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Post by udwe on Jul 5, 2018 14:56:04 GMT -6
I'm so sorry for your loss. You are a fabulous writer, Love your stories.
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Post by texican on Jul 5, 2018 17:11:44 GMT -6
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. BitSmith, Condolences on the loss of a loved one. We are saddened for your loss. Words can not define our feelings concerning the loss of your loved one. Please know that your readers are here for you and bring healing to you, your family and friends. Please take time to heal. God bless you and your loved one that has passed over. Texican.
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Post by bitsmith on Jul 8, 2018 12:13:35 GMT -6
Thank you, all. She passed a few years ago, now. I keep writing, in part for myself and in part to honor her.
It has been said that writers who write the stuff that impacts, the stories people carry without active effort to remember it, write from their dreams, their loses and their experiences.
I will have another chapter to post, later today.
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Post by bitsmith on Jul 8, 2018 19:17:06 GMT -6
Chapter Twenty
Dan lay there, panting as others came jogging up. He waived them off, without saying a word. Two men showed up with a stretcher. They and two others carried off the dead man.
“Sir? Are you hurt?” Elliot was asking.
“No, Elliot. I’m fine. Just winded. It has been a crazy morning.” Dan said, as he accepted Elliot’s hand up off the ground.
“No one doubts it. You still have it.” Elliot said.
“Still have what?” Dan asked.
“The ability to kill, sir. Some had thought you might have gone soft the last couple of years of inactivity.” Elliot said, suddenly aware of the potential impact of the conversation.
“This guy? Elliot, he forgot Rule #1,” Dan said.
“Never enter into a fight with someone who has nothing left to lose,” Elliot quoted. “Is that where you are, sir? Have you lost everything, again, because of that guy?”
“No, Elliot. I never got anything back, after the girls died and then bringing Reaper’s body in.” Dan continued explaining, “I was lost for a while, after I got back from Mexico. Fortunately, I had some good friends waiting for me to return. I fully expected to die in Mexico. That die the building fell, I thought I was dead. And many times after that. I was ready for it. But Death never came for me. Just flirted at the edges of my sight. Watching and showing himself. But enough of this. I’m back and I have a friend I fully believe to be in danger. What is our status?”
“Last I heard, we lost 5 in the attack on formation, this morning. Tony is injured. Jones missing. The LT is PISSED off. General Baker is livid chewing nails. We defeated a force of 16, killing 14. Two others were killed. Bremsford and an MP. 7 were injured in the evacuation of the parade field.”
“OK. Jones has been arrested. He was on the roof with the sniper when others arrived. To be safe, they arrested him for questioning. I believe the sniper blew himself up to avoid being questioned.” Dan said. “That is 21 dead in the attack, this morning. Another 9 or so injured. It could have been MUCH worse. Did you find Woods?”
“She found me, sir. She’s with Tony who refuses to leave those from our company who fell.” Elliot said, frowning.
“I will take care of that.” Dan said, turning to a hard fast march towards the vehicles. “Elliot, Get to Baker. Advise him to search for whatever vehicles these guys were in. There may be clues in them.”
“Sir, I’m not …” Elliot started.
“Elliot, GO! NOW! RUN! There may be more on the post, still.” Dan ordered. Elliot was torn until Dan pointed towards Baker and continued his march.
Dan approached the covered bodies, seeing Tony sitting on a stone wall, rifle in hand. Pemberton, Woods and Wilson were also near-by.
“Tony,” Dan started. “You are relieved, Sergeant. I will take the guard from here. Get yourself checked out and cleared. I need you field ready, ASAP. Pemberton will escort you to the infirmary where the Docs will put a band-aid on that papercut you have. Then they will do the paperwork stating you are field ready.”
Tony looked around before standing very slowly, handing his rifle to Dan. “Thank you, sir. I stand relieved.” Tony collapsed, falling until Dan caught him. A combination of fatigue and injury, then standing for guard change took the last of his strength. Special Forces he certainly was. Pemberton and Wilson were there on either side of him taking the large man from Dan’s arms.
Wilson and Dan locked eyes for just a moment. That look said more than words could. He and Dan both were very close to Tony. Both were role models for him just as they both held him up to be role models for others. They both owed the man, many times over, not only as soldiers in the field, but for laughs on bad days, strength when they were depleted. And vision when they were blind. Dan nodded, knowing Wilson’s words and even accusations.
They HAD gotten soft in the last two years and it was his fault. And he could not just flip a switch and expect what was left of the Bastards to be hard, again. It just does not work that way. They needed a mission and someone they could believe in. He had to earn that respect, again.
“General?” Woods asked, from behind him, a discrete distance. ‘Are you alright, sir?”
“Thank you, Captain. Other than losing men of my team, I’m fine.” Dan said without looking back. “I’m back. And I’m back with a vengeance. These men were, in a way, like my family. I was a proud father to have them in my family. Whoever did this, WILL be found. And WILL be brought to justice. The Bastards will extract our pounds of flesh, through justice. The laws of the land are back and standing taller, every day. We will not kill whoever is responsible for this. But we will bring him, or her, to justice. To stand trial. Or preferably a military tribunal, for this attack was an act of war. And I intend to find who wants war with us.”
“Maybe they just want war with you, sir?” Miller asked.
“That may be, De’Ton,” Dan agreed. “And if that is the case, then they will have it. In spades. Track down those remaining. Assemble here. One hour.”
Dan was left with Woods and five covered bodies. Neither said anything for several long minutes. Then there was no room to speak, as Mike had arrived.
“Captain Woods, would you please excuse us? I need a few words with the General. But please, do not go far.” Mike said as he took up Dan’s arm to lead him away a few steps.
Dan stood his ground, refusing to leave attending to those who had fallen. “Come on, Dan. I need a private word with you.”
“Who is going to hear, Mike?” Dan asked. “Are you worried about Anderson, the marathon runner? Or maybe Addams with a wallet full of young lady photos, each signed and inviting him home? Maybe Painter over there? He has been studying to become a doctor. Simpson? The funny guy of my unit? Did you know the men called him Bart? Or maybe you suspect Watkins? Watkins … he was a walking Class-A Screw-Up. But he had ice water in his veins, when it came to combat. He never made unreasonable risks and always topped any challenge. But away from combat, the man could barely tie his boots. Tell me, Mike. Which of these men do you suspect and of what do you suspect them?”
“I don’t suspect any of them of anything, Dan. And you are correct, I DO know Jones. He is not the sniper who was trying to kill you. But I still must let the investigators do their jobs. I must let them clear him, so there is no appearance of influence. It’s politics, Dan. And you know about politics like this far too well.” Mike said. “We interrogated one of those captured. These men are SEALS. The two alive claim to be, anyway. I have asked command to verify the information they have given. They were sent to capture you. Also, Natalie and Eleanor have been reported missing. For more than a month. Natalie’s live in boyfriend and his son were both found dead in their house. Both violently killed, but quickly. Evidently, the house suffered some damage inside.”
Dan watched, silently, as an ambulance arrived to take the corpses of his men away.
“It is believed that they were taken ….”
“Where will they be interred?” Dan asked, softly. “And when?”
“Dan, your men will be given the honors they deserve. Their families will be notified, tomorrow. If they wish, the body will be returned under full military escort. Else, they will be buried in the New Arlington Cemetery, outside of St. Louis. POTNUS Rios wants that cemetery to always be visible from the President’s Office. So he can always see the costs of his decisions and actions.” Baker explained. “They will be respected, Dan.”
Dan nodded as he moved to sit on the low wall Tony had been sitting on. “OK. So, Nada was taken, by force, along with her daughter. Her man and his son were killed in the effort. Or to force her cooperation. Ellie was probably taken to use as leverage. More than a month, though?”
“That is what the local police told one of my radio team.” Mike answered.
“Mike, I need to leave. I need my team as intact as possible. I need Jones released and ready to roll. I need Tony ready to go. We will need full roll-out of supplies, medicals and ammunition.” Dan stated. “Someone declared war on us, here, this morning. I intend to bring the war to them. It is how the US has been fighting wars for nearly two centuries. I will not back down on this.”
“I agree, Dan.” Baker said, surprising himself when he heard it said. “I want to find out what direction to send, you, first.”
“The first direction is Thayer, Missouri. Investigate the location she was taken from, get descriptions, and so on.” Dan said. “Try to identify the who and the when to hopefully lead to the why.”
“Alright. I can agree with that. I will let the local police know you are coming.” Mike offered.
“No, don’t do that.” Dan said as he stood. “It will be easier to get their cooperation if we show up unannounced. If they are not expecting us. Fear can be a force multiplier.”
“Alright. I will get the various groups working on your load-out.” Mike stated. “But you will need to stay at least another couple of days. Work up your plan. Get your men ready. This is going to hit and hurt them all. We are lucky that more of them were not here, yet. Where were the rest of them?”
“I don’t know. I was dealing with other things at the time. We were to meet here to prep to roll-out, after the spectacle, this morning.” Dan said. “Despite all of this, I’m pleased I did not have to fight that kid, this morning. I still wish he had not died. What other intel are you digging for?”
“The second one we captured is not talking, at all.” Mike said.
“Is he on any books as having been here?”
“Why? You want to take him with you or something?”
