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Not sure where this would best be posted. Sorry, I can't get the link to work. Family devastated after Oklahoma man dies from rattlesnake biteRattlesnake won this round, oklahoma man killed
lundi 30 avril 2018
357 Sig "Cold One Discussion"
The way current ammo supply is, the 357 sig isn't a prime prepping option in my opinion. Too expensive (at least for my area), and a very small variety to choose from. And California makes internet purchases cost more than they're worth.
Very few people here use it, unlike it's cousin 40. That being said, if you chipmunk away enough ammo, I guess it's a non issue. I just can't afford to chipmunk it like I can 9mm.
All that being said, the Sig 1911 TACOPS in 357 has been calling to me across the void of "You're moving to a free state before long." Even as a small fry, a 1911 is pretty easy to conceal....
357 Sig "Cold One Discussion"
Burris AR-332 3x32 Prism Sight - $182.50 after opt out of free return (Free S/H over $35)
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All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:57 PM.
Burris AR-332 3x32 Prism Sight - $182.50 after opt out of free return (Free S/H over $35)
What I observe about the differences in generational political attitudes.
I know this is just a meme and for those of you who can't help but throw out the NAXALT argument, I understand that this doesn't apply to literally everyone. Now that we have that disclaimer out of the way for the one who need their hands held and feels acknowledged...
This meme pretty much sums up what I see on places like Gab.ai, comment sections of some major news outlets, the comments on CNN's Twitter page, and on almost all of the blogs I scan daily, which currently totals about 60 to 70.
I also find it to be much more difficult to convince people that things are messed up the older they happen to be. The younger they are, the easier it is for them to accept things I say that are thought of as "crazy", like when I tell people that white Americans are actively being replaced by outbreeding and importation of third world savages. Or when I ask why the vast majority of Jews in the US vote democrat, support open borders and gun control and other SJW issues, but our Christian churches tell us that in order to "support Israel" we are supposed to vote republican. And older person rejects that and can't even bring themselves to respond to the question without using the phrase "anti-Semitic". But a younger person seems more likely to want to investigate that, wondering if that's the case, then why it is.
This thread doesn't have to have anything to do with my specific beliefs or how you feel about them. I'm just looking for some discussion on the differences between how the generations see things, especially the difference between Boomers and the Milennials/Gen Z. Milennials and Gen Z seem to be developing a radical sort of right wing segment that is growing angrier and angrier at the whole system in general, and they blame both sides.
Anther disclaimer: Yes, we all know that you people think everyone below the age of 35 is eating Tide Pods. Noted, for the eighteenth time. Try not to forget that a very large segment of the people who are fighting our wars are below 35.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
What I observe about the differences in generational political attitudes.
Pretty fair knife prices - Midway
Ontario knives:
Spec Plus Alpha 5" survival knife - $22.
Spec Plus Alpha 7" machete - $24.
RAT 2 folder - $22.50, RAT 1 $24.
CT1 machete 12" - $15.
Old Hickory:
7" butcher knife - $7. (10" and 14" are $14.)
6" boning knife - $7.
8" slicing knife - $7.50
6" skinner - $10.
Cold Steel:
Canadian Belt Knife - $10.19
Cold Steel Roach Belly - $11.
Cold Steel Finn Bear - $11.
Cold Steel Pendleton Lite Hunter - $13.60
Pretty fair knife prices - Midway
Olight M2R Warrior Flashlight Review
Up until recently I had heard of Olight, saw a few reviews here and there, but had never used an Olight flashlight. Going into this review I had no preconceived notions about Olight quality.
Long story short, I am very happy with the overall quality and attention to the small details Olight put into the M2 Warrior.
Now let's talk about the rest of the review.
The post Olight M2R Warrior Flashlight Review appeared first on AllOutdoor.com.
Olight M2R Warrior Flashlight Review
Democrats losing grip on youth vote
Now, today, I see on Yahoo news that Democrats' lead among Millennials has slipped 9 points since Trump was elected. They consider Trump personally odious, but a majority trust Republicans with the economy.
Now all we need is to shut down the illegal alien gravy train, put up the wall, and pass voter ID laws that actually check for citizenship. Then we may be on the road to restoring the republic.
Democrats losing grip on youth vote
Hydrostatic shock
I don't know much about guns and I'd like to know if a .45 cal Ruger pistol creates a "hydrostatic shock" when it hits ? ie turns internal organs into mush ?
If anyone knows, thank you in advance.
Hydrostatic shock
dimanche 29 avril 2018
CZ 805 Bren or IWI Tavor
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All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:45 PM.
CZ 805 Bren or IWI Tavor
A real poll for Trump
Interesting story: How Trump's brands fade away
Quote:
| Zane Anthony, Kathryn Sanders and David A. Fahrenthold Washington Post 4/13/2018 Before he ran for office, Donald Trump made millions by selling his name to adorn other people's products. There was Trump deodorant. Trump ties. Trump steaks. Trump underwear. Trump furniture. At one time, there was even a Trump-branded urine test. Now, almost all of them are gone. .......... |
A real poll for Trump
Which Minie ball mold?
Which Minie ball mold?I have an 1858 enfield rifle (reproduction) and have been looking to get a minie ball mold for it. After I looked into it a little bit I noticed that they come in many different bullet weights. I was wondering what every one typically uses? From what I have found they range from 315 grains to 500, and different bullet shapes.
Which Minie ball mold?
STRAITS RED chapters 29-31
The streets were almost impassable as Max and the Feds wound their way
to the Mackinaw City Police station. They arrived and found a throng of well wishers and admirers around Manny as he was relating to them the whole terrifying experience of taking on single-handedly the bank robbers. The Feds pushed their way through the crowd and identified themselves and grabbed Manny and took him inside his station as Maxwell followed. “Where is the guy you caught’ asked Hawken. Manny, flushed with awe and pride at the same time because the FBI wanting to talk to him. “Do you want a drink or something? “ he asked. The agents, used to being semi fawned over simply did not have time to partake in the admiration society of one. Hawken again asked Manny where was the crook? Manny told them the whole story finishing it with a flourish of, “so I drove him headfirst into the vehicle and he is on the way to the hospital, he’s not going anywhere. The EMTs said he has a concussion and probably won’t come out of it for a while.” Manny finally noticed Max and asked him what the hell he was doing there and he advised he was just there to lend a hand but he saw Manny had all under control. Hawken jerked Manny back on track, “Do you know anything about the robber, what did he look like, a foreign national, an Arab, describe him.”
