Date: Fri, 31 Dec 2004 16:11:52 -0500
From: Gstrdr15 <Gstrdr15@msn.com>
Subject: KOMBAT KIDS 23

Disclaimer; If you are under 18 years of age, or material such as this is
illegal in your locale, please do not continue reading. All persons, places
and thing depicted in this story are purely fictional, any resemblance to
people, living or dead, past or present, places or things is purely
coincidental.  However, I will admit to there being a Washington State.



Kombat Kids
By; GhostRyder15

Chapter 23
What's Mine is Mine. What's Yours, Well it's Up For Grabs



        After breakfast at the EDF, the boys boarded their buses and were
taken to the firing range.  The Range Officer gave the boys a range safety
briefing and then said; "Today we're going to give you a demonstration of
our weapons and marksmanship, all marines are riflemen first," he added as
if he was instructing Boy Scouts.

        The demonstration lasted for 45 minutes or so and ended after an
M60 was demonstrated.  For the most part, the boys looked bored, which
didn't go unnoticed by the Range Officer.

        The Range Officer, First Lieutenant Gibson went over to the Gunny;
"What's with these guys Gunny, they look like they're about to go to
sleep?"

        "Well sir, they'd rather be shooting than watching, you know how
kids are."

        "OK, the General said we were to let them fire if we had time, it's
09:30 now so I guess they have time to fire after I explain the weapons to
them."

        "Well now sir, you can explain them if you want, but it really
isn't necessary, if these boys were in the Corps they'd all be rated as
Expert."

        The Lieutenant looked at Gunny; "Come on Gunny, who you trying to
kid?  I don't care how good a teacher they're daddies are, there is a
difference between firing a single shot .22 caliber rifle and M16A3 and you
know it."

        "Sir, I think I can speed this whole thing up if you will allow
it?"

        "Be my guest Gunnery Sergeant." Said the Range Officer, his words
dripping with sarcasm.

        Gunny turned and faced the bleachers; Peterson, Hoffman, front and
center."

        Jap and Jacky, who just happened to be sitting on the bottom row of
the bleachers nearest the Gunny ran over and came to attention in front of
him and Saluted. Jap said; "Sir, Squaddies Peterson and Hoffman reporting
as ordered sir."

        After the Gunny returned their salutes; "You two remember the
safety briefing the Lieutenant gave you earlier?"

        "Sir, yes Sir."

        "Jap I want you to be the operator on the M60, Jacky you act as the
A-Gunner, any questions?"

        "Yes sir, what are we shooting at?"

        The Gunny looked at the Lieutenant; "Sir, what do you want them to
shoot at?"

        "Make it easy on your self Gunnery Sergeant, how about the hundred
meter line?"

        Before the Gunny could reply Jap interrupted; "Hey Gunny, how bout
we do the 500 meter line? This old pig will reach that far easy."

        The Lieutenant laughed; "Son some of my regular Marines have
trouble hitting at that range."

        Jap turned to the Lieutenant; "I don't understand why sir, this
weapon fires the 7.62 mm NATO round with a maximum effective range of 1,100
meters and has a maximum cyclic rate of fire of 650 rounds a minute and a
sustained firing rate of 200 rounds per minute.  I don't understand how
anyone could miss at only 500 meters."

        The Lieutenant was taken back for a minute by the short redheaded
kid before he decided to call the little fuckers bluff; "Alright son, you
can fire the 500 meter line." Just to be mean he added; "The 60 has kind of
a kick son, you want a pad to protect your shoulder from the recoil?"

        Jap smiled back at the Lieutenant, all boyish innocence; "No sir,
if it hurts too much, my mama will kiss it and make it all better."  As he
turned to face Jacky he said softly so only Jacky could hear; "Or he can
kiss my ass and make it feel all better."

        Jap turned to the Lieutenant and asked; "If it's OK with you sir
I'd like to take a few shots at the 100 meter line just to see how it's
shootin?"