“Something like that.” Dan answered with a tone and a body language that really scared Mike. Woods saw it come on, as well, so she approached.
“I don’t know what was just said. And I don’t want to know,” she said. “But whatever just went through your mind, you need to clear it out. Now. That might be who you once were. That is not who you are, now.”
“I’m just wanting to get to the bottom of who attacked us, this morning, and why. Why THiS morning?” Dan said. “And if a bit of ‘advanced interrogation’ would help us … then I would do everything I could do to get to it. They killed my friends. My men. MY men, Doc. Men who looked up to me to protect them. I will not let that slide.”
“That is NOT who we are, as a nation, Generals.” Captain Woods sounded off, approaching shrill. “Th
“Whoever they are, they declared war, this morning. And war they shall have. All warfare is based on deception. That man, and his team declared war on us, Captain.
“They struck first at men you have counseled. Men you have dug ditches beside. Men who have seen more of you than you care to admit. Men who sheltered you when in danger and whom you have lifted when they were on the brink of being lost.” Dan stood, stepping away to address those who were coming to formation, looking at the blood on the ground.
“I WILL bring these assholes war. War like they have never experienced, before. We will not be seen, when we attack. They will not believe we can. When they believe we can, we will not. We will be working our asses off, but will appear to be inactive. When we are near, we will appear to be far away. When far away, we will be near. We will deceive these assholes and grind them down. We will pick off their guards. We will give them reason to have high attrition. When possible, we will give every combatant we come across the chance to leave, for we are not there for the soldiers. We will be peeling away, layer upon layer upon layer of men to get to their officers. To get the person who issues the orders. The one who sent them here to kill us. We will put the sword to their throat.” Dan said, marching back and forth in front of the 9 men present. “But that last man. That last person … he we will not kill. He we will not give quarter. He we will not release so easily. That person, we will bring to the new Capital. And there, we will turn him over to whoever will prosecute him. There we will turn the disease back on itself. For it is my belief that whoever is behind this has politicians in their pocket or politicians pulling their strings. And we will continue to bring justice to those who serve in the name of the people while serving themselves first.
“That is the mission I am giving us. I am taking it upon myself to do this.”
Dan stopped looking over at Jill and Mike, before launching into his next concern.
“You all have served well with me. And for the last couple of years, we have been slow. We have relaxed. We have survived off of the land, stayed fit and active, providing for ourselves.
“Some of us have even regained enough of our humanity to have found that someone we wish to come home to, each night. After all we have been through, THAT has to be the most difficult fight any of us can struggle through. If you are, again, human, and have goals of building a family and being more than just one of Baker’s Bastards, step forward. You, too, Miller.
“You men have obligations that extend far beyond any obligation to me. I would be honored if you would each, rotate out of the unit, work with General Baker’s training cadre and build up replacements for yourselves and our brothers we lost, today. I yoke each of you with a terrible burden, asking this of you. And at the same time, I ask that you focus your lives on those who walk beside you, outside of camo green fatigues.
“Miller, you have a unique situation. General Baker informs me that despite all I have put you through the last 2 and half years, you are ready to graduate from OTP. Ready to take on the role of commissioned officer. You must finish that, Oatmeal. You started it, finish it. And excel with the same fervor at whatever assignment the Army sends you on.
“And anyone else who has had enough of the unknown. The running in the dark, following a suicidal madman over the cliff edge … step forward and show you value a life of more than this. A life of happiness, free of guilt. Step forward if you crave a life of peace and warm beds, soft bodies and hot showers.” Several of the men chuckled, until three more stepped forward. Leaving only Pemberton and Elliot in formation.
“Very good!” Dan called out, honestly happy for his men. “This is not the road for everyone. Some of us are on it, forever, because the road chose us. Most are on it only a short while as they chose the road. Davies. You have an engineering background, correct?”
“Yes, sir. I do.” He said, standing taller, again.
“Very well, then. Davies, take the rest of these Bastards up to the General’s office. See what you can do about stabilizing it, so General Baker can return to work. He has much paperwork to do to get you men put where you can do the Army the most good. Where you can do for the Army, what you have done for me, personally. You gave me hope. You gave me reason. You pulled me out of depression and insanity.” Dan said, choking up a bit. “Now, take up your gear and be off with you. See to that office. We will meet, again, before the rest of us roll out.”
After the others had left, Dan approached Pemberton. “What is Tony’s status, son?”
“He will be fine, sir. A painful through and through. Just muscles tissue damage and a nick on an intestinal artery.” Pemberton stated. “He is in surgery, now. Should be out in another hour or so. Then a couple of days bedrest as they pump him full of antibiotics and fluids for the blood he lost.”
“What is his blood type?” Dan asked.
“He was one of my uni’s, sir. O-. Universal donor. He and Elliot.” Pemberton answered.
“Jill? I would really appreciate it if you went to Jones, checked on him. Let him know I’m behind him and he is just going through a process. And he needs to flow with it. Be honest and truthful. And I will see him, when they are done with him, in a few days. I will see him in a few days, so he can give me his answer to the same offer I gave the others.” Dan requested. “Also, take him one of my books. Glory Road would probably be a good one. I think he will enjoy reading about Starr and her Hero Soldier. If he finishes it, quickly, then take him Atlas Shrugged.”
“Sir, you know that book was banned from the Military libraries, a few years ago, right?” Captain Woods asked.
“All the more reason for every service member to read it, Captain.” Dan answered, frostily.
“General, please take Elliot and make the same offer to Wilson and Tony. Though I believe I know their answers, the offer should still be made to them.” Dan finished.
“General, where will you be? I would like to speak with you about the events of yesterday afternoon.” Captain Woods asked.
“I will be in my room, Captain. I have a few things to tend to, including a couple of letters to write. And prayers to cast.” Dan answered. “Come by, when you are ready.”
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Post by texican on Jul 9, 2018 1:02:38 GMT -6
BS,
Thanks for the chapter....
Now someones are definitely on General Dan's cow patty list....
Texican....
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Post by bitsmith on Jul 15, 2018 15:16:49 GMT -6
Chapter Twenty-One
Dan dug deep into the bag he keeps private. He pulled out a clean, light colored cloth, draping it over the seat of the chair in his room. Next he sat out a candle, a shallow bowl, photos of his deceased wives, a long, slim blade, and a single disk, about an inch in diameter, burned with a single rune on each side. One for peace, the other for warrior. Next, he lit the candle, sat back on his heels and cleared his mind. In the bowl, Dan dropped a small stem, before lighting it from the candle. It released a pleasant scented smoke as it smoldered.
Dan felt when Jill quietly entered his room. He did not need to look to know it was her. He could smell her unique scent, heard her step and the mild squeak click in her left boot as she tried to respectfully cross the room, before sitting on the bed.
He stayed there, sitting on his heels, remembering each person from his team who had been lost this morning. Then specifically recalling a positive memory of each of those who were leaving the Company. Dan felt the tears running down his face, as he recalled good memories of Jen and Ari and Janie and Isabella. He recalled the dream from just that morning when he had last seen them. He opened his heart to the universe sharing that tiny spark of love he had left with each of those memories.
A short time after, he brought his mind back to the here and the now. He considered the situation he was in. He knew that Nada was missing. He knew that she had been taken by force. There was a nuclear powered EMP device missing. His intuition told him they were connected, but he could not see how. Struggle with the mud of it, he could not find a link between the two.
“Why?” Dan asked himself as he continued to ponder his situation.
“Why what?” Jill asked from behind him.
“Why would someone take Nada, forcefully from her home?”
“I don’t know, Dan. Unless they were looking for a way to hurt you.”
“That is the only thing that makes sense to me, as well. But there are others they could have taken.”
“Like who? Cherry and your daughter are on your father’s property. The Bastard’s are always with you.” Jill said. “Dave is surrounded by his club, always. Nada was the only one not guarded.”
“OK. That all makes sense when I am the common thread.” Dan agreed, pinching out the candle. “But still does not explain ‘why’.”
“What are the options?” Jill asked. “You have probably have more enemies, now, then you did, before you ‘died’. There are any number of creeps out there who would want her, just because she is female and attractive. There really is no telling why someone would take her, without more information.”
Dan left out the bowl with the smoldering twig and the still warm candle, but carefully folded and put away his alter cloth.
He then closed the door for privacy in the room.
“I’m assuming you want to speak about being in my bed, this morning, when I awoke?” Dan stated with a slight grin. “Was it good for you? I was pretty out of it. Ruffied, I believe, is the term.”
“I did nothing wrong. It was late, I was tired, that chair is uncomfortable, so I laid down, beside you. It seemed to help calm you.”
“I dreamt of the girls. Janie was there, with her daughter. Named her Serena.” Dan said, putting all the joking aside. “They told me it was not my time and to stop struggling with myself. I guess I am supposed to live, fully, rather than just ticking time, which is what I have been doing the last couple of years.”
“You have been healing and recovering.” Jill snapped back, before taking a calming breath. “You are nearly 50 years old, Dan. The life you have been living the last couple of years has been about healing, not just your body but your mind. And something happened, yesterday.”