Manny responded, “I can do better than that, he is one of our locals, named Wilson Wiseman, but everyone calls him Whizzy.” Hawken then asked “Do you think he would have any connection to the bridge, like using the truck as a diversion so he could do the bank job?” Maxwell, who also knew Whizzy broke out in laughter at the thought. As the agents were looking at Maxwell, Manny flashed on an inspiration. “Agents, I believe you are right, I do think that it was all a hoax to draw law enforcement away from the downtown so the robbery could be committed.” Maxwell spoke out, “Are you ****ing nuts?”. Not known for his tact he continued, “Whizzy can barely blow his nose with help and you are giving him credit for being able to rig what we have seen up on the bridge. Then, after all this brilliant work, hit a bank with no money in it and get caught by you?” Manny, these people don’t have a clue who that idiot is, don’t lead them down the wrong path.” Max then addressed the agents, “Look, this guy Whizzy is about as dumb as they come. He once tried to siphon gas out of one of the tourist motor homes and put the siphon hose in the waste holding tank and sucked on it until he got a mouthful of ****, does this sound like a guy who could set this all up?”
Hawken and Edmore started to reply and Manny knew he would lose them if he let the conversation continue. Manny had his course set, He looked at Max and said “Chief, I don’t believe you work this side of the bridge, you should probably return home. I will take care of getting the agents around and also fill them in on the tendencies of our local criminals” Maxwell never being one to stay where fools tread started to leave, stopped and then turned back to Manny and asked, “Manny what happened, did you **** yourself, what gives with the black streak up the ass of your pants?” The agents, had also seen the black streak up Manny’s pants had been dying to ask but knew better than to aggravate a situation. They couldn’t help themselves and started chuckling under their breath.
Max returned to his side of the bridge and while doing so stopped to see how things were going at the truck. Greg Mack was in conversation with the FBI bomb technician as well as Palmer. They were engaged in a conversation about hybrid nitrogen based explosives that could be purified through a filter process that would have a ten fold force multiplier effect on the explosive if the temperature and consistency of the mixture could be maintained. This all revolved around the chemicals on the list provided by the terrorists and the capability of the containers on the truck to hold such a mixture. Having heard enough that even he was totally confused he returned to the post and called his office to check in on how his officers were handling the situation.
Maxwell started to report the happenings on the other side of the bridge to Phelps when Abbott walked up and demanded that Max report to him. Responding “whatever”, he kept on while looking at Phelps and not Abbott. He advised that Whizzy, the guy Manny caught could not in any way be involved with the bridge situation. He probably figured that with all the area officers so tied up with traffic, there would be no one who could respond to the robbery. Abbott demanded to know why. Maxwell explained that Whizzy was dumb as a box of rocks and was never successful at any crime in his life.
He told them about one of Whizzy's other adventures in crime when he saw a rather large safe sitting outside of a local pharmacy being renovated. It didn't dawn on Whizzy that there might be a reason why the safe was on the outside of the building and not the inside. Whizz and Ren and a couple of his other members of his crew got together and planned how they were going to steal the safe in the middle of the night. They showed up with a pickup and some 2X4s to try to slide the safe up onto the truck bed. The timbers were not strong enough to take the safe's weight and when the boards broke the safe crashed down on the leg of one of the crew members breaking it in three places. They took the guy to the hospital then came back with a couple of hydraulic jacks to jack it up. The jacks didn't have enough lift to get the safe up into the truck so they tried to tilt the safe over into the bed. When the safe was tilted the weight and center of gravity was still below the tailgate and when the steel safe made contact with the steel tailgate, it started to slide. Ren tried to stop it sliding by jamming his foot against the base to stop the motion, promptly causing him to have his foot crushed as the safe slid over it and then it crashed to the parking lot. With Ren in agony they tried one more quick bit. They threw a chain around it with the idea of dragging it to a place away from where they were so they could open it or get it loaded. With the chain attached to the bumper of the truck they tried to drive off, but the bumper came off the vehicle. A patrol car came around the corner and they left. The officers retrieved the bumper along with Whizzy's license plate attached to it and they went and found him at the hospital as he was there waiting for Ren to get treated for his crushed foot. Nothing came out of it though because the store owner was trying to get rid of the safe anyway and would have given it to them if they had just asked." Maxwell finished with "Does that sound like a guy who could orchestrate something this sophisticated?"
Abbott, exuding his confidence in the situation advised that he had been in touch with his agents who were talking to Robelli and the Chief of Mackinaw City was positive that the truck was part of an elaborate hoax so they could pull off the bank job. Abbott went on further that he was going to tell his bomb technicians to pop open the trailer.
Phelps thought what Maxwell said” Are you ****ing nuts?” You don’t have any idea who that idiot is across the bridge. I do. You open that trailer you will probably kill every one on the bridge and send it into the Straits. You might also kill us all. We have no idea just how powerful that bomb really is. That bridge and all that steel and concrete is under a lot of stress and tension. If it lets go it could send pieces of steel and tons of concrete and miles of cable in God knows what directions and for how far.” Abbott was taken back by the ferocity of Maxwell’s adamancy as well as the fact he could be killed. It was something he never thought of. He didn’t mind sending others into bad situations, that is what they get paid for, but, not him, he was too important and he also was going to save the day. “I am going to contact the President and tell him not to pay. When the time runs out and nothing happens you will be sorry you ever talked to me like that. Now get the **** out of here before I have you arrested for ****ing with my investigation. All I am waiting for is confirmation from the technicians that there is no bomb on the trailer and then we shall see just who is the nut case here."
Phelps believed Maxwell and was trying to figure out a way to keep Abbott and Maxwell from killing each other although he would place his money on Maxwell. Phelps started “Remember how the guy on the phone said we could initiate contact if we wanted to by having the reporter appear and make the request. Let’s do it. If it as you say then there won’t be anyone to call us or he won’t call us because the game is over. If he does call see what he says about the tie in to the robbery. It can’t hurt. Besides, what if Chief Maxwell is correct and it really is a bomb, wouldn't you rather be safe than sorry. All we are talking about is time, and we still have some of it left, let's use it to our advantage."
Abbott thought it over, and as much as he hated to admit it, it would be better to be safe than sorry. Besides if something went wrong, he could always claim it was in the spirit of cooperation that things got screwed up by the State Police. Maxwell said he was going out for some fresh air and left.
CHAPTER 30
Tre sat speechless in the chair. She finally knew why she was there at the post. She was to get on TV and tell the terrorists to call in. She didn’t know who they were but she hoped they would never be caught after this one. She would be a direct line to the terrorists. New York or Los Angeles, she would just have to choose. Tre raised the news helicopter and told it to come back to the post for the broadcast of a lifetime.
