He was talking on his hand held radio as his driver raced back to the main terminal. We could see people fleeing south into the desert.
The first C-5 touched down as we secured the east end of the shorter runway. As the infantry walked by to board they passed us their ammunition and a few weapons. The rest went into a pile around several fuel cans on a truck. The second C-5 was landing as the first revved up it engines and started to taxi back on the main runway. One more C-5 landed before the first C-141 landed. As it lifted off General Black gave the order to start all engines. Three attack helicopters lifted off. Twelve APC's, 2 fuel trucks, and 4 M-1's didn't have puddles of oil under them and we pulled back on the access road headed for the bay. Behind me I could hear the engines blowing for lack of oil. The sound of small arms ammo and then one of the abandoned tanks blew. All my gunner said was Oh Shit, they're going up like roman candles.
We turned right on the main road and headed south for Konarak.
~ ToCn ~
NEW - 9
Our orders were when we started moving was to eliminate all obstacles, and stop for nothing until we reach the port. There we are to abandon everything we can't carry and board any and all ships and head out into the bay in the direction of gulf. The helicopters will fly cover out to the port. After we launch everything we can find that floats they will continue until they run out of fuel and then the crews will be picked up by the boats we have.
We didn't make it to the town because we turned left on a dirt road and then on a paved jetty extending into the bay. One of the M-1's threw a track and was abandoned. The trail M-1 stopped a hundred yards down the road and turned back and put two rounds into it before it exploded. At the end of the jetty was a semicircle dock with only 4 ships. However lurking just outside the entrance was the most beautiful sight I'd ever seen. Three marine landing craft. With all hatches open we drove out vehicles into the bay and boarded the landing craft.
Just outside the bay an Iranian destroyer was spotted. It turned in our direction just as a sonic boom blasted our ears. The jets that screamed by pulled up and we could see the destroyer turning so sharply that it was leaning over. It made its turn and headed away. Our landing craft veered off to the right as we saw one of our helicopters pancake in the ocean.
It quickly sank, but the crew was laughing when we picked them up. The pilot claimed that he lost half his altitude when one of the jets flew under him and damn near flipped him over.
~ ToCn ~
# Main Table of Contents #
Camping in the Swamp
Had a dream last night. Didn't sleep well because the night light was on. Anyway the dream was that there was a secret installation on about 400 square miles of semi-swamp. The main installation was in the southern corner and had a limited crew, maybe up to 50 couples. Years ago one of the couples there had started going out to spend a weekend long camping. Over the years many had taken up the practice and now several of the members were practically tour guides for the trips. They'd get dropped off by air-boat and picked up again at a different location.
* * *
Friday:
Sissy called the two couples to pay attention as she was the leader of this group. She'd been out 109 times and enjoyed taking the youngsters out. As she lined up the both couples in the dining area, she mentally checked off their visible gear. Long sleeve shirts & pants, boots, hats, canteens, folding shovels, a coil of light rope, pistols, and cattle prods. Hopefully everyone had the standard sleeping bag, mosquito bar with frame, hammock, 10' square tarp, camp stove, and environmental bags in their packs. “If no one's forgotten anything lets head for the boat. Dan will drop us off in area N2 and pick us up Tuesday around noon in area N5.“ Then she folded her map and notebook into her pocket and picked up her pack.
In the air-boat she leaned back as her husband piloted north. Jerry and Susan, the newly weds were in an animated conversation, after all it was their first camping trip. Bill and Wanda had several trips under their belts and were leaned back dozing.
Dan jiggled the boat enough to wake everyone and then announced that the drop off point was ten minutes away. Bill spotted a gator and pointed it out. His wife reminded him that this was supposed to be a camping trip and she'd bite him if he paid more attention to the gators than her.
I reminded them that the hurricane that blew through last week had probably messed up some of the terrain. That's why we left several hours early. We have to have a camp site set up before dark. “OK, load your pistols, chambers empty, and turn on your cattle prods. Single file and follow me.” I slid off the side of the boat into about 4 inches of muck. Three steps and I was on dry ground. Turning north I spotted the game trail and we headed inland. Last trip, last year I'd stepped on a snake not 50 feet down the trail. Dan had laughed and laughed as he chased it off with his cattle prod. Two hours and 3 old camp sites later I found one that hadn't been destroyed.
This clump of trees was on higher ground and contained the base of an old fireplace. The cabin was long gone, although it still left its mark in the clearing. They had their hammocks slung and a small campfire burning in the stub of the cabin's fireplace by dusk.
Bill started telling ghost stories after we'd eaten and after a few Susan was tugging on Jerry's arm trying to get him to go to bed. Later we heard a thrashing in the trees over where they'd slung their hammocks, and Wanda started making crude comments. After a few minutes Bill picked her up and commented that he had to go check their sleeping bags as he carried Susan toward the trees.
I listened to the night noises of the swamp and how two areas didn't have any animal sounds close in. The old woman stuck on guard duty while the children play was all I could think of as the moon rose. When the fire died to embers I crawled into my hammock and remembered Dan and my first camp out here. We'd slept on the ground and awoke with company in our sleeping bag. Those were the days!
