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20:05, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Chapter 2: When the Levee Breaks.

Posted by Good Ol' RaeFor group 0
Cole Anderson
player, 62 posts
Special Missions Aviator
USAF E6 TSgt
Wed 12 Dec 2018
at 16:43
  • msg #144

Re: Chapter 2: When the Levee Breaks

Anderson shrugged.  He didn't have any concerns about pushing the boundaries of the patrol.  That's partly why they were here.  To show that the State Government was still in charge.  Plus they might find something else of interest to report.

"If you know of a good moonshiner in these parts Duane, now's the time to share."
Saul Noble
keys138, 91 posts
Not that old a man
Voice of experience
Wed 12 Dec 2018
at 18:08
  • msg #145

Re: Chapter 2: When the Levee Breaks

Instead of answering Maggie right away, Saul chews the inside of his cheek for a few moments, thinking and weighing the possible risks and benefits of sending the girl forward.  He didn't think she'd join in the shooting, should it go to that, but it'd be real easy to hit her in a crossfire.  A few beads of sweat run down the man's back under his body armor and takes a moment to look up at the sun.  It's going to be hotter soon, and the longer they stand here, the less effective they'll be.

"Okay," Saul finally says slowly.  "Okay, yeah.  We don't want them to make the mistake of thinking you're our hostage."  Saul lifts his sunglasses and turns to the teen girl, sees the frustration, fear, and dislike warring in her eyes.  "Here's the deal Miss Maggie.  You can go talk to them.  And you have my word we just want to talk to Simon.  That's it.  Talk.  But," his finger comes up, pointing to the sky to list the point, "you need to understand, they need to understand, if they start shooting, we're going to come in and come in hard.  If that happens, you get down on the ground and you stay down."

The fear in Maggie's eyes intensifies and Saul tries to take a more reassuring tone.  "So let's make sure it doesn't get to that point, okay?  You tell them we can talk to Simon out here, in there, wherever they want.  We're not hear to hurt anybody, okay?"

Maggie swallows deeply. "Okay Mister Noble."  She sounds skeptical.  At best.

"Maggie's coming up!"  Saul calls out the trailer.  "Alone!" he adds before turning back to Maggie.  "Go on then Miss Maggie," he says and nods his head toward the trailer.

As soon as she's out of earshot, Saul drops in sunglasses back into place and says to Scott, "Really hope I didn't just kill that girl."
Scott Guillory
Tegyrius, 154 posts
political troubleshooter
medium speed, some drag
Sat 15 Dec 2018
at 19:57
  • msg #146

Re: Chapter 2: When the Levee Breaks

"Not the first time either of us has had to send a CI back into the snake's nest to do a deal," Scott replies softly, his eyes still on the windows.  "Probably not the last, either.  I kinda feel like we're still in the prologue of some real Heart of Darkness shit."

He turns to Saul, eyes still hidden behind his own Oakleys.  "However, if that kid points a gun-shaped thought at any of our people, I will drop so much rule of law on him that the ACLU will sit up in its grave.  We don't have time or bandwidth for speedbumps like this."
Duane Skillins
Raellus, 14 posts
PFC
ASG
Sat 15 Dec 2018
at 20:55
  • msg #147

Re: Chapter 2: When the Levee Breaks


Duane doesn't mind the idea of a detour. Being behind the wheel of the air-conditioned J-LTV is a lot more appealing than hauling barge cargo in the hot sun or tracking down some teenage dickhead.

"Naw, this ain't my neck of the woods. Wouldn't mind a bit of 'shine, though."

-
This message was last edited by the player at 20:57, Sat 15 Dec 2018.
Good Ol' Rae
GM, 269 posts
Tour Guide
Arbiter
Sat 15 Dec 2018
at 21:36
  • msg #148

Re: Chapter 2: When the Levee Breaks


Pendleton

Dripping with sweat, coming down from the adrenaline rush of her near-crushing, buoyed by the success of her second effort, Murray ascends to the bridge, confers with Zo. A plan to transfer the barge cargo to the parking lot under the bridge root is worked out. It will require Ace Hardware. This task Murray assigns to Kabua, with Watkins providing security. The Marshallese-American cook has built up some goodwill with the locals through his generous wild pork distribution. A few locals volunteer to help with the heavy lifting.