The little Hughes settled in gently next to the giant helicopters. The cameraman got out the equipment, set up the remote link and camera then Tre went live. The broadcast went from the local, to the network affiliate in Detroit then to the National Network. It was then piggybacked with credit to every network covering the bridge. It was even covered real time by Fox News and CNN. No matter what channel you turned to in the regular broadcast medium, she was on it. The whole world would now know what was going on as opposed to just a couple hundred million. Live, she was going to be talking to the terrorists who were responsible for the Mackinaw bridge incident. She went on the air and identified herself then said”, This is for the people responsible for the truck on the Mackinaw Bridge. The FBI wants you to make contact as you have before. They want you to call. This is Tre Lee live from the Mackinaw Bridge, “ and then signed off.
A senior supervisor had been called in to assist Henson monitor the situation to the North and help feed the information to the Director who was now sitting at the right hand of the President. Henson would receive the raw information from whatever source he was using and then hand off the main points for the Director. The senior, Jeff Tsar, had not been informed of the Protocol 2 in the GOD complex. In fact, he was just barely aware of the existence of Level 13. He was pretty sure the information was coming from the NSA’s own version of the “skunk works” but without proof it was just conjecture. To him it was one of those shadowy fiction facts that permeated the Agency. He just knew though, that the NSA seemed to be really quick at reading somebody's mail as they were receiving it almost in real time from what he was seeing on CNN. Everything the President had learned about the situation except for a brief note had come from intelligence developed by them.
A small alarm bell started to chime to advise that a new anomaly had been discovered. Bill Watson punched in the playback to hear what was going on. Somewhere up by the bridge there was some serious equipment being used. With access to the most modern of decoding and de-scrambling equipment in the world, the computers could not break the encrypted message they were picking up. There was a conversation taking place using very sophisticated digitized equipment capable of scrambling the communication using almost limitless code key possibilities. The system was probably a Motorola third generation Saber series radio, very new and very restricted in sales. The system used a built in number generator relating to a scramble or encryption key and the transmitting unit sent it before the actual transmission to the receiving unit. The sending unit operator and receiving unit operator would key in the same known multi-digit number on a key pad before the communications started. The number on the receiving unit would have to correspond to the first number it received from the sending unit to be able to read the message. The sending unit of its own volition could switch numbers in mid-word and send in the new key number to the receiving unit.
This happened so fast, literally in milliseconds, that the sending and receiving parties would never notice the switch or any interruption in communication. The real genius to the system was even if you had the exact same equipment, you could never stumble onto and intercept the message because the units both started with a predetermined number established by the operators of the radios. This would enable the units to be in “synch” for the duration of the transmissions. The first number is set in the system to start the number sequencer and if you didn’t start with the proper number keyed into the unit at the first transmission you could never acquire synchronization. Even though your unit may be on the same number later, the number itself had a different value ascribed to it by the number generator. In other words, if you weren’t there for the start you could never catch up. Since there were approximately one billion number combinations available to the operators, it was almost impossible to capture without having one billion radios all set up with different lead numbers, or one very lucky guess. None of the communications intercepted up until this time had any sophistication to them. They were straight forward telephone, radio or fax type transmissions. What was going on now was some very serious **** by some very sophisticated people. What they were picking up now was state of the art technology that cost someone a bunch of money to get their hands on.
The DD went to his direct access to the Director and got him on the line. “Sir, we have encrypted communications taking place up in the Mackinaw area, very sophisticated encryption of a totally unbreakable matrix. Whoever is up there is not to be taken lightly. If they are terrorists they are really good. Quite honestly it’s looking more and more like someone’s agency op. When Gibson asked him “What do you mean?” Henson responded, “No one is supposed to have that equipment but the government. That transmission was broken off before we could get any more of a proximity fix than 50 miles of the bridge.” Gibson thanked Henson and turned to the President and told him of the new development. He did not mention Henson’s guess about another agency running the show, it may be the strongest possibility, but, to make a statement like that in the atmosphere at the time would require more than hunches.
1 hour 30 minutes to 00:00
The post phone rang, Phelps went over and answered it, it was the voice. “Are you gentlemen ready to pay up?” it asked. Abbott snatched the telephone away from Phelps. “This is Deputy Director Abbott of the FBI and we aren’t paying you ****. your game is up. We caught one of your bank robber buddies and we will have you before long. What the **** do you say to that *******?” the line went dead...” showed him” thought Abbott. “I am right, I am going to be the ****ing hero of this mess.”
The phone rang again, this time Abbott answered it, “Abbott”. The voice asked “ Mr. Abbott, how do I convince you that there is a bomb and we are serious unless I blow it up?” Abbott thought about that and said let us look in the trailer” “Not acceptable, and I guarantee you that if you attempt to do so the consequences for you and your country will be dire.” was the reply, “however a demonstration might be in order and as fortune would have it one was going to be inevitable as well. I will get back to you, don’t want to stay on the line too long you know” then he was gone.
The bomb and radio technicians reported to Abbott. Abbott asked how hard would it be to break off all radio traffic to and from the trailer. What Abbott was proposing would be to place explosive charges on the line running between the tractor and trailer as well as small charges at the base of all the antennas, thereby severing the communications link and capability of whoever was left out there after the robbery. They could all be detonated at the same time effectively removing the eyes and ears of the terrorists. The response was not heartening. Howell explained that in order to do that they would have to crawl all over the trailer and with the built in cameras plus the helicopters flying overhead beaming out to every one with a TV there is a real problem of doing it quickly. The other problem was they still could not isolate the location of the antennas carrying the UHF signals and until they could it was a moot point.
Another problem was raised by the radio man. “Look, we’ve never dealt with anything like this before. The complexity of the system from just what we know is far greater than any other terrorist group ever used. We really don’t have any idea what all the wiring and rigging is for. Now let’s suppose that as part of the auto destruct, if there is one, part of the system is one of the roof antennas sending a signal to another antenna just a few feet away. We know several of the radios are in constant transmit. What if the receiving unit is also on the truck. If we try to shut down the transmitters, it wouldn’t need a remote signal from a distant location. Maybe the only thing keeping it from going off is the radio transmission from just a few feet away. That is a very real possibility. We just don’t know and we have no way to figure it out until we cut off the communications. They seem to have planned for everything else so far. Why should we assume they didn’t plan for that? These people have anticipated just about every counter capability we have. It’s like they have read our own response books and then said OK to counter their counter we need to do this. Quite frankly there is nothing we can do right now that will solve this in a timely fashion if everything is as it appears, and so far it has been. If I was the President I would fork over the money and try to catch them when they cashed the check” Abbott didn’t like the sound of that at all. He instructed them to keep working on the solution.
