Loonz Morrow Project Pages

Turn 8 The welcome mat.

The first night uncomfortable as it was, was spent in the barn with the
captives and the other animals. The next day a need for better
accommodations was obviously desired. The team having lived out of the
vehicles and the bolthole for since coming above ground.

Ray and Roberts discussions with Bruce about this the next day yielded two
choices. Either split the team up into individual lodges (homes, all the
houses are of contemporary construction.) or move into the church since it'
s only used one day a week now, since Mike got sick.

Ray and Robert opted for the Church. Bruce had extra bedding brought in,
furs and quilted throws. An Iron stove of post-event construction heats the
building comfortably, though drafts are present.

The village provides eggs and corn meal in the mornings and stews and loaves
will be brought in the afternoon and evenings. Common fair but hearty and
filling.

A hunting party will be going west in two days. Your men are
invited.

Maura asked Bruce if there was anything they could do and proposed voluntary
exams. Bruce thought it an excellent idea and had Renok come by accompany
them and translate (which he doesn't do well). Maura grabbed Sylvie and
some quick pointers from Doc and proceeded door to door.

Martin is giving the vehicles a mechanical once over, specifically the
suspension, the roads being extraordinarily bad.
'Hmm, well if we moved that bracket we just might get a five percent
travel extension......" Martin mutters to himself.

Alec called on the '68 to report the bad-off prisoner has apparently
expired, and the kid ain't taking it so well. "If he don't shut up I'm
gonna BZ his butt.

Just as Doc and the War council (R/R/R) we're preparing to respond to the
barn DJ screams over the radio, "Sylvie! Doc! It's so Su! Get over here!
Help me!"

Ron just opens the door to the barn to see the expired prisoner, when DJ's
shrill scream comes over the air. He looks towards the 300 and then for his
nurses, seeing them a 50 or so yards up the street.
"Maura, Sylvie come on!"

The nurses taking off at a dead run. Sylvie nearly lands on her face
running across the uneven and frozen ground.

Ron is the first arrive, ripping the rear door to the 300 hundred open. The
scene inside is chaos Su is convulsing and DJ is trying desperately to hold
her head in place as she thrashes about inside troop compartment of the V.
Jagged metal has already caused lacerations on her legs, hands and arms. DJ
looks up and without word's relays his helplessness. His own wound now
reopened and bleeding through his bandage.

"Doc?" he moans in a miserable whine.

Doc grabs Su's feet and starts dragging her from the V-300.
"Come on Deej, let's get her out of there."

Maura arrives in time to take Ron's lead and helps support her as they pull
her from the vehicle. Sylvie arrives next and comes around behind Ron to
take the other side. As Martin comes up he sees the Doctor and nurses
working Su and turns to survey the small crowd of curious locals that are
starting to stutter forward to see what is causing the commotion. Martin
positions himself between the 300 and the locals and smiling big and shooing
them back.

Su is spitting up more "blue goo", nearly as much as everyone remembers
spewing the first few hours awake. Hacking and coughing, Su is gagging in
the goo.

"Flip her!" Sylvie yells. The three acting in unison having all come to the
same conclusion.
SLAP! Left side SLAP! Right side as Ron tries to help Su discharge the life
threatening fluid.
"Incline her!" he says as the raise her feet. SLAP! SLAP! Several more
times Ron places open palm blows to Su's back. Maura checking pulse from
her captured wrist, Sylvie checking from Su's neck.

Finally Su's crisis subsides as she has discharged 4-6 ounces of the blue
fluid. The pale complexion that has clung to her for over a week starts to
rapidly dissipate. Color returning to her cheeks, as the three and DJ flip
her back over and make a place for her on the ground with sleeping bags DJ
has grabbed from the V.

Su's eyes flutter making curious contact with Maura and Ron, asking the
obvious question.
Then finding DJ and Sylvie a weak almost invisible grin breaks across her
lips as she lapses back into oblivion.

Ron and the nurses finish checking her vitals as Robert, Ray and Rich trot
up too the scene. Her signs are strong, much stronger than yesterday.

Ron gripping Sylvie by the wrist and offering her and DJ a smile looks
towards Ray.
"You almost got Su Lin back Ray. She may make it next time."
"Come on people let's get this mess cleaned up and get Su comfortable again.
Maybe some where else Ray?. Maura can you get the kit and we'll fix her
knicks she got while tossing around and Sylvie would you be so kind as to
redress the DJ's scratch he was nice enough to tear open. Rich could you
get one of the litters from the ambulance?"

