I’m sorry, Willie. I should not have shouted at you like that. I agree, there is more to this than just this kid. Can Pemberton give him a sedative to help him sleep some of it off?”
“Do you want him hungover in the ring, in the morning?” Wilson asked.
“Yes, I do. If it will help keep him from killing that kid, then yes, I do.” Mike stated.
“I will have Jill get him a sedative. The stuff Pemberton has is not for nerves, but for injury pain.” Wilson shared.
“Right. That makes sense.” Mike nodded. “And she will know the amount to give, too. Do you know where she is?”
“Last I heard, she was with the kid. I sent Oatmeal and HotShot after her, for Dan.”
“Radio them and have her detoured to here, first.” Mike ordered.
“Yes, sir.” Wilson acknowledged the order, before turning to leave.
“And Willie?” Mike called out, “Thanks for being such a good friend to him. He has lost so much, friends like you are all he has left to rely on.”
“Same to you, Mike. Same to you.” Wilson said, dropping all military protocols of rank.
“Bremsford,” Jill said to the young man. “You have been carrying this pain of your mother’s loss for a long time. It is like a poison in you. Dan did not kill her. She killed herself. She was embarrassed that your father was such a creep as to take a woman against her will, multiple times, as he did. She was horrified at how the town was treating her, after. How the town was treating you. But Dan did not kill her. She took her own life. You must see that.”
“Look, Captain, I don’t have to see shit. You are a part of the problem. You are with him. Trying to help him by keeping me from killing him, in the morning.” Bremsford said in a quiet seething tone. “And there is nothing you can say or do that will change my mind. He may not have pulled the trigger, but he set it up so she would die. I want him to pay for what he did to our town!”
The Chaplain stepped in, at this point, “Tell me, James, what DID happen to your town?”
“Captain Dan come through. He ruined it all. My Dad was Mayor. He and the Chief of Police ran the town and we were comfortable. We were not hungry. We had a nice house and still had running water and everything.
“The Chief had a woman, his niece I think. He traded her to men. I think he used her daughter to keep her in line. Even her own parents turned their backs on her. And she would be with anyone the Chief sent to her.
“Then Dan came into town. Killed the nephew of the Chief when they tried to car jack him up the mountain from town. He was just passing through, with a short visit to see Nadia and her daughter. Supposedly they had been an item at one time.” Bremsford related.
“So, let me get this straight. Dan’s friend was being used and sold, by her uncle?” the Chaplain asked.
“Yeah. It was her choice to stay and do what the Chief told her to do. She could have left, anytime she wanted. All she had to do was walk up the mountain.”
“With her daughter, too? How many days of supplies could she have carried for her and her daughter?”
“I don’t know, maybe a week?” Bremsford guessed. “And when that ran out she could have just laid on her back and earned more.”
“Would her daughter have been safe in that kind of environment?” Woods asked. “Or would she have been raped, too?”
“She was too young to sleep with that way. Only 9 or 10.”
“And you don’t think that would matter to some people?” Woods pushed.
“I guess not.” Bremsford said, suddenly looking ill.
“So, Bremsford,” the Chaplain started, “What if the little girl had been someone important to you? Would you have shaken up the town to protect her? Are you that kind of man to protect such a small girl from the lust of bad and evil men?”
“My father was not a bad or evil man! He was only providing for my mother and me!” Bremsford cried. “Until Captain Dan rolled through and told lies about him to everybody in town. That bitch lied about him having been to be with her. When my mother confronted her in big meeting the Mayor and Chief put together for Dan and his wife, that bitch’s mother slugged her! Out of embarrassment, my mother left my Dad as he was being arrested by the town. The next week was a trial. The whore would not testify about other men who came to see her. Only those who were on trial. Only those who were in charge. After that, her father was asked to be mayor. And he turned it down. When my mother was asked to be mayor, I thought maybe everything would get back to normal. But that bitch stopped it with just one comment at church. She asked something about trusting a woman to know what was going on in the town, when she did not know what was going on in her own marriage. That turned everyone away from my mother, though she was the most qualified. Some old man was put in charge of finding a mayor. Some kind of war veteran in an old uniform. After a month, we did not have a chief or a mayor and the town was moving forward. About a third of the town left and others moved into those vacant houses. Some of them were run off for being thieves, by the towns people. The town voted to be run by a council, rather than a mayor. And my mother was never the same. She shot herself in the head a week after the new city council was sworn in.”
“So, back to my question, Bremsford.” The Chaplain pushed, again, “What if the little girl had been important to you? Would you have done anything protect her? Or would you have let evil men do evil things to her? Just so you and your mom could be comfortable and not have to work like everyone else?”
“What’s not how it was!” he cried. “I worked! I worked every day! I had to provide for Mom. She was a manager and no one would hire her for anything, because of my father.”
‘Wait. Because of your father or because of Dan?”
Bremsford sat there stunned.
“Son, your father and the Chief of Police broke that town. They were abusing a woman in bad situation and making her their slave. It sounds like the little girl was in danger, too. Then Captain Dan changed up the town for better. He ended the corruption and freed that woman and her daughter. Don’t you see, son? It was the choices of your father that created the problem, long before Dan ever showed up.”
“That’s not true!” Bremsford cried loudly. Then, not so loudly, “My father was a great man. A good man. He could have been governor, some day. If Dan never came to town.”
“If Dan never came or if justice never came?” Jill asked.
“Bremsford, I think you need to reflect on your memories. Sort out what is real and what is emotion. Decide the kind of man you want to be. Then decide if this the path that kind of man should be on.” The Chaplain said. “You are confined to your barracks, for your own safety. But if you wish to talk with either of us, just ask the MPs at the door. They will find us.”
Jill took the young man’s hand in hers. “Can I tell you something no one else knows, Bremsford? Something about Captain Dan and the kind of man he is? Something that almost happened to me, but he prevented it?”
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Post by bitsmith on Jul 1, 2018 12:16:48 GMT -6
Chapter Sixteen
Woods sat still for a moment, gathering her thoughts, before she started.