        The Lieutenant looked surprised that the youngster knew enough to
see how the 60 was shooting before firing for effect.  He just nodded his
head yes.

        Jacky quickly and competently opened the ammunition can and loaded
the first round into the 60's firing mechanism, turned to the lieutenant
and nodded that they were ready to fire.

        "Ready on the right? Ready on the left?

        "Ready." Jap said.

        "All ready on the firing line?"

        Once again Jap replied, "Ready"

        "Commence firing."

        Jap fired a three round burst in to the target on the 100 meter
line, acting as the spotter, the Gunny using a pair of binoculars said;
"Low, left, 7 o'clock."

        Jap nodded, more to himself than to the Gunny and adjusted his
point of aim and fired another three round burst.

        Once again Gunny said, "Low, left just out of the X-ring."

        Jap shifted his point of aim to the 500 meter line and started
shredding the target in three and four round bursts.  After he fired all
the rounds of the belted ammo through the 60, he opened the feed plate
cover and him and Jacky moved back from the firing line.

        The Lieutenant called out; "Cease fire, cease fire, firearms down
actions open, the range is cold."

        The Lieutenant walked over to Jap; "How old are you son?"

        Jap smiled at him and said; "I turned twelve the end of December
sir."

        The Lieutenant went over and stood by the Gunny and just shook his
head while they waited for a PFC to bring the target to the firing line.

        When they had the target, it looked like someone had used a shotgun
on the bullseye. While there were a few holes in the outer ring of the
target, most of the rounds that Jap had fired all went through the center.

         The Lieutenant looked at Jap; "You sure you aren't thirty five?
That's the best shooting I've seen in a long time!"

        Jap blushed at the compliment; "Thank you sir."

        After Jap's demonstration, the Lieutenant ran all the Squaddies
through each weapon station to give them a chance to fire the various
weapons."

        Jap was standing by the end of the bleachers when Lance Corporal
Tilden walked up to him and stuck out his hand for Jap to shake.  When they
shook hands Jap came a way with a piece of paper, not just any piece of
paper.  This one had a picture of Benjamin Franklin on it.

        Jap looked confused; "What's this for?"

        "It's five percent of my winnings; I figure you could use it to buy
you and Jacky some ice cream or something.  And, to kind of make up for me
being such an asshole on Friday.  Oh yeah, it'd be my privilege to serve
with you if you were in the Corps, you really are good."

        Jap blushed and got kind of misty; "Thanks man, you don't know how
much I appreciate you saying that."

        After the boys all got a chance to fire the weapons on the range,
they were taken back to the EDF for lunch. At 13:00 the boys were driven
out to the vehicle testing grounds, a large field with both natural and man
made obstacles. When they got off the bus, they all got really excited,
parked in front of them were three vehicles; a LAV, a HUMVEE and an M1
Abrams main battle tank.  The LAV and the HUMVEE were basically like the
ones back at the Unit, it was the M1 that held everyone's attention, and
from the time the boys first saw the metal giant, you could almost hear
them popping wood.

        Phil turned to James; "Daddy, will you get me one of these, pretty
please?"

        James laughed, "First of all I ain't your daddy; secondly, let me
think how to phrase it, oh yeah, not no, but abso-fucking-lutely NO!!"

        Everyone close enough to hear the exchange between Phil and James
started laughing.

        The Squaddies all took seats on another set of bleachers and a
Marine Captain moved to the front of the group; "Morning men, I'm captain
Jacobs, Company Commander of Bravo Company, what you see in front of you
are three of the many types of vehicles currently in use by the Marine
Corps."  The Captain went on to explain the capabilities of the vehicles
and their main use in combat.

        After his talk on the vehicles he asked if there were any
questions.

        Bart Bartholomew raised his hand; "Sir, you said the main gun was a
smooth bore, if it hasn't got any lands and grooves (rifling in the barrel)
how is the projectile stabilized in flight?"

        The question took the Captain by surprise, very few adults, let
alone teenagers as young as Bart appeared to be, ever spotted the fact that
the barrel of the main gun didn't impart any spin to the projectile.