"On it." Rich responds as he takes off at full speed

Ron gripping Sylvie by the wrist and offering her and DJ a smile looks
towards Ray.
"You almost got Su Lin back Ray. She may make it next time."
"Come on people let's get this mess cleaned up and get Su comfortable again.
Maybe some where else Ray?. Maura can you get the kit and we'll fix her
knicks she got while tossing around and Sylvie would you be so kind as to
redress the DJ's scratch he was nice enough to tear open. Rich could you
get one of the litters from the ambulance?"

"On it." Rich responds as he takes off at full speed.

Maura grabs the kits from the ambulance and moves back to Su Lins side and
starts dressing the wounds.
" I suggest we move her to the church or one of the buildings that we are
using so this does not happen again".
" Right this does it I am staying with her until she is out of this. I am
NOT having this happen again"
Maura turns to DJ and steps over giving him a hug while Sylvie bandages his
wrist..
"Well done you stopped her really hurting herself".
"Okay the rest of you once we are finished here lets get her moved where I
can keep an eye on her please."
Martin helps Maura hoist Su on the litter and head off towards the church.

Ron giggles at Maura thinking that shy bit is such a crock.
"I'm so shy. Now to work you!" he mocks having a little fun with her.

Robert keys his MIC and reports to the rest of the team, "Guys, Su Lin is
alright.
Don't worry. Can the non medical personnel please report the status of your
posts?."

"Chet here."

"Alec here"

"Ray, it's gonna get dark soon. We need to get some recon out and see if we
can
cut any sign of those raiders. Mike said they numbered about a hundred. If
they
catch us by surprise..."

The team moves Su Lin into the Church.
Maura asks some one to get Su Lins spare clothing while she cleans her up.
Then reattaches the drips and gets Su Lin comfortable.
"Would some on get my gear from the V300 please she asks."
Martin offers and heads off.
Maura goes back to her single minded attitude.
"Damn it I let my feelings get away from me she mutters. I nearly forgot
who I was and why I am here. It will not happen again." She says to
herself and the unconscious Su.

After the commotion is settled the war council resumes. Robert, Ray and
Rich determine a few common points;
1. The prisoners should be totally separated and questioned and
2. a thorough RECON is in order.
The stickler was whether to stay in South Hill.

Rich offered to take Martin again on a tour of the town ruins to the west
and the route of advance of the slavers down old state route 47.

Also discussed was the offer of the hunting party going westerly, and the
retrieval of the 311.

While discussing they're situation on the porch of the church they over here
music coming from the ambulance. Seeing Chet's head emerge from the V-150,
he realizes they notice him.

<"Sweet home Alabama, home sweet home, where skys are blue.">

"Sorry Ray I got bored earlier. Thought I'd see if I could pick up the
radio you said you heard before. I think I found it." He says with a grin.
"Skynrd."

"Robert remind me to ask our host about the radio station," turning back to
the war party, Ray continues, "I think we should stay at Southhill. Why?
Because,
1. the main party will wonder about the missing scouts,
2. we are partly responsible for the situation, and
3. we can't just leave these people to be slaughtered.
So, I think we should sent a scout party/hunting party west to recover
the XR after everyone have a full day of rest. The vehicle used to recover
the XR should be the HUMVEE or V150, personally I prefer the V cause its
armored so
stands a chance of survival if they got ambushed. Recon team members should
be Martin for mechanic, Slyvie for medic, Alec for driver, and Robert you
will be in command. I would like to have Bruce for a guide if he's willing
to go. What do you guys think?"

"Sounds good for the most part, Ray.." Robert takes another sip of chicory.

"I see no problems with taking the V, or the team that you proposed.
Everybody we have is solid in my view."

"Now about the prisoners, we need to start getting more info. I mean
yesterday. We have an unknown force out there and little to no information
about them. I think that is our next priority, along with town defenses.
Let's pass out those captured weapons to the townsfolk and get them familiar
with them if they aren't already."

Rich stabbed the stick into the dirt as his mind drifted through the plan.
He looks up at Pete and stands, resting the butt of the 240 on his boot toe
with
a somber look to his face.