“I wanted to die, yesterday. I was hoping to get in the ring, this morning and letting that kid beat me to death. That is what I was wanting, yesterday.” He quietly stated. “I have been tired, Jill. Very, very tired. Today has been the first day, in over a year, that I prayed or cast or meditated. What ever you want to call it. This morning, I woke to find a woman I respect in my bed. Though obviously nothing had happened. I woke with a longing to live, not just to be alive. I had a newfound desire to protect life, again. Mike should have taken the Bastards, when I asked him to, rather than assigning them to guarding me. Though not a one of them complained about it, where I could hear. And they are each better woodsmen, now, as well.”
“I heard about your stay near the lake. Why did you not live in the cabin?” She asked, knowing the answer, but in full doctor mode, now.
“It was occupied,” Dan said, flatly.
“Ruth, isn’t it?” she asked. “A woman you saved and sent to the lake to be safe.”
“Yeah, Ruth and her two kids.” Dan agreed. “Look, Jill, I did not want to live with anyone. Especially a woman who felt AND acted like she owed me something, owed me herself, simply because I gave her shelter when she needed it. Pryam was working with her on pain management. She also broke Ruth’s leg and arm, so they could be properly re-set and heal correctly. The kids were great. They were at my place, nearly every day. I helped them, a little, I hope.
“Besides, Anthony had an interest in her.” Dan concluded. “And until she gave up thinking she owed herself to me, she would never be able to see Anthony and his sincere interest in her and her kids.”
“Where is Anthony, now?” Jill asked.
“I’m hoping he is at the cabin with her.” Dan said. “When I left, I told her that I was still very in love with my now passed wives and she should find someone to love, not to pay back. Then I let Dave know I was leaving and asked that he have Anthony come to the cabin to keep her and her kids safe.”
“And if she does not care for Anthony?” Jill asked.
“Then he can stay where I was living and be close enough to keep her safe until such time as she finds a man on and of her own.”
“So, what do you plan on doing, now?” Jill asked.
“Depends upon which ‘now’, you are asking about, Doc.” Dan said as he put away the rest of this prayer items.
“Are you going after Nada or the EMP?” She asked.
“Both.”
“And if looking for both, you find one is in different direction?”
“They don’t,” he answered as he carefully laid out a clean uniform and towel.
“How do you know?” Jill asked.
“I don’t know. I just do. Intuition or something else, maybe,” Dan said. “But I do know that I need to find her and in doing so, she will help me find the EMP.”
“But what are you going to do, today?” Jill asked. “You’ve basically been abandoned by your entire command.”
“Some may see it that way.” Dan said. “But I do not. It is time for them to move on. They have been with me over two years. Most duty assignments are only two years long. It is time they rotated elsewhere.
“Later today, I intend to have a good meal with my men. Hopefully, I will hear back from Tony and Wilson. Were you able to see Jones?”
“Yes. And he told me he will not leave until you are too old to continue saving the world.” Jill said. “And he thanks you for sending him an ‘escape’ in the book. That was a good idea.”
“Not an idea. A reality.” Dan shared. “When I was locked up with Brother Dave and those others, so long ago, reading about other people and other places was the only escape I had. Jones is a good man, he needs to keep active, though. Locking him like that he will go stir crazy and make things worse for himself.”
“Then a book is a good idea.” Jill agreed. “But until you go to dinner with the men?”
“I intent to take a warm shower. Such may not be an option in a few days.” Dan said. “Are you going to join me?”
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Post by texican on Jul 15, 2018 20:51:11 GMT -6
BS,
Thanks for the chapter....
Hopefully the shower is the right size....
The hunt will soon be on....
Texican....
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Post by bitsmith on Jul 22, 2018 10:50:46 GMT -6
Chapter Twenty-Two
“No. I did not shoot those people on the parade field. I’m with General Curtis. General Baker knows me, I’m one of his Bastards. My name is Jones. I’m a Specialist. My specialty IS long distance shooting. But I did not shoot at General Curtis, or anyone else on the parade field.”
“Then what were you doing on the roof of that building?”
“I was on my way to the parade field. I heard the first shot. I stopped. I started scanning roof tops. Then I saw the muzzle flash out of the corner of my eye on the second shot. I ran into that building, made my way to the roof. I got to the roof, saw the man in black battle gear, shooting at the parade field. I tried to stop him. We fought. In the struggle, I reached out for him and missed, grabbing the ring on a grenade in his gear. I saw the spoon pop, I turned and ran. That explains the injuries on my back, on my face and my hands.”
“The way I’ve heard you Bastards fight, you should have won against anyone.” The CID officer stated with a voice loaded with contempt.
“I did.” Jones answers, “By the way, aren’t you CID guys supposed to work with the MPs to keep the post safe, secure and prevent infiltration? I guess we are 1 and 0, by comparison.”
The CID officer reaches out, quick as a snake, slapping Jones. Jones rolls with it, onto the floor, kicking the table into the officer’s face. “2-1” He burbles as he rolls farther away, getting onto his feet. Hands cuffed behind his back, he backs himself into the corner of the room, behind the door.
The officer charges at him, pinning him into the corner, Jones turns with each punch, trying hard to use his arms to take the hits. The door sings wildly open, Jones manages to kick it shut on whoever threw it open, then knees the officer in the face. Getting out of the corner, the officer turns, and the door opens again. Jones takes the opportunity. He quick kicks the officer in the knee. Th officer goes down and Jones quick kicks him, again. This time to the side of his head, causing it to spin around and slam into the edge of the open door.
MP’s rush in, surrounding the struggling Jones. Holding him away from the soon to be dead CID officer. Captain Jill Woods enters the room.
“Remove those cuffs. NOW!” she orders. The MPs refuse. One of their own is down, because of this prisoner.
“He is not a prisoner. He is a suspect. A suspect who was being detained. And while bound was attacked by that man. You saw the video display as it happened. He was defending himself. You WILL release him, NOW! Then you will escort him to the infirmary, where his injuries will be seen to.” Jill relaxed her stance and her voice as she continued, “It’s alright, Jones. It’s going to be alright.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He said. “It would have been nice if you had gotten here five minutes ago.”
“Jones, I tried to stop it, as soon as he slapped you.” She said. “They are upset because the sniper killed one of their own. Now you have, too. In. Self. Defense. Remember that, Jones. In self defense. You protected your own life.”
“Ma’am? Where was my attorney? If I was to be questioned about alleged criminal involvement? Where was my representation? Where was my support?” Jones asked, as he was being escorted out the door, still cuffed.
“I don’t know, Jones. But I will get to the bottom of it.” She turned her attention to the lead MP. “Staff Sergeant? Why is he still cuffed?”
“For his own protection, ma’am.” He answered. “And with respect, ma’am, you have no authority in here.” Then he rabbit punched Jones in the short ribs. “That, you prick, is for killing my XO.”
“Touch me again, you pig, and I WILL kill you.” Jones stated, seeing Woods being held back by two other MPs.
“Oh, I’m going to do much more than just touch you, boy.” The sergeant drooled, adding quietly, “I’m going to kill you.”
“You better bring some help, then.” Jones stated. “Better men than you have tried, before.”
“I will end you, boy. I will end you and this entire thing will be put on you. And then we will hang you.” The MP Sergeant continued, speaking gently, evilly in Jones’ ear.
Jones turned his back to the sergeant, stumbling against the other MP, who pushed him back and away. Jones ended up falling with his back, against the sergeant who trapped him in a bear hug, lifting his feet off the ground.
Jones looked at Woods, smiling. Gave her a wink, before hanging his head. He felt the sergeant squeezing him tightly in the bear hug. He understood the sergeant was trying to get him to pass out. With his had hung low, he listened for the breathing he felt against his back. And he knew exactly where the sergeants head was. HE could see how wide the hall was and knew the sergeant as leaning against the wall to help hold Jones weight.
With a sudden movement, Jones grabbed the belt of the sergeant as he snapped his head up and back. He felt the satisfying crunch of contact. He heard and felt the sergeants head hit the wall. And his embrace slackens. Jones stepped away, as the sergeant slid down the wall, unconscious.
Wood breaks free of the two holding her, getting between Jones and the other escort MP who had pulled out his baton, preparing to beat Jones. A mad feral look in his eyes.
“STAND DOWN!” came an order from the end of the hall.
Both Jones and Woods looked up to see General Baker and General Curtis being escorted by a Major. It was the Major who bellowed. Dan and Mike both had their weapons out, taking careful aim around the Major and at the MPs.
“Don’t do it, son.” Baker barked. “You are in my sights. That pistol clears your holster, your brains clear your head. Think on it.” The Major takes a knee as Dan and Mike step around him.
Dan stops at Jill, where he holds an ankle out to her. She takes the backup weapon from his ankle. “Uncuff Jones. Cover him, as he shows greater restraint in cuffing both of those two.” Jones nods, understanding. This is one of those moments Dan always warned about. One of those moments where his professionalism and respect would mean more to those who judged the situation, after the fact.
Mike and Dan continued down the hall to the remaining two MPs. Stepping behind one, with Dan covering both from their front, Mike takes the handcuffs of one, “Give me your hands, son. We will get to the bottom of all of this, soon enough. If you are innocent, then you will be fine. Just as Jones, over there. He will be fine. A little rough for wear, but he will be fine. And I give you my personal guarantee, you will be treated with greater respect than Jones was. Do you understand me?”
The young MP nodded. When Dan motioned, the other turned to face the wall. Mike cuffed him, as well. Both put away their sidearms. Gently took an MP each by the arm and lead them down the hall.