By now all the access ports had been drilled and the report on what was discovered through them was not heart warming either. The FBI bomb technicians had been dealing with Palmer all day and they had both come to the agreement that there was just too much to the whole situation to be some kind of camouflage to cover for a bank heist. There were trips and booby traps everywhere from what could be seen through the little optic fiber camera. They tried fluoroscopy on the sides and from the top but the lead sheathing rendered it impossible to see on the inside except by the pictures and the camera. Every where they put the “sniffer” the meter was pegged with an explosives reading. There was no question that the bottom line was that the truck was a bomb. Then the crew chief caught himself, “Let me clarify. There is a tremendous amount of explosives on that truck. We have seen hundreds of feet of wiring running around the interior. We have discussed the juxtaposition of both and have come to the conclusion the two elements put together have the makings of one of the biggest bombs we have ever seen outside of military application. You will have to decide if it is really a bomb.”
They approached Abbott. "Sir", the FBI technician started, "I know that you think the truck is a ruse and only there for the purpose of the robbery, and maybe it might be, BUT, from what we have been able to surmise, there are in all probability literally tons of explosives on that truck. Now, if it was just there for a distraction, there would be no reason to go to the extent that someone went to. There is no question that the vehicle on the bridge is carrying enough explosives to destroy it." Abbott looked at them both and asked "Are you willing to stake your job on it, because if you are wrong and you make me look bad that is exactly what it will cost you." They both looked at each other and said, "No question, it is a real bomb. Further if the bridge engineer’s figures and ours are correct, the explosive force will be such that the collapsing of the center span will be the least of the worries if it goes." Abbott looked at him and asked “What do you mean?” The technician continued, “From the appearance of the construction, the size and sheer weight of the explosives involved along with the hundreds of tons of stress a suspension bridge is under from the cable lines, there is a very real possibility the release of the pressure will throw debris of substantial size for miles. When I say substantial size I mean several hundred pound chunks of concrete and steel carrying up to 2 miles at better than 100 miles an hour. The injuries and death would be catastrophic unless we managed to evacuate all those people.” Everything this side of the hill behind us will be probably be destroyed, including this building. I just want you to understand the immensity of what we are dealing with here. Whoever put this thing together has really outdone themselves as far as home made contraptions. What I am reporting to you is simply this, there is no possible way to disarm or defuse whatever it is in the time indicated by the clock. If we try and fail and it detonates, probably no one within a mile to maybe a two mile radius of the blast will survive.”
Abbot now started to lose his confidence in what he was sure was the solution to his problems. This report with what happened at the farm plus everything else started him thinking maybe he had better leave the real police work to the police. He reflected back on the file he had reviewed on the flight up and throughout the day. The Black Eagle Group had never been bested yet. What were the odds he could defeat them and live through the day? He also did not like the idea that even according to his own people the post was not safe if the bomb went off.
CHAPTER 31
The late afternoon sun was beating heavily on all the boats on the bay just idling around waiting to see what was going to happen. The sky was still cloudless and the temperature had made it into the high 80s. It would have been extremely uncomfortable outside except for the cool breeze that was result of the meeting of two huge bodies of water. Commander Allen had been pounding the water with his boat fighting a never ending battle of keeping people what he hoped was a safe distance away. There had to be better than a 1000 boats on the Lake Michigan side alone. He had just chased down another day sailor for about the hundredth time when his signalman called him to the maritime radio. The commander asked what was up and was advised someone was asking for him by name. He answered the radio and he was called by name by a gravelly voice.
“Commander Allen, The FBI has taken a very bad attitude and now a demonstration is in order. Please be sure that the area is clear of all water traffic off of Gros Cap for at least 1 mile to the south from the point. We would not want innocents getting injured, but if they are not out of the area the demonstration will continue just the same. If you have any questions you can direct them to Deputy Director Abbott of the FBI at the Michigan State Police post. Also, there is a 36 foot Chris Craft with a bright vertical stripe on it anchored off Gros Cap. It is unoccupied and is going to be part of what will happen next. Do not approach it and be sure no other water craft are within a mile of it. You also might want to be sure the helicopters flying about are out of the way. It will be impressive.“
Gros Cap was just a spit of land settlement on the Straits just on the northern side. There had to be 300-400 boats prowling the area. Allen told his crew to head flank speed to the area and get this guy Abbott on the phone.
Allen had just cleared the radio when the post phone rang and it was the terrorist on the other end. Phelps had answered the phone. “Put Abbott on the line” Phelps handed the phone to Abbott. “Mr. Abbott, we were not any part of any robbery and in order to demonstrate what we are capable of, as I indicated a demonstration is in order. I have just told Commander Allen of the Coast Guard to clear an area of Lake Michigan for my demonstration. I will be calling you in approximately 20 minutes. When I call you I want you, your bomb technicians, the State expert and your bridge engineer to go to the truck and retrieve the contents of box 3. Your technician will immediately follow the instructions contained in Box 3 and use the appropriate equipment you will find there. You may also take anyone else you wish but you specified people must go. You will not try to open box 4 until after you have seen the demonstration. If you try to retrieve the contents of number 4 before the demonstration, you will trigger the bomb and die. You will not send minions or someone dressed like you. As you are aware by now there are cameras on the truck and we will know if you are there or not. If you do not go, the bomb will be blown and you will have lost. If you go you may still be a hero. If it is as you propose and all a ruse you will have nothing to fear any way. Can you afford not to go? We have not caused anyone to die yet, because we know you would never give in to our demands if we shed blood. Now you are forcing our hand. Be most assured, everyone within sight of the bridge is in peril if you do not follow our instructions exactly. I will call you back when it is time for you to go out to the truck.” then he was gone. Once again Phelps looked at the communications tech and again the trace could not be completed.
The President had just been briefed on the communications traffic that had just taken place between the Coast Guard, Abbott and the terrorist. “What the **** was going to happen now” wondered the President as he told his FBI director to get Abbott on the line. Abbott walked over and picked up his special phone and answered, relieved to hear only the Director on the line for a change. He was told hold on for the President. By now Abbott had figured out either the President had a mole in the post reporting everything or the NSA was really working overtime on this one hard. “Abbott”, the President spoke, “What are you going to do?” Abbott replied, “I am going to call his bluff and just ride it out. I’m not going anywhere.” The President simply stated to Abbott, “Remember what I said about that bridge and that if it comes down you had better be under it? I’ve been told by everyone here that there is too much sophistication to what has been going on to be these bumbling idiots that pulled the robbery. We have to take every step we can to buy time to get this resolved without losing the bridge. If that means they want you out on the bridge, you go out and do the dog and pony show until I say otherwise. And if you still are planning on not going out onto that bridge to see what the hell is going on I am going to direct your guard contingent to drag you in chains behind a car if they have to, but you will be on that bridge. Do you understand that?” Abbott knew he was serious, even if he quit on the spot, the 2 agents with him would still drag him behind a car if told to do it. He really had no choice at all, “Mr. President, I will do as you request, but I am right on this and we are just playing into their hands. We should end this right now and just refuse to do anything any more.” The President told Abbott,” Then it shouldn’t make any difference if we play it out should it?”