"Sir, your not going to like this, but we have a mission. We need to
remember
what our mission statement is. We aren't large enough to get into an
engagement. Even with the gear we got. Our ammunition is the most precious
commodity we have, and we have very little as is. We already have wounded
from
this little fight. Your right, these people can't fend for themselves very
well, give me three months and I could train a battalions worth of troops.
But
that's not our job. Our job is to seek higher and Charlie mike with our
mission. The good of the few must be sacrificed for the many. I know its a
shitty thing to say sir, but its the truth. We're not going to be able to
right
every wrong we come across out here. We need to find other Morrow teams and
make the plan work, so that someday we can save everybody. But until
then......
(gesturing towards the village with his head)...we have to... lose a few."
The
last line comes out quiet almost a whisper and Rich looks uncomfortable, but
steadfast.

His eyes look to the members of the group and back to his feet.

Ray looks at Rich coldly, "Rich remember our prime directive is to help
civilization. What you are suggesting will just delay the confrontation and
up the body count of the innocents. We will stick with the plan, Robert will
head the recover/recon mission, Rich you train locals and plan defenses,
Chet and I will have a talk with the prisoners. If you gentlemen don't have
anything to add, then lets get some rest so we can start recovery tomorrow."

"I got something to add."
Chet says as he jumps down from the top of the V-150.

"Look around Ray, does this look like America?" waving his battered hands
around the village. "In case I'm the first to bring it up but the rules
have changed. We didn't wake up in support of the Project. We woke up to a
B serial movie." His eyes calming just a bit.
"For all we know the Project mostly woke up and failed, and a few of us we'
re overlooked or delayed etc. etc." Looking at Ray. "So what Rich is
considering IS worth considering, we are as on our own as these good folk,
but no doubt about it we are on our own."
Pausing to compose,
"We didn't do anything here they couldn't do, their buddies might not know
they we're killed with M-16's. They could just as easily have been killed
by that Kitangee kid, and hell there were 30 people here. Sorry but maybe I
didn't say it well, but I just wanted to bring up that things are different
now."

~

Maura checks over things again. Then turns to Martin.
"I would suggest we move the prisoners here that we can treat. All except
may be the belligerent so and so. Get him locked away from the others some
where. That way I keep an eye on all of them for now."
Thinking to herself as she goes about her chores,
"This all seems weird to me weirder than we were trained for that for sure.
I am fine as long as I am concentrating on doing my job; I can control
things then. But keep me busy please I do not want to think too much."

Some time later she over hears about the questions over what they do and the
XR-311. She comments to Martin,
"I like the village and lets work from here. As to recovering the vehicle
go for it.
How about pulling the cache with our recovery unit while you are up that
way.

Martin replies, " I like this village also, But, our presence might bring
more harm then good. Also we might stir up attention in our search for a
hospital. Actually I
think our hopes for a hospital is nil. So if I had my way we would get all
vech here, then find
out if the raiders are coming. If so handle them, if they are not coming,
or after we handle them go and get our last member. But I am not in charge.
But I see no way that a medical facility is still here and not looted."

Time 0600 Sunday Nov 20
Cloudy, Drizzle
temp-45f
winds-appx 15mph from the SSW

"All right boys and girls, this is what me and Robert
has plan. We have decided to retrieve the XR. The team
will be Robert in command, Slyvia as second, Martin as
mechanic, and Alec as shotgun.
The XR team will go in the V150 and also do a wide area recon once the XR is
recovered. Meanwhile Rich will do a local recon on
horse. Chet and I will interrogate the prisoners." Ray
looks at Chet, "we will work out the details later on
which method we will use. In case we are attack in the
village, DJ will be the sniper on the roof or steeple,
Maura will guard the church, me and Chet will be roving
gunmen, and Rich the cavalry. Make sure we all have
radios and have them turn on. Rob will go over further
instructions with the retrieval team while I will take
any questions or suggestions from the home team." Martin looks up, " Ok doky with me boss but I do have a question tho’.

I hear rumor that we plan to use the church as a base? But we have
been told No weapons inside. Not that we like these folks. I am assuming
that we Are going to respect there religious ideals, right? So how are we
going to handle it? Oh, when do we roll for the XR?"

Ray turns first to Martin, "thats right, I forgot about the no weapons in church rule. I guess we will try to talk the villagers into it or use the church as a fortress as a last resort." Ray then turns to DJ, "take another look around DJ, maybe we will find a better sniping and lookout spot. Anything else?"

Maura adds “Sir I have no problem with the instructions.
Did you give any thought to turning the lad over to me to see if we can turn
him?
It may be more effective than interrogation in the long run.
Also do you wish me to start training the Locals while you are gone in basic
medicine and First Aid ?”