“We were in Kentucky, near the Captain’s home. The Captain was having a rough day with his step-mother. She was a handful and he could never do right enough. Always a disappointment in that he failed to live up to his potential, as far as she was concerned.” Jill explained, stopping to take a breath.
“I know what that’s like. My mom often told me I was destined to be a great man if I would only live up to my potential.” Bremsford shared.
“So, Dan decided to escape for the day. He invited me to take a ride with him on his big motorcycle. We went for hours riding the curvy roads and hills around Lake Cumberland. Eventually, we stopped for gas and to hydrate. It was a beautiful day and where we stopped was an outlook over the lake, near the dam. I remember looking out past the dam at the mist that was hanging over the water. Dan explained to me that was because the water coming out the bottom of the damn was very cold and the air over it very humid, so the mist formed, like a fog. And he said it was great for trout fishing.”
“Sounds like a nice place.” Bremsford agreed. “We had trout in the little river that divided town. But mostly just blue gill and sunfish. Some catfish.”
“Anyway, there was an outhouse in this outlook spot. A few picnic tables and so on. I went into the outhouse but did not come back out for a while. I was not alone in there. A man was waiting for any women that came in. He had a really big knife and was hiding in one of the stalls. When I finished my business he was waiting for me, outside of the stall I used.” Woods shared, her voice getting softer. Her eyes filling with tears. “He waived that knife in my face and I froze. ‘Not a sound’ he hissed at me. I remember it like the hiss of a snake. With his free hand, he grabbed my belt, swinging my against the wall. I hit my head and was dazed. Then he spun me around him and threw me against the wall, again.
“When I fell to the ground, he stood over me cutting my shirt off of me. Then my t-shirt. Then my bra. I became aware of what he was doing, as he was sitting on my thighs, kissing and licking my breasts. His fingers squeezing them, painfully with his knife at my throat I could not struggle.” She stopped to take a shuddering breath, before continuing. “Unzip me, he hissed, as he moved his knife against my throat. So I did. As he told me to, I fished his out of his filthy shorts and jeans. As he continued to lick and bite and kiss me, I just held him in my hand, shaking with fear. Afraid I was going to die.”
“Then the man was suddenly not there, anymore. I was laying on that cold dirty, nasty concrete floor alone, watching Dan disassemble the man. With his own knife. Dan was so angry. So filled with rage that he cut that man into pieces. And I don’t mean he sawed at the man with the knife. No, Dan hit him so fast and so hard with that blade that it cut through bone. I saw Dan slice the man’s arm off at the elbow with a single swing. And he did not stop. Finally, it was over. The man was beyond dead. Dan helped me up from the floor and sent me out to the motorcycle. He put the pieces of that man down the toilets into the septic tank beneath the building.”
“Dan was covered in blood from the attack. He just walked over to me. Held me by my shoulders for a moment, looking into my eyes. He nodded once, then got on the bike. Waived me to join him, without a word. We then went down to the bottom of the dam, to where that ice cold water was. Parked on a small beach there. Dan took my hand and together he walked me into that ice cold water. He tenderly washed me. Gently he cleaned away the spit and saliva that beast had left on me. He convinced me to sit in that cold water as I was still processing what had happened. I was in that water up to my neck, sitting on the sandy bottom. Still clothed, he dove into the deeper water, where he stood and washed the blood off himself. Then he took my hand, led me out of that water. Started a camp fire for us and sat with me, until I was comfortable. He wrapped me in a blanket and gave me his his shirt to wear. We stayed there, that night. He sat beside me, but not near me. Close enough to hear a whisper or a whimper. I held out my hand and he held it. He gave me strength to understand what had happened to me.”
“A man tried to rape me. WAS raping me and he saved me.” She said, gathering her composure from the nightmare she was recalling. “He never touched me, that night or ever again. He has a hard time shaking my hand or even giving me a hug when we have not seen each other in two years. Not because of what happened to me. I am not dirty in his eyes. He fears that I will recoil from him because of the things he has done. How he reacted when I was being abused and taken advantage of. He knows that what happened to me was not my choice. And yet he is still afraid I will have an issue with him, because of what he did to that animal who was raping me. And he barely knew me. He asked me to ride with him, that day, because he wanted to talk with me about his need for counseling. We have never had that conversation. And I could never be a good counselor to him, because of the debt I owe him and the fear he has of my opinion of him.”
“I’m sorry to hear that happened to you.” Bremsford said, tears in his eyes, yet to fall. “I can understand his anger. I could never do what he did, but I would try, if I found someone raping someone I cared about like that.”
“What do you think the Chief and your father and those other men were doing to Dan’s friend?” the Chaplain asked. “Rape is rape. Be it with a knife at your throat or the threat of someone harming your daughter.”
“Bremsford, that was more than two years ago. Last week I finally let the man I have been dating for a month spend the night with me. He does not know what happened to me. Only Dan, and now you two. As we were sleeping together, my boyfriend cupped my breast as happens when you are being intimate with someone.” She coughed a bit, as she was crying, again. “In my sleep, I suddenly had that man on top of me, again. But this time, Dan was not there to save me. I broke my boyfriend’s wrist, before grabbing my pistol. We were just sleeping together. Not having sex and in his sleep, he innocently touched me in a way that should not have been a problem. Had I been awake, I would have welcomed his touch. I tell you only because the bruises are long gone, the emotional scars never will be. That is part of what rape leaves you with.”
“Now you know my story. Now you know why I believe so strongly in the man you hate.” She said. “And tomorrow, if you go through with this, you will be the one hurt. Not him. I’m not telling you this to scare you but to get you to realize what you are getting yourself into. As a fighter, you are really no threat to him. Because he has that much experience in killing people. The real fight in that ring, in the morning, if you go through with this, will be him fighting his instincts to NOT kill you. To injure you enough to give you time to think about what you pushed for. But not to damage you. To break you of this hate. And to leave you with enough self-respect to believe you faced your hatred and though you did not win, you gave as well as well as you got.”