All was not rosy at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. It was coming up on crunch time and the key to it all was sitting right in the lap of a president who had managed to take the blame for nothing for his years in office. There was no hiding on this one and no one to pass the buck to. The President had his aide get the Treasury Secretary on the line. The conversation was quite short and simple, how much money could be wire transferred in minutes if it became necessary and how was it to be accomplished if the United States did have to give in to this terrorist group. The answer was short and to the point. In about
10-15 minutes the Treasury could transfer a billion dollars to anywhere in the world they had a phone. The only action required was for the President to declare a National Emergency and give him the word. The paperwork of an Executive Order could follow up later on. Just that simple. The President thought about it for a while. The US had never openly conceded to terrorists, Of course there were always back room secret deals between countries and groups all the time. It’s just that they were just that, secret. The people didn’t need to know of the cooperation that took place between very strange bedfellows around the world. In this case there would be no keeping it secret, no hiding the losses with slush funds. No, $300,000,000.00 was too much for any Department to be keeping quietly in their sock drawer for a rainy day. If he paid it would be right out on front street and on the front page of every newspaper in the world. If he didn’t pay and the threat was real, the loss to the economy of the State of Michigan and the giant auto industries would have a ripple effect across the entire country to a point where a billion dollars would be a bargain. Besides there was something the Director of NSA mentioned about tracking wire transfer funds that he needed to check on further.
Messler had been slowly working his way back to the post. He had returned with the EST and HRTs on the Johnson bus tour through crowds of high tens of thousands of people now and thousands of cars. The tourists realized that they could be part of history in some perverse way and instead of heading back south to another way of traveling they were staying and taking up every where there was a parking spot or a place to stand and watch the bridge.
Messler had worked his way back to the truck where the FBI technicians were pulling out their bag of tricks for exploring the vehicle but nothing worked. The lead shielding on the walls of the trailer kept the x-ray and fluoroscope from penetrating any part of the trailer. The tractor had been examined over every inch without touching it. Finally one of the techs put an electrical meter on the metal of the truck and at first the reading was zero, then the voltage jumped to approximately 500,000 volts. Somewhere inside was the electric fence unit running off of a bank of batteries kept freshly charged by the diesel tractor. It was still too hot to get onto even if they were allowed to. Anyone trying to get into the tractor had better be encased in heavy rubber. The other situation that was discovered was that the tractor itself was the home to at least 12 motion and tremble sensitive switches that had been placed in various nooks and crannies of the body and frame. The wiring was all shielded running back to the main wire run that connected to the trailer. And the really bad news was those 12 were only the ones they discovered. Who knew how many others were lurking behind panels or in compartments. There was just no way to figure how many trap switches there were or what they did.
The trailer itself was the epitome of tough nuts to crack. The only information actually developed from it was by means of the mini-cameras. The trailer had been entered through the orange hatches and after the interior was observed. The technicians had decided that the pictures were accurate as to the construction and materials. Everywhere they scanned outside of the plate access areas they could see wires and sensors that appeared to be part of a complex of booby traps that simply could not be circumvented by any means they could come up with outside of a controlled laboratory and certainly not in the time frame they were dealing with. Through a computer assisted digital enhancement program a long shot of the rear doors of the trailer showed at least four contact switches that would break contact when the doors were opened. All the people at the trailer who were in the bomb building business figured that given enough time anything is capable of being penetrated and negated, but if the clock was right, they were screwed. Either it would blow or the government would pay. Disarming would not be an option.
Messler was talking to Greg Mack and Palmer and looking out over the sea of watercraft that had slowly filled the Straits. Off to the far East and West they could see the Great Lakes freighters running slow loops around the islands to keep up a head of steam as they waited for clearance to cross under the bridge. They had been comparing notes of the day when the portable radio Palmer was carrying came to life. The 3 of them were being called into the post for some reason.
They all arrived back at the Post and Poloski approached Messler. Poloski had been relegated to being a desk sergeant since his last dressing down from Phelps and he had been kept out of the critical information loop. He stepped in front of Messler as he came around the corner headed towards the conference room. He looked at the detective and demanded to know what he had been doing. Messler had been dealing with his sniping at him throughout the day. He had simply ignored him as he went about his activities. This time he had had enough of the sycophant pain in his ass. He looked a Poloski and said “If you were important enough or competent enough to know then the Lt. Col would have you involved. You want to know what is really going on, maybe you should ask yourself that question while looking in the mirror. As for what is happening regarding the threat, you should ask Phelps, now get off my ass.” He stepped around the open mouthed man and continued to the rear of the post. Polski turned and realized that the room had grown fairly quiet as the people at the desk area witnessed the dressing down of the Inspector. To the State personnel watching the incident he growled, ”What are you looking at, get back to work.” Under his breath he could be heard cursing Messler and swearing revenge and departmental charges.
They entered the conference room and were filled in on the situation as it had developed to that point. Messler, Mack, Palmer, and anyone else who felt the urge would be going out to the truck to witness some kind of demonstration that the robber/terrorists were going to provide to convince everyone that the threat was real. Abbott had continued his posturing that there was no bomb and that it was all tied into the robbery. He was adamant of his position, but he didn’t want to go out onto the bridge. He still could not bring himself to believe in the incident being the work of the BEG, to do so meant his defeat. But, at the same time his resolve was being crushed by the reports of his own technicians. He was still waiting for Hawken and Edmore to call in but it would make no difference. Whatever the results he had to go out on the bridge and he had grave forebodings of what would be the result.
Commander Allen’s crew had been broadcasting on any frequency they had available to their radios to try to get the area of the so called demonstration cleared of the boat traffic. After about 20 minutes of running, calling and sometimes threatening he managed to get the Pointe cleared. Interesting place he thought. No homes or anything for a good mile to two miles. He was summoned back to the radio again. It was the man he had talked to earlier. “Well done Commander. Did you see the boat at anchor I advised you about? Do not approach it. It is laden with explosives and is under surveillance. Any approach will result in your people getting killed for nothing.” then the transmission stopped.