Murray and Zo, along with the latter's minder, take Serena up to the Riceland Foods distribution center for a little shopping. Together, they find the parts to construct a heavy-duty A-frame and crude pulley system. It takes an hour to find the pieces, another hour to assemble them. By this time, Ace Hardware is emptied and its cargo tarped under the shade of the bridge root. The investment of time and energy pays off. Murray returns to the barge. Zo lifts its cargo with Serena's crane, then transfers it to Ace Hardware's empty bed; Watkins then ferries the cargo to the lot where Kabua and his gang unloads it with the A-frame/pulley system. It's a simple system, a bit clunky even, but it proves surprisingly effective.

Back Gate

Carissa scampers back to the trees, relieved not to have taken a bullet in her back on the way. She can cover the entire rear of the trailer from here. Simon's not going anywhere on his bike, leastways.

On the other side, Maggie walks towards the trailer, is admitted. Guillory spots a pistol in Mrs. Cleve's hand, lowered. Five minutes under the midday sun feel like at least 20. When the teenager exits, Saul and Guillory can read Simon's answer on her face. Head down, she walks back to deliver her report.

"They didn't believe me. You, rather. I mean, they don't believe that you just wanna talk. Said it don't make sense you come all the way out here for a little chat. I told 'em that you're good people, been helpin' out in town, ain't working with the Mississippi boys but they ain't buyin'."

Saul and Guillory are on the verge of concluding, separately, that it's time to go back to the drawing board, but Maggie's not quite finished.

"Mrs. Cleve said she'll talk to you, but Carissa's gotta come out font here. And just you, Mr. Noble, inside, and you gotta be unarmed. That's their conditions."

Razorback

Skillins chauffeurs Cao, Anderson, and Carswell back to Pendleton, where Watkins briefs them on Murray's construction project (Ace Hardware is being unloaded and the wrecker is on its way to the Riceland Foods depot). From there it's east to Red Fork, on an elevated road that rides a levee along a series of oxbow lakesides. Razorback passes a few tiny, rundown homesteads on the way, including a shabby double-wide with a sign reading Little Zion Church fronting the road. Red Fork turns out to be an intersection. There's not a soul or structure to be seen. Skillins laughs, turns up the radio. A man is singing,

"We're on a road to nowhere
We're on a road to nowhere
We're on a road to nowhere"


"Heh. How 'bout that?"


Your Turn.

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:20, Sat 15 Dec 2018.
Lauren Cao
Dave Ross, 205 posts
Captain, USAF, 31PX
Millenial Falcon
Sat 15 Dec 2018
at 23:10
  • msg #149

Re: Chapter 2: When the Levee Breaks

Lauren just sits back in her seat. It's clear from her expression and body language that she doesn't share Skillins' amusement. A quick look at the map would suggest that if they cut to the south they'll come to a ville called Watson in a couple of miles, but they're starting to stray further off reservation, get further away from the main body, which means they may not be able to support each other in a hurry if they have to. Besides, Watson is probably just another blot on the map. The term podunk could have been created especially for here.

"Just take us back to Pendleton." She says to Skillins tersely. "And turn the radio back down."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:11, Sat 15 Dec 2018.
Saul Noble
keys138, 94 posts
Not that old a man
Voice of experience
Sun 16 Dec 2018
at 01:29
  • msg #150

Re: Chapter 2: When the Levee Breaks

"On this list of things that don't make sense," Saul says to Scott, "we're just barely scratching the surface.  But at least we're negotiating now.  Nice work Miss Maggie.  You might have a future in hostage negotiation."  The retired cop looks at Maggie, looks at the trailer, and looks back at Scott.  The sun is beating down on him and sweat is starting to run like a river out from under his body armor. "Helluva day," he says to no one at all.

He sighs again and tries to put himself in Mrs. Cleve's head.  They're surrounded and strangers are asking for her son's friend.  She wants, scratch that, needs some power over the situation, something to bleed pressure before the whole thing goes purple.  That means Saul.

"All right, Mr. Guillory.  The way I make it, I'm not in any more danger in there than I am standing right here, what between heat stroke and a high powered hunting rifle."  That's probably a bit of a stretch, but not greatly.  Hitting him at this range wouldn't take much more skill than the average twelve year old around here.  "Pulling Car is a non-starter." Hands start removing his sidearm from it's holster and handing it over to his new partner is civil law enforcement.  He makes a big show of it.  One that can't be missed at distance.  "Y'all might as well find some shade."