        "Good question, what's your name son?"

        "Martin Bartholomew sir, but everyone calls me Bart."

        The Captain thought for a moment; "You ever played darts?"

        "Yes sir." Answered Bart.

        "Then you know the fins at the rear of the dart are set at an angle
to the body of the dart, right?"

        "Yes sir."

        "That's how the round from the main gun is stabilized in
flight. The actual round is smaller in diameter than the barrel of the gun,
when it exits the muzzle, what is called a `sabot' (pronounced Say bow) the
material that makes up the difference in diameter between the round and the
barrel separates from the projectile and exposes the fins at the rear of
the round.  The fins cause the round to spin giving it stability in flight.
Does that answer your question Bart?"

        Bart stood where he was for a few seconds with a glazed look in his
eyes.  All of a sudden it was like a light bulb went off over his head; "Oh
I see, Wow that's neat, thank you Sir."

        After Bart sat down, Mark White raised his hand; "What's the
operating range for the M1, I know you said it has tankage for 500 gallons
of fuel, but how far can it go before it runs out of gas?"

        The Captain turned to Gunny Mcnaughten: "How old did you say these
kids were?"

        Turning back to Mark; "That's another good question, as you know,
most vehicles are rated by how many miles per gallon they get, the M1 is
rated by how many gallons to a mile it gets.  On smooth terrain, it will
average about two gallons to the mile at cruising speed, about 25 miles per
hour.  If it accelerates or is traversing heavy terrain, fuel consumption
increases to three or four gallons to the mile, cutting down on the
distance it can travel before refueling is necessary."

        By the time the Q&A session was finished, the Captain was
exhausted; "Jesus, he thought to himself, I sure am glad we don't have
groups like this one come through here too often."

        The day went on with a quick run to the Navy Exchange where the
boys bought souvenirs and pigged out in the exchange Food Court.  At 17:00
the boys were all packed and boarding the busses for the trip back home.
After leaving the Base, the busses picked up the families and headed east
getting on I-90 for the trip over the mountains.
(http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/snoqualmie/default.aspx?imgparam=6)



        Half way up the west side of the Cascades, it started snowing, by
the time they hit the summit of Snoqualmie Pass, there was already eight
inches of fresh snow on the ground and much more was expected.  Heading
East down from the pass, visibility was down to about 200 meters and the
busses were moving at ten miles per hour.  What should have taken four
hours for the whole trip was now up to six hours and they were only a
little over half way home. Listening to the radio, the announcer was saying
that this was a surprise storm that no one had expected, the storm had
already dumped four more inches on Snoqualmie Pass and at least another
foot was expected to fall. James and Matt discussed the situation and
decided to stop in Ellensburg, the way the Interstate was getting; he
didn't want to take a chance on getting stranded. An hour and a half later,
the three busses pulled off the interstate and found two motels along the
main street that had vacancy signs still lit.

        James took one and Matt took the one next door to it.  Between the
two motels they were able to get enough rooms for everyone on the busses.

        Luckily, the rooms came with two Queen Size beds in each, The
Squaddies were assigned six to a room and the families that made the trip
were given a room each to themselves. After getting everyone fed, it was
time for bed. The Squadies were told to get some sleep and to keep the
noise down to gentle roar so the other motel guests wouldn't be bothered.

        Mark and David White, Carson McMillan, Phil Martin, Jap and Jacky
Hoffman all shared a room.  The boys discovered that the couch in the room
folded out to a double bed so Jap and Jacky took that one. The other boys
paired up with their partners on the Queens.

        The boys were all tired so they stripped to their skivvies and got
into bed, David and Phil were spooned together and were just falling asleep
when they heard; "Damn Jacky, watch your teeth will ya?"

        The other four boys broke out laughing, sympathizing with Jap
because Jacky had only recently gotten braces and was having a hard time
with them.

