Doug, Bill, and Jerry have just finshed up a 4 county search for abandon vehicles and houses. They have retrieved all the spoil that they thought would be useful back at the shop. As Bill drives down an old country road in upstate Michigan, he decides to take a right turn down a two-track that can barely be seen. Doug and Jerry look at him as if to say, "Where are you taking us, you crazy ol' man?" Bill knew his friends well and could read the expression on their faces. Bill lets out a chuckle and tells them, " to hold on, the road will get a little bumpy." " I just want to check one more farm on the way back to the shop. If I remember right, there was an old hog farm at the end of this two-track. It was run by ol' man Auer. He used to have loads of junk laying around, but he also took great pride in having the best livestock this side of the state. I believe he was a Christian and there may be some hogs left unattended.
As the three of them bounce all around the cab of Bill's 4x4 pick up truck, Jerry points to the sky with the sky turning a deep grey color. "Maybe we should get back on the main road and look for this farm another day. It looks like we are in for a rough night and I sure wouldn't want to get stranded out here in the middle of nowhere."
Bill, pats the dashboard of his truck and smiles as he starts to tell stories of everything he has put this truck through over the years. Just then the ground shook violently and Bill lost control of the truck, driving it between two trees and getting wedged in...
Doug and Jerry's stare turned into a glare, as Doug tried to clear his throat and let Bill know exactly what he thought. But instead, Doug just told Bill,,, "Please continue with what you were saying"...sarcastically
As the three of them bounce all around the cab of Bill's 4x4 pick up truck, Jerry points to the sky with the sky turning a deep grey color. "Maybe we should get back on the main road and look for this farm another day. It looks like we are in for a rough night and I sure wouldn't want to get stranded out here in the middle of nowhere."
Bill, pats the dashboard of his truck and smiles as he starts to tell stories of everything he has put this truck through over the years. Just then the ground shook violently and Bill lost control of the truck, driving it between two trees and getting wedged in...
Doug and Jerry's stare turned into a glare, as Doug tried to clear his throat and let Bill know exactly what he thought. But instead, Doug just told Bill,,, "Please continue with what you were saying"...sarcastically
- mdulik
_____________________________________________________________________
Missouri Ozarks
The ground stopped shaking, but they could still hear the wind and rain. Sam had told everyone that there would be more episodes like this to come. God was going to make sure we heard Him and His wrath would not cease until Jesus appeared once again to put an end to earth as we know it. Seas would turn to blood, darkness would envelope the skies, earthquakes and storms would be more frequent. The lights began to flicker and the satellite was once again operational so Shannon took her place at the computer searching for a weather report. "This is so weird, nothing appears on the radar indicating any storms in this area. In fact, the whole country looks clear," reported Shannon. She quickly switched to the news station and starts reading about the reports that were coming in of an earthquake hitting southern Missouri and two in California. Old Faithful had also erupted into a massive explosion that had almost wiped Yellowstone off the map. She looked at everyone and said, "You know we sit on one of the largest faults in the US, the New Madrid Fault. We always heard that when it finally hits the big one, it will split the country into two sections. I don't know that we are in the safest place geographically speaking."
Sam looked around at each person and noticed fear in the women's eyes and the men looking a bit alarmed so he calmly started speaking, "We are in difficult times where our security is in the Lord's hands. Should He want us to survive, we will. We all had a chance for salvation and rejected Jesus and His call to each of us so we will have to endure much until He comes again. Our focus should constantly be on Jesus and survival. He told us He would never leave us as long as we have trust and faith in Him. Remember the days are numbered for us to be able to move about in freedom. It is important to seek His guidance and wisdom before we try to do anything on our own."
Shannon suddenly shouted, "Bud, Tom.....I found your answer to the fence and the security alarms. That machine shop is back in operation and you can get your fence from them. We can also get an ecosytem for growing food inside. There's a complete list posted on the tribsurvivors.com website. They also say to go to abandoned homes and get whatever we can to help build an irrigation system and a lot of other things we can pick up that would be useful. There's a complete list on the site."
Bud was reading over her shoulder and eagerly commented, "Tom, this shop has everything we need to get the security system even better and the fence.....wow.....it's everything we had talked about right here. We only have to put in our order and send them our coordinates and they will send it to us. God bless them."
"I thought they were gone for good and now they are back and in full operation. God has His plan for these brave souls to help all of us survive. Praise God for His continued watch for all who have accepted His Son," Shannon told them.
Bud and Tom began their list for Shannon to send to the machine shop. Steven and Sam made a list of all the things they could gather from town and surrounding farms. The rest of the group made lists of chores for each person and so begins the challenge of surviving in a world that no longer has God's blessings, but His wrath.
The ground stopped shaking, but they could still hear the wind and rain. Sam had told everyone that there would be more episodes like this to come. God was going to make sure we heard Him and His wrath would not cease until Jesus appeared once again to put an end to earth as we know it. Seas would turn to blood, darkness would envelope the skies, earthquakes and storms would be more frequent. The lights began to flicker and the satellite was once again operational so Shannon took her place at the computer searching for a weather report. "This is so weird, nothing appears on the radar indicating any storms in this area. In fact, the whole country looks clear," reported Shannon. She quickly switched to the news station and starts reading about the reports that were coming in of an earthquake hitting southern Missouri and two in California. Old Faithful had also erupted into a massive explosion that had almost wiped Yellowstone off the map. She looked at everyone and said, "You know we sit on one of the largest faults in the US, the New Madrid Fault. We always heard that when it finally hits the big one, it will split the country into two sections. I don't know that we are in the safest place geographically speaking."
Sam looked around at each person and noticed fear in the women's eyes and the men looking a bit alarmed so he calmly started speaking, "We are in difficult times where our security is in the Lord's hands. Should He want us to survive, we will. We all had a chance for salvation and rejected Jesus and His call to each of us so we will have to endure much until He comes again. Our focus should constantly be on Jesus and survival. He told us He would never leave us as long as we have trust and faith in Him. Remember the days are numbered for us to be able to move about in freedom. It is important to seek His guidance and wisdom before we try to do anything on our own."
Shannon suddenly shouted, "Bud, Tom.....I found your answer to the fence and the security alarms. That machine shop is back in operation and you can get your fence from them. We can also get an ecosytem for growing food inside. There's a complete list posted on the tribsurvivors.com website. They also say to go to abandoned homes and get whatever we can to help build an irrigation system and a lot of other things we can pick up that would be useful. There's a complete list on the site."
Bud was reading over her shoulder and eagerly commented, "Tom, this shop has everything we need to get the security system even better and the fence.....wow.....it's everything we had talked about right here. We only have to put in our order and send them our coordinates and they will send it to us. God bless them."
"I thought they were gone for good and now they are back and in full operation. God has His plan for these brave souls to help all of us survive. Praise God for His continued watch for all who have accepted His Son," Shannon told them.
Bud and Tom began their list for Shannon to send to the machine shop. Steven and Sam made a list of all the things they could gather from town and surrounding farms. The rest of the group made lists of chores for each person and so begins the challenge of surviving in a world that no longer has God's blessings, but His wrath.
- P4H
_____________________________________________________________________
In New York City a lady walks down the sidewalk...listening on her ipod to grand messages of Peace and Security ...drinking in the euphoria eclisping the world when..............
Her eyes catch a glimpse of a man who is wincing over in pain....she goes to him and grabs his arm...He tries to straighten himself up ...but as he does ....he begins foaming at the mouth..his eyes roll back into his head and falls over into deep convulsions...the lady SCREAMS for people to come help...as she screams...she too ...winces over with pain....a crowd of people as well as security officers run over....an officer reaches down to assist the woman ...the lady makes a blood curdling scream as she gasps for breath.....the officer looks over to the man being assisted by a fellow officer...he yells at his buddy "hey is he alright?" the officer looks up making eye contact with his fellow friend..his eye scream for help as he falls flat on his face ...a sick green vomit proceeds out of his mouth ...."this is officer 701...we have a man down and several bystanders..IT'S BIOLOGICAL AND IT"S DEADLY....SEND HELP .............the officer crumbles to his knees ...leting go of the walkie talkie button but still says NOW and dies
like wild fire....the attack is spreading along the sidewalk and into the street...too fast and rampant to quarantine....where will it end?