"Gimp is going in,"
he says on the radio.  "Action code is 'we can think this through rationally.' Come in hard."

After that he starts walking forward.  After standing still for so long, he doesn't have to play up the limp.  His hip stiff in a way that makes him want to chew Motrin like candy.  Not that there's a lot of that around anymore.  He get's within about twenty meters before Mrs. Cleave calls out to him.  "That's far enough Mr. Noble.  You unarmed?"  He can hear the anger and worry in her voice.

"That I am, ma'am.  Not so much as a pocket knife." Saul says.  He raises his hands high, one still clutching his walking stick and spins in a slow circle before standing still again.  "I'll leave this here stick on your porch, don't you worry, but it's long walk with a bad hip."  A blind twelve year old could hit him from here.

"That girl of your's gone?  I ain't seen her move."

Saul doesn't believe in lies.  Not in situations like this.  "No ma'am she is not.  She's still back there."

Mrs. Cleave's tone sharpens abruptly.  "Then you can march right back.  We ain't talking."

"Ma'am, you and I both know why she's there and why she's staying there.  We're not leaving the back door open.  That dog don't hunt. I'm here, I'm unarmed, and I don't think y'all are all that interested in actually hurting someone."  He's stating facts, not making threats or demands.  Just telling her how it is.  Saul swallows hard.  Doesn't give Mrs. Cleave a chance to respond, because he's owning this situation now.  "So you might as well open up that door and pour some sweet tea, because I'm coming up to have a chat."  Saul starts walking.
Xandra Murray
Tegyrius, 33 posts
punk rock diver
engineering your shit
Sun 16 Dec 2018
at 13:26
  • msg #151

Re: Chapter 2: When the Levee Breaks

The afternoon melts into a blur of rigging.  Xandra's world smells of river muck and sweat and rust and, when the bridge diverts the faint breeze into a downdraft, the occasional whiff of machine lubricant carried from the wrecker.  The Casio dive watch strapped to her wrist chirps, reminding her to pause and take a drag off the hydration bladder attached to her PFD.  Going down from heat exhaustion would not be an optimal outcome of the day's labor - among other things, no one else on the crew is really qualified for rope rescue, so she'd have to depend on the not-so-tender mercies of the Mississippi troops.  On the plus side, the novelty of watching her ass has worn off, and they can't see her chest under the bulky flotation vest, so they've given up on burning fuel to ogle her in favor of lounging around their boat on the far bank.

The barge is riding higher in the water now that it's half-empty, and getting the accessible cargo first means each lift takes a little more time.  She raises her face to the bridge and signals Zo's kid - who arguably has a pretty good view down her cleavage but is being more surreptitious about it - for another ten feet of slack in the cable.

"Someone better have thought to rig a fuckin' shower up there," she grumbles as a trickle of sweat escapes her bandana and unerringly finds the abrasion that her earlier escapade left on her cheekbone.
Scott Guillory
Tegyrius, 155 posts
political troubleshooter
medium speed, some drag
Sun 16 Dec 2018
at 13:34
  • msg #152

Re: Chapter 2: When the Levee Breaks

"For the record, I am not in favor of giving a hostage to a textbook case of inadequate prefrontal cortex development," Scott remarks darkly.  He exhales sharply.  "Your decision.  Don't do anything I'll have to explain to your daughter."  He looks warily at Saul's Glock and carefully empties a cargo pocket before sliding the pistol into it.

A stray guinea hen wanders up to him and eyes him inquisitively before resuming her hunt for ticks.  "You looking for a job?" Scott asks her in a sudden fit of whimsy.
Good Ol' Rae
GM, 270 posts
Tour Guide
Arbiter
Sun 16 Dec 2018
at 17:12
  • msg #153

Re: Chapter 2: When the Levee Breaks


"Stop. Right. There." Mrs. Cleve practically shouts. She raises the pistol in her hand- a small automatic, which seems to weigh disproportionately heavy in her hand- but doesn't quite point it at Saul. She's standing mostly behind the door jamb, which is elevated about 2-3 feet above the ground (there are no stairs; apparently, this entrance isn't used as such), only a thin strip of her right side visible from outside. Guillory has a shot, but it'll take him a second to draw his sidearm, and Saul is standing roughly between him and the target, so it'll be a difficult one at best. The thin walls of the trailer may or may not be able to stop a .45 caliber FMJ round at this range (almost 40m). Furthermore, Guillory can see the silhouette a long rifle or shotgun barrel, held almost vertically, at the edge of the window to the right [his right] of the doorway. Breaking the tension just a bit, Mrs. Cleve speaks,

"You want us to trust you, you gotta earn it. Get that bitch out back where I can see her right now or you're not comin' in. That's non-negotiable, you hear."