        Phil and David hadn't made love since they were attacked last
summer, mainly because Phil was still having problems, both physically and
mentally.  So no one was more surprised than David when Phil reached down
to David's cock and gently fondled him, causing David to throw wood almost
instantly.

        David shuddered from the feelings Phil was giving him; "You OK
Andy?"

        "Yeah, I am, I forgot how much I love touching you, here roll over
on your back for me." Phil whispered.

        David rolled so he was laying flat on his back; Phil grasped the
waistband of David's shorts and pulled them off under the covers.  David's
cock felt like steel covered in velvet to Phil as he gently jacked him off.
David took a deep breath when he felt Phil's mouth engulf his dick and
moaned softly.  Phil sucked and licked on David's cock for only a few
minutes when the first burst of cum hit the roof of his mouth, Phil
swallowed quickly taking all that his lover could give him until David
gently pulled his lover off his rapidly softening cock.  David pulled Phil
to him and kissed him deeply, crying softly all the while.

        Worried now, Phil asked; "Are you OK Davey, I didn't hurt you, did
I?"

        "No man, I, I ... I, just, I'm just happy we did this.  I've been
so worried about you, I didn't know how to ask, I mean I didn't know if you
would ever want to love me again."

        "Oh man, I'm so fucking sorry. I didn't know.... I just wasn't
thinking...." Phil started sobbing, soon tears burst from his eyes and deep
racking sobs were heard by all of the boys in the room.  The other four
boys quickly moved to Phil and David's bed and started comforting him; they
all knew he was having bad dreams stemming from the rape.  The boys didn't
know what to do, Phil's crying got worse and he couldn't talk.  Jap put on
his trousers and boots, grabbed his blouse and left the room.  Two minutes
latter Jap entered the room followed by James and Matt.

        James went over to the bed David and Phil were on and knelt on the
floor beside Phil, he put his hand on Phil's shoulder and gently squeezed;
"Phil calm down, you have to calm down, it's alright you're safe and so is
Davey.  Please calm down ..." Over and over James spoke soothingly to Phil,
trying to bring him out of the mental anguish and pain he was suffering.
After trying for five minutes to calm him down with no results, James
turned his head to Matt and nodded.

        Matt picked up the room telephone and punched in three numbers,
after a minute or so Matt said; "Doc? This is Matt; we need you in room
307.... I'm not really sure .... It's Phil Martin; umm yeah he seems to
have lost control and can't stop crying.... OK, see you shortly."

        While Matt was talking on the phone the other boys and James had
continued to try and reassure Phil he was safe and that they all loved him
and that no one was going to hurt him.  While they were still working to
calm him down, Matt punched in another number; "Bill?  Matt, I think you
need to get up to room 307... No... please, just you, and quickly."

        Less than a minute later there was a knock on the door, Matt
answered it and Bill Martin walked in dressed in a T-shirt, sweat pants and
house slippers.  Seeing his son on the bed crying uncontrollably, he put
the safety on the pistol he brought with him and handed it to Matt before
hurrying to his boy.  With the exception of David, the rest of the people
surrounding Phil backed off to let Bill get to his son.  David on one side,
Bill on the other, the two engulfed Phil.  Both his father and his lover
continued to hold him, soothe him and try to calm him down.  The boys
backed away and just watched, ready to help but giving Bill and Davey room.
The five of them wishing that Launy Prince was there with them so they
could beat him, hurt him and yes, even kill him for what he had done to
their friend.

        There was a knock on the door, James answered and a tall
distinguished man entered; " What's going on James?"

        James quickly briefed the doctor and told him that nothing they had
done seemed to help in calming him down.  The doctor opened his bag and
pulled out a hypodermic needle and a vial of liquid; he broke the seal on
the top of the vial and filled his hypo.  Dr. Davidson walked over to the
bed, wiped Phil's shoulder with an alcohol swab and injected him with the
sedative, within five seconds Phil slumped onto David's shoulder
unconscious.