Saturday:
The dampness on my mosquito net reminded me of many a cold camp breakfast. However this morning as I crawled out of my bag, I picked up my boots from the end of the hammock and clunked them together upside down to evict any creepy crawlies that might have taken up residence during the night. It was always fun trying to not fall out of a hammock while putting pants and boots on. By time I'd finished, I had to run to the slit trench we'd dug last night. By the smell I could tell I wasn't the first visitor. The magnesium fire starter and a splash of lighter fluid and I had a nice fire started. I poured a little water in my canteen cup and hung it from the fireplace hook to start my coffee. Gotta have that coffee! After a few sips, I picked up some small stones and tossed them in the directions of the other two hammocks. When I heard them grumbling I yelled, “Remember to check your boots before putting them on and cover your crap when you use the slit trench.” On my second camping trip I didn't check my left boot and got a scorpion sting.
The satisfaction I felt when I heard someone say who made coffee brought a smile as the four looked around and didn't see any. The odor from my canteen cup was delicious. I said, “I'll let you use my fire if someone gets more wood.”
Bill and Jerry turned and headed for the trees.
I reminded them that they'd better carry their cattle prods. I had my instant eggs and ham cooked by time they got back, and I chucked as I saw the damp wood they'd collected.
An hour later and a lot of coughing later they'd finished what could be loosely called breakfast.
I spent about 20 minutes reminding them that gathering the morning firewood was something that would save them problems in the future. Also I reminded them that they should vigorously shake all their gear before packing it up for the day.
I updated my map and pointed out old campsites and terrain features and we hiked southeast on one game trail after another. Wanda is the only one that grumbled when we didn't stop for lunch. About 5PM I found a nice site and said we'd sp
end the night. We all started setting up. When I asked Jerry to dig the slit trench for the night he couldn't find his shovel.
Then Susan asked him, “You did fill in last nights trench, didn't you?”
It suddenly dawned on him where his shovel was, and the toilet paper.
I commented that Jerry could dig the trench tonight and tomorrow early we had to retrace our path to the first campsite on the double. I'd be waking everyone up early. The women will make breakfast while the men pack and clean up this site. Sleep fast because dawn comes real early.
Sunday:
I was watching my wristwatch and as 4AM rolled around I sat up and hollered, “Time to get up.” Ten minutes later I was shaking Jerry & Susan's hammock. Wanda was having trouble getting the fire started until Bill walked over and pulled a charcoal starter brick out of his pack and cut off a few slices. I'd given up on those years ago because they were bulky and stank. I reminded Jerry and Susan that they needed to be ready withing the hour, we had twice the distance to cover today to stay on schedule for pickup. If we missed pickup it was over 20 miles back to their house.
Fifty seven minutes later I told them to double check all their gear, we'd leave in five. I set a grueling pace and we arrived at our first campsite just after noon.
After Jerry covered the trench and retrieved his equipment, I said let's go. We started off on another trail due south. I had a campsite in mind, and hoped that it was in good condition. Well it wasn't, but we could camp there. Looking at the sky I told Bill that he should cover the firewood tonight because it looked like rain. After looking at the sky he simply said, “Could be, but better safe than sorry.” Jerry took his shovel and went to dig a trench while us girls set up the hammocks and started supper. I could tell it would be an early night because Wanda was really looking pooped.
Monday:
Looking around the camp when it got light I noticed a lot of mud under Bill & Wanda's hammock, the firewood he'd stacked under it last night was gone and the puddle had a small stream headed downhill from it.
I pulled out my whistle and gave it a couple of blast then yelled at them to check out their area's before jumping out of their hammocks. I noticed that there was only 1 pack frame hanging from Jerry and Susan's tree. They found 1 pack and the other frame, but all of Susan's clothing was gone. Bill had forgotten to close the top of his pack and it was almost full of water.
Since the weather was still very humid, I prompted them to just pack up and we'd go downhill and see if we could find anything else, then hike til about 3PM and set up camp. We could then set everything out to dry. We'd have to cover more than a days hike to get on schedule.
Well we did cover a good amount of ground and I estimated we were within 5 miles of the pickup point when I told them to start looking for a campsite. Between Jerry and Bill they found a decent site and we unpacked. In less than half an hour it looked like a Chinese laundry with cloths and other gear hanging all over the place. Most everything was dry by time we'd eaten and were ready for bed. I reminded them that in the morning we'd just eat, pack, and make a run for the pickup point.
Tuesday:
I overslept and the sun was up when I got up. I blew my whistle and started a fire. The wood was damp, but burned hot. Wanda brought over Bill's canteen and said, “Use it all to make coffee. I'll make the eggs and ham.” Bill came over with his cup and asked how long before the coffee would be ready. Five minutes I said.
Then he told Wanda, “I'll pack.”
Then we all heard Susan wail, “Where's the toilet paper.”
My comment to Wanda was, “Another day in paradise” as I grabbed my paper and headed for the slit trench.
When I returned Wanda handed me a cup and plate and told me to eat first.
When Bill walked up she handed him a plate, then hollered, “Jerry, Susan, if you aren't here in thirty seconds I'll feed your breakfast to the fire.” Needless to say they came at a run.