STRAITS RED chapters 29-31
Water Situation Critical in India
That is the most of any country in the world, according to the UK-based charity, which aims to provide clean water and better hygiene to people without them.
Disputes with neighbors over the sharing of water from rivers that cross national boundaries also means tensions are rising as water shortages grow."
source: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-i...-idUSKBN1HW1P2
OMG had no idea it was so bad there.
desperate for more food they've been irrigating.
one of their rivers comes out of China, who is planning to dam, which could make things worse.
"To the north and northeast, however, India fears a loss of water to upstream China, which plans a series of dams over the Tsangpo river, called the Brahmaputra as it flows into eastern India."
I hate all the rain but I'm blessed to be living in a well-watered land (Merryland)
anyone wi any knowledge of India and its water issues?
Water Situation Critical in India
Mike, one00100
You will find a great deal of information and experience here to learn from. The search feature is your friend and free!
“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly.”
- Robert Heinlein
Mike, one00100
Trump Can't Stop Winning; MSM Keeps Losing
Excerpts:
* The media got to celebrate itself, as the media loves to do, at Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner, but this past week was the kind of nightmare journalists have been having since Nov. 8, 2016. The president they despise was having a huge week filled with his massive political victories and PR success.
* Then he got a full dose of “dragon energy” from rap star Kanye West.
* “CNN Tonight” anchor Don Lemon wondered about West, asking “if he cares about black people.”
* Meanwhile, liberal icon Joy Reid was under attack from other liberals for reported homophobic statements made in years past, which she then lamely claimed were part of a hacking plot.
* Tom Brokaw became the latest #MeToo target when he was accused of sexual misconduct by former NBC journalist Linda Vester.
* The political events were even more incredible. North and South Korea agreed to a “common goal” of denuclearization. CNN led with “North and South Korea vow to formally end Korean War.” This follows President Trump’s aggressive carrot-and-stick diplomacy with North Korea. Unlike his predecessor, it appears Trump may actually deserve a Nobel Peace Prize.
* Mike Pompeo was approved as new secretary of state by a sizable 57-42 vote, despite opposition.
* And President Trump looks primed to win a Supreme Court case on his immigration ban, based on questions posed by the justices.
There are too many other "and"'s in the article to violate the SB infringement policy. Certainly worth a read and a gut busting laugh!
Trump Can't Stop Winning; MSM Keeps Losing
Hi Point 995TS 9mm Carbine from $259
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Survival Bosnia. A real situation. Long read
I am from Bosnia. You know, between 1992 and 1995, it was hell. For one year, I lived and survived in a city with 6,000 people without water, electricity, gasoline, medical help, civil defense, distribution service, any kind of traditional service or centralized rule.
Our city was blockaded by the army; and for one year, life in the city turned into total crap. We had no army, no police. We only had armed groups; those armed protected their homes and families.
When it all started, some of us were better prepared. But most of the neighbors’ families had enough food only for a few days. Some had pistols; a few had AK-47s or shotguns.
After a month or two, gangs started operating, destroying everything. Hospitals, for example, turned into slaughterhouses. There was no more police. About 80 percent of the hospital staff were gone. I got lucky. My family at the time was fairly large (15 people in a large house, six pistols, three AKs), and we survived (most of us, at least).
The Americans dropped MREs every 10 days to help blockaded cities. This was never enough. Some — very few — had gardens. It took three months for the first rumors to spread of men dying from hunger and cold. We removed all the doors, the window frames from abandoned houses, ripped up the floors and burned the furniture for heat. Many died from diseases, especially from the water (two from my own family). We drank mostly rainwater, ate pigeons and even rats.
Money soon became worthless. We returned to an exchange. For a tin can of*tushonka*(think Soviet spam), you could have a woman. (It is hard to speak of it, but it is true.) Most of the women who sold themselves were desperate mothers.
Arms, ammunition, candles, lighters, antibiotics, gasoline, batteries and food. We fought for these things like animals. In these situations, it all changes. Men become monsters. It was disgusting.Strength was in numbers. A man living alone getting killed and robbed would be just a matter of time, even if he was armed.
Today, me and my family are well-prepared, I am well-armed. I have experience.
It does not matter what will happen: an earthquake, a war, a tsunami, aliens, terrorists, economic collapse, uprising. The important part is that something will happen.
Here’s my experience: You can’t make it on your own. Don’t stay apart from your family; prepare together, choose reliable friends.
1. How to move safely in a city
The city was divided into communities along streets. Our street (15 to 20 homes) had patrols (five armed men every week) to watch for gangs and for our enemies.
All the exchanges occurred in the street. About 5 kilometers away was an entire street for trading, all well-organized; but going there was too dangerous because of the snipers. You could also get robbed by bandits. I only went there twice, when I needed something really rare (list of medicine, mainly antibiotics, of the French original of the texts).
Nobody used automobiles in the city: The streets were blocked by wreckage and by abandoned cars. Gasoline was very expensive. If one needed to go somewhere, that was done at night. Never travel alone or in groups that were too big — always two to three men. All armed, travel swift, in the shadows, cross streets through ruins, not along open streets.
There were many gangs 10 to 15 men strong, some as large as 50 men. But there were also many normal men, like you and me, fathers and grandfathers, who killed and robbed. There were no “good” and “bad” men. Most were in the middle and ready for the worst.
2. What about wood? Your home city is surrounded by woods; why did you burn doors and furniture?
There were not that many woods around the city. It was very beautiful — restaurants, cinemas, schools, even an airport. Every tree in the city and in the city park was cut down for fuel in the first two months.
Without electricity for cooking and heat, we burned anything that burned. Furniture, doors, flooring: That wood burns swiftly. We had no suburbs or suburban farms. The enemy was in the suburbs. We were surrounded. Even in the city you never knew who was the enemy at any given point.
3. What knowledge was useful to you in that period?
To imagine the situation a bit better, you should know it was practically a return to the Stone Age.
For example, I had a container of cooking gas. But I did not use it for heat. That would be too expensive! I attached a nozzle to it I made myself and used to fill lighters. Lighters were precious.
If a man brought an empty lighter, I would fill it; and he would give me a tin of food or a candle.
I was a paramedic. In these conditions, my knowledge was my wealth. Be curious and skilled. In these conditions, the ability to fix things is more valuable than gold.
Items and supplies will inevitably run out, but your skills will keep you fed.
I wish to say this: Learn to fix things, shoes or people.
My neighbor, for example, knew how to make kerosene for lamps. He never went hungry.
4. If you had three months to prepare now, what would you do?
Three months? Run away from the country? (joking)
Today, I know everything can collapse really fast. I have a stockpile of food, hygiene items, batteries — enough to last me for six months.