“Son, be honest with yourself and think about what you really want to come from tomorrow morning,” the Chaplain said. “As I said, if you need or wish to speak with either of us, any time, tonight, just ask the MPs to fetch us.”
Both stood and left his room.
“Captain, you don’t know how sorry I am to hear that happened to you. And I am grateful that Dan was there, when you needed someone to help you.”
“Thanks, Chaplain.” She said. “Until last Tuesday night, I had not thought much about that day for a long time. I guess I’m not as over it as I thought I was. So much for knowing a thing or two about psychology.”
“I think you will be fine, dear,” he added as he started to pat her shoulder then thought better of it. “And I hope your paramour will be fine with it, as well.”
“Oh, I think that ship sailed, Chaplain. I’ve not heard from him since Wednesday morning, when they put his hand and arm in a cast.” She said. “And yes, I have tried to reach out to him. But I think I may have traumatized him.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” He said, as they approached the door to exit the building.
“Do me a small favor, Chaplain?” she asked.
“I will never tell a soul.” He said.
“Thanks. I appreciate that.”
They turned and continued out the building.
Seeing Jones and Miller, Woods adjusted her trajectory to speak with them.
“Hey, Jones. Miller.”
“Ma’am. The LT sent us to get you. The Captain,”
“He means the General is in a bad way, ma’am. He needs you. Also, the LT wants you to stop by the infirmary and maybe get a sedative or two so the General might rest.” Miller continued, after interrupting Jones.
“Where is he?” She asked.
“He’s with our vehicles.” Miller said.
“OK. Let’s get a ride. The infirmary is in the opposite direction.”
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Post by bitsmith on Jul 1, 2018 16:58:18 GMT -6
Chapter Seventeen
“Where is he?” Captain Woods asked, as she jumped out of the not yet stopped hummer.
“He’s over there, ma’am,” pointed Pemberton. “And ma’am, something’s not right with him. I mean, we are his Bastards and he is scaring us.”
“OK. Let me go see him. Everyone stay here. And lend me that canteen?” Armed with the canteen, she marched down to where Dan was, at the edge of the woods, surround on three sides by Tony, Wilson and Elliot. All keeping their distance, but at the same time keeping Dan contained. “Hey, guys!” she called out cheerily. “Do you think Dan and I could have some privacy and some space?”
The other two looked to Wilson who looked to her, before nodding and stepping back. She entered their widening circle until she was standing in front of Dan.
Gently she reached up and touched his face until he came back and focused on her. “Hey, Jill!” he smiled, but she could see it was forced. “I’m glad to see you.”
“Hi, Dan. It’s good to be seen.” She said, trying to evaluate him. “Your men are afraid for you, Dan. You are not yourself. Can we sit down and talk?”
“Sure, Jill.” He said. “It’s too late, anyway. I’ve got to fix Bremsford, in the morning. I committed to that, already. Then I will have to go find Ellie and Nada. They’ve been taken from their home”
She looked to Wilson who shrugged.
“Dan, how do you know that they have been taken?” she asked.
“The same way I knew when you needed me.” He replied. Oddly childlike.
“I remember that day, Dan.” She said. “I never did thank you for what you did for me.”
“There is and was no need, Jill,” he said. “You know, I had the beginnings of a crush on you, until that day.”
“What changed that day, to end a crush, Dan?” she asked. “Was it because of what happened?”
“Sort of.” He said, pulling at the grass he was sitting on.
“Was it something I did?”
“Nope! Not at all. You did nothing wrong,” he said. “Except maybe trusting me. I never should have taken you for a ride, that day. But I just needed to get away. So many people. So many questions. And I thought I needed your professional advice. Then I did what I did. And that is when it ended.”
She nodded, tears in her eyes. “To tell the truth, Dan, I’ve had a bit of a crush on you, since before I met you. I mean in the stories, you are every little girl’s dream. A great knight who protects those unable to protect themselves. Then that day, I realized it was not just a crush. I thought I loved you, after that day. But you had just lost Ari and Jen, with Janie and Izzy less than two weeks before that.”
“Nope. You did not.” He said, refusing to make eye contact with her. Facing her, he held his face towards hers, but his eyes were anywhere else but her eyes. “You loved the idea of the hero who helped you. But not me, as a person. And that is good thing. You are far too good a person to be with a devil cursed like me. If I’m a knight, then I’m a black night. Black as coal soot. Don’t get to close, your white gown will be ruined.” Then he suddenly stood. He started walking a circle a rough circle in the small space they were in.
“Dan, you are tired, aren’t you?” she asked, already knowing the answer, but surprised by the one she got.
“No, Jill. I’m not tired.” He answered, fully himself, again. “I’m dead. But my mind and my body just don’t know it, yet.”
“What does that mean, Dan?” she asked, suddenly very afraid. “Dan? What do you mean by that? I do not understand.
“I’m dead, Jill.” He said. “Tomorrow I will have to kill a young man because of a choice I made almost three years ago to save a friend who was being abused.”
“Maybe not, Dan.” She said and Dan’s eyes snapped to hers.
“What do you mean?” he asked, his gaze such that she felt like he had suddenly became 20 feet talk or she had shrunk to just a foot tall.
“I’ve been talking with Bremsford. A chaplain and I have been. I think we may have gotten through to him, Dan. And if not, his heart won’t be in it, tomorrow.” She said. “He is starting to understand that he does not want to kill you. He’s just afraid of the future.”
“Jill, I’m not safe to be around.” He said. “You should probably go. Take the men with you.”
“No, Dan. I will not leave. I trust you.” she said. “Dan? Do you trust me?”
He looked at her from the corners of his eyes as he had been wandering in his small circle. “I try to,” he answered. “But the people I trust die. They die, because of me.”
“Dan, everyone dies.” She said. “You told me on a cold mountain top that everyone dies. That every moment of life is one moment closer to our end.”
“I remember.”