-
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:09, Sun 16 Dec 2018.
Saul Noble
keys138, 95 posts
Not that old a man
Voice of experience
Sun 16 Dec 2018
at 18:09
  • msg #154

Re: Chapter 2: When the Levee Breaks

Saul stops.  Considers popping a molar at how hard he is grinding his teeth.  Don't say something stupid. Don't say something stupid.

"Ma'am," Saul manages, through clenched teeth.  "First, I'd really appreciate you to use some other language when describing my daughter.  I haven't threatened your son, nor brought him into this."  He lets that shot land for a second. Wasn't too stupid. "Second, we been nothing but polite.  We walked up to your house.  In the daylight.  Asked to speak with the boy.  Brought Maggie to vouch for us.  Third, I don't like that word, 'non-negotiable.'  We ain't there.  We're still talking.  Non-negotiable is what comes next, so we want to make sure we don't cross that line.  Trust is me standing here with nowhere to run.  Dead to rights.  You've got three people, maybe more, in that trailer.  You want eyes on my daughter?  Look out your back door.  I'll be happy to have her wave."

Saul's left hand moves up and hovers over the PTT on his radio.  "Simon in there, seems like he shot at some folks that were rude to him and his mom.  Looks like they might have stole some stuff, too.  In my book that pretty much buys him out of whatever 'crime' them Mississippi chucklheads think he should be charged with, especially since no one got hurt.  Nobody has time for that kind of nonsense.  But we are the government here. That means we have to talk.  Make sure he understands real well that we can't spark the next civil war.  He wants to stop them thieves?  Okay.  We do too.  Maybe Simon there has something to tell us that can help.  Maybe he can't.  But we've got a job to do." 

A pause and Saul shakes his head.  "You invite me in, this is over in twenty minutes. You tell me 'no.'  And we walk away."  He doesn't add the threat.  It would be pointless.  "Your call Mrs. Cleve."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:47, Sun 16 Dec 2018.
Good Ol' Rae
GM, 272 posts
Tour Guide
Arbiter
Sun 16 Dec 2018
at 23:08
  • msg #155

Re: Chapter 2: When the Levee Breaks


Mrs. Cleve doesn't answer for several, uncomfortably-long seconds. Finally, "OK, Mr. Noble. We'll talk. First, tell your daughter to stay right where she is. She gets any closer to my house, there could be a misunderstanding."

She waits for Saul to comply, then invites him inside, "Come on inside. Slow. Door's right around back. Just follow the path. And keep your hands where I can see 'em." Saul follows the path, climbs the short stairway to a stubby annex protruding from the main building and opens the screen door. A boy stands at a window on the other side of the room (the kitchen), hunting rifle in his hands. He's probably keeping an eye on Carissa. The boy spares Saul a quick glance before returning his attention to the backyard. Mrs. Cleve is there too, standing at the tile/carpet border to the living room, pistol held at waist level and trained on her guest. She doesn't let Saul get close enough to touch her. As he slowly passes the woman, hands raised, she says, softly, "Sorry I called your daughter a bitch."

Saul steps into a spare but tidy living room. Another boy, looks about to be Maggie's age, is kneeling by the living room window, holding a shotgun. "Have a seat," Mrs. Cleve says, pointing to a an easy chair. Saul can see why the woman demanded Carissa move to the front drive. The trailer's three occupants are hard pressed to cover the front and back yards of the trailer, and their guest inside, simultaneously. "Simon, can you hear Mr. Noble OK?"

"Yeah," the boy answers from the kitchen.

"OK then. Go on, Mr. Noble, ask your questions."

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:23, Sun 16 Dec 2018.
Saul Noble
keys138, 99 posts
Not that old a man
Voice of experience
Wed 19 Dec 2018
at 01:43
  • msg #156

Re: Chapter 2: When the Levee Breaks


Saul sits heavily in the well used La-Z-Boy that Mrs. Cleve steers him into.  The chair has clearly seen better days, it might be on its third owner even, but it still the most comfortable thing he's had under his butt for weeks.  The ache in his hip recedes from a sharp roar to a dull mumble with the cushioning.  His eyes slip back and forth from Mrs. Cleve to the boy who he assumes is her son.  They are tightly wound, tension flicking off of them in almost visible waves.  Well if they can't be relaxed, he'll just have to be calm for them.  With one leg crossed over the other, Saul sighs audibly. "If it's all right with you ma'am, I'm going to radio my people real quick to let them know I'm okay in here. Want to make sure we don't have any misunderstandings." There's a euphemism for bloodbath.