Meanwhile sitting in his lair.....Satan converses with his warlords..."We must hit them at every turn and from all angles...with some I will work as an "Angel of Light" and through others you must wreck lives without hesitation...we must work while their is still time to damn them all ...YOU HEAR ME?" he thundered...sending his servants retreating away...."BACK IN HERE" he demanded
"mighty Lord Satan...we have just delivered a mighty blow to the city of New York...in hours it will spread like wild fire killing thousands if not more..my lord of darkness" "NOW THAT IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT" "KILL...STEAL...DESTROY!!!"
Her eyes catch a glimpse of a man who is wincing over in pain....she goes to him and grabs his arm...He tries to straighten himself up ...but as he does ....he begins foaming at the mouth..his eyes roll back into his head and falls over into deep convulsions...the lady SCREAMS for people to come help...as she screams...she too ...winces over with pain....a crowd of people as well as security officers run over....an officer reaches down to assist the woman ...the lady makes a blood curdling scream as she gasps for breath.....the officer looks over to the man being assisted by a fellow officer...he yells at his buddy "hey is he alright?" the officer looks up making eye contact with his fellow friend..his eye scream for help as he falls flat on his face ...a sick green vomit proceeds out of his mouth ...."this is officer 701...we have a man down and several bystanders..IT'S BIOLOGICAL AND IT"S DEADLY....SEND HELP .............the officer crumbles to his knees ...leting go of the walkie talkie button but still says NOW and dies
like wild fire....the attack is spreading along the sidewalk and into the street...too fast and rampant to quarantine....where will it end?
Meanwhile sitting in his lair.....Satan converses with his warlords..."We must hit them at every turn and from all angles...with some I will work as an "Angel of Light" and through others you must wreck lives without hesitation...we must work while their is still time to damn them all ...YOU HEAR ME?" he thundered...sending his servants retreating away...."BACK IN HERE" he demanded
"mighty Lord Satan...we have just delivered a mighty blow to the city of New York...in hours it will spread like wild fire killing thousands if not more..my lord of darkness" "NOW THAT IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT" "KILL...STEAL...DESTROY!!!"
- STA
_____________________________________________________________________
ETC James nicknamed Dumbo, sat at the desk with earphones on and a small switch in his hand he could push to lock in his answer. He was awaiting the computer to run the program it needed. Everyone was sent out of the room so no noise was made.
A green light at the screen announced that the ship identification sounds testing would begin in 5...4...3…2…1…
Tapping his button, Dumbo locked in and typed “Reagan Class Aircraft carrier”. Correct
The next sound was just as easy but he waited just a millisecond to long and the computer locked in with the correct answer.
This went on for about 10 minutes, ETC James was down by one answer and needed this next one to tie and go one more round. Men were pacing the passageways outside as they had their favorite winner, many wanted the Chief to win but most figured no man could beat a computer. Jack, Joe and Josh sat inside the IC room watching the answers appear on a monitor. Jack pulled a cigar out a few times and wanted to light it but then he would placed it back into his pocket. Every time Chief James would win one, Jack would stand and yell Joe and the rest of the crew smiled, knowing that Jack wouldn’t have made a very good sub captain because he was too loud. Before the testing began, Ben made a friendly wager and told Jack that if the computer wins, Jack would sit down with Ben and talk about his Salvation. If Jack won, Ben would not bring it up again.
Chief James heard the sound and thought no way, to easy. He listened a second longer then pushed his button and typed in a sailboat.
Correct
Jack stood up and started yelling again, “That’s right, that my boy”
Last question was coming up, winner take all.
Wush… wush… wush…
Dumbo smiled as he hit his button. His smile got bigger as he typed in his answer.
Correct
After answering the question James wondered why the computer failed to responded surely he thought the main sub computer would know what its own ship sounded like.
Jack jumped up and stuck his hand out for everyone to shake. Ben walked up and smiled, “Guess you off the hook”
“No, I just know my man. I do want to set down with you and talk about the rapture, anything that will turn a whole crew away from their own country I have to know about. Say we meet at 1800”
Ben’s smile got bigger, “Yes sir, 1800”
Jack opened the door and rushed in to pat ETC James on the back. “Dumbo, I owe you a streak dinner.”
A green light at the screen announced that the ship identification sounds testing would begin in 5...4...3…2…1…
Tapping his button, Dumbo locked in and typed “Reagan Class Aircraft carrier”. Correct
The next sound was just as easy but he waited just a millisecond to long and the computer locked in with the correct answer.
This went on for about 10 minutes, ETC James was down by one answer and needed this next one to tie and go one more round. Men were pacing the passageways outside as they had their favorite winner, many wanted the Chief to win but most figured no man could beat a computer. Jack, Joe and Josh sat inside the IC room watching the answers appear on a monitor. Jack pulled a cigar out a few times and wanted to light it but then he would placed it back into his pocket. Every time Chief James would win one, Jack would stand and yell Joe and the rest of the crew smiled, knowing that Jack wouldn’t have made a very good sub captain because he was too loud. Before the testing began, Ben made a friendly wager and told Jack that if the computer wins, Jack would sit down with Ben and talk about his Salvation. If Jack won, Ben would not bring it up again.
Chief James heard the sound and thought no way, to easy. He listened a second longer then pushed his button and typed in a sailboat.
Correct
Jack stood up and started yelling again, “That’s right, that my boy”
Last question was coming up, winner take all.
Wush… wush… wush…
Dumbo smiled as he hit his button. His smile got bigger as he typed in his answer.
Correct
After answering the question James wondered why the computer failed to responded surely he thought the main sub computer would know what its own ship sounded like.
Jack jumped up and stuck his hand out for everyone to shake. Ben walked up and smiled, “Guess you off the hook”
“No, I just know my man. I do want to set down with you and talk about the rapture, anything that will turn a whole crew away from their own country I have to know about. Say we meet at 1800”
Ben’s smile got bigger, “Yes sir, 1800”
Jack opened the door and rushed in to pat ETC James on the back. “Dumbo, I owe you a streak dinner.”
- Alex
_____________________________________________________________________
“Contact bearing 150 closing, range 6800, speed 26 knots”
Jack and Joe looked at each other, no reason for a ship to be traveling that speed unless they wanted to get somewhere fast or away from something. They headed for the Conning room as the second report came in.
“Contact bearing 151 closing, range 5900, speed 26 knots”
Both men stood over the chart table as more reports came in. Range 5300, 4500, 3700…
“What is our CP?” Jack asked
“If he stays on course, 1400 yards” Joe answered drawing a line on the chart showing the contact present course.
“It is the USS Ross, a Destroyer” ETC James announced over the speaker.
“The Ross, what is she running for? How far out can you see with the scope?” Jack asked
“We can see it now but it will also run our chance of being seen as well.” Josh replied.
“Chance I am willing to take, I know Commander Beebe and I know he doesn’t run if he doesn’t have to. I want to see what flag he is flying?”
“I want to go to GQ first; if things start to get dicey I want to be ahead of the game.” Joe stated
“Good thinking”
The alarm sounded and men were scrambling to get to their General Quarter location when Joe raised the tube.
It was 10am so the morning sun would still be behind them somewhat.
Joe did a 360, looking for any contacts they might have missed before zeroing in on the haze grey ship cutting through the water as it came closer. After a few seconds he locked the auto targeting and adjusted the auto focus.
At 3200 yards it was still far to see the flag on the mast. He could see the ship had missiles on the rail and that it appeared that the crew was battle ready.
“Look up on the monitor, tell me what he is going?” Joe said backing away.
The 25 inch LED monitor on the bulkhead was turned on showing everything the scope could see. Jack inched closer.
Since the Ross was coming closer to them all they could see was the port quarter and bow but Jack could see it had birds on her rail. What was he doing? Jack thought.
“Contact bearing 162, speed 32 knots, distance 7100.”
“Third contact bearing 164, speed 32 knots, distance 7400. Both new contacts are closing”
Jack pushed the GA talk button, “Dumbo, two new contacts, I want to know what they are ASAP”
“Aye Captain”
“Computer has designated the first contact as a US Burke destroyer, the USS Ross.”
“Hank, why are you running and where you headed in such a hurry?” Jack said out loud.
Jack watched the monitor, as the ship got closer he finally made out the red white and blue on the flag. “Yes, he is one of ours” Jack shouted.