“Dan, will you trust me, now?” She asked. “As your friend, will you trust me?”
”I trust you. I trust you all, but I should not. Trust shows I care about you. Trust means you are important to me. Trusting you puts you in danger.” He said. “And death is coming for me. I have cheated it far too often. Take me to Hel, Jill. Take me to the last of the Nine Woods. The men, they are good men. They don’t know the Nine Woods. My Ragnarok is coming, Jill. My end will soon be here, and I can not fight it. I shall not see the halls of Valhalla. If I am lucky, Freyja will keep me in Folkvangr, else I will go to Hel.”
“Dan, why will you no go to Valhalla?” She asked.
“Jill, you have seen it. You have seen me. The true me.” He said. “I am evil. And death is coming for me.”
“Dan, do you see images running around and around in your head? Moving so fast you can’t stop one long enough to see it? To understand what it is?”
He stopped, again, looking her in the eye, just nodding. She sighed and her shoulders fell a bit.
“Dan, you are not going to die. It just feels that way, because of your emotions.” She tells him, stepping closer to him. “Here drink this, it’s only water. Good. Now take this. Only the one. I will keep the other, for now, in case you need it to sleep, tonight. Thank you for trusting me, Dan. I need you trust me some more. Sit down, Dan. Against that tree. I just gave you a strong sedative. It’s going to make your knees collapse, so go sit down for me, please. I need you to trust me. I need you to relax, Dan.”
Dan walked over the tree, putting his back against he slid down to sit on the ground. Pemberton came up to him and started taking his blood pressure.
She stepped away, leaving him with Pemberton the others quickly came to her. “What’s wrong with him, Doc?” Miller asked, trails of fallen tears on his dark-skinned cheeks.
“He is having an emotional breakdown.” She said. “The almost autistic manner he won’t look me in the eye. The changes of subject, but everything focused around his death or death in general. He has been depressed for a long time. He has been hiding it, well. I’m guessing the last few days he’s been having really bad headaches, too. The rapid roll of pictures and images changing in his head suggests manic depression as does the aimless walking but not staggering.”
“His blood pressure is still high, but falling.” Pemberton announced. “What did you give him, Doc? He has a sensitivity to anything codeine based.”
“That is what I gave him. Half a 15mg tablet of codeine.” She said. “I remembered him being sensitive to it, so I broke it in half, before I gave it to him. 15’s were the smallest they had in the infirmary. That should be enough to slow his mind down to break the manic spins, as they are called. He is not ‘nuts’ or ‘crazy’. He is scared of what he may have to do, tomorrow. The depression is getting to him. You all know how alone he is. Has he had anyone special to him, lately? I mean since his wives passed?”
“There is the handicapped woman living in his cabin with her kids. She crushes on him, hard, but he plays dumb to it.” Tony said.
“I though he and Priam might develop a thing, but that did not happen, either.” Pemberton shared. “I believe her interest is there, but he is not seeing it.”
“Oh, he sees it. He just plays it down.” Wilson said. “I don’t think he ever really recovered from losing all four wives in less than a month. I know I would not be able to recover the loss of four people that close to me, in the way he lost them. I mean, only one of them dies in a combat situation. The others were basically taken from him, by others. Literally murdered. I’ve seen people deal with PTSD before, but never anything like this.”
“That is because this is one of the most severe cases of clinical manic depression with PTSD I have ever seen.” Jill added.
“Hey! He fell over!” Miller shouted.
Wilson held everyone back, as she and Pemberton rushed to Dan’s side. He was awake, crying. Tears running down his snot covered face. Pemberton held him against the tree as Jill stood.
“He’s OK.” She said. “We need to get him to his room. Who can help put him in a vehicle and then help me get him to his room? He will need to sleep this off.”
Every one of the men stepped forward to help carry their leader.
“Guys, I know the depths you all care about him, but keep in mind, he IS a man, just like any of you.” she said. “He is not invulnerable to pain. And if you don’t find a way to channel that pain you have within, it will find a way out. He finally packed so much in that it has started an eruption.”
“Janie! Jen! Izzy! Ari!” Dan muttered in his sleep. Captain Woods barely understood his mumbling but she understood the names plain enough. She wondered what he was dreaming as she dozed lightly in the chair in his room. She promised his team that she would keep an eye on him and they should return to their duties. One of them should be bringing her some dinner, any moment, she thought.
Now she was wishing for those old and tired magazines she used to see in the waiting room of her old office. Something to read would be handy right now, as she was watching over him. A light knocking on the door woke her, again.
Miller and Tony were there with a tray of food and large thermos of the chickaree tea. She gave Tony a peck on the cheek when he handed her a novel he lifted from Dan’s truck. Quietly, she assured the men Dan was fine, just sleeping in his drug induced fugue.
Hours later, she put down the novel. Having never read Heinlein, before, she was curious about the life the author lived while creating such rich and interesting fantasy worlds. Standing to stretch, she realized it was dark out, and actually quite late. Dan was still mumbling in his sleep. She checked on him and found his pulse had smoothed. He was actually just sleeping, now, the drugs had mostly worked out of his system. As she was checking on him, he moved away from the edge of the bed, making room for her. She realized he probably did not know he was inviting her into his bed with him. But it was quite late and had been a challenging day.
She laid down, on the edge of the bed, with her back towards him. He rolled over, again, curling up beside her. With a sigh he muttered “shhh, sleep, hun. Just sleep ‘zy”. He thought he was sleeping with Izzy. She laid there, analyzing this and how she really should not be in bed with her patient. Then his arm was draped over her, hanging down below the edge of the bed. She was trapped. Trying to get out from under his arm would wake him … and she would have some difficulty explaining how she came to be in the bed with him.
Muttering to her self, ‘I’ll wait until he rolls over, again.’ Soon, though, his soft snoring lulled her to sleep, as well.
Dan was standing in the front yard of his cabin at the lake. All four of his wives were there. Each telling him something different and he heard each one, distinctly, despite them talking over each other.
“You need to take better care of yourself, Daniel” Izzy told him.