Ray muses for a while, "sure, if you think you can do something with the boy, just make sure DJ can see you. Remember you will guard the ground level of DJ's lookout. As for training first aid, I don't think we have enought time or supplies yet. Maybe you can work up a evacuation plan or something for the villagers in case of an attack."
Maura smiles and says “Basic first Aid training will not use much in
the way of supplies.
It is far more a case of what to do to stop bleeding quickly than use of
medicine Ray.
As to the Boy I just figure that we may find out more treating him as A lad
rather than a man.
If I can turn him to our use then great if not then he goes with the rest of
the prisoners.”

Ray turns back to Maura, "ok, go ahead with the instruction, but do it at the building DJ is using as lookout point. The evac plan is for them to get out of harm's way, not out of the village."

~

Robert raises his hand and says "Recovery team, huddle up here." The recovery team gathers around and Waits for Robert to begin. "OK, guys and gal. Here's the plan. Tomorrow morning at 0300, we're pulling
out under cover of darkness. Just in case anyone is watching South Hill.
We'll run blacked out using night vision goggles. Our route will basically
be the remains of highway 58. We will stick to it except for,
1. Skirting around the towns of Boydton and Finchley as seen on our maps. 2.
Any tactical deviations that seem necessary to maintain a low profile or
break contact from another group." "We will do radio checks before we leave and check in every 2 hours.
Our call sign will be CLUSTER. Once we recover the XR-311, that team will be
HUMBLE. Before we leave, we will assign freq's and new crypto's."

"Oh boss, " Martin says, " Do we Have to be Cluster. Just wayy bad luck
to be in on a cluster."

"Ok then. Pick me out another callsign. I just picked a random word from a
paperback book."

" Then how about GESTURE? And what book where you reading? Never mind I do
not want to know." Martin says with a smile.

"Alright, GESTURE it is. Team, our call sign will be GESTURE instead of cluster.
Disregard the previous callsign."
"We will follow highway 58 until it terminates at the Kerr Reservoir. From there we will swim the V-150 across the reservoir to near the town of Clarksville. Hopefully it will still be dark or at least just before the
sun rises. If the sun is coming up it will be behind our backs and that,
along with the glare off the water will give us some cover. Once we get
across, We will get to cover and find the XR-311 which is stashed nearby.
Martin, you will be in charge of reassembling everything that was taken off
of the 311. One of us will help you. The rest of us will stand guard." "Here is a list of things that we will take to reequip the 311 after we get
it going. If there is anything you think we need, let me know." "Autonav, NVG's, Laser range finder, compass
AN/PRC-70, Lg. med kit
tow chains, ax/shovel, tool kit,
Spare tires, 1 tarp, 1 camo net.
M-60 w/tripod and standard load of ammo
2 M72 LAW's, HK-69 and some mixed 40 mm grenades.
Claymores, Demo kit, 2 cases of mixed grenades." "Also, since you guys aren't from U-97, you'll have to bring extra ammo from
your stores. We may not have compatible ammo in the V-150.
especially you guys shooting 5.56mm and 9mm. Bring at least one full reload
for all of your issued weapons. If you guys don't like our freeze dried
food, bring some of those new meals in a bag, what ever you call them. Bring
whatever personal gear you need."

" Ok, will get the gear togeather." Martin replies

"Once we have the XR-311 serviceable and running, Sylvie and Martin will
take the 311, Alec and I will take the V-150. The 311 will be out about 100
to 200 meters in front of the V-150 for recon and route finding." "Our return course will be northwest on highway 58 to the Riverdale/South
Boston area. We will skirt around any towns or settlements there and move
north to highway 360. We will follow 360, bypassing Scottsburg and Clover,
to old state highway 92 . From there we will turn southeast and follow it to
South Hill bypassing Chase city and North View." "That's about it. Any questions, comments complaints? Some of your guys are
better at the tactical side of things. I'll need your advice. I'm going to
talk to Peter and have him arrange for us to have early watches, that way we
can get some sleep before we head out. I'll also ask Bruce about settlements
to the north of town. If possible I'll go see Mike tonight to get more info.
Whatever I find out, I'll brief you on in the morning"

~
The XR team departs at dawn as planned. The 4 hour drive towards the reservoir is uneventful. The team spots some dear and wild pigs enroute. Upon arrival to the bank of the reservoir the first wrinkle of the mission occurs the ground leading to the edge of of the bank is now bogg. The higher temperatures having made the ground soft with the thaw. Or atleast that’s what appears to have happened. To further complicate matters the wind is still upwards of 20mhp. Making a swim in the V-150 less than prudent. Robert ponders with the team their course of action and then calls Ray to inform the rest of their change in plans.