“Sir you need to stop your yelling,” Joe stated in a stern voice.
Jack looked around and realized his actions. “Sorry men”
“Sir the two contacts are both destroyers, one US the other Canadian.” ETC James announced.
“Traitors I bet, the war has begun, they are hunting us down.” Jack said shaking his head.
At a range of 2100 yards, the men watching the monitor witnessed the first surface to surface missile leave the firing rail from the Ross. The white smoke trail turned to the right as it rose then headed back behind and went out of sight.
“Can we talk to the Ross on bridge to bridge radio?”
“Yes but that will give us away”
“Only to the Ross, the other two are still over the horizon. I want Commander Beebe to know we have his six”
“Sir, are you saying we are going to attack the other two vessels?”
“If the Ross is shooting her missiles at those two and he is flying the stars and stripes then yes we will defend our brothers.”
“Very well sir. Combat; get me a good run course on the two inbound targets. I want to take them out with one fish each if possible.”
Since the whole crew could hear the announcing system, each person onboard got a little extra snap in their step.
“Sir the bridge to bridge is ready” Seaman Howell said
Jack grabbed the microphone and thought for a second what he was going to say.
“Destroyer Ross, this is Captain Jack McCoy, class of 77”
A few seconds went by and Jack said it again.
“This is the Ross, if this is Jack McCoy, where did my daughter get married, over”
Jack smiled as he pushed the microphone button, “In my back yard and you were not there, over.”
Again a few seconds went by. “You here to kill us or assist us?”
“If you are flying the stars and stripes then I’m here to assist, who is chasing you? Over”
“This is a United States man of war, this ship nor does its crew recognize the Global World Family”
“Copy, Continue of present course we will assist you.”
“Copy, good luck”
Jack hung up the microphone then turned to Joe. It is your show now; you have your orders, sink the two vessels.”
“Very well sir”
Jack and Joe looked at each other, no reason for a ship to be traveling that speed unless they wanted to get somewhere fast or away from something. They headed for the Conning room as the second report came in.
“Contact bearing 151 closing, range 5900, speed 26 knots”
Both men stood over the chart table as more reports came in. Range 5300, 4500, 3700…
“What is our CP?” Jack asked
“If he stays on course, 1400 yards” Joe answered drawing a line on the chart showing the contact present course.
“It is the USS Ross, a Destroyer” ETC James announced over the speaker.
“The Ross, what is she running for? How far out can you see with the scope?” Jack asked
“We can see it now but it will also run our chance of being seen as well.” Josh replied.
“Chance I am willing to take, I know Commander Beebe and I know he doesn’t run if he doesn’t have to. I want to see what flag he is flying?”
“I want to go to GQ first; if things start to get dicey I want to be ahead of the game.” Joe stated
“Good thinking”
The alarm sounded and men were scrambling to get to their General Quarter location when Joe raised the tube.
It was 10am so the morning sun would still be behind them somewhat.
Joe did a 360, looking for any contacts they might have missed before zeroing in on the haze grey ship cutting through the water as it came closer. After a few seconds he locked the auto targeting and adjusted the auto focus.
At 3200 yards it was still far to see the flag on the mast. He could see the ship had missiles on the rail and that it appeared that the crew was battle ready.
“Look up on the monitor, tell me what he is going?” Joe said backing away.
The 25 inch LED monitor on the bulkhead was turned on showing everything the scope could see. Jack inched closer.
Since the Ross was coming closer to them all they could see was the port quarter and bow but Jack could see it had birds on her rail. What was he doing? Jack thought.
“Contact bearing 162, speed 32 knots, distance 7100.”
“Third contact bearing 164, speed 32 knots, distance 7400. Both new contacts are closing”
Jack pushed the GA talk button, “Dumbo, two new contacts, I want to know what they are ASAP”
“Aye Captain”
“Computer has designated the first contact as a US Burke destroyer, the USS Ross.”
“Hank, why are you running and where you headed in such a hurry?” Jack said out loud.
Jack watched the monitor, as the ship got closer he finally made out the red white and blue on the flag. “Yes, he is one of ours” Jack shouted.
“Sir you need to stop your yelling,” Joe stated in a stern voice.
Jack looked around and realized his actions. “Sorry men”
“Sir the two contacts are both destroyers, one US the other Canadian.” ETC James announced.
“Traitors I bet, the war has begun, they are hunting us down.” Jack said shaking his head.
At a range of 2100 yards, the men watching the monitor witnessed the first surface to surface missile leave the firing rail from the Ross. The white smoke trail turned to the right as it rose then headed back behind and went out of sight.
“Can we talk to the Ross on bridge to bridge radio?”
“Yes but that will give us away”
“Only to the Ross, the other two are still over the horizon. I want Commander Beebe to know we have his six”
“Sir, are you saying we are going to attack the other two vessels?”
“If the Ross is shooting her missiles at those two and he is flying the stars and stripes then yes we will defend our brothers.”
“Very well sir. Combat; get me a good run course on the two inbound targets. I want to take them out with one fish each if possible.”
Since the whole crew could hear the announcing system, each person onboard got a little extra snap in their step.
“Sir the bridge to bridge is ready” Seaman Howell said
Jack grabbed the microphone and thought for a second what he was going to say.
“Destroyer Ross, this is Captain Jack McCoy, class of 77”
A few seconds went by and Jack said it again.
“This is the Ross, if this is Jack McCoy, where did my daughter get married, over”
Jack smiled as he pushed the microphone button, “In my back yard and you were not there, over.”
Again a few seconds went by. “You here to kill us or assist us?”
“If you are flying the stars and stripes then I’m here to assist, who is chasing you? Over”
“This is a United States man of war, this ship nor does its crew recognize the Global World Family”
“Copy, Continue of present course we will assist you.”
“Copy, good luck”
Jack hung up the microphone then turned to Joe. It is your show now; you have your orders, sink the two vessels.”
“Very well sir”
- Alex
_____________________________________________________________________
“Combat to Con, Recommend we come to new course 270 for three minutes then to new course 110 for two minutes. Due to the speed of targets, Combat recommends and computer agrees a spread of three fish per target.”
“Very well” Joe replied, “Helm, left full rudder new course 270”
“Aye sir”
“Conn to combat, what setting on the fish you recommending?”
“Sir, 10 foot below with detonation on contact for numbers 2 & 3 and 23 feet with proxi on number 1.
“Copy”
“Conn to forward and aft torpedo rooms”
“Forward here”
“Aft here sir”
“You heard combats assailment, recheck all fish and be ready; if anyone screws up I want it to be me. Understand?”
“Copy sir”
Jack had a hard time just standing there, normally he would be setting in his chair, cigar in mouth listening to his junior officers do the work but he always had the last say in all matters. Here he had no clue what he was doing so he stood there and watched.
"On course 270, sir"
"Very well, stand by for hard left turn in 1 minute 23 seconds."
Jack watched as the Navigator plotted their movement on the chart. They were making a 3 minute run out that would bring them just off a 90 degree angle to their targets. He looked at his watch and hoped they would make contact before the other two ships got a good firing solution for the Ross.
“Very well” Joe replied, “Helm, left full rudder new course 270”
“Aye sir”
“Conn to combat, what setting on the fish you recommending?”
“Sir, 10 foot below with detonation on contact for numbers 2 & 3 and 23 feet with proxi on number 1.
“Copy”
“Conn to forward and aft torpedo rooms”
“Forward here”
“Aft here sir”
“You heard combats assailment, recheck all fish and be ready; if anyone screws up I want it to be me. Understand?”
“Copy sir”
Jack had a hard time just standing there, normally he would be setting in his chair, cigar in mouth listening to his junior officers do the work but he always had the last say in all matters. Here he had no clue what he was doing so he stood there and watched.
"On course 270, sir"
"Very well, stand by for hard left turn in 1 minute 23 seconds."
Jack watched as the Navigator plotted their movement on the chart. They were making a 3 minute run out that would bring them just off a 90 degree angle to their targets. He looked at his watch and hoped they would make contact before the other two ships got a good firing solution for the Ross.
- Alex
_____________________________________________________________________
After a minute or so, the violent shaking had subsided. Doug, still disgruntled about their situation decided that since he was the youngest of the three and the most agile, he would crawl out of the cab of the truck through the back slider window. The other two just sat there with a sence of disbelief over what had just happened. Once minute they are driving down this back woods two-track and the next minute the truck is wedged between two towering oaks.