I live in a very secure flat and own a home with a shelter in a village 5 kilometers away. Another six-month supply there, too. That’s a small village; most people there are well-prepared. The war had taught them.
I have four weapons and 2,000 rounds for each.
I have a garden and have learned gardening. Also, I have a good instinct. You know, when everyone around you keeps telling you it’ll all be fine, but I know it will all collapse.
I have strength to do what I need to protect my family. Because when it all collapses, you must be ready to do “bad” things to keep your children alive and protect your family.
Surviving on your own is practically impossible. (That’s what I think.) Even you’re armed and ready, if you’re alone, you’ll die. I have seen that happen many times.
Families and groups, well-prepared, with skills and knowledge in various fields: That’s much better.
5. What should you stockpile?
That depends. If you plan to live by theft, all you need is weapons and ammo. Lots of ammo.
If not, more food, hygiene items, batteries, accumulators, little trading items (knives, lighters, flints, soap). Also, alcohol of a type that keeps well. The cheapest whiskey is a good trading item.
Many people died from insufficient hygiene. You’ll need simple items in great amounts. For example, garbage bags. Lots of them. And toilet papers. Non-reusable dishes and cups: You’ll need lots of them. I know that because we didn’t have any at all.
As for me, a supply of hygiene items is perhaps more important than food. You can shoot a pigeon. You can find a plant to eat. You can’t find or shoot any disinfectant.
Disinfectant, detergents, bleach, soap, gloves, masks.
First aid skills, washing wounds and burns. Perhaps you will find a doctor and will not be able to pay him.
Learn to use antibiotics. It’s good to have a stockpile of them.
You should choose the simplest weapons. I carry a Glock .45. I like it, but it’s a rare gun here. So I have two TT pistols, too. (Everyone has them and ammo is common.)
I don’t like Kalashnikov’s, but again, same story. Everyone has them; so do I.
You must own small, unnoticeable items. For example, a generator is good, but 1,000 BIC lighters are better. A generator will attract attention if there’s any trouble, but 1,000 lighters are compact, cheap and can always be traded.
We usually collected rainwater into four large barrels and then boiled it. There was a small river, but the water in it became very dirty very fast.
It’s also important to have containers for water: barrels and buckets.
6. Were gold and silver useful?
Yes. I personally traded all the gold in the house for ammunition.
Sometimes, we got our hands on money: dollars and Deutschmarks. We bought some things for them, but this was rare and prices were astronomical. For example, a can of beans cost $30 to $40. The local money quickly became worthless. Everything we needed we traded for through barter.
7. Was salt expensive?
Yes, but coffee and cigarettes were even more expensive. I had lots of alcohol and traded it without problems. Alcohol consumption grew over 10 times as compared to peacetime. Perhaps today, it’s more useful to keep a stock of cigarettes, lighters and batteries. They take up less space.
At this time, I was not a survivalist. We had no time to prepare — several days before the **** hit the fan. The politicians kept repeating over the TV that everything was going according to plan, there’s no reason to be concerned. When the sky fell on our heads, we took what we could.
8. Was it difficult to purchase firearms? What did you trade for arms and ammunition?
After the war, we had guns in every house. The police confiscated lots of guns at the beginning of the war. But most of them we hid. Now I have one legal gun that I have a license for. Under the law, that’s called a temporary collection. If there is unrest, the government will seize all the registered guns. Never forget that.
You know, there are many people who have one legal gun, but also illegal guns if that one gets seized. If you have good trade goods, you might be able to get a gun in a tough situation. But remember, the most difficult time is the first days, and perhaps you won’t have enough time to find a weapon to protect your family. To be disarmed in a time of chaos and panic is a bad idea.
In my case, there was a man who needed a car battery for his radio. He had shotguns. I traded the accumulator for both of them. Sometimes, I traded ammunition for food, and a few weeks later traded food for ammunition. Never did the trade at home, never in great amounts.
Few people knew how much and what I keep at home.
The most important thing is to keep as many things as possible in terms of space and money. Eventually, you’ll understand what is more valuable.
Correction: I’ll always value weapons and ammunition the most. Second? Maybe gas masks and filters.
9. What about security?
Our defenses were very primitive. Again, we weren’t ready, and we used what we could. The windows were shattered, and the roofs in a horrible state after the bombings. The windows were blocked — some with sandbags, others with rocks.
I blocked the fence gate with wreckage and garbage, and used a ladder to get across the wall. When I came home, I asked someone inside to pass over the ladder. We had a fellow on our street that completely barricaded himself in his house. He broke a hole in the wall, creating a passage for himself into the ruins of the neighbor’s house — a sort of secret entrance.
Maybe this would seem strange, but the most protected houses were looted and destroyed first. In my area of the city, there were beautiful houses with walls, dogs, alarms and barred windows. People attacked them first. Some held out; others didn’t. It all depended how many hands and guns they had inside.
I think defense is very important, but it must be carried out unobtrusively. If you are in a city and SHTF comes, you need a simple, non-flashy place, with lots of guns and ammo.
How much ammo? As much as possible.
Make your house as unattractive as you can.
Right now, I own a steel door, but that’s just against the first wave of chaos. After that passes, I will leave the city to rejoin a larger group of people, my friends and family.
There were some situations during the war. There’s no need for details, but we always had superior firepower and a brick wall on our side.
We also constantly kept someone watching the streets. Quality organization is paramount in case of gang attacks.
Shooting was constantly heard in the city.
Our perimeter was defended primitively. All the exits were barricaded and had little firing slits. Inside we had at least five family members ready for battle at any time and one man in the street, hidden in a shelter.
We stayed home through the day to avoid sniper fire.
At first, the weak perish. Then, the rest fight.
During the day, the streets were practically empty due to sniper fire. Defenses were oriented toward short-range combat alone. Many died if they went out to gather information, for example. It’s important to remember we had no information, no radio, no TV — only rumors and nothing else.
There was no organized army; every man fought. We had no choice. Everybody was armed, ready to defend themselves.
You should not wear quality items in the city; someone will murder you and take them. Don’t even carry a “pretty” long arm, it will attract attention.
Let me tell you something: If SHTF starts tomorrow, I’ll be humble. I’ll look like everyone else. Desperate, fearful. Maybe I’ll even shout and cry a little bit.
Pretty clothing is excluded altogether. I will not go out in my new tactical outfit to shout: “I have come! You’re doomed, bad guys!” No, I’ll stay aside, well-armed, well-prepared, waiting and evaluating my possibilities, with my best friend or brother.
Super-defenses, super-guns are meaningless. If people think they should steal your things, that you’re profitable, they will. It’s only a question of time and the amount of guns and hands.