~

DJ dons some lines men spikes and takes up the project of clearing a hidey in a tall oak at the end of town. Within a couple hours he has the majority of the roost completed and is working now of meticulously trimming vision paths in the branches.
~
Ray, Ron, Renok and Chet go to the barn and retrieve the dead bandit Zed. Taking several hundred feet into the woods they bury him in a conventional grave. Chet says some words from the Psalms and the group heads in their separate directions.
Ron and Renok are going to check on Mike at the church. Chet and Ray head to an unused tool shed behind the church to set up their interrogation room.

~

Maura heads to the barn to retrieve the boy Bain for interrogation by Chet and Ray. The boy eagerly trys to impart as much as he can to the team.
The primary reason he is here is he was with Stanly (dead #11). He knows nothing personal about the other men in the barn. Karl was there when he and Stan hooked up with them. Karls probably with Parkins for the same reason he and Stan where, starvation. The other fella was with Parkins the last time the groups split and then met up again.
He’s never seen him speak to anyone ‘cept the other 3 fellas that was with Parkins upon his return.
Maura takes Bain to the back of the church to talk to him while the Karl takes his turn in the chair. Karl says he’s been with Parkin for 9-10 seasons. He openly asks why “y’all over here roughin’ us up, what did we do wrong? Parkins cheat you or somethin?” he asks with a grin.
He promises to not hook up with Parkins again if y’all are pissed at him and to just give him his pack and rifle and you won’t see hide nor hair of him again.
He doesn’t know anything about the scary fella, he thought he was one of yours when Parkins brought him back from K state.

Robert sighs and turns to the team. "Alright guys, we have two choices we can go around or scout around for way into the water. If we go around, it's either north or south. I'm thinking north since it looks shorter on the maps, and is part of our patrol area anyway. If we try to get into the water, I'm thinking a collapsed bridge maybe or an old boat ramp is possible. If we go across we still have to wait for the wind to die down.
Well, that's the way I see it. If anyone has suggestions or ideas, let me have them."
"Let's take a short break while we're thinking this through. Martin, let's back this pig up and get us into the tree-line. The shoreline here is too exposed. After the break, I'll give Ray a holler and tell him what we're up to."
After the team gets to cover, they dismount 2 at a time to stretch and answer the calls of nature. The recovery team heads northward. Finding a crossing of the Roanoke River is proving troublesome. The soft, marshy ground giving only to impossible
tangles of downed trees and other twisting flora that covers the Eastern
bank.
After 2 hours or so the ambulance is east of Clover, 2 bridges across are
evident within a mile of each other. 100yds south of the southern most
bridge is a boat landing on the far bank, this side still covered with soft
treacherous ground down to the bank. Both bridges appear to have been used
at some time by wagon traffic at least. Martin looks to Robert, " Looks like a civil question to me. Will those bridges hold? Only way to tell is to check it. If they are a no go I would like to check for a anchor point to winch us up that boat ramp. I know I know be careful and watch out for Troll’s under the bridge.... So am I a go for an inspection?"
"Alright, Martin, go check the bridge. I think that it's probably a good idea atthis point. Before you get to the bridge, I want you to make a sweep of the area
on this side. I'll be covering you from the trees. If everything is cool, then
you go down to the bridge. If there's people around we either wait for them to
leave or go to the next bridge. No contact." "If this bridge is a no-go, we'll do the same with the next bridge. If that one is no good, we'll look into swimming the V across. Assuming that we can get downthe bank, that boat landing on the other side of the river might be hard enough for us to drive out of the river."
"Sylvie, Alec, you're the cavalry, backing us up, just in case. Alec will drive,
Sylvie will command the V. Everybody, get ready to move. " Robert gets his gear ready to go while Martin does the same. Martin scans with the thermal then binocs of the bridge then and the other side. Then he will moves with care sweeping his way
to the first bridge paying particular attention to hiding areas ( brush, bank of river, under bridge) When clear he proceeds to check out the bridge.

