Chapter 79

Present – Jack – In the tunnels

I thought it was fucking terrible being called a worthless Captain, but being a called a General is an even bigger insult! I figured out a long time ago, when I was in the Corps, that when applied to officers rank and intelligence are inversely proportional: The higher the rank the lower the intelligence. The only benefit of rank is authority to be a bigger pain in the ass.

I get to the gun vault door, operate it as Jens instructed me, put my hand on the hand scanner and it opens right up. I step inside and marvel at the sight. Yeah, Banzai now has a hell of a weapons locker. I know he didn't have all of these in the old cabin (because I had been there before). I wonder how and if Jens was able to clear out the weapons caches he had squirreled away around the country. Someone (perhaps Jens) had done a great job organizing it. On the immediate sides of the door were BOB's¹ and weapons to go with them. Then on the left wall are the large caliber weapons and what a collection there was! I saw several 20mm rifles which didn't surprise me, but damn that's a semi-auto belt fed 14.5 mm KPV anti-personnel weapon normally mounted on the ZPU series of anti-aircraft guns. Where the fuck did he get one of those? It must have been from one of his Russian friends.

¹ Bug Out Bags – A bag with everything you need to quickly leave someplace.

It continues from there to Russian 50 caliber (12.7x108); an American 50 caliber (12.7x99); then what looks to be Barrett .416 caliber (10.6x83); a Cheytac .408 caliber (10.4x77); and several .338 Lapua Magnum (8.6x70) rifles. These are all fine but much heavier than I really want. Suddenly on the back wall I spot what I deem to be the perfect battle rifle. As I walk toward it I hear from behind me, "Mr. Blaine has an impressive weapons collection."

I turn and see Ira in the doorway and remark, "Yes he does but I'm not really sure how many of these he legally owns and keeps in this country."

She smiles and comments, "I know for a fact they are all legal. I notice you are choosing your favorite weapon."

I lovingly take the rifle off the wall and answer, "Yes, and this one just happens to be a real M-25¹ not the civilian version called 'White Feather'.

¹ M-25 Sniper Weapons System: The M25 is similar to the M21 (Sniper version of the M-14) in many regards. It has a National Match M14 barrel in a McMillan glass bedded fiberglass stock, uses a special gas piston, a National Match spring guide and a Brookfield Precision Tool Advanced Scope Mounting System.

She smiles and states, "Yes, Carlos Hathcock, aka 'White Feather' was the father of modern snipers for America."

I ask her, "Are you going to select a more powerful rifle?"

Ira responds, "While I am tempted to drive of test many of the weapons, I will instead begin to carry my usual weapon which is in stored in my domicile."

I remember back to the spy school and confirm, "Ah a PSG-1. Too bad it's not as accurate as my M-25."

Her eyes gleam as she challenges, "I would treasure the chance to make you consume your verbiage."

I reply, "You're on little lady! But don't sell me and this old rifle short. We might make you 'consume your verbiage'."

Ira requests, "Perhaps now that you have acquired a suitable weapon, will you accompany me upstairs to relocate our equipment into these tunnels."

I lock and load, check the safety and suggest, "Let's grab Bernie to give us a hand. Do you know where he is?"

Ira grins as she answers, "Bernie and Ms. Morgan are training each other in one of the sleeping domiciles."

It takes me a moment to remember that training to the twins means sex so I answer, "Okay, it looks like it's you and me."

We lock the vault, head to the door where I check the monitors. I don't see anyone or anything in the house so we exit the main tunnel and head toward the twin's room...

Present – Todd – Hunting

When I told Jennifer I was going hunting it was not a joke. I could feel it: Something was out there watching us and I was sure that something was not friendly. When I saw the control collar on the bear, it reminded me of experiments the Pentagon had done in the past on animal behavior control – the experiments were mostly abandoned because the animals killed everyone, including the handlers.

Jennifer and the rest of the team were lucky they so quickly and thoroughly destroyed the bear otherwise it would have killed them. But the something that I was sensing felt different. This was something that I preferred to hunt from the shadows and avoid direct conflict.

I watched as Jack took everyone into the cabin - a very wise move. Now it was just me and the animal whatever it was. I decided to take up station in a big Douglas fir and wait for it to come to me. I no sooner get set in the tree when all hell breaks loose...

Present – Jens – Heading to the hospital with Mira

I continue to work on Mira because it appears the drug I gave her isn't stopping her contractions. I tell the pilot, "Please contact Mira's fertility clinic and have them meet us at the hospital."

The pilot questions, "Which one."

Mira calmly gives him the name, phone number and even the name of her doctor there.

Alexi is holding Mira's hand and continues to apologize, "My sister I am so sorry for precipitating this problem."

Mira shushes him, "Alexi, this is only a minor setback."

I think minor my ass, she's losing the baby.

Present – Mira – Heading to the hospital

It's evident to me that I will lose my Ben's progeny. The Terbutaline has done nothing to abate the contractions so it's just a time of matter until mis-delivery occurs. The number of weeks is not sufficient for this baby to survive, so I decide I must do everything I can to comfort Alexi.

Yes while I experience much grief, I have a brother that must be comforted and trained so this never occurs again...