“Major?’ Mike asked. “Can you vouch for either of these men?”
“I thought I could vouch for the sergeant, there.” The Major returned. “Maybe I should not, General? I do know both of them have been with us since before you got back from war on the Mexican border, sir.”
“And the sergeant and this one?” Dan asked.
“I don’t recognize this one.” The Major stated. “The sergeant transferred into my unit just 3 months ago.”
“He was a part of the transfer with those prisoners brought in from Leavenworth?”
“Yes, sir, he was.”
Dan looked at Mike and nodded.
Both turned the men they had in cuffs to the wall, uncuffing them.
“Soldier, We need you and your colleague to help the sergeant to the infirmary. Captain Woods will assist Jones. And she will keep an eye on your both. You just saw a bound soldier take out an assaulting CID officer and then that sergeant.” Dan said. “Imagine what he can do, unrestrained?”
“Sir, I had nothing to do with this. I was outside the observation office and was ordered to stop him from trying to escape by the sergeant.” The young man stated, while standing at attention. “He kicked the door in our faces, when we tried to enter. When we got in, again, the Lieutenant was almost dead.”
The young man dropped his head, muttering a prayer.
“What is your name, son?” Mike asked.
“Corporal Lewis, sir.” He responded. “I’ve been an MP and prison guard here since before the crash, sir.”
“And you, soldier?” Dan asked the other MP he and Mike had taken into custody.
“I’m Corporal Graves, sir. Lewis and I arrived the same week. Straight out of training.”
“Major?” Mike asked. “They are your men. Do you trust them?”
The Major was quiet a moment as he looked from one to the other. “Yes, sir. I do.”
“Very well. Men your CO is taking responsibility for your actions. By the numbers, get my man and your sergeant to the infirmary.” Mike ordered. Both men snapped to attention, saluted and grabbed up the sergeant, neither being very gentle.
The Major stepped up. “By the numbers, men. Respectful. Solid. By the numbers.”
Both men nodded and were a slight bit gentler than the moment before.
Woods and Jones both looked back over at Mike and Dan. Mike took up the Major and entered the observation room, looking for the recording of the interrogation. Dan went up to Jones and Woods.
“How are you, son?”
“Surviving the ‘process’, sir.” Jones said with a wince as he moved. “I think I have a broken rib or two, sir.”
Dan nodded. “Then get to the Doc and get patched up.”
“I would rather see Pemberton, sir.”
“Negative.” Dan stated. “I want you in the bed next to Tony to keep him from trying to get up too soon. Besides, I want the two of you to talk. You both have a decision to make. And I want you to think it through.”
“I have thought it through, sir.” Jones said.
“Good. I will get your answer, later.” Dan said, “After the Docs have a chance to check you over. Captain Woods, would you please assist SERGEANT Jones to the infirmary?”
“Sergeant?” Jones asked. “All I had to do to get a promotion was get my ass kicked?”
All three laughed as Woods gently turned Jones away and started for the door leading to the stairs.
“Hotshot?” Dan called out, as they opened the doors. “I’m proud of you, son.”
Jones stood a little straighter upon hearing that. He turned, shaking off Woods, assistance. Saluted Dan, as sharply as his injuries would allow. Dan returned the salute with respect and precision. Jones collapsed against Woods as every breathe he took hurt.
Dan entered the observation room, just in time to watch the CID Officer reach across the table and slap Jones. Together the three of them watched as Jones was attacked, beaten and defended himself.
“Major?” Mike asked.
“That kid is one mean son of a bitch!” he said.
“That ‘kid’ was to be a sacrificial scape goat.” Dan said, getting upset.
“I should have had two MPs in there to protect the investigator.” The Major stated.
“Or to protect the accused from the dirty investigator?” Mike asked.
“Yes, that too, sir. I’m sorry, General. Please see it from my side. I lost an investigator, this morning. “ The Major stated.
“Major.” Dan stated. “You have lost more than just an investigator.”
“Yes, you are correct, sir. I also lost Sergeant Allen.”
“Major, I believe General Curtis is also referring to the loss of respect the entire MP company had. The idea that your men were good, honorable, reasonable men who respected the law and the upheld the Code of Conduct.” Mike stated.
Those words hit the Major like bricks being thrown at him. Each word taking a pound of flesh with impact. “I understand, sir. You will have my resignation, this afternoon.”
“Negative, Major.” Mike answered. “It is not that I don’t have anyone to replace you, Joe. It’s that I want the very best CID man in the entire Army to get to the bottom of this. Can I rely on you to do that, Joe?”
“Yes, sir.” Joe answered. “And as soon as I get this shit cleaned up, sir, THEN I will resign.”
“We will cross that bridge, when we get to it, Joe.” Mike answered. “Let’s get your investigators in there, to photograph and document. I want a copy of this video on my desk, verified by you, please, within the hour.”
“Sir?”
“Joe, we have been infiltrated and attacked, from within.” Mike said. “I suspect a fifth column has been sent in to destabilize the post and to discredit my Bastards and General Curtis.”
“Why, sir?” Joe asked. “Why would anyone target the post, this way?”
“Because there are people here, I care about, Major.” Dan answered. “Mike, here, is a very close friend. Someone I would go to the ends of the earth to support and protect. By discrediting me and disrupting the post, the entire Army takes the hit, Major. And it makes it more difficult for me to execute my mission. Also, it pushes us back several steps to how the nation was, BEFORE the crash.”
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Post by 9idrr on Jul 22, 2018 14:28:31 GMT -6
How deep is the rot?
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Post by texican on Jul 22, 2018 20:25:11 GMT -6
Sufficiently to cause the havoc experienced.... BS, good chapter.... Now whom are the infiltrators?.?.?.? Another chapter to reveal.... Texican....
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Post by udwe on Jul 23, 2018 21:45:39 GMT -6
Loved this story from the beginning. Thanks for continuing it!
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Post by texican on Jul 24, 2018 22:42:16 GMT -6
Loved this story from the beginning. Thanks for continuing it! udwe, You forget to send BS kisses.... Texican....
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Post by bitsmith on Aug 5, 2018 8:23:07 GMT -6
Chapter Twenty-Three
Dan and Mike exited the observation booth with the Major. The cuffed MP was still standing there, where he had been told to stay.
Turning, Dan asked, “Who are you and what was the goal, here, today?”
The PFC looked Dan in the eye a moment, then at Baker. “You two do not scare me. Neither of you is able or willing to do what is needed. You both are held hostage by old pieces of paper that mean nothing, anymore. Too weak to do what is needed. Just like the fraud who is our President, now.”
“Major?” Mike asked. “Do we have any proof this man actually did anything illegal? Did he break any laws? Disobey any orders?”
“No, General, we do not.” The Major replied.
“Do we have anything that proves this man is a member of the Armed Services, specifically, the U.S. Army?”
“No, sir, I do not believe we do. I mean I have transfer orders for him and the Sergeant, but those can be easily forged, given our lack of networking between bases and posts, sir.”
“So … we have a man who may be or may not be a legitimate soldier in the role of MP?” Mike asked, getting more angry as he and Dan crowded in on the soldier, still cuffed and pinned against the wall. Stepping back, he continued, “General, we could just kick him out. I mean other than playing soldier, he really has not done anything wrong.”
“Or … we could let him continue playing ‘soldier’ if that is what he wants to do. A disgraced soldier. An MP tossed into the general population of the prison. How long would he last, surrounded by those dealers, thieves, rapists and murders?” Dan asked, without looking away.
“You two don’t frighten me.” The PFC repeated. “Your rules and laws keep from doing any of that, ‘General’.” He spewed with contempt.
“Gentlemen.” The Major interrupted. “T believe I have the answer.”
Both turned to look him in the eye. The Major continued, “Masterson, are you certain you wish to challenge the General, here to the same contest that did not happen, yesterday morning? I mean, you do know how good a fighter he is, right?”
“What? I did not Challenge him!”
“Masterson, PFC Masterson,” Dan said, HIS voice dripping with contempt. “Are you certain about this challenge? I mean, are you prepared to meet me in a ring, before others for one on one, hand to hand combat? You saw what Jones, my Specialist did, right? That is after only 30 months, or so, with me. I’ve been training for many, many years. It would be so easy for an ‘accident’ to happen to you. I mean, A punch to the right place in your back, when you in a certain position would leave you wearing a diaper and unable to walk, for the rest of your life.”
“Come, General. You heard him. And I’m sure he is a good sport. He’s an MP, after all. He knows how to handle himself, right? And he knows it’s just a ‘friendly’ contest. Helps keep up the morale of the men and women on the Fort.” Mike explained, facetiously. “I’m mean the Army got rid of these contests, decades ago, because of those accidents like you mentioned. But this is not our grandfather’s Army, anymore. Dan, before I let such a contest happen, you will have to promise me to do your best not damage him.”
“What?” Masterson started, suddenly very concerned. “No! No, I did not challenge anyone! You won’t get me into the ring with anyone!”
“See, Dan?” Mike continued. “He just declared that he has no objection to the rules and he accepts the risks, too! So long as we have an informed statement of consent … OK. I’m good with this. And after yesterday morning … The post needs this, I believe. Though I think will move the ring inside, just to limit the risks.”