Everything was packed up and Bill said, “One stop on the way out, that's to use the slit trench and fill it in. Who's first, I'm last.”
Tuesday, 1118AM:
From the pickup point we had a good view of the lake. No boat. Looking at Bill and Jerry I suggested we set up a temporary camp just inside the trees. The girls and I would cook up a meal and keep watch.
Tuesday, 3PM:
Dan still hadn't appeared with the boat, so I took a stroll and pulled out my radio. After climbing partway up a tree, I was able to contact the base. They told me that the storm the other night had damaged both boats, and they wouldn't be able to pick us up for a day or two.
When I got back to camp I called the girls together and told them to inventory all our food supplies and then I took the boys out hunting. We set up a couple of snares on small game trails and then were lucky enough to find signs of deer on another trail. I left the boys on one side of the trail with instructions to only fire when they were sure they could kill, not wound a deer. We'd carve around the bullet if they needed to use more than one.
As I was turning to leave Bill asked how long before the pickup.
I waved my hand and said a couple of days until they get the boats fixed. When I got back to camp I told the girls about the boats and told them that the boys were out hunting deer. “Now we need to make this a permanent camp for a few days. That also includes building a drying rack for the meat they return with.”
The boys wandered in just before dark with one rabbit.
I showed the girls how to skin it and they cut it up and dumped it in the pot. Rabbit broth for dinner with chunks of rabbit.
Wednesday:
Well morning is here and weak coffee made out of the last of the grounds. This morning I set the boys to hunting while we went on a nature walk and I pointed out every edible plant that I could recall. Since it was early spring nothing was ripe. Finally we found a patch of wild onions. We carefully dug them up and divided them and replanted most of them. I marked the spot on my map. Well if the boys brought meat, we had a few onions to go with it. We gathered deadwood all the way back and had to go back for several bundles. Next time I'll carry the rope with me.
Back at camp we gathered what rocks we could find and built a fire. Water was no problem, not getting sick from drinking it was. Susan got one of Bill's t-shirts and we used it full of sand as a filter. Then we boiled the water for 15 minutes and set it aside to cool. By late afternoon all the canteens were full except the one the boys had and we had a pot of water waiting to fill it.
Jerry spotted a snake and managed to kill it. We roasted it on spits over the fire. She brought back something that looked like a cattail. Unfortunately it was getting dark.
Thursday morning:
Jerry led me back to the area where she saw the cattails. We found a lot of cattails. They didn't look to much like regular cattails, but we found many of last years on the ground. I had her cut a dozen or so right off at the ground level. I remembered that somewhere I'd read that the Indians used cattails for food.
Also in orientation years ago where the biologist had emphasized the point that swamp plants had seasons where certain parts could be eaten if properly prepared. Otherwise they could poison you. I needed Dan because he knew more about this than I did. He used to supplement our food supply on camping trips with local plants.
We talked to the boys and asked them if any of them remembered their briefings about edible plants. They said no. That leaves us in a quandary, can we eat them and if we can how do we prepare them?
We decided to peel the stems down to the inner pulp and see if it would cook up. Well Jerry decided that she'd be the guinea pig because she found them. She ate one and said it wasn't bad. We decided to give her an overnight test. She said if she was still kicking in the morning we could get more and have them for dinner.
Friday:
Jerry is still alive and di
dn't have any stomach upset during the night so were going to go get enough to make a soup with. The boys swear they will get a deer today, they found new tracks and are setting up a new hunting site.
Jerry and I had just finished preparing the stew for dinner when Wanda gave a screech that could be heard for miles. The boys came running and Wanda kept screaming he's here, he's here. Sure enough a minute later I heard Dan's voice saying, “Calm down.”
* * *
Sissy – (Dan-husband, boat pilot) leader of group
Bill & Wanda – several trips -
Jerry & Susan – newly weds - 1st trip -
Gear - Long sleeve shirts & pants, boots, hats, canteens, folding shovels, a coil of light rope, pistols, and cattle prods. standard sleeping bag, mosquito bar with frame, hammock, 10' square tarp, camp stove, and environmental bags.
# Main Table of Contents #
The Harappan Seal
The new kiln was a marvel. Two fire chambers, an outer chamber to heat the inner chamber, and then the kiln inside both. The old colored glazes cracked and reflected the light so beautifully.
After applying a clear glaze over it and firing the pottery and medallions again he figured they would fetch a premium price at the market.
Thinking to himself he decided to try putting small crystals and fine gold wires just under the surface of the clay, he hoped they would show through the surface and enhance the beauty. His second batch exhibited some strange properties when exposed to the sun. Two of them seemed to almost float they were so light.
Unfortunately a temple priest took all of them.
The next batch, he changed the patterns of the crystals and wire adding silver wires to the gold wires and they were even more beautiful. Keeping those undercover until some of the rich merchants stopped by the booth prevented the priest from taking them. One merchant drew a pattern on a piece of parchment and asked him to make him a dozen.
Soon he had no time to make more for the market, he was busy filling orders for the rich merchants and several patrons that had heard of his work.