        Davey laid Phil gently back on the bed and covered him with the
blanket, sobbing softly, running his hand through his hair and stroking the
side of his face.  Bill watched the boy quietly, finally knowing that his
son and this boy were truly in love and that their ages mattered not at
all.

        Bill turned to James; "What happened, he seemed like he was happy
when we got here, why'd he loose it?"

        "I don't know Bill; first I knew there was a problem was when Jap
came pounding on our door.  When we got here, we tried talking to him for
awhile but nothing we said got through to him."

        Bill turned to a naked Davey; "Son, what happened, can you tell me,
please?"

        David finally realized he was standing in front of his lover's
father naked, he quickly grabbed his trousers, turned away from Bill Martin
and pulled them on before saying anything.  "Mr. Martin, I don't know how
to say this easily, but Phil and I just had sex and
I.... ummm.... I.... started crying and Phil asked me why.  This was the
first time me and him had done anything since... well since last summer and
I told him I was crying because he made me so happy, because I'd been
afraid he was 'sob' afraid he... he wouldn't ever want me any more."  David
started crying, tears running from his eyes and a big honker of snot
dripping from his nose.

        James spoke sharply to him; "David, control yourself, it wasn't
your fault, didn't your councilor tell you this might happen to you or to
the both of you?"

        David grabbed a wad of tissue from the box on the nightstand and
blew his nose "Sniff, yeah, sniff, he did, sniff... but no one said this
would happen, sniff."

        Bill walked over to David and pulled him into a hug, whispering to
him so only he could hear; "Easy Davey, it's not your fault, I know you
guys were having sex before what happened last summer, it didn't mean
nothing to me then and it don't mean nothing to me now.  You boys love each
other, `sigh'.... that's what lovers do, give themselves to each other.
Don't make me have the Doc here put you out too; Phil wouldn't have come
back as much as he has if it hadn't been for you loving him like you do.
You got to be strong, you have to keep it together... for the both of your
sakes, please... for Phil, for yourself, and for me and his momma."

        David looked Bill in the eyes; "I'm sorry I'm such a baby, I just
couldn't help it when he wouldn't stop crying, please forgive me."

        "God Damn it son there ain't nothing to forgive, I told you I
understand about you lovin him, and I do.  It don't matter to me if he
loves a boy, I see the love you two have for each other and it's just as
real as mine is for his momma.  Promise me, promise me you'll be strong for
him, our family will support you and I know yours will too, so please, be
there for him."

        Yes sir, he's mine and I won't let him go.  I promise you I'll be
there for him.  Thank you sir, thank you for being so understanding."

        Bill grasped his son's boyfriend and kissed him gently on the
forehead, turned away and sniffed as he wiped his eyes; "Damn sinus colds,
can't never seem to get rid of them."

        Now that David had his emotions under control the doctor bent the
needle on the hypo and put it in a plastic Coke bottle he carried in his
bag for use as a `sharp's' container and returned the vial to it's holder
in the bag.  He looked at David; "You need to keep an eye on him tonight,
he should sleep for eight or nine hours, but to be on the safe side,
someone needs to watch him in case he comes to earlier.  If he does and
doesn't remain calm call my room, 227 and I'll be right up."

        With that, the doctor said goodnight and left.  James turned to the
boys; "Are you guys OK, I know this was no fun for you but I'm proud of the
way you handled it.  Jap that was quick thinking coming and getting us,
good job."

        Bill looked at the boys; "You men done good, Phil's momma and I
thank you from the bottom of our hearts.' Bill Martin hugged each of the
boys and left saying he had to talk to his wife and tell her what happened.

        Matt thought for a minute; "David, you going to be up to watching
over him?"

        Before David could reply Carson spoke first; "We got it covered
Matt, we'll watch the both of them so don't worry none."

        Matt and James smiled; "OK boys, if you need anything, we're down
in 101, goodnight guys."