Taking silence to be acceptance, Saul carefully raises his left hand to his PTT and depresses the button.  "Gimp to all.  I'm good in here, gonna get this sorted out soon.  Out." Instead of putting his hand back on the arm rest, he hooks his thumb into his body armor near the PTT and lets hand support his arm's weight.  Just to be safe.  Mrs. Cleve just looks like she wants to chew a hole in her cheek.

"All right Simon.  First, let me say you've got some real good friends here.  Both Maggie and the Cleves.  People who will go to bat for you.  That tells me your a decent guy, and that's what I'm hearing from everybody in town, too.  But I need to understand what happened out there."  When Simon doesn't bother to respond, Saul clears his throat.  "What I understand is that those Mississippi boys took it upon themselves to do a little raiding during the storm and when y'all confronted them, they told you to go pound sand.  That about right?"

Simon grunts.  "They did worse than that, they-" The boy's voice raises in pitch and in cadence as he answers.

"Easy Simon," Saul says, sliding back into the conversation.  "I get it.  Them boys aren't the most popular folks in town and I understand why."

"You know what they said to my mama?"  Rage leaks out of Simon's voice.

"Yes I do, son.  People like to push buttons like that.  And your mama doesn't want to see you hurt.  She wants you home."  Saul sits quietly for a moment.  "So what I hear is that you took a rifle up that night and took a pot shot at the fellas.  That right, too?"

"I was angry," Simon says, "I-"

"I'm going to assume," Saul's eyes find Mrs. Cleve's, looking for an ally if Simon doesn't get it, "that you weren't really trying to hurt anyone.  That you were just blowing off steam.  Trying to get your point across."

"I...they..."  Saul hears pounding, probably from Simon punching a wall or something else hard.  "You know what they did?  They stole from us.  They charge-"

"Yep.  And I'm not defending them.  But you can't go shooting at them."

"They deserve that and more."

"Maybe, Simon. But they also have heavy automatic weapons that can send a lot of bullets back this way.  And they don't care about angry shots in the dark.  You have friends and family in that town.  Maggie.  You expose them to a lot of danger.  Guys that come over to raid might not need a lot of help to cross over into the revenge business.  You hear?"

"So they just get to take from us?"


"I hope not, son.  I'm hoping we can do something about it before we move on.  But they want you brought up on charges.  Charges that we're not going to bring.  We're not going to arrest you.  But I'm gonna need you to come in here, look me in the eye, and tell me you understand why you can't do that again."
Good Ol' Rae
GM, 276 posts
Tour Guide
Arbiter
Wed 19 Dec 2018
at 02:28
  • msg #157

Re: Chapter 2: When the Levee Breaks


Mrs. Cleve, closely monitoring proceedings, gently prompts Simon, "Come on in here. I'll watch out back. You got this?" she asks her son, still at the front window. "Yeah," he replies, reporting, "They haven't moved at all."

Simon enters the living room. He's a handsome, strapping young man, with dark hair and brown, puppy dog eyes. Maggie's probably not the only Pendleton teen who's taken a shine to him. His gaze meet Saul's, holds there. A tear wells up and dribbles out on to his right cheek.

"I know I done wrong. I just wanted to teach 'em some fuckin' manners, ya know? I wasn't... I don't think I was trying to kill anybody." Tears are flowing freely now, but the kid does a manful job holding it together; his voice barely cracks. "It was a mistake. I swear, Mr. Guillory... I swear on my mama, I won't do that again."

He wipes his cheeks with the back of his hand, sniffles. He looks like a little boy. Then his visage hardens again. The protector returns. "But if they come back to Pendleton, that's self defense. They're not gonna steal from us any more."