It took Doug a minute to wiggle through the slidder, his belly has grown a little over the last few months. The lack of his daily workout routine has started to show a little. He used to jog five miles a day every morning then spend an hour in the gym, but since the rapture took place and all of the craziness in the world, his workout fell by the wayside as it just didnt seem as important anymore.
Once Doug was able to get his feet on the ground and assess the situation, he soon realized that they would be able to pull the truck out with the winch on the front. With a strained effort, Doug pulled the winch cable to another oak tree about 20 yards in front of them. Bill started the winch from inside the cab and put the truck in gear trying to assist the winch. The truck slowly pulled forward with the most terrible scraping sound as the truck slowly squeezed its way between the two oaks, leaving a gouge in the paint from bumper to bumper.
Once they were freed from the oaks, they collectively decided that it would be in all of there best interest to return to the machine shop as soon as possible. But still holding out hope of checking out ol' man Auer's farm, Bill decided he would come back in a couple of days if possible.
It took Doug a minute to wiggle through the slidder, his belly has grown a little over the last few months. The lack of his daily workout routine has started to show a little. He used to jog five miles a day every morning then spend an hour in the gym, but since the rapture took place and all of the craziness in the world, his workout fell by the wayside as it just didnt seem as important anymore.
Once Doug was able to get his feet on the ground and assess the situation, he soon realized that they would be able to pull the truck out with the winch on the front. With a strained effort, Doug pulled the winch cable to another oak tree about 20 yards in front of them. Bill started the winch from inside the cab and put the truck in gear trying to assist the winch. The truck slowly pulled forward with the most terrible scraping sound as the truck slowly squeezed its way between the two oaks, leaving a gouge in the paint from bumper to bumper.
Once they were freed from the oaks, they collectively decided that it would be in all of there best interest to return to the machine shop as soon as possible. But still holding out hope of checking out ol' man Auer's farm, Bill decided he would come back in a couple of days if possible.
- mdulik
_____________________________________________________________________
Things had quieted down and the storm seemed to have passed. Steven and Sam were outside assessing any damage while Bud and Tom were finishing their list for the machine shop. Bud looked up as Sam walked into the main room, "Looks as though we will have to start the garden all over again and tomorrow we will need to clean up the tree limbs that are lying all over the place, otherwise we are in good shape."
"It's ok, Sam, I just put on my list an HPEC system so we can grow food indoors. We can still plant the corn outside plus we need to put something on the hill to hide the security system. This dude running the machine shop has given instructions how to run an irrigation system so we need to make a run to find what we need to build it. He's a genius at finding ways to use things that are just laying around," Bud said.
Christina watched as Sam began pacing about the room, "Sam, what's on your mind? You have been restless all day," she asked.
He looked at her and said softly, "Let's take a walk."
Christina told her Mother that she would help prepare dinner when she got back, but she and Sam needed to talk. She slipped her hand into his and they walked out into the night air. "Christina, I am going to offer my services to the guy that runs that machine shop. MD was his name, right? Any way, I can serve the Lord better if I'm helping. It won't take me away for more than a few days at a time and I'll be accomplishing something. You knew this day was coming."
She lowered her head so he couldn't see the tear run down her cheek then she looked up at him and smiled, "I wouldn't expect anything less from you. God gave you the ability to fly a plane so I figure you should use that ability to His glory."
"It may get dangerous in the future, but it's something I have to do. Think how much faster they can get their orders out if they have two planes rather than the one. Between you and Shannon, we could set up things so we grow food and send it out to those who can't. The ideas are coming fast and furious now, but I think everyone here has a job to do that will aide believers in surviving what is to come."
Christina's face lit up, "Yes, we can start an underground food supply chain and link with the machine shop to increase our abilities. This is a great idea. We could have our own little production company right here and we have the manpower to make it all work. Wow, Sam, I'm ready to get started."
"Ok, we first need to organize ourselves and figure out jobs for everyone then we can get started. We need to figure this all out then we will hold a meeting and get everyone's ideas, too. It needs to be a group effort, ya know."
"I agree that everyone can contribute......we just need to know who can do what."
Sam cupped her face in his hands and said, "Christina, will you be my partner?"
"Of course, Sam, I will help you any way I can, you didn't have to ask."
He stuttered a little, "Yes, I did have to ask. It's a different kind of partner I'm talking about. Life partner, ya know?"
She looked at him in silence, a single tear falling yet she couldn't say a word, nothing would come from her lips, and he was waiting.......
"It's ok, Sam, I just put on my list an HPEC system so we can grow food indoors. We can still plant the corn outside plus we need to put something on the hill to hide the security system. This dude running the machine shop has given instructions how to run an irrigation system so we need to make a run to find what we need to build it. He's a genius at finding ways to use things that are just laying around," Bud said.
Christina watched as Sam began pacing about the room, "Sam, what's on your mind? You have been restless all day," she asked.
He looked at her and said softly, "Let's take a walk."
Christina told her Mother that she would help prepare dinner when she got back, but she and Sam needed to talk. She slipped her hand into his and they walked out into the night air. "Christina, I am going to offer my services to the guy that runs that machine shop. MD was his name, right? Any way, I can serve the Lord better if I'm helping. It won't take me away for more than a few days at a time and I'll be accomplishing something. You knew this day was coming."
She lowered her head so he couldn't see the tear run down her cheek then she looked up at him and smiled, "I wouldn't expect anything less from you. God gave you the ability to fly a plane so I figure you should use that ability to His glory."
"It may get dangerous in the future, but it's something I have to do. Think how much faster they can get their orders out if they have two planes rather than the one. Between you and Shannon, we could set up things so we grow food and send it out to those who can't. The ideas are coming fast and furious now, but I think everyone here has a job to do that will aide believers in surviving what is to come."
Christina's face lit up, "Yes, we can start an underground food supply chain and link with the machine shop to increase our abilities. This is a great idea. We could have our own little production company right here and we have the manpower to make it all work. Wow, Sam, I'm ready to get started."
"Ok, we first need to organize ourselves and figure out jobs for everyone then we can get started. We need to figure this all out then we will hold a meeting and get everyone's ideas, too. It needs to be a group effort, ya know."
"I agree that everyone can contribute......we just need to know who can do what."
Sam cupped her face in his hands and said, "Christina, will you be my partner?"
"Of course, Sam, I will help you any way I can, you didn't have to ask."
He stuttered a little, "Yes, I did have to ask. It's a different kind of partner I'm talking about. Life partner, ya know?"
She looked at him in silence, a single tear falling yet she couldn't say a word, nothing would come from her lips, and he was waiting.......
- P4H
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Back at the shop, Amy was working diligently at processing her new orders. The printer seemed to run non-stop as she catigorically processes every email. Before she even realized what time it was the alarm on her blackberry went off. Looking at the clock on the wall, she realized that the boys should have been back by now. They knew that with the world situation, everything is done on an extremly tight schedule. She hadnt heard from them and they have not returned from there collection trip. All they had to do was salvage whatever they could from the area on the map labled as "collection area 5" and it was only about an hour north of the shop. Amy was always the one to worry in the group. If things didn't go according to schedule, all kinds of thoughts would bounce around in her head. Just as she started to reach for the phone, it rang. Quickly lifting the receiver to her ear, Doug was on the other end of the line. "Hello, Hello?" Amy overcome with relief replys, " Where in the world are you guys, I have been absolutly worried sick that something might have happened."
"Well something did happen, but thats a story for another day. I just wanted to let you know that we will be home in about 45 minutes. We have a truck load of items that can be used at the shop."
"Thats really good news Doug, because the order processing software has been going nuts this morning. We have people all over the globe asking for our products and we need to start focusing on running the shop now, its getting crazy. I also have some good news. I recieved a message this morning that there is another pilot that wants to help us out. He will be showing up tomorrow to pick up an HPEC system and some security products for their safe location. He said that his name is Sam and he is willing to help Bill with air freight, so now we can have a couple of planes going at all times. I emailed him our location cooridinates, and once he puts them into his GPS he will be able to help us."
"That is wonderful news, your breaking up, I think I'm in between working towers right now...........