“Daniel, what are you doing to yourself? You need to relax more.” Ari scolded.
Jen said “Not yet. You have much to do, still.”
But Janie was the one that really held his attention. Janie and the child whose hand she was holding. “Serena, this is Daniel. He would have raised you, had we lived. He would have been your Daddy.”
The other three stopped talking at the same time, smiling as he knelt to shake Serena’s hand. Standing again, Janie picked up her child, holding her the toddler on her hip.
Each of them took up his hand, holding it to their chest before they floated away, waiving as they fell beyond his touch.
Janie’s was the last voice he heard. “We love you and we approve. Do not hurry to us. Your time will come on it’s own.”
Jill woke up when she heard him crying in his sleep. She felt her hands holding his to her heart. Realizing they both had shifted in their sleep and she was now facing him she gently put his hand against his own chest and lightly rolled out of the bed.
As her feet found the floor, Reveille started to sound. Like an old soldier, Dan woke to that trumpet call. Jill froze, surprised and caught off guard. She just knew her hair and clothes were rumpled from having shared his bed. Her only worry was that he would recognize it and not understand it.
“Did you sleep well, Captain?” Dan asked.
Standing straighter, she turned around to face him. “Not particularly. You refused to share the bed and snored terribly.”
Holding up his arm, he turned and twisted his wrist, smiling broadly, before rolling out of the bed.
He turned his back on her, as he made the bed. “There’s a toiletries bag in the bathroom. Ari and Jen’s brush is in it. Feel free to use it.”
She was still straightening her hair, after washing her face, when she saw him walk past and out the door in his PT shorts and a t-shirt.
‘Shit!’ was all she could think.
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Post by udwe on Jul 1, 2018 20:01:30 GMT -6
I really hope Jill and the chaplain got through to the kid AND Dan!
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Post by texican on Jul 2, 2018 1:05:05 GMT -6
BS,
What a convoluted story you weave to keep us begging for moar...
Thank you....
Texican....
ps: Now why did you have to end this chapter with Captain Dan walking out in his PT shorts and t-shirt.... That is just cruel....
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Post by bitsmith on Jul 2, 2018 6:58:02 GMT -6
I avoid sex in the story. Some people find it offensive. Especially on top of the challenges I put into the definitions of faith and belief.
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Post by bitsmith on Jul 2, 2018 9:25:46 GMT -6
Chapter Eighteen
Dan made his way, at a gentle jog from the barracks building to the parade field. Along the way, he picked up a few others, jogging with him. At the parade field, others were gathering, getting seats in the bleacher to be close to the spectacle they expected to see. Either an old man whoops some punk’s ass or some kid beats down an old man. Either way, the majority of them were not there for anything more that drama and entertainment. And Dan was not going to give it to them. He kept up his slow jog around the parade field, swinging out to the right, as a platoon double timed to cadence, passing him.
Lap after lap, Dan thought, trying to find a way out of the mess he was in. And the just could not find one. There was not one, without the help of the kid. And Bremsford was NOT going to help Dan. He had too much pain to do his enemy any favors.
And his dreams were still haunting him. The image of Janie with that small girl, Serena, stuck in his head. Her plea that he not rush to be with them in the afterlife. He knew he was beyond forgivable. But he still struggled to do what he believed was right. Not by any religious definition or moral compass.
Six laps around the parade field, at an easy jog had Dan’s heart pumping and his respiration up, but he was not winded when he stopped at the far corner of the parade field. Looking at the gathering throng, he regretted what he was seeing. The spectacle. The bullshit. And he had created it. Even at this distance, Dan could see Bremsford, distinctly as he climbed up onto the ring.
It was time.
As Dan was walking across the parade field, Dan could hear Bremsford addressing the crowd and the crowd’s response of boos. Dan picked up the pace, again, to an easy jog, until the crowd started chanting for him. As the chanting started, Dan stopped. When the chanting died down, he started jogging, again. And again, he stopped when the chanting started. They got the message and did not continue chanting as he again started to approach the boxing ring.
The entire time, exposed and alone on that parade field, Dan felt he was being watched. And of course he was. There dozens of dozens of spectators present. Hundreds of people present to watch what ever was to come next.
Dan climbed into the ring where he was met with a happy and smiling General Baker. “Dan, It’s over. Bremsford came to his senses. He does not want to fight you.”
“I need to hear that from him,” Dan said, smiling and nodding.
“Bremsford?” Dan asked. “You have changed your mind about this?”
“Yes. I have.” Bremsford said, standing tall and resolute. “Yesterday I made some stupid and childish claims. And I’m sorry for what I said and did. Yesterday afternoon I was told a story about how a woman was being raped and I imagined how that must feel. To have your dignity and control of your own destiny stripped away by another. And that is what you were there to fix. That is what you to –”
Bresmford fell dead to the mat of the ring. Most of his head missing. A sharp rifle report followed just a half second later. Dan tackled Mike to the ropes, pushing him down and off the platform on the far side from the location of the report. Another bullet tore through the mat of the ring and the skirting, just an inch or two from Mike’s head.
He was already pissed about Bremsford being killed as he was explaining his change of heart. But to then shoot at Mike, as well. The report arrived as Dan was trying to scan for where the shot was coming from. Looking at the tear in the mat and the hole in the skirting, Dan was able to get a rough line to where the shot was coming from. The top of a building more than a half mile away. Dan put his little finger through the hole in the skirting, gauging the size of the rifle being used.
MPs had weapons drawn but did not know where to shoot.
Working his way around the skirting of the boxing ring, Mike and Dan found they were now blocked from view by a tree and the rooftop Dan suspected was the firing platform.
“You!” Dan shouted at the person on the first row of the nearest bleacher. “Yeah! YOU! Go! That way. Lead these people into the building. Quickly, and quietly. MPs! That way, Quickly! Single file for each bleacher. GO!”
Mike nodded in agreement as he saw the panic building.
Looking back over the top of the ring, Dan started creeping back out into view.
