in thought of what the discovery of the other meant to his future. The only sound was the whispering of the wind in the pines at their backs.
Wade broke the silence. “I’m just thinking ahead, Joe. Our three groups would give us a total of twenty shooters, nineteen women, and fifteen kids. That’s a total of fifty-four people.”
“Sounds right, sir. What did you have in mind?”
“Nothing at the moment, but somewhere down the line, we’re going to have to kick start civilization, and a family of fifty-four SPECOPS bodies would make a healthy beginning.”
“Yes, sir, it certainly would. Would you like to meet the rest of the group, Captain?”
Wade smiled. “We’d be honored, Joe.”
Fort-T’s shooters followed the Sergeants back to their camp, which while lacking the sophistication of Fort-T was never the less, compact, efficient, defensible, and functional.
After the introductions and accepting their invite to stay until morning, Randal sent Bill back to Fort-T to pass on information about the Ranger group and to help with the watches. Meeting the group of SPECOPS brothers was inspiring for all of them, and Wade, Randal, and the seven Rangers talked long into the cold North Carolina night. They decided Joe would inform the other group of their existence, and another meet was scheduled in three days.
They returned to Fort-T the next afternoon and Wade called a meeting in the mess tent. “When the virus runs its course, we can think about a merger of all three groups and begin to rebuild civilization. In the interim, it’s nice to know we can meet and exchange information on a weekly basis.” He picked up Adam in one arm and April in the other. “It means you guys will have other kids to play with. Won’t that be fun? And, ladies, what can I say? You’ll be gaining new friends, have medical and teaching assistance, and extra chore help. Obviously, we’re going to gain some serious military expertise, and if it comes down to it, we’ll be a force to reckon with.”
Bill said, “Hell, Wade, we’re a force to be reckoned with now.”
Wade grinned and set the kids back down. “That’s true, we are, but think what an additional fourteen SPECOPS shooters would bring to the game.”
Three days later, Randal met with Joe and Master Sergeant Richard Cole, ex Delta Force and leader of the far northern group. Master Sergeant Cole wanted to have a full meeting with as many of the shooters as possible, as soon as possible.
He said, “Captain, knowing your group is in the vicinity is the best news we’ve had since this bullshit started. I’ve heard about your dad. I’d like to meet him. Besides, he is the ranking officer. Correct?”
“Yes. He is the ranking officer, and it’s a given he’ll be at the meet. Incidentally, knowing you guys are here is the best news we’ve received since—as you so eloquently put it—this bullshit started, too. Let’s set the meet here at the ranger camp for a week from today.”
One week later, Wade, Randal, and Bill made the hike to the Ranger group’s survival site and met the members of Delta Group. After introductions, Sergeant Watkins, Delta Force, asked Randal, “Do you remember me, Captain?”
“I do,” said Randal. “Operation Red Wings, Kunar Province.”
Randal, Sergeant Watkins, and two of the other shooters spent half an hour reminiscing about their part in Operation Red Wings against the Taliban in Afghanistan. During a lull in the camaraderie, Randal looked at Wade and nodded.
As the ranking officer, Wade stood and addressed the group of seasoned warriors. “Gentlemen, if I understand correctly, Delta camp consists of a number of small tents and a few log buildings. Ranger camp is comprised of a small cabin and a few tents. Don’t misunderstand me, you guys have done well, and you could continue to do well without the resources we have at Fort-T. But the key word is resources. We have a lot of the comforts of home at Fort-T. If you
Wade broke the silence. “I’m just thinking ahead, Joe. Our three groups would give us a total of twenty shooters, nineteen women, and fifteen kids. That’s a total of fifty-four people.”
“Sounds right, sir. What did you have in mind?”
“Nothing at the moment, but somewhere down the line, we’re going to have to kick start civilization, and a family of fifty-four SPECOPS bodies would make a healthy beginning.”
“Yes, sir, it certainly would. Would you like to meet the rest of the group, Captain?”
Wade smiled. “We’d be honored, Joe.”
Fort-T’s shooters followed the Sergeants back to their camp, which while lacking the sophistication of Fort-T was never the less, compact, efficient, defensible, and functional.
After the introductions and accepting their invite to stay until morning, Randal sent Bill back to Fort-T to pass on information about the Ranger group and to help with the watches. Meeting the group of SPECOPS brothers was inspiring for all of them, and Wade, Randal, and the seven Rangers talked long into the cold North Carolina night. They decided Joe would inform the other group of their existence, and another meet was scheduled in three days.
They returned to Fort-T the next afternoon and Wade called a meeting in the mess tent. “When the virus runs its course, we can think about a merger of all three groups and begin to rebuild civilization. In the interim, it’s nice to know we can meet and exchange information on a weekly basis.” He picked up Adam in one arm and April in the other. “It means you guys will have other kids to play with. Won’t that be fun? And, ladies, what can I say? You’ll be gaining new friends, have medical and teaching assistance, and extra chore help. Obviously, we’re going to gain some serious military expertise, and if it comes down to it, we’ll be a force to reckon with.”
Bill said, “Hell, Wade, we’re a force to be reckoned with now.”
Wade grinned and set the kids back down. “That’s true, we are, but think what an additional fourteen SPECOPS shooters would bring to the game.”
Three days later, Randal met with Joe and Master Sergeant Richard Cole, ex Delta Force and leader of the far northern group. Master Sergeant Cole wanted to have a full meeting with as many of the shooters as possible, as soon as possible.
He said, “Captain, knowing your group is in the vicinity is the best news we’ve had since this bullshit started. I’ve heard about your dad. I’d like to meet him. Besides, he is the ranking officer. Correct?”
“Yes. He is the ranking officer, and it’s a given he’ll be at the meet. Incidentally, knowing you guys are here is the best news we’ve received since—as you so eloquently put it—this bullshit started, too. Let’s set the meet here at the ranger camp for a week from today.”
One week later, Wade, Randal, and Bill made the hike to the Ranger group’s survival site and met the members of Delta Group. After introductions, Sergeant Watkins, Delta Force, asked Randal, “Do you remember me, Captain?”
“I do,” said Randal. “Operation Red Wings, Kunar Province.”
Randal, Sergeant Watkins, and two of the other shooters spent half an hour reminiscing about their part in Operation Red Wings against the Taliban in Afghanistan. During a lull in the camaraderie, Randal looked at Wade and nodded.
As the ranking officer, Wade stood and addressed the group of seasoned warriors. “Gentlemen, if I understand correctly, Delta camp consists of a number of small tents and a few log buildings. Ranger camp is comprised of a small cabin and a few tents. Don’t misunderstand me, you guys have done well, and you could continue to do well without the resources we have at Fort-T. But the key word is resources. We have a lot of the comforts of home at Fort-T. If you
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