It looks like the call was dropped, as Amy sets the receiver back down in its cradle.
As MD enters the office, he asks his beloved wife, "Did I hear you correctly? We possibly have another pilot?"
Excitedly Amy pulls up the email and shows it to him. "I was thinking that if he is interested he could handle flights to the west coast and we could handle the flights to the east coast. This would allow us to get the necessary items out to the trib warriors sooner then we had anticipated."
That is just wonderful news, God is so good. See how he continues to provide for our needs. This is just what we were looking for."
MD bends over and gives his wife a big kiss right on her cheek and tells her that he lover her as he turns and walks away.
"Well something did happen, but thats a story for another day. I just wanted to let you know that we will be home in about 45 minutes. We have a truck load of items that can be used at the shop."
"Thats really good news Doug, because the order processing software has been going nuts this morning. We have people all over the globe asking for our products and we need to start focusing on running the shop now, its getting crazy. I also have some good news. I recieved a message this morning that there is another pilot that wants to help us out. He will be showing up tomorrow to pick up an HPEC system and some security products for their safe location. He said that his name is Sam and he is willing to help Bill with air freight, so now we can have a couple of planes going at all times. I emailed him our location cooridinates, and once he puts them into his GPS he will be able to help us."
"That is wonderful news, your breaking up, I think I'm in between working towers right now...........
It looks like the call was dropped, as Amy sets the receiver back down in its cradle.
As MD enters the office, he asks his beloved wife, "Did I hear you correctly? We possibly have another pilot?"
Excitedly Amy pulls up the email and shows it to him. "I was thinking that if he is interested he could handle flights to the west coast and we could handle the flights to the east coast. This would allow us to get the necessary items out to the trib warriors sooner then we had anticipated."
That is just wonderful news, God is so good. See how he continues to provide for our needs. This is just what we were looking for."
MD bends over and gives his wife a big kiss right on her cheek and tells her that he lover her as he turns and walks away.
- mdulik
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CNM BREAKING NEWS ALERT
CNM HAS JUST LEARNED THAT A RELEASE OF A BIOLOGICAL AGENT HAS TAKEN PLACE IN NEW YORK CITY AND IS SPREADING WILD FIRE...AS HUNDREDS LAY DEAD OR DYING IN THE STREETS
CNM HAS JUST LEARNED THAT A RELEASE OF A BIOLOGICAL AGENT HAS TAKEN PLACE IN NEW YORK CITY AND IS SPREADING WILD FIRE...AS HUNDREDS LAY DEAD OR DYING IN THE STREETS
- STA
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Down in the basement of the shop, Jim and John were trying to come up with different ideas to camoflauge the new windmill design they were working on. Out of the corner of John's eye, he noticed BJ coming out of MD's study. "What were you doing in there?" inquired John with a hint of suspicion.
"Don't tell MD, but I seran wrapped MD's toilet seat." said BJ snickering.
"Oh no you dont, I thought MD was going to have your hide last week when you mixed black licorice in MD's oatmeal and told him they were raisins."
As all three break out in laughter at the look on MD's face after he took a bite.
John started lauging so hard that he could barely get the words out of his mouth. "I've told you a hundred times that your silly pranks are going to get you into trouble one of these days."
"Well he's got to catch me first" as BJ darts up the stairs back into the main shop.
Shaking his head Jim got up and turned on the radio just in time to hear......
Another mass shooting in the upstate Michigan area. This is the fouth one this month. Authorities believe that this was just another random act of violence. Ever since the disappearences a few months ago, this sort of thing seems to have escalated beyond anything that we have ever seen before. Sources from the capital say that this type of behavior is further proof that we need a total ban on all guns.
Please stay tuned as we continue with our normal brocasting from Argyos radio news.
"Don't tell MD, but I seran wrapped MD's toilet seat." said BJ snickering.
"Oh no you dont, I thought MD was going to have your hide last week when you mixed black licorice in MD's oatmeal and told him they were raisins."
As all three break out in laughter at the look on MD's face after he took a bite.
John started lauging so hard that he could barely get the words out of his mouth. "I've told you a hundred times that your silly pranks are going to get you into trouble one of these days."
"Well he's got to catch me first" as BJ darts up the stairs back into the main shop.
Shaking his head Jim got up and turned on the radio just in time to hear......
Another mass shooting in the upstate Michigan area. This is the fouth one this month. Authorities believe that this was just another random act of violence. Ever since the disappearences a few months ago, this sort of thing seems to have escalated beyond anything that we have ever seen before. Sources from the capital say that this type of behavior is further proof that we need a total ban on all guns.
Please stay tuned as we continue with our normal brocasting from Argyos radio news.
- mdulik
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Travis slowly opened his eyes. He was so hot. His mouth was so dry. He could hear a voice but couldn't make out what they were saying. He could see the shape of a man. He was huge. Travis tried to shrink back, but realized he was lying down. The man left his line of vision, and he tried to focus on his surroundings. He thought he saw a young girl at his bedside. She was saying something to him. He heard the name Jesus. He tried to tell the girl he didn't believe in all that religion stuff, but his mouth was too dry.
He was so hot, his skin felt raw. The girl rubbed an ice cube over his lips, and he groaned at the coolness. Too soon she took the ice away and he grunted in protest. He shifted trying to grab at the girls hand, and it felt as if he had torn his back into pieces. The pain was so terrible that when the blackness edged his vision he welcomed it, and soon was unconsious again.
- Zags
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Shannon was searching for Sam and finally found him quietly talking to Christina, but she felt she needed to interrupt any way, "Sam, your email has been sent to the shop along with our first order. He would like you to be there tomorrow and is sending you the coordinates. We have also found out something very interesting......Alexis is a seismologist with the state of Missouri.....can you believe it? She is logging into their site as we speak to find out what's happening regarding earthquake activity. Sorry to interrupt, but knew you would want to know asap."
"No problem, Shannon. I need to know what's going on. Thanks for letting me know about Alexis and that MD needs me up there tomorrow. I'll be in shortly......just give us a moment." Sam replied.
Shannon turned and went back inside leaving Christina and Sam alone once again. He turned to Christina shrugged his shoulders as if to say...well? She turned away for a second trying to collect her thoughts then said, "Sam, I love you with all my heart and praise God every day for putting you into my life and if you are asking me to marry you the answer has to be no. I want to wait a while and see what God has planned for us. I'm not telling you no forever, just for the moment." She lowered her head and softly cried then Sam raised her head to look at him and his smile told her everything she needed to know. "It's ok, my dearest Christina, I've waited this long to find you......I can be patient."
They walked hand in hand back to the cave smiling at each other. Steven greeted them at the door telling them that Alexis was logged onto the Missouri State Seismology Site and she had a lot to tell him.
Alexis pointed to the map of the United States and all the red areas showing up and said, "Sam, all these areas are showing seismic activity. Look at the area around Yellowstone, it is like a time bomb ticking away and will probably blow at any time and will be larger than the last one. The New Madrid Fault is showing a lot of activity all the way to the gulf. California is almost all in red meaning the activity is growing in intensity. Montana, Utah, and Nevada all show small amounts of activity, but look out for this one spot (as she pointed to the San Fransico area) if it goes then the whole western side of California will be gone."
"Wow" is all he could say. "Everyone, I have something to tell you." Sam started talking to the group about his plans to help with deliveries from the machine shop. "I leave early tomorrow morning and should be back in a couple of days. I will pick up our order plus deliver orders to the west coast so it was important that Alexis gave me a heads up on earthquake activity. Christina has some ideas that she will be sharing with all of you and we want everyone to contribute with suggestions and ideas, too. We are in this together and need everyone to help. After our Bible study and prayer time, I would like for everyone to take time to specifically pray for the efforts of the men working at the machine shop and Amy for coordinating it all."
They all nodded in agreement and went to Sam giving him pats on the back and encouragement for his decision to help the machine shop. They were just starting dinner when the earth starting shaking once again. Looks as though they were in for another rough night.
"No problem, Shannon. I need to know what's going on. Thanks for letting me know about Alexis and that MD needs me up there tomorrow. I'll be in shortly......just give us a moment." Sam replied.
