I’m not, really, and I know others are having problems. We may need to medicate for a few days. But I can’t handle everything twenty-four-seven by myself.
“I know you operate differently than I do, but can you give me honest feedback when I’m awake, and keep the general gist of my instructions when I’m not?”
“Since I’m effectively acting first sergeant, yes, sir. I can.”
“Thank you. Any immediate advice?”
“I think you’re doing okay now. I won’t hold the last four days against you. It’s insane. None of us handled it well, no one could.”
“Thanks, but that’s true of combat, too. It’s got to be handled.”
“Yeah. Well, we’re handling it now.”
“Do you agree we get to the river first, then find locals?”
“Yes, sir. Water. Food, and the river will have fish as well as watering holes for game. It will have reeds, and I’m pretty sure there are cattails or such, which are edible.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, like a mild watercress, sort of. And the tops make tea, or can be used for bandages. It can be pressed into paper. Useful stuff. Anyway, after we have food and water, then we can find locals.”
“I figure we need to recon the area, see who’s here and if they’re friendly, and then find a good place to settle in for a long wait.”
Spencer nodded. “Very good, sir. We don’t want to be too close to neighbors, but I hope we can work out trades.”
“Yeah. I want to talk about this a lot more, but I’m groggy, and we need to reach the river. Long term planning after immediate needs.”
“You should lie down, sir. We’ll take turns, you, me and Barker, I guess.”
“Okay. But wake me at once for anything.”
He stretched out in the back between the seats. Ortiz lay on one. Devereaux was on the other, his feet on the floor. Tall, that man was.
It wasn’t comfortable, but he’d manage. It was better than the ground. He tucked his helmet at the angle that worked for a pillow, sort of, drew up his feet and crossed his arms. That would work. He closed his eyes and listened to the mumbles outside.
Martin Spencer awoke for the third time at sunrise. He vaguely remembered dawn and the depth of night. He’d slept sitting back against the tire, and leaning forward on his hands. It wasn’t good sleep, nor a lot of sleep, but . . . well . . .
“How are we doing?” he asked. Caswell and Barker were on watch. The west was still dark purple fading to a gorgeous blue behind and east. He shivered slightly and was damp from dew.
Barker said, “Our observer slipped away about an hour ago.”
“Okay. Well, we assume he’s following us. It suggests there’s a settlement not far away.”
“Hopefully. Do we really want to meet them, though?”
“I don’t think we have a choice. We’re moving into their territory.”
“Yeah. I just don’t know what we’re supposed to do.”
“Is the LT up?”
“Yes, I’m here.”
“Any ideas, sir?”
“A bit. I want everyone to eat and drink. Clean uniforms all around. These are getting nasty. We’ll wear body armor and take weapons. We’ll walk on foot to the river and see if we can find signs of these local people. Anyone any good at that?”
Barker said, “I’m pretty good, but they may be better.”
“Yeah, well, we do what we can. Water first. Look around the terrain. If we don’t find anything, we come back here before dark. We can move down closer tomorrow, after we’re sure we won’t get stuck in the mud.”
Martin asked, “Body armor and what else, sir? Water of course. Food?”
“Yeah, enough food for today. What’s left?”
Barker said, “Some MRE components and a few candy bars and snacks. Running out of that, too.”
The CO winced. “Crap. Okay. Take it. Sleeping bags also. Fully armed but light otherwise.”
“Okay. Then machetes and knives as well.”
Alexander added, “Toilet paper.”
Elliott said, “Definitely asswipe. Fair enough on the blades, but everyone keep things
“I know you operate differently than I do, but can you give me honest feedback when I’m awake, and keep the general gist of my instructions when I’m not?”
“Since I’m effectively acting first sergeant, yes, sir. I can.”
“Thank you. Any immediate advice?”
“I think you’re doing okay now. I won’t hold the last four days against you. It’s insane. None of us handled it well, no one could.”
“Thanks, but that’s true of combat, too. It’s got to be handled.”
“Yeah. Well, we’re handling it now.”
“Do you agree we get to the river first, then find locals?”
“Yes, sir. Water. Food, and the river will have fish as well as watering holes for game. It will have reeds, and I’m pretty sure there are cattails or such, which are edible.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, like a mild watercress, sort of. And the tops make tea, or can be used for bandages. It can be pressed into paper. Useful stuff. Anyway, after we have food and water, then we can find locals.”
“I figure we need to recon the area, see who’s here and if they’re friendly, and then find a good place to settle in for a long wait.”
Spencer nodded. “Very good, sir. We don’t want to be too close to neighbors, but I hope we can work out trades.”
“Yeah. I want to talk about this a lot more, but I’m groggy, and we need to reach the river. Long term planning after immediate needs.”
“You should lie down, sir. We’ll take turns, you, me and Barker, I guess.”
“Okay. But wake me at once for anything.”
He stretched out in the back between the seats. Ortiz lay on one. Devereaux was on the other, his feet on the floor. Tall, that man was.
It wasn’t comfortable, but he’d manage. It was better than the ground. He tucked his helmet at the angle that worked for a pillow, sort of, drew up his feet and crossed his arms. That would work. He closed his eyes and listened to the mumbles outside.
Martin Spencer awoke for the third time at sunrise. He vaguely remembered dawn and the depth of night. He’d slept sitting back against the tire, and leaning forward on his hands. It wasn’t good sleep, nor a lot of sleep, but . . . well . . .
“How are we doing?” he asked. Caswell and Barker were on watch. The west was still dark purple fading to a gorgeous blue behind and east. He shivered slightly and was damp from dew.
Barker said, “Our observer slipped away about an hour ago.”
“Okay. Well, we assume he’s following us. It suggests there’s a settlement not far away.”
“Hopefully. Do we really want to meet them, though?”
“I don’t think we have a choice. We’re moving into their territory.”
“Yeah. I just don’t know what we’re supposed to do.”
“Is the LT up?”
“Yes, I’m here.”
“Any ideas, sir?”
“A bit. I want everyone to eat and drink. Clean uniforms all around. These are getting nasty. We’ll wear body armor and take weapons. We’ll walk on foot to the river and see if we can find signs of these local people. Anyone any good at that?”
Barker said, “I’m pretty good, but they may be better.”
“Yeah, well, we do what we can. Water first. Look around the terrain. If we don’t find anything, we come back here before dark. We can move down closer tomorrow, after we’re sure we won’t get stuck in the mud.”
Martin asked, “Body armor and what else, sir? Water of course. Food?”
“Yeah, enough food for today. What’s left?”
Barker said, “Some MRE components and a few candy bars and snacks. Running out of that, too.”
The CO winced. “Crap. Okay. Take it. Sleeping bags also. Fully armed but light otherwise.”
“Okay. Then machetes and knives as well.”
Alexander added, “Toilet paper.”
Elliott said, “Definitely asswipe. Fair enough on the blades, but everyone keep things
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