“Dan! What are you doing?” Mike yelled at him.
“Mike! Get inside. Protect your people. GO!” Dan smiled. “I got this.”
Dan saw his men leapfrogging with weapons up and aimed back towards the building. Not one of their rifles actually powerful enough to make a shot that distance with the needed accuracy. But still a balm to frayed and endangered nerves. Dan stood, making himself highly visible to the shooter. He moved with purpose to the steel post at the corner of the ring. He felt the post vibrate with the impact of the bullet. He nearly wet himself with the sound of the report. Quickly, he dropped down to the ground and low crawled his way the 20 or so feet to the corner of the ring, farther from the building and the escaping crowd. Another report, but closer and behind Dan had him turning around to find an MP falling forward with a bullet in his back from another MP. The fallen man had his weapon drawn and pointed towards Dan. Just as suddenly that MP who was his savior fell, spinning away as another rifle report came from the distance.
Dan low crawled quickly back to the still living, but injured MP. Grabbing the dead MP’s pistol as he went by. He grabbed the injured man’s good arm, dragging him into the screen of the tree that hid the bleachers as well. Pulling off his shirt, Dan started trying to plug the bullet hole of the shot that went through the man’s shoulder.
“Sir? Are you injured?” The MP asked as Dan was struggling to control the bleeding.
“Yes, Soldier. I’m fine, thanks to you.” Dan said. “You’ve got a scratch here that is going to need a few stitches. But you will be fine,” Dan assures the man before turning away. “PEMBERTON! MEDIC!” he yells.
Another MP comes running out of the building towards Dan as Pemberton and Elliot are using the bleachers for cover to work their way to Dan. Elliot takes a bead on the MP running at them until he stops seeing he is in serious danger. Carefully, he puts his pistol in his holster holding up both hands. Elliot nods and the man starts running, again towards Dan, sliding to a stop just as Pemberton gets there, too.
As Pemberton, Elliot and the new MP take over, Dan notices no more shots. He crawls away from the injured man, back towards the boxing ring. Standing, again, behind the corner post, he makes himself visible to attract fire, again. And none. Scanning the building top, he sees no movement. Then an explosion on that roof top. Dan sits down, on the ground, his back to the corner post.
Thinking it through, from what he knows, either the attacker was just killed by a grenade from an over zealous counter attack or he suicided to protect someone.
Either way, there was a new fight for survival. His head snapped through the fog of the last several days.
Captain Dan was back.
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Post by udwe on Jul 2, 2018 20:34:57 GMT -6
It's too bad the kid had to die. He might have made a good "bastard".
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Post by texican on Jul 2, 2018 23:45:10 GMT -6
I avoid sex in the story. Some people find it offensive. Especially on top of the challenges I put into the definitions of faith and belief. And Captian Dan married to three women is not erotic?.?.?.?
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Post by texican on Jul 2, 2018 23:50:15 GMT -6
OK BS,
Another twist to the story....
Now who is trying to kill General Dan?.?.?.?
Texican....
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Post by AnyDayNowJR on Jul 3, 2018 13:29:31 GMT -6
Hi, Bitsmith! I am jumping into this network to check out your novel writing, as you shared with me on another platform that will remain nameless... Or should I say, Faceless. Looks like I have plenty to choose from. Where is the best place for me to start?
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Post by bitsmith on Jul 4, 2018 15:52:13 GMT -6
I avoid sex in the story. Some people find it offensive. Especially on top of the challenges I put into the definitions of faith and belief. And Captian Dan married to three women is not erotic?.?.?.? 4 women and no, that is not erotic. it is exotic. And believe me, after the first few chapters of book one, I received a few private messages about how the Christians and the Christians alone would be shown God's grace and survive a collapse/calamity. I invited those people to continue reading my stories. They might learn a few things about other lifestyles. I have not heard from them, since, one way or the other. And I honestly do not care. This is MY story, not theirs. They are not required to like or even read it. WhoooRaaahh for the 1st freaking Amendment. ;-)
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Post by bitsmith on Jul 4, 2018 15:55:38 GMT -6
Hi, Bitsmith! I am jumping into this network to check out your novel writing, as you shared with me on another platform that will remain nameless... Or should I say, Faceless. Looks like I have plenty to choose from. Where is the best place for me to start? Book One, Chapter One. pawfiction.proboards.com/thread/466/quakemathPlease excuse the narcissism. The writing was the idea of a friend of mine for dealing with "my many, many issues". I hope you enjoy!
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Post by udwe on Jul 4, 2018 17:37:59 GMT -6
Some people are way to judgemental.
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Post by bitsmith on Jul 4, 2018 17:52:08 GMT -6
Chapter Nineteen
“Sir! Are you injured?” Elliot asks as he slides in, next to Dan.
“No. No, I’m fine, Elliot.” Dan says. “And good job on getting over here. How is that man doing? He saved my life.”
“Pemberton has him, sir. And here comes more medics.” Elliot shares. “Sir? What’s going on?”
“I don’t know, Elliot.” Dan said, thinking through what he knew. “It appears I will not be allowed to retire. This does not feel personal, like before, somehow.”
“What should we do?”
“Put the Bastards on Alert Read Status. Fall in with their gear, ready for inspection and load out.” Dan said feeling a drive, purpose and a low simmering anger, again. The way he was after Izzy was killed. The anger that was turned up after Jen and Ari were taken. “I’m going to talk with Baker. I will be at the vehicles in one hour. Oh, and Elliot? I would ask a favor of you, please. Have someone pack your stuff, someone else pack my stuff. I want you to find Captain Woods and help her pack her stuff, IF she is willing to ride with us, again. If she is not interested/able to ride with us, return to your barracks and pack your own shit.”
“Yes, sir. I think I saw Captain Woods, already, this morning.” Elliot said.
“Move out, Elliot.”
“Dan? What the HELL was that?” Mike asked as Dan entered the Admin building.