Rich and Tenowa cover considerable ground on horseback. Though weaving
constantly to avoid debris a near complete circle of South hill is complete
by noon.
South Hill is all but washed away nothing remains except block and concrete
skeletons of buildings that rotted from with in or burned.
The roadways entering S.H. from the north are as in comparable shape to the
road the team traveled here on.
Anyone wanting to attack from the north can pick and choose their cover in
this ready made Stalingrad.

Maura continues to chat up Bain and show him basic first aid techniques. In return Bain has no real skills of his own. He offers to show Maura a special knot, which turns out to be a simple square. Maura is adequately
amazed by his craft to enlist a smile from the boy. The first she's seen.
"I been to the K States twice but I never met no girls like you Maura, you
and Sylvie act almost like a man, but ya ain't, ya know?
Y'all gonna head back in the fall I spect' huh?" ~ Ray and Chets results are disappointing; "Karl is just to indignant, like we double crossed him or something. And
ole' Smiley won't quit that damn smiling." Chet offers. The entire time Ray is threatening him, Smiley just smiled and glared. After an unproductive day in interrogation Ray decides to split Karl and Smiley apart. Smiley is to remain in
the tool shed with Chet while Karl is place under Maura's care.
"Keep an eye on Karl here please," Ray said to Maura after dropping Karl off.

As Martin inspects the southern bridge and finds it sturdy. Sagging yes, but apparently finished. The structure sits canted at 20% grade southward. The other smaller concrete structure to the North is suitable for foot traffic only having lost an entire center section.
Someone has lashed logs to the exposed girder to make a foot bridge. Martin sees that a trail has not been broken through here for some time.
"Well boss," Martin says, " Looks like it will hold. Not used much though.
I suggest one person in the V driving. No need to risk all and since I think it is good to go it should be me. Also I would like set up winch rig front and rear just in case." "Alright, if you think it's safe enough. Get Alec to help you rig the winch.
Sylvie can stand watch over here on this side of the river. I'll stand watch
on the far side." Robert gives his orders and sets the team into action. He then crosses the bridge. He carefully moves about 20 meters into the tree line and finds a
good concealed position to watch from. Once in position, he calls in a radio
check.
"Martin, radio check. Over."
[Waits for reply.]
"Loud and clear." Martin replies "I'm set up about 20 meters into the trees, just north of the road. If
anything comes along, I'll let you know."

Back at the Village Bain has been secured back in the barn with Karl. Maura watches over them. Ron having called Maura to relieve him so he could visit with Mike.

Chet and Ray finish with smiley for now having gained nothing at all except that hyena like smile. Smiley secured in the tool shed. Chet and Ray start working on their next rounds strategy.
"Ray I'm all for kicking the crap out of ole' smiley." Chet says with a leer. "That bastard is just laughing at us, and I think at the poor stupids that died here. Really I just want to beat on him because he scares me."

The ambulance crosses the Roanoke River and continues south towards the
Clarksville landing where the 311 is stowed. SW on 360 until a railroad
line crosses the road. The road condition being nothing better than a trail
anyways Robert decides to use the RR line to proceed to Scottsburg. Finding
Scottsburg over grown and in ruin the 150 proceeds on crossing the banister
river on a very rugged steel bridge. 1 mile past the bridge is a tangle of
fallen trees. After a quick recon of the area Robert and Martin clear the
tangle using the chain saw and hatchet while Sylvie and Alec pull security.
After 1 hour or so of effort a clearing is made for the V-150. Proceeding
down the line to South Boston. Two bridges at least should offer a southern
crossing. The first bridge being fell the team proceeds to the second. On
the way, lying between the two bridges shown on the auto nav is a solid
wooden bridge of obvious current construction. Though Martin is unable to
determine if it could support the ambulance a suitable ford is near by and
the team uses it instead.
Connecting with 58 East the team proceeds at a very good rate towards
Clarksville. Having to ford again after Buffalo springs. The team arrives
at the site appx 1915 and after a quick break for meals reassembles the
XR-311. Robert goes to the PRC-70 to report. While taking his turn on watch, Robert reports in to Ray.

"108, this Gesture. 108 this is Gesture. Do you read? Over"

"Gesture is at recovery site, repeat, we are on site and recovery is in
progress. Estimate recovery complete about 2200. Will advise of any
change, Over."