“Wait! No. NO, no, no! I’m not an MP! You can’t do this to me! I’m not even a real soldier! I’ve never been through basic training or anything!” Masterson vomited the words. “I was picked up, shortly after the crash near Las Vegas. My family was gone. I have no idea where. I wondered around for days, trying to find a place to stay. Then I was picked up by this group of guys. We lived in the tunnels under Las Vegas. It’s like a separate city down there. I was doing a this robbery with a group of them for food. It went bad. We got caught in this warehouse. 6 of us and they let me live. The other five were dead. I became one of them. And I was not good at it, either! The only thing I was good at was acting like I knew what I was doing. Then they sent me here, with Petrosky, that sergeant. I took my orders from him and that dead officer, Horvat.”
“What is the goal of this little group you are in?” Dan asked.
“I don’t know. They kept talking about taking over the country and running it the way it should be run. But Horvat and Petrosky, both, are racist sumbitches. They never met a colored person they would have liked better, dead or as a servant.” Masterson continued. “Petrosky once joked about nuking all of Africa. Horvat suggested instead a virus to kill off all the animals, just the two-legged ones so not to ruin the value of the continent.”
Mike gently pulled Dan back, with a hand on his shoulder. “So why did you not leave them?”
“They fed me well. Provided for me. I only had to do what they told me to do and when they told me to do it.”
“Major.” Dan said to face the man. “Lock him up. Solitary. 24 hour guard. His life is on their heads. He dies, they answer for it.”
“Sir!” He responded. “It will be done.”
“Ralph, I want him completely isolated. No physical contact. No visitors. If necessary, follow the rules of both the Patriots Acts. This morning’s attack was a terrorist attack. He can be tied to them, from what he just said.” Mike added.
“I understand, sir.” Major Ralph Jenkins nodded. “If you gentlemen are done with him, I will see to his immediate incarceration.”
“Thanks, Joe.” Mike said. “Oh, and Major? Don’t forget to secure me a copy of that video.”
“Already being done, sir,” The major answered. “Come along, you. I think I’m going to have to send you back to Leavenworth. They take impersonating military personnel very seriously, there. And they have ‘hard labor’ to help keep you fit. Maybe we need to add hard labor here, too.”
“So, Dan,” Mike opened, when they were alone. “Now what?”
“I prepare to roll out of here. Possibly alone. Maybe a team of 6 or so.” Dan answered. “From here, we go to Thayer, find out what we can. If I find anything, then I adjust track to find Nada. If I don’t, then I head to the rash site of that plane, maybe with a day or two at Freedom.”
“Usually you rush into situations. What is the difference, now?”
“Mellowing with age?” Dan asks, sarcastically.
“No, Dan, I’m being serious. What has you going at this so slowly. If it were me, you would be hitting them from the side, already.”
“Mike, There is more to this. I don’t know what it is, yes, but there is more to this that I need to know about, before I go stepping into a hornets nest that will get Nada stung.”
“OK,” Mike nodded. “What do you need from me?”
“I need that man interrogated. I need to know when he was last on that ship, boat, barge, whatever it was. I need to know what it was and what all he saw on it. And where they were. I also want you to verify his orders and those of Sgt. Allen. Did they have legitimate orders or forgeries? Did they remove the original person those orders were for?”
“You are afraid the infiltration is not just this fort.” Mike stated as he understood the larger picture Dan was seeing.
“Yes,” Dan replied. “And be careful who and how you dig into this. It might be better to have someone else do the asking. I literally mean that, Mike. Get someone, somewhere else to dig into those transfer orders.”
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Post by texican on Aug 5, 2018 21:48:14 GMT -6
BS,
The first murdering traitor is found and will spill his guts....
Now, is the nuke in Lost Wages?.?.?.?
Thanks for the chapter....
Texican....
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Post by bitsmith on Aug 12, 2018 9:41:57 GMT -6
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Welcome to dinner!” The large man in a dress uniform bellowed, trying to affect warmth. His insincere heart shining through the shallowness of his words. “Who are you?” Nada asked, keeping her daughter, Ellie, behind her. “I’m your benefactor, dear.” The large man burbled. “Please, let’s sit and eat and become acquainted.” She carefully looked over the food on the table. It reminded her of her mother’s table at Thanksgiving. Yeast rolls, ham, yams, green beans. The only thing missing was Handel’s Messiah playing in the background. Carefully, she approached the table, seating Ellie, carefully sampling a small taste, before putting anything on the girl’s plate. “It’s all safe. I guarantee you.” He said. “Please, relax and enjoy. Food is far too expensive, these days to waste it.” She carefully filled another plate, taking a seat next to her daughter. “Who are you?” she asked, again. “Call me Major.” “Major?” she asked. “Major who? Of what service?” “Right now, Miss Nataly, Major will be all you need.” He said. “Please, eat! I know you have had a rough journey to get here.” Nada nodded to her daughter who tore into the food on her plate with fervor. “My, but she is hungry.” The Major said, chuckling. “Well, what would you expect? She has not eaten in two days. Your thugs stormed my house, drug us out, after killing her step father and step brother. Just as we were sitting down to dinner.” Nada answered coldly. “And then you bring us here. What is this place? It looks like an old coal or trash barge with a bunch of shipping containers on it.” “That is exactly what it is,” he answered. “It is my floating palace. I am the reigning authority on this sea. I own all of the traffic here. This was once my gran’ther’s river. He ran his steam boat up and down the river, transporting goods and people. Then he was Captain of a floating casino. Such a lowly job for a man who previously had transported millions of dollars of goods in, and thousands of tons of trash out.” “I would think a casino ship captain would be a step UP. He may not be moving millions of dollars worth of stuff, but he was responsible for a great many more lives. Any one of which would be worth more than all his trips combined.” She answered coldly, while keeping an eye on the room. “My, but you are a feisty one, aren’t you?” He chuckled. “I’m going to enjoy having you around.” “And how long do you expect that to be?” “As long as it takes to learn from you all I can.” “What do you want to know?” “I want to know about a man you know.” “And after I tell you all I know?” “You will be free.” “Just like that?” “So long as you are honest with me, yes, just lie that.” He said. “You and your daughter will be free to leave.” “Fine. Let’s get started. Who do you want to know about?” “Daniel Curtis.” Ellie dropped her fork. “No, Mommy.” Nada looked at her daughter, seeing a strength in her that rarely showed through. “It will be fine, Ellie. Dan can take care of himself. Besides, everything I know of him is old and not current. He won’t be able to use it to hurt Dan.” “I don’t want to know what he is doing, now. I have that, already. I want to know WHO he was. I want to understand the man, before I work to recruit him.” “Recruit him for what?” “Why to be my Land General, of course!” He said, smiling broadly. “Let me share with you my vision then you will understand why it will be the way I intend for it to be.” “Good. You speak, we will eat.” Nada said, nodding to Ellie. “As I said, I own these waters. My ships and barges carry cargo and people across this tiny inland sea. And like Captain Dan, I have a vision. He owns the land. He organized the criminal element with this biker gangs to take over the roads. He could have been king of the land, as I am king of this sea. And I would had had to kill him, if he had done that. Because I intend to be king of the air, the land and the sea. I have been patient and I have waited for my opportunities. I take the fuel …” “Well, if you are waiting for your ‘opportunities’ then you will fail when it comes to Dan. He is unpredictable. He does not wait for things to happen. He MAKES things happen.” Nada tells the blow hard. “He learned that lesson too late.” “I see.” The Major continued. “My point still remains. The right action, at the right time. That is how one conquers.” “Oh, so you don’t want Dan with you. You want him to bow to you?” she asked. “That won’t happen, either.” “My GodFather will never bow to a thief.” Ellie added. “Who said I was a thief?” The Major asked, turning his harsh eyes to the little girl. “You SHOWED us you are a thief when you had us stolen from our home!” Ellie shouted as she stood up. “Mommy, it’s time for us to leave.” Nada looked at the large man then back to her daughter. “We can’t leave. He won’t let us. He does not have what he wants from us. As Dan would say, ‘he has more game pieces than he has shown’. He has not hurt us, yet, but he will. That is who he is. He only know how to hurt others and to take what he wants.” Ellie looks to the man who is sitting back smiling as though proud of himself. “Then what do we do?” “We tell hm the truth. All of it. Answer every question honestly. Do not lie to him. Tell him all of it. Anything he asks you tell him.” Nada said. “But only him. We will not answer questions from anyone else.” “MOM!” Ellie shouted. “We can’t do that! It will hurt Dan!” “And if Dan were here, he would tell us to do the same thing.” Nada stated flatly. “Now do as I have told you. If anyone asks you a question, tell them, nicely, that you answer only to The Major.” Nada continued looking at the Major, ice forming between their gaze, “But if anyone touches either of us, the deal is off. Anyone mistreats either of us, the deal is off. Anyone hurts either of us and you will get nothing useful.” “Deal struck.” He laughed. “Now enough of this drama. Let’s eat. And while we do, you can tell me how you first met Dan.” Nada gave Ellie a nod to sit back down and to eat. “I met Dan several years for the crash. Must have been ’05. At the time, I was married to a nasty man. He took me to a sex party. I was to be traded to another man for the evening so he could be with that man’s wife. Just a wife swap. I was not into it, but I went along because going along meant I was not beaten, again. This other man started to do things to me that I did not want to do. He started hurting me. Dan interrupted when he heard me use the universal safe word and this creep did not stop. He was raping me, at a sex party. He turned to Dan and asked who was going to stop him? Who was going to believe a whore like me at a sex party? The guy was a judge or something. As he laughed, while still taking me, Dan broke his nose. Dan pull him off of me. It created a huge spectacle as Dan held this guy by his hair and balls dragging him through the entire party. Everyone saw who it was. The quietly weird, creepy guy who kept to himself in the corners and rarely spoke to anyone was dragging a very popular member of the group through the party. Dan threw his ass out the front door, into the snow. Yelled at the police across the street to arrest the man for public nudity. The parties, though legal, were not socially acceptable, so the group paid for two police cars to protect us from the narrow minded hypocrites of the town. And they managed to pull several tickets each month to help the town, as well, from our group. The judge was arrested. He used his influence to find me. Then he continued pursuing me, while having Dan harassed. Dan was excluded from the group, despite following the rules and doing what was right, because anyone associated with Dan was also targeted. “About four months go by and my husband moved us out of the state and I lost touch with the group. “Then in ’07 we were moving back and we had major money and car problems. While on the road, I reconnected with the group. With Dan. He helped us get to town. We stayed with him a couple of days. Dan and my husband were like gasoline and lit matches when in the same room. Dan slept in his car after that first night. My husband accused me of wanting Dan and sleeping with him, while he was supposed to be out looking for a job. “On the third day we were in his apartment, Dan asked for a meeting. Carl, my husband refused. He did not have time to meet with Dan, even though it was for 8PM. I knew from the way Carl was acting, that he was going to take great joy from screwing me in Dan’s bed, again, that night.