“All Clear, people. Get back to where ever the hell you are supposed to be. You already got more of a show than you were expecting.” Dan shouted. When very few were moving, Dan pulled the dropped pistol form the dead MP. “That is, unless you want to be considered an accomplice and associate of the attacker.” The hallway emptied, quickly.
“Shall we retire to your office, General Baker?” Dan asked, loudly and very pointedly. Once in the stairway, Dan went down into the basement, instead of Mike’s office. Finding a random storage room, Dan entered, then closed and locked the door behind him.
“Mike, I have absolutely NO idea what the hell is going on. I chose here to discuss it with you, because I don’t know what to expect. Your office COULD be bugged or just listened on from an aide. In here, we are alone, and if we speak quietly, being heard is VERY unlikely.” Dan said. “If your office gets trashed, while you and I are in here, then we know the target was me, and Bremsford was just a discrediting tool.”
“Dan, why was Jones on that roof?” Mike asked.
“Jones is dead?” Dan asked. “Who set off the grenade?”
“I don’t know.” Mike said. “All I know, so far, is that Jones is in the infirmary, because he was on that roof when my people got up there. I know he has been injured. I do not, yet, know the scope of those injuries.”
“Then why the hell are we standing here?” Dan said. “I’m going to Jones to get answers.”
“No. You are NOT!” Mike stated emphatically.
“Are you going to stop me, Mike?” Dan asked. “Are you going to stop from seeing to one of my men? Are you going to stop me from getting to the bottom of this?”
“Dan, you were not killed out there, this morning. Bremsford was. I did not see you ever in any mortal danger. I MUST investigate this. You and the Bastards are to stand down until further notice.”
“Mike, before coming in here, I gave the order for my men to prepare to leave. I have an idea what is going on and I need to look into it. Secondly, If I am a target then I am endangering the entire fort. If I, and the Bastards, are not here, the fort should be safer.” Dan reflected. “I was shot at. Two people died out there, this morning. Bremsford and an MP. The one who was aiming this pistol at me. There is damage to the mat of the ring, out there, where whoever was shooting at me. Damage to corner posts I took cover behind.
“1. If Jones was shooting at me, he would have killed me. Simple fact from exposure and familiarity.
2. YOU know Jones is not a traitor. He has been trained to be a sniper. YOU believe he went up there because he identified the best place to snipe from and went looking for the danger.
3. To identify the risks, you need to separate the potential targets.
4. I’m leaving.
5. You REALLY do not want to stop me, because you know all of that is true.”
“Dan, I have to have you all held for the investigation.” Mike said.
“And who are you going to have doing the investigation?” Dan asked. “Who, on this installation, can you trust enough to do the investigation, interrogate those men, interrogate ME, get to the FACTS, not to a truth AND remain impartial?”
“I will put Jill in charge of the investigation.” Mike said, smugly proud to have an answer.
“She is compromised.” Dan said.
“How do you figure? Just because she spent some field time with us running halfway across the nation?”
“No.” Dan said, as his shoulders dropped. “Because she was in my bed, when I woke up, this morning.”
“She was WHAT?” Mike screamed. “What the … ? How the … ?”
“Mike, yesterday was a bad day for me. I remember parts of it. She gave me a pill. That is all I remember in this world, until I woke this morning and she was standing beside my bed, still fully clothed, but obvious she had been laying in my bed beside me. She had a crease in her cheek from the pillow and her hair was messed up. I do not believe it was anything more than that. But I don’t know. And I really don’t see her as being the kind of person to ruffie a bed mate.”
“’This world’, you said.” Mike started. “What does that mean?”
“Mike, in my sleep last night, I saw the girls.” Science says it would have been my mind making up my dreams. “Janie had a child with her, Serena. About 2 years old. They all had something to say to me. They all told me to stay because I had more work to do and it was not, yet, my time.”
“OK. Anything else from your ‘spidey senses’?” Mike asked. “And I agree with you about Woods. She is too compromised to lead an investigation. If in appearances alone. Who all knows she spent the night with you?”
“The Bastards know she was in my room all night.” Dan said. “Mike? Were YOU interested?”
“Dan, you know I can’t be! She is an Officer in my command!” Mike defended.
“Ahhh. I see.” Dan said smiling. “I need to check on Natalie in Thayer. Something Bremsford said has her on my mind a lot, yesterday and today. Then I want to go to NASA to get all of the information they can provide about the EMP device I am supposed to be searching for. Then I will go to the crash site of the plane to see if I can find ANYTHING there to help track it down. And somewhere in all of that, I need to figure out why someone intentionally killed Bremsford.”
“Dan? What if it is NOT about you, directly?” Mike asked. “What if this sniper decided to take out Bremsford, because they wanted to ‘have your back’, like Jones would do?”
“Then I have one less issue to resolve.” Dan said. “Mike, yesterday I was really depressed. I mean, I was going to fight a 20 something just to prove a point that what I did in and to his hometown was right. To be honest with you, yesterday afternoon, A part of me WANTED Bremsford to win and for me to just slip away or better yet, be sent to join my girls. This morning, I woke up with a mission. It starts with finding Natalie and Ellie. I just KNOW they are missing. And evidently, they have been for a while, now. Something in my gut tells me they are connected, some indirect line to finding the EMP. And I have no way of knowing.”
“Fine, Dan.” Mike said. “I will make it a quick investigation on Jones. If he is guilty, he will hang. PERIOD. And the Bastards will be disbanded.”
“And if he is innocent?” Dan asked.
“A day or two after that is PROVEN, you will be free to go do whatever it is you need to be doing.” Mike stated.
Just as Mike agreed to this, the building shook and dust fell from the stones and rafters.
“Now WHAT?” Mike yelled.
“Get to your office, NOW.” Dan ordered. “That is where I’m going.”
“Dan! I’m unarmed!” Mike shouted.
Dan stopped, tossing the acquired pistol to Mike. “There, NOW you are armed. Let’s go find out what is going on upstairs.”