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:28, Fri 21 Dec 2018.
Saul Noble
keys138, 101 posts
Not that old a man
Voice of experience
Wed 19 Dec 2018
at 19:03
  • msg #158

Re: Chapter 2: When the Levee Breaks


"I believe you Simon."  Saul smiles at the kid.  Sees a lot of other people he knows in Simon's eyes. "Now, do me a favor and help me out of this chair.  We'll call it a handshake and then me and mine will be out of here."
Good Ol' Rae
GM, 278 posts
Tour Guide
Arbiter
Fri 21 Dec 2018
at 00:58
  • msg #159

Re: Chapter 2: When the Levee Breaks


With Simon's assurances of good behavior, the Sierra LEO element returns (with Maggie) to Pendleton, mission accomplished.

By nightfall, over half the barge has been unloaded and its cargo deposited in the parking lot at the southern foot of the bridge. Zo et al return to Gould, promising to return the following day, bright and early, to finish the job. Before he leaves, the wrecker owner/operator hands Murray an invoice for the day's work.

After sundown, Anderson performs an overflight of the MSG checkpoint with the Raven. The IR camera doesn't reveal much. The thermal imager displays a dozen heat signatures (in descending order of brightness)- a campfire, ten humans, and the boat's outboard. Two guardsmen man the revetment on the bridge; the others loaf about or sleep in their camp just under the eaves of the wood east of the 165.



Tuesday, July 16th, 2030
1300 hours
86F, 75% humidity
Wind 7mph out of the east



Serena arrives about an hour-and-a-half after sunrise and unloading of the barge resumes. Lt. Seeger appears on the bridge, visibly agitated, asking for a word with Murray's CO. When the Sierra command element arrives, he confronts Cao and Guillory about the nighttime drone visit. "What the hell you tryin' to do, spyin' on us like that?" They calmly and patiently explain that their team is still looking for the mystery shooter. The MSG chief seems to buy this explanation. He returns to his base and the MSG spotter boat is back in the water shortly thereafter.

The barge is 90% unloaded by noon. It rocks and yaws a little with the current now, but remains firmly affixed to the cracked bridge pylon. The remaining cargo is completely submerged in the flooded corners of the hold and, for all intents and purposes, inaccessible. With the help of the MSG boat detail, Murray strings a cable from the barge to the bridge pylon directly south of the damaged one, then instructs them to try to push and/or pull the barge free of its current anchor point. The three-man crew enthusiastically complies, but the small vessel doesn't have the power or mass to accomplish this task alone. Continuing to improvise, Murray rigs a quick-release device for Serena's tow cable, and asks Zo to tow the barge laterally from the roadway above until it's detached from the pylon. Zo's reluctant at first, but Murray's praise of Serena's raw power, and projected confidence in the scheme eventually wins him over. Between the horsepower of the wrecker and the persistence of the plucky MSG boat, the barge comes loose, spins slowly around the damaged pylon, and floats free. Murray activates the quick-release mechanism (it  works perfectly) and the barge begins drifting downriver, slowly picking up speed as it follows a quarter arc towards the south bank, until it reaches the end of its tether. With the sound of straining metal, the barge jolts to an abrupt halt- the second most nervy moment of this particular phase of the operation- but the steel cable holds. The rectangular, slab-sided vessel rocks and rolls to a complete stop at the eastern end of the breakwater (possible running aground on its partially submerged terminus). The barge can be anchored there, out of the way and no longer a threat to the bridge, or the dam downriver, or Murray can attempt the procedure again to bring it ashore on the south bank (although several homes line the riverside for at least 375 feet.

A small crowd of about a dozen Pendletonites cheers from the riverbank.


Your Turn.

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:34, Sun 23 Dec 2018.
Xandra Murray
Tegyrius, 39 posts
punk rock diver
engineering your shit
Fri 21 Dec 2018
at 03:19
  • msg #160

Re: Chapter 2: When the Levee Breaks

"Fuck me, it worked," Xandra mutters from her perch atop the bridge.  No way was she going to be aboard the barge for this phase of the operation.

She wrinkles her nose and winces at the sensation of skin drawn taut and hot by a two-day sunburn.  "Nice job, Zo," she says in a more conversational tone, offering a fistbump to the tow operator.  "Is that a new weight record for your girl?"  She gives Serena an affectionate pat on the door.

"Anybody got a beer?" she asks plaintively.
Good Ol' Rae
GM, 280 posts
Tour Guide
Arbiter
Sun 23 Dec 2018
at 00:32
  • msg #161

Re: Chapter 2: When the Levee Breaks


"Probably," Zo answers. "I've hauled a few boats before, but nothin' like that, that's fo' sho'." Zo smiles for the first time Murray can recall.