“I meet with Dan, in the living room, at 8, with my newborn Ellie and Carl’s daughter from a previous relationship, as I had promised. Dan told me we had to leave. He laid out a few things on the coffee table. One was a syringe and another was a bag of heroin. “I understood then why Dan was being so short, clipped, and specific with his words. He was pissed that we had brought drugs into HIS home. I agreed to get us moved out, that night, though I did not know where we were going to go. “Dan then put keys to another apartment on the table. He then told me to get started moving and he would watch Ellie. I remember she started crying as I left her on the couch to gather our stuff. He picked her up, which she never liked anyone but Carl or I to hold her, and rarely did she let Carl. With Dan, she curled right up in his arms and went to sleep. I was amazed. “When I came back to get Ellie, Dan gave me an envelope with some money in it. Nearly a thousand dollars. It was to pay the next month’s rent and to the utilities until I could get assistance started for us. He begged me to keep it away from Carl, and even offered to hold the money in his place for me. I remember it odd having that conversation of how Carl was going to hurt me and the girls while he changed the locks in his doors. “I should have left it with Dan. Instead, Carl found it. Spent it on fixing his truck. Then took his older daughter and left for three weeks. Supposedly to go see his parents. “He came back and broke into Dan’s place, during the day, while I was dealing with getting assistance. Took everything he could carry. Fortunately, Dan kept his guns locked up tight in a big safe. Carl knew they were there. Even tried to bust the safe open. Smashed the dial off the front of it. “He stole Dan’s clothes, his computers and a bunch of other stuff. With all that stuff in his truck, he came to our apartment, beat me, raped me, beat me some more, then left. “I remember vividly when Dan got home to find his apartment trashed and his things taken. He glared at me because he knew who had done it. Carl. The police came. Took the reports. I filed rape and assault charges. The police found some drug paraphernalia in the stuff and tried to arrest Dan until I stepped in and explained that I knew Dan did not use and that Carl did and that Carl must have left the stuff behind, because he was so jealous of Dan. I gave them all of the information I had on Carl. Dan gave them serial numbers of everything that was stolen. Some of it was recovered in a few days. Most of it was not. “Dan started night shift a little after that. He would watch Ellie for me, while I went looking for work. In exchange, I was his maid, sort of. Dan really built the neighbors into a group who looked out for each other, after Carl robbed him. Dan used the internet to find the laws about what the management was responsible for in keeping us safe and started organizing the tenants to hold them to those rules.
“Then we had no hot water in the complex. And Dan gave everyone a letter and a few forms on how to pay rent into a bank account, but not the office, until the hot water was fixed. Only 60 units but when 32 of them don’t give rent money for two months, people begin to notice. At the same time ,he organized the other tenants to help make the place nicer. He bought himself a few window planters and put herbs in them. Others did the same. Management hated him, but he had them with the lease contracts. “At the same time, he started dating someone even though I was available and interested. He would not touch me, then. And he still watched Ellie for me, when I needed it. I had a job. I started to make friends. I kept Dan’s place clean. I did not like his girlfriend. And she really was not a girlfriend. I met Jen and Ari who lived under him. They were weird but OK. As a group we would sometimes sit in the quad between our apartments with other neighbors and just drink and talk. Someone would cook burgers or hotdogs on a grill. We all chipped in something from our fridges. It was not perfect, but it was nice. “We had one of those on a long weekend, and Dan was not there. He was always at those, quietly, but there. He often would set his stereo on the cat walk and play music for us. But not this weekend. His truck was there, but not his motorcycle. “The next week the police came to me. Carl was dead. Evidently he had been in a fight with someone. Then went home and shot up with too much stuff. He OD’ed. And I was glad he was gone. But they brought his daughter to me to keep, while they looked for her birth mother. She was 12 at the time. “I don’t know that Dan did it, but when I finally saw him a few days later, he had a few bruises, new glasses and was pleased Carl was dead and sad for me. Something he told me that I have never forgotten: ‘When all you do is screw with people, eventually you will screw with one who will screw back, harder.’” “So, Dan was your protector? Your friend? What?” “At the time, he was like … a big brother, a protector, a father and a the object of desire and I had a crush on him. I cried myself to sleep many nights, wishing he would touch me the same way I saw him touch his girlfriend. I just wanted to be held by him. And I wanted to hold him. To let him know that he was not alone. Jen and I were in the laundry one day. I asked if she had seen Dan. She shared that she had heard him come home from his job and then his girlfriend showed up. They argued and she left. Then Jen called him the loneliest man she had ever met. Even when he had a girlfriend, he was both lonely and alone. I lost my job, shortly after that and I moved my daughters and myself to Carl’s parent’s place. I did not even tell Dan good bye. I just left.” “So you deserted your friend. Why? Because it hurt me to see him with other women who were not me. Women he did not love. Women that I don’t think loved him but were just using him. He learned to use them, a well, but he never crossed a certain line. He never hurt them. Anything he got from them they gave. In the year and a half I lived there, he had two girlfriends. Neither lasted more than a couple of months. And they were girls he met at those parties. Jen and Ari both could tell I was interested in him. They even offered to sit the girls for us to go out. But Dan always found a way to change the conversation, without committing to anything.” “What do you think would have happened if you and Dan had gotten together, back then?” “We would have come to hate each other.’ Nada said quickly and simply. “I was not mature enough and he would have felt obligated to me. He would not have ended it until it was damaging to us both, because I would have been in such a needful state. It would have been loud, ugly and painful. But that was not the end of my relationship with Dan.” “Good.” Major said. “You can tell me more, tomorrow evening, over dinner. I will have someone show you back to your room, now. I recommend you limit your time out of your rooms. You are not prisoners, but until you learn how we work during the day … I would not want you to get hurt. Have a good night.” He then got up and left. “Mom? Is that really how you met Dan?” “Yes, it was.” “He changed my diapers?” “Yes, he did. In fact, he gave you your nick name that night I moved us out of his apartment. He called you ‘lil one’ telling you you did not need to cry, as he held you.”
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Post by texican on Aug 12, 2018 12:50:13 GMT -6
BS,
Good chapter....
Dan will be giving the Major a severe wake up call when he finds him....
Now just where is the nuke?.?.?.?
Texican....
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Post by bitsmith on Aug 19, 2018 8:51:10 GMT -6
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Dan, I know you wanted to leave, three days ago, but I’ve got details for you, finally,” Mike said as he joined Dan for lunch in the mess hall. “Allen was an MP in Leavenworth. But he was not OUR Allen. The orders to transfer WERE legitimate. The real Allen is being searched for. The kid with him has a lot of little information bits about the ‘Inland Sea Commander’. Or ‘King’. It seems this ‘Major’ guy could not decide which he was going to be.”
“I guess you could be both. King of a sea and commander of the same sea.” Dan replied, smiling as Mike politely waived off a couple of young men looking to join them. “It looks like that practice is starting to really kick in. Has anyone noticed any benefits from the ranks mixing at chow?”
“I don’t have any actual numbers from it, but I have noticed the lower ranks appear to be happier. There are still those higher NCO’s and Officers, both, who want the segregation. I’ve asked the mess staff to keep an eye on the NCO’s and Officers who DO sit with the enlisted. I want to reach out to those and find out what the topics of discussion are. I think it would be good to steer those conversations to relevant issues, job training, emotional support and a list of things Captain Woods suggested. We don’t have the same structure and opportunity we once did. So adding growth in those non-structured conversations could be very helpful.”