Taking the stairs two at a time, Dan was mildly winded when he got to the third floor where Mike’s office. It was filled with smoke, dust, dirt and debris. The few people on the floor were being helped downstairs. The doors to Mike’s outer office were literally embedded at odd angles into the wall across the hall. Looking through what was the doorway, there was nothing. Just a partial office and open space. Walls were missing. So were desks, chairs, etc. The parade field could be seen to have paper and debris across it. Gun fire could be heard in the direction of the Bastards. Both men turned to leave the building.
“LT! I’m low on ammo!” Miller called out to Wilson as they were providing cover fire for Pemberton and Watters who were dragging their wounded to cover.
“Tony?” Wilson asked the injured man just left with him, as Pemberton went after another.
“Just a scratch, LT. Doc will give me some candy in a minute and I will fine.” Tony said as he slowly and obviously painfully moved to offer supporting fire. He at least has his rifle.
“Miller, get the riffles out of the Captain’s truck. He keeps extra magazines in there, too!” Wilson ordered. “GO!” He fired a couple more shots and his pistol was dry with no more magazines.
Tony handed him his pistol, as he was using his rifle.
Both were very selective as they fired at the group of armed men taking cover on the field. Tony was able to get two, but most of them were staying out of range of the pistols. Wilson identified Miller firing from within the truck 15 yards to his left. And he was not firing a pistol.
“He’s almost as good as Jones.” Tony commented. “He’s hit four with 6 shots. And I’m sure it is not a comfortable firing position.”
“Cover me. I have an idea.” Wilson said. “Moving!”
Tony fired a couple of shots to keep heads down, as Wilson moved. He slapped the truck side to let Miller know a friendly was beside him. Opening a door, he pulled out two more rifles and an ammo can he knew full of loaded magazines. “Stay in here, until they start shooting at you. They have not yet identified your muzzle flash or sound location, yet.”
“They already know I’m here, sir.” Miller answered. “At least two shots to the door.”
“OK.” Wilson said. “I’m going up top of the trailer. Take some magazines and work your way in that direction. Let’s get them in a three point crossfire.”
“Got it!” Miller replied understanding the plan. “Hand me one of those radios?”
“Good call.” As Wilson got ready to climb the trailer, he called over Watters. “Take this radio and an ammo can from the truck to Tony.”
Watters grabbed the last rifle in the truck along with two radios and a can of magazines.
Back with Tony he dropped the can and the radios between them. Tony rolled behind cover, changed magazines and put on the radio.
“Radio check.” He called.
“LT, Check.”
“Miller, Check”
“Watters, Check.”
“Tony, Watters, you are on the right side of the field of fire. Overlap to the left. Slow, selective fire. That will push whoever is there to the left of their cover. That may give Miller the chance to pick them off. On 3, 2, 1, go!”
“Two down, Miller called out 45 seconds later.”
“Miller same with the center so the three of us can get them.”
“I see three tangoes down,” Tony stated.
“Far right. Leave the one most forward alone. I want him, alive.” Wilson ordered.
A few shots later and shouts went across the radio “Friendly in the field! Friendlies in the field!”
Mike and Dan were recognized hoping from cover to cover.
“Oatmeal, bring it in, behind cover.” Wilson ordered.
As Watters and Wilson stood up to move out into the field, three jumped up from their places of cover, starting to run away. Mike held one still with his pistol. Dan stopped the one coming at him, quickly, with a well placed and timed front snap kick to the groin, before chasing after the other.
Dan tackled the man he was chasing from behind. As they both rolled free form they came up facing each other. “Good. I’ve been itching for a fight, all morning. Let’s see if you are any more of a challenge the Bremsford would be have been.” Dan said, with a wicked smile across his face. As they circled each other, they both had opportunity to see the field was secured. And they had been spotted. People were working their way to them. “If you are going to do this, you better do it, now. Once they are here, you will not be able to get away.”
The man stepped forward, taking a wild haymaker swing at Dan’s head. As Dan ducked to avoid it, while closing the distance he was met with a knee to the face. He was knocked backwards and rolled out of it, coming back up to his feet. “Oh, goodie. You know a thing or two.”
“Yeah. I know I’m going to kill you.” the man said flatly. Oddly with no passion. The same tone Dan had used countless times.
“Let’s see about that.” Dan said stepping in, again. This time, he grabbed the man’s vest, dropping into a Judo throw, but instead of actually throwing the guy, Dan pulled him in tight as he was launched head first over him. Dan felt the man’s neck break as his face was forced into the ground with the weight of both of them in motion.
Dan rolled the dead man off of him. Both laid there, on their backs. One breathing, hard, the other cooling to air temperature.
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Post by texican on Jul 4, 2018 21:19:48 GMT -6
Hi, Bitsmith! I am jumping into this network to check out your novel writing, as you shared with me on another platform that will remain nameless... Or should I say, Faceless. Looks like I have plenty to choose from. Where is the best place for me to start? Book One, Chapter One. pawfiction.proboards.com/thread/466/quakemathPlease excuse the narcissism. The writing was the idea of a friend of mine for dealing with "my many, many issues". I hope you enjoy! How nice to have such a friend and we appreciate his endeavor to bring out your issues which we devour greedily... Texican....
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Post by texican on Jul 4, 2018 21:42:51 GMT -6
BS,
Thanks for the chapter....
Now only two out of three left to interrogate or is it torture to get the truth?.?.?.?
Texican....
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Post by bitsmith on Jul 5, 2018 13:53:48 GMT -6
How nice to have such a friend and we appreciate his endeavor to bring out your issues which we devour greedily... Texican.... Unfortunately, she died shortly after I posted the closing chapter of the first book. Took her own life. 22 a day. Several times I have thought about stopping. Other times I kick in and crank out 5, 6, even 10 thousand words in a day. Because i hear the same voices and feel the same thoughts that she and I talked about. She started writing romance novels. Always upset that no one ever looked at her the way the men in those stories looked at the main character. She died, hugging a book by Terry Goodkind that I gave her to try a different genre. At least she took the story with her.
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