"I say y'all earned a beer," the minder says. "But then we gotta settle up and head on back."

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:32, Sun 23 Dec 2018.
Lauren Cao
Dave Ross, 208 posts
Captain, USAF, 31PX
Millenial Falcon
Sun 23 Dec 2018
at 15:40
  • msg #162

Re: Chapter 2: When the Levee Breaks

Lauren had come down to the riverbank to watch the conclusion of the salvage efforts, stood slightly apart from the small group of Pendleton residents that were also watching. The Air Force Captain appears to have relaxed slightly when it comes to threat postures. Her helmet, body armor, and LBE are all stowed aboard Razorback. She's taken her jacket off as well on account of the heat, has left it in the JLTV as well, is just another t shirt clad observer for a moment, albeit one with an M4 carbine slung over her shoulder, for she's only prepared to go so far when it comes to taking a less aggressive stance.

Walking over to where Xandra is talking to the Grady people, she nods to those that are gathered there, eyes hidden behind her shades glancing briefly at Murray's exposed tattoos before the Grady cop - or at least she presumes he's a cop - mentions beers.

"You need to speak to Mr Guillory about payment." Lauren says to the maybe cop. "He's the one that signs the checks." She smiles briefly. "Beers sound like a good idea." Technically she's on duty, as are all of the other military personnel. Technically. But a beer wouldn't hurt. She'd just have to make sure that none of the Air Force or State Guard people got carried away.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:43, Sun 23 Dec 2018.
Mike Carswell
Dave Ross, 43 posts
Paramedic, AR MEMS STAR
Sun 23 Dec 2018
at 15:50
  • msg #163

Re: Chapter 2: When the Levee Breaks

"Save me a beer for later." Carswell chips in. "I want to do follow ups with the people I saw yesterday first, make sure they're all good."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:52, Sun 23 Dec 2018.
Good Ol' Rae
GM, 281 posts
Tour Guide
Arbiter
Sun 23 Dec 2018
at 16:33
  • msg #164

Re: Chapter 2: When the Levee Breaks


When word reaches the townsfolk that beers are called for, a grateful Pendletonite produces a six-pack of homebrew. A motley assortment of reused beer bottles is passed around.

"They ain't cold," the gentleman explains, but these days, that's a given. "You can set 'em in the river for a bit to cool 'em off a little, if ya like."

Zo shares his beer with his early-teens assistant. The minder takes one too- he doesn't seem to have a problem with drinking on duty. The beer itself is warm and strong, with real bite and a bitter, lingering aftertaste from the hops. Still, victory brews always seem sweet.

Carswell's follow-ups with his patients show that they are already progressing. The signs of infection in the senior citizen's heel wound have faded somewhat, so the antibiotics appear to be working. If tetanus toxins are present, though, there isn't much the Sierra medic can do for the man. As of yet, he's not displaying any symptoms of lockjaw.

Zo hands Guillory an invoice for services rendered- time, fuel, and labor. It comes to an even $1000. The minder, still sipping his beer, looks on.


Your Turn.

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:38, Sun 23 Dec 2018.
Duane Skillins
Raellus, 15 posts
PFC
ASG
Fri 28 Dec 2018
at 00:06
  • msg #165

Re: Chapter 2: When the Levee Breaks


"Can I get in on that?" Duane asks, rhetorically, as he helps himself to one of the beers. The team mechanic hadn't done much to assist with the barge rescue, but he figured he'd earned the drink just by putting up with people. He takes a long swill, swallows with a grimace. "Ooh-ee! That's some pretty strong stuff." To Duane, raised on Natural Light, Budweiser was craft-beer. This stuff nearly has the bite of whiskey. He lifts his bottle to Murray, flashes his winningest smile, "Nice work, Miss Murray. I didn't think it could be done, but you did it." Usually, Duane has a pretty good sense when his country boy charm was having the desired effect- more often that not, it did. But he's having quite a bit of trouble reading the team engineer.

-
This message was last edited by the player at 05:24, Fri 28 Dec 2018.
Saul Noble
keys138, 105 posts
Not that old a man
Voice of experience
Fri 28 Dec 2018
at 03:50
  • msg #166

Re: Chapter 2: When the Levee Breaks

With celebrations in what passes for full swing these days, Saul takes one more walk (well, one short drive with his somewhat agitated daughter and an even shorter walk alone) across the bridge to talk to the Mississippi boys.  He doesn't quite close the whole distance to the armed positions, just hangs out far enough away that the men in the fighting positions won't be able to hear what he has to say.  It doesn't take all that long for Lt. Seeger to make his appearance.  Seeger looks tired, although Saul can't say whether or not it's because of Sierra team, the heat, or maybe just his assignment.