“I agree. And those who still want to be segregated, all of the time … have them interviewed too. It IS possible that an E-8 or E-9 is coaching a few E-5’s or 6’s. Same with the officers. Just ensure everyone maintains the respect of rank. You remember that first morning in the barracks on Knox? All the men in that day room? We had our blouses off to speak candidly and without rank issues? Maybe one day a month the mess could go without blouses. I can see both good and bad coming from it, depending upon personalities. Also, those stationed here full time and not just for training … soccer leagues and such. Teams and contests. Forced PT stinks. But participating in something you enjoy … that can be fun and even more beneficial, healthwise. Maybe even set up competitions and training with off-base clubs and teams.” Dan suggested.
“I like that. I’ve had similar requests in the last month. I’ve asked the training cadre to work up schedules and rotations. I still want PT for everyone on a basis to keep not just physically fit but also militarily minded.” Mike agreed. “But back to this Charlie Tuna guy.”
“Charlie the Tuna?” Jones asked as he approached Mike from behind, joining him on his side of the table. “Who is he?”
Mike looked at Dan, who nodded, just once, before continuing. “The guy we think has Dan’s friend, Nada, thinks himself to be ‘King of the inland sea. Calls himself Major and king and a few other things. But I called him Charlie Tuna because of an old advertising campaign from when I was a kid. Charlie was a Tuna cartoon pitching the brand.”
“Chicken of the Sea,” Dan said, taking a bite of his venison sausage while thinking three other things.
“Maybe, I don’t remember.” Mike continued. “Anyway, as I was trying to explain, this guy has a small fleet of barges and tugs. His main ship is two barges tied together with shipping containers across them. There is a level of the large ones and then two levels above of smaller ones that are more like apartments. OP’s and FP’s on the top of those. Three tugs with it. One pulling from the front and one tied on each side, about mid-length. There is a small raft or such towed behind by 20 yards or so with fuel tankers on it. Gas on one side, diesel on the other. All of this armada have a variety of other boats and A LOT of jet skis from what we have collected, so far.”
“Any information on how they attack?” Dan asked. Slowly eating and watching the room The immediate tables around them were empty. He paid particular attention to a group of MP’s who entered, armed and were jumping through the line. “Mike, I think we have an issue. That group of six MP’s. Something about them is just not right.”
Jones pulled out a woman’s makeup compact and used the mirror look for himself, then handed it to Baker. Dan looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “Sir. Sgt Ramirez told me about them, sir. If positioned correctly, they let a sniper keep an eye on his backside, without breaking concealment.”
Dan nodded with a grin and a wink.
“I see what you mean,” Mike stated. “Definitely military. But very pushy. I agree something is off about them. Maybe they are new, here. Or maybe they are grabbing a quick bite before a duty and they are wound up about it.”
“Or maybe they have other intentions.” Dan said, interrupting. “Tell me, Mike, when did the military change from batons to asps?”
“I don’t know of the military changing to asps. Too often they are bigger problems than they solve. Faliing to lock when extended. Faliing to collapse. And too small a tip. Far too easy to break a head and cause serious injury. Do those men have asps?”
“Yes, they do.” Dan said.
“I will deal with it.” Mike says, standing.
“Sir?” Jones asks as Dan continues eating his breakfast.
“Mike knows what he is doing. Just a bit of recon.” Dan says.
Dan has his eyes locked with one of them. The one farthest from Mike and still facing Dan. Others laugh a bit at something Mike said. But this one has eyes boring into Dan’s. Dan watches as the fake MP’s hand slowly leaves the table, towards his hip. Dan slowly shakes his head side to side. As his hand is already under the table and holding his sidearm.
Mike nods, smiles and moves on, letting himself into the kitchen area.
“Jones, this may get dicey. If anything goes down, Make your way out and get more witnesses. Raise a stink to keep those men in here. They need to be held until an investigation is finished.” Dan said, gently and with a smile, butnot once aking his eyes off of the other man.
“I don’t like that, sir.” Jones said. “I can handle myself, sir.”
“I know you can, Hotshot.” Dan said, finally looking at Jones. “Which is why I’m sending you out, alone, to get help, incase I fall.”
“You won’t fall, sir.” Jones said.
“Jones, every man falls. We see a table of 6. But that smug bastard knows something I don’t know. I think there may be more of them in the room. In amongst the other men.”
Dan’s eyes changed direction as the doors opend and Wilson, Pemberton, Tony and Woods all entered. The former three armed and carrying their bags, ready to get on the road.
“But I don’t think it will be, today.” Dan said, smiling as Jones turned around to see what Dan was looking at.
Dan’s focus turned back to the MP. Once their eyes were on each other, again, Dan watched the guy shrug as he had both hands under the table. Dan understood the threat. This guy was looking to create a situation.
“Jones, make yourself useful. Take care of their bags, so they get breakfast. Just their bags, mind you.” Dan says, again, looking away from the threat. “If you don’t have your sidearm on you, ask Tony or Wilson for theirs. They have their rifles which will work as both deterent and shield against the asps. And stay with the bags, near the doors. Have one of them quietly slip a sidearm to Woods, as well. I’m looking at you being able to support a crossfire.”
“Yes, sir.” Jones said realizing this was not a time to challenge or ask any questions.
“And Jones, smile and be happy about it.” Dan instructed.
Dan stood, smiling as Mike came back from the kitchen area.
“Mike, have you got Wilsons’ Captain’s Bars?”
“Yeah, they are in my pocket. Why, what’s up?” Mike asked concerned at the change of topic.
“I’m thining distraction. He knows they are coming. And what way to advertise his excellence than to promote him, here. Now.” Dan said. “They are not alone. They have others in the hall. Mixed in with the men.”
“I know. I saw that as I was coming back.” Mike said smiling. “But hold on to your hat, it’s about to get interesting in here. I used the phone in mess office to call Joe. He’s on his way here. With a company of his personally vetted MP’s.”
“Oh, good!” Dan said, visibly relaxing. And that is when the chaos started.
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Post by bitsmith on Aug 19, 2018 13:45:26 GMT -6
Chapter Twenty-Six
Dan watched as if the world was moving in slow motion. Someone in the large room blew a loud shrill whistle. At which time nearly twenty people stood up. Most all of them leveling a firearm at Dan. He stepped back and away from Mike, putting himself back into a corner. A few were aimed at Mike, but most all of them were aimed at Dan. He could not tell what the situation with Wilson, Tony, Pemberton and Woods was. But he could clearly see Jones, on the floor, behind a table, sidearm in hand, waiting to be told what to do. As Jones looked at Dan, Dan just shook his head ‘No’. Jones nodded, as if to say he was ready. Again, Dan shook his head, ‘No’. With his back against a wall and a folded table on his right, there was no where for Dan to go. A sudden shout from the cooks line got the attention of about half those holding Dan within their sights.
With the flash of a flash bang exploded in everyone’s vision, Dan jumped up, pulling a couple of tables down on top of himself as the room exploded into gun fire a half second later. The large, heavy tables, folded double as they were, protected him form most of the bullets that came close. He knew he had a couple of grazes, but no serious injuries. Landing on his left side, Dan’s shooting hand was in no position to shoot back. He could see Jones in trouble, changing hands he fired with his off-hand. Though he was aiming for kill-shots, he was only injuring those shooting at Jones. Pemberton was seen flying through the large doors into the chow hall. Followed a moment later by Woods. Dan just smiled knowing Tony had made them airborne for the distance. As Jill slid through the doorway, she used her free hand to catch the door frame, spinning her around, on her stomach. Behind the cover of the door, she started popping carefully aimed shots into those standing. The staccato of the firing changed when Wilson started shooting with his M4. A very different sound from the handguns being fired in every direction. Knowing that both Tony and Wilson had no cover, Dan knew he had to make a move to bring attention back to him. If he did not, then his friends would die.
With a great roar, Dan forcefully stood up, hard and fast, flipping a table towards the crowd of soldiers and MP’s and just as quickly those pinned in the middle of the room were turning back at him. A concentration of pistol fire was absorbed by the table he was again, hiding behind, though he had managed to get it open a little and on edge.
“Tony!” Dan yelled out. “Wilson! Get DOWN! I’m coming out!”
The pistol fire slowed and Dan knew many were aimed back at him. In a flash, Dan stood and ran the three steps back into the corner, bringing even more tables down on himself, creating a larger pile he could shoot and hide behind. As Dan was falling with a table coming down on him, he saw the MP with whom he had been trading stares. Dan fired and just as suddenly saw a third eye blossom on the guys forehead, a bit left of center. The table landed on him then, trapping his arm in a bad position. Pinned as he was, Dan had no leverage to get up. The sounds were changing. Fewer pistols were sounding off. Dan was so pleased to hear the two M4’s still firing. Tony and Wilson were still with him.
A sudden change in the din of noise with a lot of shouting and less firing of guns. Mike’s MP’s had arrived. Mike! How was Mike? Dan started worrying, scared his friend was in the middle of the mess, still.
Then Joe was heard calling “General! General Baker! Sound off, Baker!”
“Here. I’m here.” Mike was heard. Dan sighed with relief. “Dan! Where are you, Dan?”
“I’m fine.” Dan called out. “Just buried under a few tables. See to the wounded. Bastards! Sound OFF! Health Report!”
Wilson called first. “Here! Minor hit. Just a scratch.”