        Throughout the night at least one of the boys was awake watching
over both David and Phil, the night passed with no further problems.  At
around 07:00, Jap was on watch; he had just checked on his two friends and
was sitting close to the TV with the sound down low so it wouldn't bother
anyone when he felt a hand on his shoulder.  Looking up he found Phil
looking at him, before he could get up, Phil sat down along side of him and
hugged him; "Thanks man, thanks for being such a good friend."

        "Aww you woulda done the same for me, besides I wanted to watch the
news and see what was happening with the storm."

        "I guess I lost it last night, huh?"

        Jap looked at Phil for a few seconds before replying; "Yeah ya did,
you scared the piss out of everyone, we just couldn't get you calmed down.
After I went and got James and Matt, Matt called your daddy and he comes
charging up here with that big ol horse pistol of his.  It got real
exciting here for a few minutes."

        "Jeez I'm sorry, I don't know, I... "

        "Listen asshole, you go ga ga on me and again I'll put you to sleep
and I won't use no needle." Jap threatened while shaking his fist in front
of Phil's nose.

        Jap's fist caused Phil's eyes to cross trying to keep it in focus;
"Whoa dude, I'm cool, I just.... I just wanted to thank you is all, that
and to ask ya what happened after Doc Davidson knocked me out?"

        "Not much, your daddy and David talked awhile, it was kinda funny,
David was holding you on one side and your dad was on the other, all you
were wearing was your skivey shorts and David had on his "Dress Skin'
outfit until he realized he was standing there talking to your dad.  Boy,
you shoulda seen him drag his trousers on after he remembered all he had on
was skin, actually, it was kinda funny watching him jumping around on one
foot trying to get his pants on, then almost falling on his ass."
        Phil turned a nice shade of red; "Oh fuck me till it hurts, dad's
going to kill me."

        "Ooof", Phil woofed out after Jap punched him lightly in the belly.

        "What'd I tell you about calming down, huh?  I ain't going to go
through the same shit I did last night;" Jap started crying softly, "Man
you really scared me, please don't do that no more, please?"

        Phil took a couple of deep breaths; "Sorry Jap, I'm OK, I
just.... I just worry about mom and dad."

        "I don't think you have to worry about them, I don't know what your
dad said to David cause they were whispering, but before he left he hugged
David and kissed him on the forehead, so I kinda think the only thing your
dad was worrying about was you."

        Just then they heard someone yawn, turning to see who it was the
boys found David watching them from the bed.

         David yawned again; "Hey bud, how they hangin?"

        For the first time since Phil tripped off the line last night he
smiled; "Loose and full of juice, how about you?"

        David got out of bed and walked over to where Jap and Phil were
sitting and plopped down alongside his boyfriend, he gave Phil a quick kiss
on his cheek and hugged him.

        "Davey, I.... "

        David took Phil's face in his hand and kissed him on the lips, when
he broke the kiss he looked Phil in the eyes; "Before you say one thing,
I'm going to tell you the same thing Jap just told you.  If you loose it
I'll put you back to sleep, but I won't use any fucking hypo to do it."

        Phil sniffed but was able to keep his shit in one sock; "I'm OK, I
just wanted to say I'm sorry about last night."

        David nodded; "Fine, you're sorry, apology accepted, let it go for
now, we'll talk about it later when we get home, OK?"

        Phil gave David a weak smile and nodded his head yes.

        The rest of the boys were waking up and complaining about the one
thing that's close to all teenage boys' hearts, FOOD!  After everyone
showered shit and shaved, well maybe not shaved, they left the room to look
for some breakfast.  When they got down to the motel lobby they found Matt
sitting in a chair with his cell phone talking to someone.  When he noticed
the boys he gestured to the other seats and held up one finger to tell them
to give him a moment.  After talking for a little longer, he turned the
phone off and looked at the boys; "Let me guess, breakfast?"

         Jap got out of his chair and knelt before Matt bowing his head on
the floor with his arms stretched out in front of him; "Yes oh great leader
of many, boys, your humble servants are hungry, FEED US!"

        Matt and the boys laughed at Jap's antics; "Arise cretin, me being
the wonderful person that I am, I will lead you to the land of milk and
honey."