"Your boys did good work today," Saul says with a smile.

"So your CO said," Seeger returns warily.  "Due respect Mister Noble, you didn't come all this way in this heat to say that."

"No, sir, I did not," Saul says honestly.  He digs around in his gear and offers up a small mason jar he scrounged to pour a pint of Carissa's bourbon stash into.  "Bit of a peace offering first."

Seeger looks at the jar and then at Saul.  Repeats the process two or three more times.  "That the good stuff?"

"It is Lieutenant.  I wish I could offer y'all a little more, but I don't know what we're going to run into next.  Might be I need to drink to forget.  Might be we need to keep up more good relations."

The jar moves first into Seeger's oversize hand and quickly disappears into a small pouch on the man's LBV.  "You said that was the first thing?"  Saul notes that the man's tone is a little better, a little more open.

"Yeah.  Number two is your shooter situation has been addressed.  The person involved has been identified and held accountable for his actions."  Saul is carefully neutral there.  "I don't believe he'll be spreading trouble your way anymore.  Handled it myself."

"Good to hear Mister Noble.  We wouldn't a minded a few chances ourselves, but we appreciate you handling that issue."  Seeger stares at Saul for a few more seconds.  "That gonna hold if y'all pull out?"

"I do believe it will."

"Good.  Good.  Well if that's all..."  Seeger turns about to leave, forcing Saul to interrupt his exit.

"Sorry sir, that's not all."  Saul takes a deep breath.  Sighs.  Looks back and forth across the bridge.  "This world of ours, all of it, has pretty much gone to shit.  Would you agree?"

Seeger's eyes narrow, suspicion returning to their previous caution.  "If you say so..."

"I do.  Sierra Team is rolling out tomorrow, maybe day after and Pendleton will be looking out for itself again.  We'll be back, and Little Rock is doing it's best to reach out, but they could probably do with some help."

"After everything that-"

"Those fingers point both ways Lieutenant.  And that's not an accusation.  It's an invitation.  You and your boys are on the fringe here, away from home and reporting to a governor that might as well be on the California coast.  I'm not asking you to defect.  Your loyalty should stay to Mississippi.  I'm asking you to help build some community here.  Do what you can and make this world a little bit less shitty.  Remember that we're all Americans.  Y'all need friends, too.  That's all I'm saying."

Seeger looks at Saul hard for a few more seconds.  "We're not the bad guys," he finally offers.

"I think most people are good and doing the best they can.  Your people and theirs.  Sometimes we all just need a reminder that we're on the same team.  And I don't offer good bourbon to shitbirds." Saul looks around one more time and offers Seeger his hand.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:48, Fri 28 Dec 2018.
Good Ol' Rae
GM, 287 posts
Tour Guide
Arbiter
Fri 28 Dec 2018
at 17:34
  • msg #167

Re: Chapter 2: When the Levee Breaks


Lt. Seeger looks at Saul's hand for a few seconds, then looks the grizzled lawman in the eye. Taking the proffered hand, and trying hard to maintain the eye contact, Seeger says, "Whatever happened before, far as I'm concerned, it's water under the bridge. I'll make sure my boys behave themselves. If they took anything, I'll make sure it gets returned. You have my word, Mr. Noble- as an officer and a Southern gentleman."

-
Xandra Murray
Tegyrius, 40 posts
punk rock diver
engineering your shit
Sat 29 Dec 2018
at 00:39
  • msg #168

Re: Chapter 2: When the Levee Breaks

Xandra clinks the neck of her bottle against Duane's.  "Sláinte," she responds, using the only polite word of her grandfather's Gaelic she remembers.  "Let's hear it for the backwoods chemical industry."

She leans in a little and lowers her voice conspiratorially.  "To be perfectly honest, I wasn't sure it was gonna work.  I'd usually do this kind of thing with a few hundred tons of heavy equipment and a whole crew of riggers who know how to tie things up correcly."  She grins and takes another drag at the bottle, leaving it to Duane to figure out if she's complaining about Zo's splice job or trawling a double entendre in front of him.
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