"Hey Boss, " Martin says, " In five I should have the 311
ready to move and fire. Do we want to move and finish elsewhere?
If anyone found it... It would be an idea ambush spot..."
The 311 recovery team decides to vacate the area the 311 was hidden and heads back along thier route. Choosing a dry elevated group of ruins (former library) west of Buffalo springs.
After a quiet and restful night the group awakens to find a decorative spear thrust into the ground near the two vehicles. It appears to be of classic Native American manufacture. The team makes sure to put the spear in one of the vehicles so that we can take it back to South Hill to try to identify the tribe/group that made it. Strapped to the side of the V, it is to long to fit inside without breaking it. Seeing no evidence of how it came to be there, the group assembles in the vehicles and departs along the same route as there approach.
Just before Clover, Virginia Alec ask for a halt so he can take a shot at a buck that has wandered onto the road. Hitting on the second shot and after a mere one half mile hike to track it down the animal it is gutted and travois’s and brought back to the ambulance by Martin and he.

"Sylvie, keep a sharp eye out while the guys are out there. Be ready to move." Peering downrange from behind the 311's tripod machinegun,
"Don't worry. I won't let nothin' happen to my guys." Robert pulls his map out and calls in a STIREP while Alec and Martin trail the deer that should have needed only one shot. "I guess your saying you don't want a steak then Rob?" Alec laughs lookin' at Martian. "I never said that, you dummy.(smiles) Don't be puttin' words in my mouth.
No, it's just that my ol' uncle Mike would have been very disappointed if it
was me. He was very serious about wasting ammo or causing the animal to suffer too much. I think a lot of it was that 30-30 shells were so expensive.
We reloaded ours to save money. Cash was tight back then. "

"Well," jibes Sylie, "if you just wanted it taken down *fast*..."
she pats the machinegun with a grin...

"C-108, this is GESTURE. C-108, this is GESTURE. SITREP. Do you read? Over." “Team is recovering local game and will be moving in approximately 30 mikes.
Do you have any information or instructions? Over." After SEVERAL minutes, and nearly giving up Ron comes on the radio. When asked he expalins no one was in the V, just chance that he heard you from inside the church. He'll stay on the horn till you get back. "You tell him to call back later if he's got anything for us. GESTURE out." Ron then calls the village team on the 68's with a report.

"Ten-four, Ron. Tell away team local patrol has found other tire tracks. Notify them we will investigate and have them give us a ETA, will wait for reply." Ray shakes his head about his mistake as he heads towards the vehicle barn... Robert digs a piece of rope out of the V and walks up to the XR-311.
"Alright guys, let's load this deer up and get back to South Hill. I don't think
that it's a good idea to have so many of us gone like this. Especially after the other day."
The deer gets tied over the hood of the XR-311 and the team mounts up.
They point their vehicles south-east and continue on to highway 92 . The XR-311 leads out and the V-150 follows 50 - 100 meters behind.

The next morning Rich decides a quick look at the North west approaches would be prudent and searches out Tenowa to go along.
Tenowa is clearly enjoying the prestige of his new duties that Bruce chose him for, he is at least enjoying the attention of the tribe for having more insight into the “strangers”.
Tenowa and Rich are near the ruins of the old hospital at the Northwest edge of the ruins when Tenowa points out light smoke from the Northwest direction off towards Pleasant Grove, VA.

The next morning Maura goes to assume her guard duties after giving Su a look and petting her head for a few minutes, for a moment it appeared her eyes fluttered, she excitedly reports it to Ron, watching him break into a big grin.
After relieving Ray and revisiting the discussion about Bains release Ray says he’ll continue to consider it he hasn’t decided yet.
When she attempts friendly contact with Bain he is obviously put offish, even rude his eyes occasionally looking towards Karl. " Ray either release him or loose him your choice." " I had a chance yesterday to work with him, today will be harder and
tomorrow near impossible." Maura wanders off towards the barn
Muttering under her breath. Maura looks hard at Karl
" And what are you looking so content about?" Then steps clear and calls Ray up. " Boss Karl the prisoner is looking.... not sure, almost content and
Bain is worried about some thing". Maura takes a good look around worried that she has missed some thing.
Checking for areas she can go to ground in if something goes pear shaped. "Ok, Maura you can have the prisoners," replied Ray. “Thank you Ray am only going to release Bain not the other sod and Bain will
stay with me. Can you give me a hand separating them please.” Ray looks back, "if you want to stay I will understand, Alec can you help Maura with the prisoners?"
Maura covers the man while Bain is freed her Tommy gun held locked steady in
her arms.