Shannon turned and went back inside leaving Christina and Sam alone once again. He turned to Christina shrugged his shoulders as if to say...well? She turned away for a second trying to collect her thoughts then said, "Sam, I love you with all my heart and praise God every day for putting you into my life and if you are asking me to marry you the answer has to be no. I want to wait a while and see what God has planned for us. I'm not telling you no forever, just for the moment." She lowered her head and softly cried then Sam raised her head to look at him and his smile told her everything she needed to know. "It's ok, my dearest Christina, I've waited this long to find you......I can be patient."
They walked hand in hand back to the cave smiling at each other. Steven greeted them at the door telling them that Alexis was logged onto the Missouri State Seismology Site and she had a lot to tell him.
Alexis pointed to the map of the United States and all the red areas showing up and said, "Sam, all these areas are showing seismic activity. Look at the area around Yellowstone, it is like a time bomb ticking away and will probably blow at any time and will be larger than the last one. The New Madrid Fault is showing a lot of activity all the way to the gulf. California is almost all in red meaning the activity is growing in intensity. Montana, Utah, and Nevada all show small amounts of activity, but look out for this one spot (as she pointed to the San Fransico area) if it goes then the whole western side of California will be gone."
"Wow" is all he could say. "Everyone, I have something to tell you." Sam started talking to the group about his plans to help with deliveries from the machine shop. "I leave early tomorrow morning and should be back in a couple of days. I will pick up our order plus deliver orders to the west coast so it was important that Alexis gave me a heads up on earthquake activity. Christina has some ideas that she will be sharing with all of you and we want everyone to contribute with suggestions and ideas, too. We are in this together and need everyone to help. After our Bible study and prayer time, I would like for everyone to take time to specifically pray for the efforts of the men working at the machine shop and Amy for coordinating it all."
They all nodded in agreement and went to Sam giving him pats on the back and encouragement for his decision to help the machine shop. They were just starting dinner when the earth starting shaking once again. Looks as though they were in for another rough night.
- P4H
____________________________________________________________________
Sam opened his eyes and looked around at his sleeping friends and noticed Alexis had not joined the group in the storage room. They had all moved further back into the cave because rocks from the ceiling in the main room had kept falling all around them. He stood up stretching and trying to get his bearings then went in search of Alexis. He entered the main room to find her sitting at the computer her head slumped in sleep. Slowly and quietly he approached and looked at the screen she had been monitoring.....the whole west coast was showing mass damage from the quakes. She stirred and looked at Sam wiping her eyes, "I tried to stay awake just in case we were in danger here, guess I fell asleep."
"Bless your heart. We are grateful for your ability to read these maps and charts and know what's going on. Looks as though it got pretty rough out west."
"Yes, it did. There are faults all over the US and some are larger than others. The New Madrid fault right here in Missouri is one of the larger ones, but the fault that runs along the coastline of California is set to go and then that part of California will seperate from the mainland, probably be swallowed up by the ocean. There was a lot of talk last night from other seismologist regarding the urgency in getting people out of those areas," she explained.
"It's amazing what you can see from these graphs. Well, I will need to head north as soon as Steven is up and can take me to the airstrip. I will be in the air, thank goodness, and not driving to the west coast."
She looked at him with a grin, "Yes, it is a good thing you are flying because I don't think the tremors are going to stop any time soon. We are far enough north of the New Madrid that we will probably feel effects, but not be in immediate danger......at least at this point."
Steven came wandering into the main room and joined them watching the maps as they kept changing colors. "You been at this all night, Alexis?" asked Steven.
"Yes, most of the night, but I did nod off a couple of times," she answered.
"Well, thank you for your dedication. It was a little scarey in the night, but moving into the storage room made it much better. Man, didn't know Tom and Bud could snore so loud. Maybe they were just tired," Steven said with a laugh.
"Let's get some breakfast then I need you to take me to the airstrip. You up for that?
"Yeah, but Bud and Tom were wanting to try to get some of those things on the list MD and Amy sent so can we wait until they get up? I know the area better than they do so we can get all this done quicker."
"I'm not in that big of a hurry, but I did tell them I would be there sometime this morning. Well, look here comes the sleepy heads now," Sam said as Bud and Tom joined them.
Bud gave Steven a poke, "You think you're so smart telling everyone about our snoring when you sawed so many logs we will have enough to build the shed for the vehicles."
They all burst out in laughter and Sam was holding his side, "You guys are a mess. Let's get some breakfast and get this day started. We have much to do today."
"Bless your heart. We are grateful for your ability to read these maps and charts and know what's going on. Looks as though it got pretty rough out west."
"Yes, it did. There are faults all over the US and some are larger than others. The New Madrid fault right here in Missouri is one of the larger ones, but the fault that runs along the coastline of California is set to go and then that part of California will seperate from the mainland, probably be swallowed up by the ocean. There was a lot of talk last night from other seismologist regarding the urgency in getting people out of those areas," she explained.
"It's amazing what you can see from these graphs. Well, I will need to head north as soon as Steven is up and can take me to the airstrip. I will be in the air, thank goodness, and not driving to the west coast."
She looked at him with a grin, "Yes, it is a good thing you are flying because I don't think the tremors are going to stop any time soon. We are far enough north of the New Madrid that we will probably feel effects, but not be in immediate danger......at least at this point."
Steven came wandering into the main room and joined them watching the maps as they kept changing colors. "You been at this all night, Alexis?" asked Steven.
"Yes, most of the night, but I did nod off a couple of times," she answered.
"Well, thank you for your dedication. It was a little scarey in the night, but moving into the storage room made it much better. Man, didn't know Tom and Bud could snore so loud. Maybe they were just tired," Steven said with a laugh.
"Let's get some breakfast then I need you to take me to the airstrip. You up for that?
"Yeah, but Bud and Tom were wanting to try to get some of those things on the list MD and Amy sent so can we wait until they get up? I know the area better than they do so we can get all this done quicker."
"I'm not in that big of a hurry, but I did tell them I would be there sometime this morning. Well, look here comes the sleepy heads now," Sam said as Bud and Tom joined them.
Bud gave Steven a poke, "You think you're so smart telling everyone about our snoring when you sawed so many logs we will have enough to build the shed for the vehicles."
They all burst out in laughter and Sam was holding his side, "You guys are a mess. Let's get some breakfast and get this day started. We have much to do today."
- P4H
_____________________________________________________________________
Steven and Sam arrived at the airstrip to find everything in good shape considering the storms of the last two days. Sam approached his plane and ran his hand lovingly over the side and Steven helped him push it out onto the small runway. He made all the necessary checks then shook Steven's hand, "I will keep in touch. Should be back in two days or less."
Steven gave him a hug and slap on the back, "You be safe and watch your back. God goes with you."
"Tell Shannon to send an email that I'm on my way and will contact them as soon as I get in the area. Amy sent a message that a guy named Bill would meet me at the airstrip and take me back to the machine shop. I have all the coordinates and should have no problem finding them. You take care of things while I'm gone and keep those two in line," Sam said pointing to Bud and Tom waiting in the truck.
"Well, that may be a tall order, but I will do my best," Tom said with a laugh.
Sam got into the plane and fired the engines then started down the small airstrip. He lifted off as the men on the ground waved up at him. "Oh it is so good to be back in the air," Sam said aloud. He looked down at his friends and sent them a wave. He circled back around dipping his wings to acknowledge them then headed north. It was a good day for flying. He said a prayer for safety and then concentrated on the instruments before him.
Steven gave him a hug and slap on the back, "You be safe and watch your back. God goes with you."
"Tell Shannon to send an email that I'm on my way and will contact them as soon as I get in the area. Amy sent a message that a guy named Bill would meet me at the airstrip and take me back to the machine shop. I have all the coordinates and should have no problem finding them. You take care of things while I'm gone and keep those two in line," Sam said pointing to Bud and Tom waiting in the truck.
"Well, that may be a tall order, but I will do my best," Tom said with a laugh.
Sam got into the plane and fired the engines then started down the small airstrip. He lifted off as the men on the ground waved up at him. "Oh it is so good to be back in the air," Sam said aloud. He looked down at his friends and sent them a wave. He circled back around dipping his wings to acknowledge them then headed north. It was a good day for flying. He said a prayer for safety and then concentrated on the instruments before him.
- P4H
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The MR141 Harpoon missile that the USS Ross had shot earlier got within 4 miles of its target before being shot down.