        "Yeeeeccccck!" Mark said, "that sounds kind of funky for
breakfast."

        "OK wiseass, how bout bacon, eggs and hash browns?"


        With James in the lead, the men and boys went through the front
doors of the lobby and across the street to a Perkins Steak and Cake
restaurant.  When they entered, the hostess looked at the boys who were all
dressed in their MarCams; "What, are we being invaded?"

        Matt chuckled; "No but in a little while you might think so, would
you seat the boys and then ask the manager to come see me?"

        After getting the boys settled in a booth and giving them menus the
hostess picked up a house phone and after a second spoke into it.  She
replaced the handset and walked over to Matt; "Mr. Mashburn will be with
you in a moment sir."

        "Thank you." Matt replied.

        Several minutes went by and a short chubby middle-aged man appeared
from the back of the restaurant; "Good morning sir, I'm Kevin Mashburn, how
may I help you?"

        "Good morning Mr. Mashburn, I'm Matt Bateman and I have a group of
people I need to get fed.  They should start rolling in here shortly; the
boys will all be dressed like those six over there."  Matt pointed at the
boys already seated in a booth.  "There'll be a large group of adults also,
I want them to have whatever they want, but, I don't want them charged for
their meals.  Pulling out his wallet, Matt handed Mr. Mashburn an American
Express card.  Please use this to take care of the bill, I think we'll be
on our way later this morning, if not I want to work lunch the same way."

        Mr. Mashburn looked at the card for a minute; "I see no problem
sir, can you give me an idea on the number of people you have in your
party?"

        Matt thought for a moment; "The last figure I had was 224, but you
better plan on 240 cause some of our kids may decide they didn't get enough
the first time through."

        Matt watched Mr. Mashburn, you could almost here him thinking about
what the members of the Unit and their families were going to do for his
profit margin.  Mr. Mashburn smiled and personally escorted Matt and James
to a table.

        After breakfast, James and Matt were heading back to the motel when
they heard a helicopter approaching from the southeast.  Due to the snow
that was still falling, neither one of the brothers could see the aircraft
until it was almost overhead.  After hovering for a few seconds, the big
chopper, one of the Blackhawk variants used by the site, flew sideways to
the right of the motel and started to land in the field along side the
motel parking lot.  After the chopper landed one of the aircraft crewman
jumped down and waded through the knee high snow over to Matt and James;
"Good morning gentlemen, I'm looking for Sheriff Martin, would you know him
and if so, can you tell me where to find him?"

        Matt glanced at the restaurant across the street; "He was in
Perkins' just a few minutes ago, he was just finishing breakfast when we
were leaving.  I'm Matt Bateman and this is my brother James, can we help
you with something?"

        The crewman smiled; "I'm Jim Targus, I'm in charge of air
operations for the Medford Site. I'm glad I bumped into you two, after I
contacted the Sheriff; I was going to look for you.  We got a major problem
back at the site, Moreland and the surrounding area.  I've been directed to
contact you three and at the very least bring Sheriff Martin back to
Moreland, preferably with one or both of you accompanying him.  This snow
storm has caused major problems, there are large numbers of people
unaccounted for, people who we suspect got caught in the storm and we need
to get the Sheriff back so he can coordinate with the local and state
authorities to get emergency services going."

        Matt looked at the airman; "I can understand why you need the
Sheriff, but how do we fit into the picture?"

        The crewman shrugged; "I'm not really sure sir, all I know is that
the Site's Emergency Command Center has been activated and your brother is
a member of it.  As for you, I was just told to see if you were available,
and if so to bring you along."

        As the snow continued to fall, James, Matt and the air crewman
started walking toward the restaurant, just as they got about ten feet from
the entrance, the door opened and Bill, Beth and Phil came outside.

        James introduced Jim Targus to Bill and explained to him what was
going on.

        Bill nodded his head; "OK, let me get my family back to the motel
and I'll be ready to leave.  Turning to James and Matt; "How bout you two,
you coming with us?"