Next came Tony. “General? You got my black ass out of bed, for this shit? Sir, I’m getting tired of saving your scrawny ass! Other than being pissed off, I’m fine, sir. Glad you are still with us. Can someone get me some breakfast, please? I seem to have lost my tray.”
“Jones here. I think I need a shower, but other than that, I’m fine. I certainly like sniping a lot better than firefights!” Dan nodded in agreement.
“Pemberton, I’m a little bruised from Tony pitching me through a closed door. Hey! You! Yeah, you! Get me clean towels. As many as you got, dammit! I need to stop this man’s bleeding!”
“Woods here! I’m no Bastard, but I’m whole. You. Here. Hold his arm, just like this. Yeah, just like that. Hold it up over his head and keep pressure on that hole to keep it closed.”
“General Curtis? Where are you, sir?” Joe called out.
“Back here, in the corner, Major. See the big pile of tables? I’m in that pile. See to the wounded, first! I’m in no danger, here.”
Dan listened to the wounded being seen to. Men crying in both fear and in pain. Then a table was moved, and then another. After 5 or 6 were moved off of the pile, Dan saw a familiar face. One of the men that Mike had waived off from joining them.
“I bet you are glad you did not sit with us.” Dan quipped as another person lifted the end of a table and Dan was able to get his legs free.
“With respect, sir, I’m damned thankful I did not sit with you. Are you alright, sir?” he asked, offering Dan a hand up.
“Yeah. I’m OK,” Dan said as he stood, with the help. “Thanks for digging me out, men.”
One of the men handed Dan a towel. “Sir, you are bleeding. Looks like you took a hit on your head.”
Sheepishly, the first apologized. “Sir, I’m sorry. I really should not have sounded off that way. You probably saved lives with calling attention back to you, as you did.”
“What’s your name, soldier?” Dan asked gently as he waived the others closer to him.
“I’m Perkins, sir. PFC Perkins.”
“Perkins, I took no offense in what you said or how you said it. You spoke your mind and a truth. And to be honest with you, son, I’m also thankful you were not sitting with us. You probably would have been hurt, if you had been.” Dan said, patting the young man on his shoulder. “Now, the MP’s and the medics have that under control. Let’s the four of us, put these tables back up against the wall. The ones that are whole and undamaged, back where they were. Those that need repairs flat against this wall.”
Mike watched Dan and the three young men sorting and putting away tables. Smiling as he understood Dan’s motives. He and those men would have only been in the way of those seeing to the medical needs of the injured. And Dan was also seeing to the mental health of those men. Men who probably lost a friend or was spared injury. Survivor’s guilt can be a bitch to deal with and by putting them to work, after they ‘saved’ someone would help them deal with it.
Woods, approached Mike, “He’s a natural isn’t he?” she asked.
“Yes, he is. And he does not even know it. He helps heal those men. And will help others, shortly, after they are stabilized. I’m glad he at least has you to help heal him.” Mike said, with a knowing look at her face.
“Whatever do you mean, General?” Woods asked with a tone dripping sarcasm like honey. “Seriously, though. He is a good man who is so damaged in his own mind that he does not know the good he does for others. He just sees it as his responsibility to be there. Like now. You see him moving through the wounded. A touch, a nod. A word. And they will relax, believing him. And then there are those like that one. That one is going to kill any healing Dan has done the last few days. That young man will not survive to leave this room, General.”
Mike and Jill watched as Perkins joined Dan. “Sir? This is my friend. Dave. Private David Levine. He was with me, this morning as we app…”
“I recognize him, Perkins. Thank you for the introductions.” Dan said with a catch in his voice. “Private Levine. How are you doing, son?”
“Not so well, sir.” Levine stated with a wince. “The medics saw to me and then went to help others they can actually save. They don’t have the tools to help me, sir. I saw it in their faces. It’s only a matter of time, sir. And I’m OK with that.”
“Sir, Dave tried to fight when the shooting started. He used his tray to smack one of them in the face and then another, he hit in the throat with the edge of it. That is the one that shot him, General.” Perkins said, pointing to the body of one of the attackers. Dan looked at Perkins, nodding.
“Thank you for that, Perkins. Would you mind giving Dave and I a moment, please?” Dan asked. “In fact, would you mind asking Captain Woods over there to join us? She is over there with General Baker. Thank you, Perkins.”
Dan looked straight into Mike’s eyes, as though trying to plant instructions in his mind. But Mike already knew what Dan needed. A quiet minute or two with Levine. And Perkins needed someone to tell him he did well. Jill left Baker, meeting Perkins halfway. She saw Perkins was crying.
“Sir? Captain Dan … Uhm, I mean, General Curtis asked me to join you?” Perkins said.
“Ah, good man! Here, help me stand up, would you? I need to see to the other men. Can you help me get around to see them?” Mike asked.
Slightly happier, Perkins assured Mike he would be glad to help.
“Levine? Is there anything I can do for you?” Dan asked, as Jill kneeled beside him.
“Please, sir, see to Perkins. He is a good man. A good soldier. I’m his best friend, his only real friend. We met in Basic and he will be lost, for a while, sir.” Levine said. “And sir, Would you pray with me?”
“It would be my privilege to do both, David.” Dan said, tears filling his eyes. “What faith are you, son?”
Dan felt the pressure of Levine’s grip slacken.
Hanging his Dan cried, gently.
Jill heard Dan speaking quietly, as he gently closed Levine’s eyes, then mouth, and straightened his limbs. “Yaweh, take the soul of your son. Forgive his sins as his final thoughts were for the safety and comfort and well being of a brother. Forgive his lack of vidui. He knew his end was near and he went with pride knowing he had done well in this world. ‘Shelter his soul in the shadow of Thy wings. Make known to him the path of life. El Maleh Rachamim’. I hope I got that right.”
Dan took off his blouse, laying it over the corpse of the young man. He placed his hand over the heart, hanging his head. Jill placed her hand over his. The room was silent for a moment, but for the medics tending to those in need.
After a moment, Dan whispered “Shalom”. Then stood, surveying all those watching him. All those who were dead. Those who were injured. Those who were tending the injured. Tony and Wilson with Mike and Jones off to the side. Dan stood gently sobbing over the loss of life and the pain he had brought to this place. Again.
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Post by texican on Aug 19, 2018 17:42:05 GMT -6
BS,
Poignant....
Thank you....
Texican....
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Post by 9idrr on Aug 19, 2018 18:24:17 GMT -6
As always, sir, good stuff.
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Post by misterjimbo on Aug 20, 2018 21:52:50 GMT -6
Thanks Bitsmith. It is always a pleasure to hear more of what you have to say. You have our respect and concern.
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Post by bitsmith on Sept 2, 2018 8:23:22 GMT -6
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“Dan?” Mike called quietly as he approached Dan from behind. He was sitting on his heels, knees on the floor. The angle his boots were had to be uncomfortable, Mike thought to himself. Seeing Dan’s hand held his pistol, Mike slowed his approach, looking for Jill and the others. The rooms had grown eerily quiet when Dan slowly wandered away from Levine’s body.
“Yes, Mike.”
“Are you OK, brother?” Mike asked, gently, holding a hand out to stop the approach of Jill, Jones and Tony.
“No, Mike. No, I am not ‘ok’.” Dan said, barely above a whisper. “There was no need for this. Whoever it is trying to kill me with a lot of collateral damage. They want to sully everything we have done. They don’t want to kill just me. They want to kill our successes. They want to negate our losses.”
“What are you going to do about it, Dan?” Mike asked, very concerned.
Standing, Dan turned and looked at his friend. Suddenly, Dan looked not the man of 50 but of 80. His shoulders hunched forward. His head barely held up, but not held high. Shoulders drooped. “I’m going to kill them, Mike. I’m going to kill them all.”
Mike watched as Dan just seemed to change before his eyes. Jill stood, bracing as if against a wind. Tony and Wilson both just looked deeply concerned. Jones was terrified, as the very air around Dan had a sudden darkness to it, like the air on the ground before a thunderstorm. And yet he knew there was nothing different with the air. It was just Dan. Dan had just changed. He was shadowed and those in the room all knew something very bad had just occurred.
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“Inland Sea Radio bringing you the news that no one else will share.” Came the excited female voice. “Today, the Inland Sea Marines successfully infiltrated the stronghold of Fort Leonardwood. They found their objective, General Daniel Curtis. When they attempted to arrest him for his crimes against the people of Cape Girardeau, he and his Bastards Brigade mowed them down. The only legitimate law in the heartland of the nation and he takes it upon himself to cut them down like weeds.
“’This is just another crime to be added to his charges when he is brought in for justice. And we will see to it that he is brought to justice. You have my word on that.’ Promised the Major, Commander of the Inland Sea Marines.” The voice continued with a voice that could be heard her smile.
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Post by texican on Sept 2, 2018 22:59:26 GMT -6
“I’m going to kill them, Mike. I’m going to kill them all.”
Well the Major is in for a lot of whoop ass and death....
Thanks for the chapter BS,
Texican....
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Post by udwe on Sept 3, 2018 7:57:29 GMT -6
Thank you!
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Post by bitsmith on Oct 14, 2018 10:15:25 GMT -6
Story continues, shortly, in PArt 2 of Now What - Stormbringer / Justicebringer
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