Ben and his crew had 6 wire guided torpedoes ready as well as four Harpoon missiles. The crew of the Samuel of Ramah was manned and ready, all they needed was to make the final turn and close the distance to their targets.
“Stand by for hard turn to Port in 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Hard port Helm” the Conning Officer announced.
Each man grabbed on to something as the sub level indicator started to move pass the 15 degree mark. Jack grabbed on with his second hand as the indicator moved beyong the 23 mark. “This is incredible” he told himself, as he watched and felt his feet move from the deck to the table. Luckily for him and the new members, the older Israel crew was well trained in securing the sub for turns. Legend in the submarine world was that a Russian Sub back in the late 70’s traveled 5 miles undersea doing spins or barrel rolls.
As the bearing indicator reached 090 the conning officer had the Helm to ease the rudder and to steady up on new course 110. Just under a minute the sub had turned 180 degrees, Jack was very impressed it would have taking his ship closer to two minutes.
“Targets bear 020, 3800 yards, course 283, speed 20 knots”
“They are slowing down, they must know we are here” Joe said quickly
“No, they don’t they are getting ready to fire missiles at the Ross, we have about one minute to stop them, when can you fire?” Jack answered back
“20 seconds or less, once the TTC locks on.”
“Weapons are all missiles and fish ready to fire?” Joe asked into the GA.
“Aye sir, you have torpedo’s 1 through 4 forward, and 5&6 aft and Harpoon tubes 3-5 all ready.”
Joe opened a panel which had lighted number buttons. Each one Ben had said were colored green and ready to fire. All he had to do was wait for the TTC to lock on to his targets then push what fish or missile button he wanted.
Jack was taken back a bit, he wanted to see the captain look through the periscope and track down the targets like they did in the movies. “They got it to easy” He told himself.
The red master light on the panel labeled TTC went out as the green fire button started to glowed.
Joe had never fired a weapon at someone before, he had pushed the button during training but to do it for real, knowing that he could and hoped to kill hundreds of men just like him. His fingers started to shake and doubt entered his mind. “What would Jesus do?” He asked himself. Now that was an odd thought, he had never thought of before. What would Jesus do?
- Alex
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Sam looked below at the landscape and marveled how beautiful the green grass and the flowing rivers seemed. God had created a beautiful world, but soon He would turn His creation into a waste land. Man had removed God from everything and now he would soon know who was really in control. He radioed to tell MD that he would be touching down in less than an hour.
Back at the shop
MD called Bill into the office, "Sam, the pilot from Missouri, will be landing in less than an hour and I need you to take the truck and pick him up. Do you mind?"
"No, it gives me great pleasure to meet this volunteer pilot. I am thankful for the help. Didn't know how we were going to get all the deliveries met and God sent us the answer."
Amy smiled at the men, "I'm just glad we were able to find him. He said he had been wanting to do something and God provided a way."
"Guess I better get going. We will see you in a few."
Amy and MD stood together watching Bill as he got in the truck and turned to wave at them. "MD, we have been truly blessed with such willing and able workers."
"Yes, dear, we have been blessed beyond measure. God will provide for all our needs and has proven that time and time again. I look forward to meeting Sam."
Back at the shop
MD called Bill into the office, "Sam, the pilot from Missouri, will be landing in less than an hour and I need you to take the truck and pick him up. Do you mind?"
"No, it gives me great pleasure to meet this volunteer pilot. I am thankful for the help. Didn't know how we were going to get all the deliveries met and God sent us the answer."
Amy smiled at the men, "I'm just glad we were able to find him. He said he had been wanting to do something and God provided a way."
"Guess I better get going. We will see you in a few."
Amy and MD stood together watching Bill as he got in the truck and turned to wave at them. "MD, we have been truly blessed with such willing and able workers."
"Yes, dear, we have been blessed beyond measure. God will provide for all our needs and has proven that time and time again. I look forward to meeting Sam."
- P4H
_____________________________________________________________________
“Push the fire button” Jack screamed at Joe
Joe just stood there with his hand next to the firing box.
“Damn it, get out of the way” Jack said as he pushed Joe aside and hit the three harpoon missile fire buttons.
The sub shuttered as the three missiles were pushed out of their chambers almost at the same time. The standard operating procedures calls for each one to be fired individually. Alarms started to sound as the air pressure that it takes to push out the missiles dropped below the minimum amount. Joe just looked at Jack and started to tremble then cry. “I couldn’t do it. When my crew needed me I couldn’t do it.”
“Hey, Snap out of it, most men can’t do it. It takes a crazy wacko like me to push one button. Now do what you can do and tell me what is happening?”
Joe looked around the room. Everyone was looking at dials or reading charts. Each one had to face the possibility of what was happening. Each one still missed their true Captain, Captain Daniel; they had not yet even had a moment to call his name since he was killed. But each one was trained to do his job until that moment was over.
“Combat to Conn, three missiles fired, three missiles away”
“Come on Joe, do the job, Daniel trained you for. Let’s finish what we started” Jack said in a low voice so only Joe could hear.
Joe shook his head and wiped the tears away. Pushing the GA button, he acknowledged combat.
“Conn, two missiles clear of the water, the third one is in the water swimming.”
“Very well” “Conn to Sonar, keep track of missile in water. If it turns let us know asap.”
“Sonar copy sir”
“What’s going on? Why did one bird not fly?” Jack asked
“The system is set to fire one missile at a time with a 5 second pause between each one. You hit all three buttons at the same time so the compressed air that fires them was not enough.”
Jack had forgotten he was not on his ship. On a surface ship, the launch tubes didn’t have 90 to 100 feet of water holding the missiles down.
“So now what?”
“Combat to Conn, two birds tracking true, at target in 3 seconds… 2… 1…”
“Large explosion heard in area of targets.”
“Only one?”
“Yes sir… wait I hear metal buckling and more explosions”
Joe pushed the periscope button, “Up scope”
“Sonar Conn, the third missile is making a slow starboard turn”
Joe looked at Jack and Jack looked at Joe. “What now?”
“Sir, I hear splashes in the water, Sir! The second target is launching ASROC.”
“Deploy decoys, now, Helm hard left rudder, Dive master, emergency dive, get us down to 500 feet, fast, Lee ahead flank” Joe yelled.
Alarms sounded and Jack felt the sub turning again but this time he felt the sub heading for the bottom. A funny feeling came over him, not having a window to look out; he hoped they knew the water was deeper then 500 feet.
“Depth 160, 210, 240…”
“Helm steady as she goes, all stop Lee, Dive master, continue to 500” Joe started looking at the chart as Josh penciled every move they made.
“Deploy decoys now”
Two small cans about the size of a no# 10 coffee can shot out the back of the sub. As soon as they hit the sea water, they started to spin and release hundreds of air bubbles along with a high pitched noise. The idea was that any in bound torpedo or missile would lock on to the greater noise and movement allowing the sub to sneak away.
Four hundred yards behind the sub, two ASROC sub destroying missiles were fast approaching.
Joe just stood there with his hand next to the firing box.
“Damn it, get out of the way” Jack said as he pushed Joe aside and hit the three harpoon missile fire buttons.
The sub shuttered as the three missiles were pushed out of their chambers almost at the same time. The standard operating procedures calls for each one to be fired individually. Alarms started to sound as the air pressure that it takes to push out the missiles dropped below the minimum amount. Joe just looked at Jack and started to tremble then cry. “I couldn’t do it. When my crew needed me I couldn’t do it.”
“Hey, Snap out of it, most men can’t do it. It takes a crazy wacko like me to push one button. Now do what you can do and tell me what is happening?”
Joe looked around the room. Everyone was looking at dials or reading charts. Each one had to face the possibility of what was happening. Each one still missed their true Captain, Captain Daniel; they had not yet even had a moment to call his name since he was killed. But each one was trained to do his job until that moment was over.
“Combat to Conn, three missiles fired, three missiles away”
“Come on Joe, do the job, Daniel trained you for. Let’s finish what we started” Jack said in a low voice so only Joe could hear.
Joe shook his head and wiped the tears away. Pushing the GA button, he acknowledged combat.
“Conn, two missiles clear of the water, the third one is in the water swimming.”
“Very well” “Conn to Sonar, keep track of missile in water. If it turns let us know asap.”