        James answered for the both of them; "Yeah, we're going to need
fifteen or twenty minutes to get things set up here, I figure George
Townsend can handle everything here."

        Targus looked at James; "George is here?  We've been trying to
contact him for the last twelve hours."

        Bill turned and looked at the restaurant; "He and his family are
still eating breakfast, listen I'm going to take my wife and son back to
the motel, I'll wait for you in the lobby after I get them settled."

        Jim nodded his head; "OK sheriff, I'll go in and talk to George.

        James and Matt agreed with Targus; "While you're talking to him,
we'll go find another one of the parents to take charge of the Unit and
brief the Marine Corps drivers on what's happening and get one of the
Marines to come with us.  We'll meet up with everyone in the motel lobby."

        Back at the motel, James went to the rooms shared by the Marines
and Matt found Martin Howell; "Marty, we got a problem here; Matt, Keener
Webb, George Townsend, Sheriff Martin and I are being flown back to
Medford.  Will you take charge of the Unit and maintain control over the
situation here?  I'm leaving Gunny Mcnaughten to help maintain control, but
I need a non-military parent to be in charge."

        "Sure James, not a problem. Have you talked to the marines yet?"

        James nodded; "Matt's taking care of that now.  Listen I don't want
any of our people or their families worrying about paying for food or
lodging."  Saying that, James handed Martin his American Express card;
"Just get me receipts from the motel and Perkins, Matt's telling the
Marines not to budge from here until they're absolutely sure it's safe to
do so.  According to Jim Targus, the Air Boss from the site, there's a lot
of people lost out there and I don't want any of ours joining them."

        James, Matt, Keener, George Townsend and Sheriff Martin met in the
lobby, Jim Targus was waiting for them when they arrived; "Ready Gentlemen?
OK, we have clearance to use the Hospital landing pad to offload you once
we get to town, there should be a Patrol vehicle waiting on you four, and
Sheriff, a Sheriff's Unit will be waiting for you.  If there are no
questions please follow me."

        As you can expect, a large black helicopter landing in the middle
of a city caused a lot of people to gather, a good potion of who were
Squadies and their families.  Once the five men boarded the aircraft, the
pilot ran the jet turbines up to speed and pulled pitch.  Being a typical
hotdog chopper jockey he put on a little show of how capable the Blackhawk
is by leaping into the air and almost instantly disappearing into the
falling snow.  The spectators followed the flight of the chopper by the
sound of its engines, when silence finally fell once again the crowds broke
up and headed back to shelter from the continuing storm.


End of Chapter 23 Next; Chapter 24 Recovery



I'd like to take a moment and thank Jamie Haze, Author, Mentor, and Friend
for the encouragement he has given me in the writing of this story, and
editing it for me.  I encourage you all to read Somerset Farm, Dooby Rhymes
With Scooby and Apartment 141 by Mr. Haze.




Comments are eagerly requested.  If you feel it necessary to flame, go
ahead, but don't expect an answer.  Address all comments to Gstrdr15
<Gstrdr15@msn.com>

One more thing please let me know what state you live in, I like to know
where people are who take interest in my story.  Thanks all.

If you're interested, check out;
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/snoqualmie/default.aspx?imgparam=6
This site provide rapid updated video of Snoqualmie Pass and the east an
west approaches.  It is best viewed after sunrise and before sunset.

I'd like to say thanks to the following new readers;

Jay in Sidney Australia
Tony in West Sussex UK
Jim in Pennsylvania USA
Gary in Indiana USA
JW in Indiana USA
Dave in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Tim in Chicago Illinois USA
Justyn in Phoenix AZ USA
Scott in Wales UK
Gary somewhere near Toronto Canada
Andrew in Virginia USA
Shawn in Winston-Salem NC USA
Sam in Montreal Quebec Canada
Danny in Australia
Andrew in Mississippi USA
Calvin in Kissimmee Florida USA
Andy in France
Ace in Pennsylvania USA