Once Bain is out side Maura sits him down with her and gently starts to talk
" Sorry Bain they would not listen to me when I told them you were not like
him." " Took me a little time to get them to listen to me". Maura looks at Bain, “You still want to be different than the man in there?
Listen to me Bain, you can live free and learn or you will have a very short
life. Which is it to be?”

As Ray exits the barn Chet and DJ roll back into town in the HUMVEE having been directed by Rich to take a quick look on Southeast trail.
DJ reports the discovery of tire tracks a mile back near La Crosse. Appeared to be one vehicle and about three sets of foot prints, they got off the road and cut North on the Railroad tracks.

Rich and DJ arrive at the church appx the same time. After some quick and
colorful dialogue both are satisfied the security plan for the team could
use some "tweaking".
"I don't know how long Ray planned on having me in the roost." said DJ.
After some short words with Ray Rich points out obviously that there is no
sentry of note except for the prisoner guard. All the vehicles have been
susceptible to pilferage. The best shot is probably been burned out in an
all day stationing and as they speak at least one probably the most
dangerous prisoner "Smiley" is unguarded in the tools shed.
"We haven't got our shit together Ray." Rich says with a scowl. "We were
open to a slaughter all day."
Ray hearing the points agrees and they set about correcting the problems. ~ Ron after being relieved by an obviously up set Maura shrugged off the
moodiness and set about checking on Su and Mike. As he opened the door to
the church he hears over the PRC-68.
"Any one dies because I was not there is going to be on the receiving end of
my tongue."
Ron winces and releases a tirade of expletives to himself. Finishing it of
by muttering, "Obsessive compulsive bitch." and goes about checking Su. Later after checking on Mike who's condition is degrading. Ron over hears
the security concerns and adds his 2 cents about having to suspend medical
rounds for guard duty. Ron sets about returning to the barn to check on
Karls wound. Rich returns to camp with Tenowa. Dropping the horses off at the other barn. He notices near total lack of security around the village at ground level. Thinking to himself he hopes DJ's high hide can spot trouble coming. ~ After about an hour the XR recovery team enters the ville. Ray approaches Rob with the resolute look about him as though something is on his mind. "Hello guys, anything else to report?" Ray look at each member of the XR recovery team to see if there are any changes. "Anyway according to recon, there are fresh tire tracks about a mile south of here. I am thinking about taking Rich, DJ, Chet, and Tenowa to investigate. Why don't you guys get rested, and since I have to wait for Rich to return why don't you tell me all the details of your trip." Turning to Maura, "do you want to go get some air?" "Ray, is there something going on here that I should know about? Maura?" "Alright Ray, let me give you a rundown of the trip." Robert lays out an area map on the table and traces out the route taken with his finger. "Highway 58 was rough, but drivable. We made good time but not good enough. We had to make a big detour around the lake, it was too windy to go amphibious and it was past daybreak when we got there. I didn't want anyone of get a visual on if we went across."
"There are a lot of rivers and creeks and damn few bridges. There were 2 bridges right next to each other over the river near Scottsburg. There was also a boat landing on the west bank that looked as if it was in good shape. The bridge we used didn't look like it got a lot of traffic. Later on we used an old pre-war steel railroad bridge. Looked kinda rough but it was sturdy enough. Had to cut trail a couple of other times. If we get back east, it should be easier going since things are more
built up."
"Anyway, we found the 311 and got it mobile and moved to another area near Buffalo Springs to finish up. Holed up in what looked like the remains of an old library. Last night someone snuck into our camp and planted a war lance in the ground near the vehicles. None of us heard or saw a thing. We brought it back with us. I'll talk to Bruce later. Somebody in the village may be able to identify the person or tribe that made it by the craftsmanship."
"We didn't see much of anything out there. No people at all. Just wildlife. Alec shot a deer and we brought it back. I figure we can butcher it and share it with the rest to the village. Any questions?"
"What's this about tire tracks now? Who found them and where?" Ray looks back to Robert, "DJ and Chet found it while they were out scouting south of here. According to them its only about 3 miles away. “ "Where did the tracks come from?" “The venison will be a great addition to the diet of the village. Oh, you said something about a war lance, does it have a modern or crude spear head?" “High quality retooled salvaged stainless steel.“

“Thanks Ray will take a turn around the village if you can spare me for a
few.” Maura turns to Bain,
" Well do you want to see how people live when some one is not stealing from
them?"

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