“Sonar copy sir”
“What’s going on? Why did one bird not fly?” Jack asked
“The system is set to fire one missile at a time with a 5 second pause between each one. You hit all three buttons at the same time so the compressed air that fires them was not enough.”
Jack had forgotten he was not on his ship. On a surface ship, the launch tubes didn’t have 90 to 100 feet of water holding the missiles down.
“So now what?”
“Combat to Conn, two birds tracking true, at target in 3 seconds… 2… 1…”
“Large explosion heard in area of targets.”
“Only one?”
“Yes sir… wait I hear metal buckling and more explosions”
Joe pushed the periscope button, “Up scope”
“Sonar Conn, the third missile is making a slow starboard turn”
Joe looked at Jack and Jack looked at Joe. “What now?”
“Sir, I hear splashes in the water, Sir! The second target is launching ASROC.”
“Deploy decoys, now, Helm hard left rudder, Dive master, emergency dive, get us down to 500 feet, fast, Lee ahead flank” Joe yelled.
Alarms sounded and Jack felt the sub turning again but this time he felt the sub heading for the bottom. A funny feeling came over him, not having a window to look out; he hoped they knew the water was deeper then 500 feet.
“Depth 160, 210, 240…”
“Helm steady as she goes, all stop Lee, Dive master, continue to 500” Joe started looking at the chart as Josh penciled every move they made.
“Deploy decoys now”
Two small cans about the size of a no# 10 coffee can shot out the back of the sub. As soon as they hit the sea water, they started to spin and release hundreds of air bubbles along with a high pitched noise. The idea was that any in bound torpedo or missile would lock on to the greater noise and movement allowing the sub to sneak away.
Four hundred yards behind the sub, two ASROC sub destroying missiles were fast approaching.
- Alex
____________________________________________________________________
Sam banked the plane sharply to the south, set his instruments, lowered the landing gear, and started his decent preparing to set the plane down on the narrow runway. Touchdown. He taxied to the hanger according to Bill's instructions and brought the bird to a complete and perfect stop. He checked all the instruments and ran through his check list then opened the door, lowered the steps and looked around for his ride. He looked toward the parking area and spotted a tall, muscled man standing beside a beat up truck and holding a sign that read, WELCOME SAM. He started walking toward the man and waved to let him know who he was. He held out his hand, "Hello, I'm Sam. I take it you are Bill?"
"That would be me. Hop in everyone is waiting for us back at the shop."
They talked on the ride back to shop about the projects going on at the shop and how they were going to coordinate the deliveries. Sam briefly told him of their plans to start a food supply chain and hopefully, coordinate it with the deliveries from the machine shop. They could work together and achieve so much more. Bill pulled the truck into the big garage and switched off the engine. "We're here. It's time to meet Amy and the rest of the gang."
MD heard the truck pull in and he grabbed Amy and they rushed to meet their new friend. MD put his hand out, "Sam, I'm MD and this is my beautiful wife, Amy. Welcome to our humble home and shop."
"Good to meet you and put a face to the person we've only known through email. Your wife is lovely, MD, you are a lucky guy. Thank you for the welcome."
Amy put her head down and giggled, "You guys are too much. Sam, we were just about to have sandwiches, would you care to join us?"
"Yes, I would love to. It has been a long time since breakfast."
Sam followed them into the lunch room and saw the stacks of sandwiches and drinks on the table. "I would like to introduce you to the rest of our group. I will start with our electrical engineer and the brains behind our operation, Austin. Sitting next to Austin is our prankster, B.J., and also the best welder in the country. Next is John and Jim who are our fabricators, Jerry our CNC operator, Doug, our foreman, and you have already met Bill, our pilot. You have just met the best group of workers you are likely to ever meet."
"I'm honored to make your acquaintance and be a part of this operation," Sam said.
MD sat down beside Amy and began his prayer, "Lord, we thank You for bringing Sam safely to us. We thank you for the many blessings we have received, for the food we are about to eat, and Heavenly Father, we thank You most of all for sending Your Son to save us. We praise your name, Amen."
Amy passed the sandwiches while MD explained their operation to Sam. They talked about the shipments that Sam and Bill would be handling and where they were being sent. MD continued, "Sam, you will be exhausted so I offer you a place to stay for the night and you can return home with your shipment the following day. How does that sound?
"I appreciate the offer and it would probably be a good idea for me to get a good nights rest before I head home. I didn't have much sleep last night with all the aftershocks we were experiencing. How long before we can get in the air?"
"As soon as we finish lunch, the men will load the trucks then go to the airport to load the planes so I would think we could have you up and flying in less than two hours. What do you think, Doug?"
"Sounds ok by me. Come on guys, we need to get started.....now."
The men cleared the table and followed Doug into the shop. Amy excused herself to gather the orders and coordinates for the two pilots. MD and Sam sat talking and getting to know each other a little better then Amy appeared with all the paperwork and not far behind Doug was coming to tell them they were ready to roll.
MD stood up and shook Sam's hand, "God go with you and keep you safe. We are forever grateful you came to help us.?
"I didn't do it for me, I did it for the Lord and pray everything we do glorifies His name," Sam said while shaking MD's hand.
MD turned to Bill, "We will keep in close contact and you be safe, ya hear."
"Yes, sir. We have the Lord riding with us and we'll be fine. I'll radio when we get in the air." The two pilots got into the truck and headed for the airstrip.
"That would be me. Hop in everyone is waiting for us back at the shop."
They talked on the ride back to shop about the projects going on at the shop and how they were going to coordinate the deliveries. Sam briefly told him of their plans to start a food supply chain and hopefully, coordinate it with the deliveries from the machine shop. They could work together and achieve so much more. Bill pulled the truck into the big garage and switched off the engine. "We're here. It's time to meet Amy and the rest of the gang."
MD heard the truck pull in and he grabbed Amy and they rushed to meet their new friend. MD put his hand out, "Sam, I'm MD and this is my beautiful wife, Amy. Welcome to our humble home and shop."
"Good to meet you and put a face to the person we've only known through email. Your wife is lovely, MD, you are a lucky guy. Thank you for the welcome."
Amy put her head down and giggled, "You guys are too much. Sam, we were just about to have sandwiches, would you care to join us?"
"Yes, I would love to. It has been a long time since breakfast."
Sam followed them into the lunch room and saw the stacks of sandwiches and drinks on the table. "I would like to introduce you to the rest of our group. I will start with our electrical engineer and the brains behind our operation, Austin. Sitting next to Austin is our prankster, B.J., and also the best welder in the country. Next is John and Jim who are our fabricators, Jerry our CNC operator, Doug, our foreman, and you have already met Bill, our pilot. You have just met the best group of workers you are likely to ever meet."
"I'm honored to make your acquaintance and be a part of this operation," Sam said.
MD sat down beside Amy and began his prayer, "Lord, we thank You for bringing Sam safely to us. We thank you for the many blessings we have received, for the food we are about to eat, and Heavenly Father, we thank You most of all for sending Your Son to save us. We praise your name, Amen."
Amy passed the sandwiches while MD explained their operation to Sam. They talked about the shipments that Sam and Bill would be handling and where they were being sent. MD continued, "Sam, you will be exhausted so I offer you a place to stay for the night and you can return home with your shipment the following day. How does that sound?
"I appreciate the offer and it would probably be a good idea for me to get a good nights rest before I head home. I didn't have much sleep last night with all the aftershocks we were experiencing. How long before we can get in the air?"
"As soon as we finish lunch, the men will load the trucks then go to the airport to load the planes so I would think we could have you up and flying in less than two hours. What do you think, Doug?"
"Sounds ok by me. Come on guys, we need to get started.....now."
The men cleared the table and followed Doug into the shop. Amy excused herself to gather the orders and coordinates for the two pilots. MD and Sam sat talking and getting to know each other a little better then Amy appeared with all the paperwork and not far behind Doug was coming to tell them they were ready to roll.
MD stood up and shook Sam's hand, "God go with you and keep you safe. We are forever grateful you came to help us.?
"I didn't do it for me, I did it for the Lord and pray everything we do glorifies His name," Sam said while shaking MD's hand.
MD turned to Bill, "We will keep in close contact and you be safe, ya hear."
"Yes, sir. We have the Lord riding with us and we'll be fine. I'll radio when we get in the air." The two pilots got into the truck and headed for the airstrip.
- P4H
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