10. How was the situation with toilets?
We used shovels and a patch of earth near the house. Does it seem dirty? It was. We washed with rainwater or in the river, but most of the time the latter was too dangerous. We had no toilet paper; and if we had any, I would have traded it away.
It was a “dirty” business.
Let me give you a piece of advice: You need guns and ammo first — and second, everything else. Literally everything! All depends on the space and money you have.
If you forget something, there will always be someone to trade with for it. But if you forget weapons and ammo, there will be no access to trading for you.
I don’t think big families are extra mouths. Big families means both more guns and strength — and from there, everyone prepares on his own.
11. How did people treat the sick and the injured?
Most injuries were from gunfire. Without a specialist and without equipment, if an injured man found a doctor somewhere, he had about a 30 percent chance of survival.
It ain’t the movie. People died. Many died from infections of superficial wounds. I had antibiotics for three to four uses — for the family, of course.
People died foolishly quite often. Simple diarrhea will kill you in a few days without medicine, with limited amounts of water.
There were many skin diseases and food poisonings… nothing to it.
Many used local plants and pure alcohol — enough for the short-term, but useless in the long term.
Hygiene is very important, as well as having as much medicine as possible — especially antibiotics.
Original source:*http://personalliberty.com/2013/05/06/one-ye…
Survival Bosnia. A real situation. Long read
m-16 vietnam bayonet
All the ad said was..."Vietnam era M-16 bayonet..15$.."no pic or any other info.
I had no clue that there was such a thing.
If nothing else,for 15$,it might be a cool letter opener
What to ask,or look for..or any comments welcomed.TIA.
m-16 vietnam bayonet
Who makes the best powdered powdered orange juice drink?
[unable to retrieve full-text content]
The title says it all: Criteria; Looks like orange juice (pulp would be nice too). Tastes like orange juice packaged for...Who makes the best powdered powdered orange juice drink?
samedi 28 avril 2018
Camper Trailer as Bugout Location-Questions
I have acquired a piece of land in upstate NY. I want to set it up to use for weekends, hunting trips and as a place to go if the SHTF etc. Not much $ to spend.
There is power to the site (not sure I will use it). There is no septic or well yet. I was thinking of picking up a cheap used camper trailer (24-30 foot range) and putting it there. What should be my concerns (setting aside for the moment things like human aggression and theft)?
I can put in a well, but how does one avoid freezing of the lines for something like this? Same with septic. Do you have to put in a foundation and heat underneath? Do people do this?
Would it make more sense/$ to pour a slab and put up a small barn/shed?
I didn't see an area here on the forum for discussing things like this - if I'm in the wrong place, I apologize.
jn
Camper Trailer as Bugout Location-Questions
Pietta Model 1851 Confederate Navy .44-Caliber Revolver - $149.99 shipped
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Pietta Model 1851 Confederate Navy .44-Caliber Revolver - $149.99 shipped
Great Tribulation
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Great Tribulation
Straits red chapters 18-21
Maxwell returned to the post to see what else he could help with since the radio men were in their own little world of hertz and bands for the moment as they plotted how best to nullify what was going on. The maintenance boom truck had just arrived at the post as well as the engineer in charge of the bridge structure.
Gregory Mack, was dressed in his usual woodland camouflage BDU pants and an oversize T-shirt with a large Yellow Labrador on the front. The shirt, a XXXL did a poor job of masking the fact that he was massively built from his years of weight lifting. He preferred to be called “Greg” and had been working for the Mackinaw Bridge Authority for about 3 years. He had grown up wanting to be an engineer and work with bridges ever since his father had helped him with a 4th grade school project in which he had to build a bridge out of Popsicle sticks. The bridge had to hold ten pounds while suspended between two points. His dad, an engineering school drop out had shown him what triangles and trapezoids could do in the right proportions with the right placement and a little glue. Not only did it hold the required 10 pounds, it never broke when the teacher maxed it out at 50 pounds.
Greg was hooked. He was a 4.0 grade point through high school and then at college at Michigan Tech, one of the best engineering schools in the country. He had a dual major in both Mechanical and Chemical engineering along with several extra courses and minors in Architecture and structural designs. After getting out of school he had a few different jobs but never got to do anything with bridges until he saw the opening for the Mackinaw Bridge position. At the interview he told the Bridge Authority interview team, “With the last name of Mack who else could you hire?” That and the best qualifications for the job got him hired. He had spent the next 3 years going over every nook, cranny, bolt and rivet of the great old bridge. He walked cable lines with the maintenance people with the aplomb of someone who had worked high steel all of his life. He would even take care of changing the flashing warning lights on top of the towers 500 feet over the Lake if no one else was around to do it. For an engineer he was more than just an egghead pencil pusher. Within 3 years time no one knew the bridge better than he did. As he walked into the post to introduce himself Phelps noticed him almost immediately, there was an air of familiarity to him.
Greg and Max knew each other from seeing each other around so
Maxwell made the appropriate introductions. When he got to Phelps, Phelps asked him if his father used to be a police officer, his response was “Yes, Gary Mack is my dad and he used to be an officer”. Phelps advised Greg that he had worked with his dad on a couple of occasions when he was assigned to a State Police drug task force. Messler and then Palmer both realized that they too knew Greg’s dad. Messler had met him once just briefly when he was a new troop. He was wondering who in the hell was the dirtbag walking free in the post when he saw him the first time. He just KNEW this guy couldn’t be anything but a crook. It was only when the post commander came up and started talking to Mack and then was introduced to the young trooper that he was saved the embarrassment of confronting the undercover officer. Later on he had heard stories about
Mack when he was in uniform, about the fights, about the shootings, and the attitude with which he worked his area. Some of the stories would have been written off as pure fabrication if there hadn’t been so many witnesses to what had taken place.
One night when Messler was still a “cub”, a new trooper, he had seen Mack leaving the post and his curiosity got the better of him. He walked up to one of the senior troopers and asked him, “What’s the deal with that city guy” is he as bad as they say?” The troop looked at him and said, “I've been with Gary when it was bad, I mean armpit deep in *******s and blood. All I can tell you young trooper is do not EVER **** that man off.”
The first time Palmer had met Gary Mack was a night when Palmer was also a new trooper out on his own. He had chased a car into the ghetto in the city where Mack worked and didn’t know for sure where he was. The guy Palmer was chasing then wrecked his car and took off on foot. Palmer got out one call for assistance on the radio before he caught up to the guy to arrest him, or, try to. The guy Palmer was grabbing onto was a known drug dealer in the area but not to Palmer, he was also the size of a small car. Palmer grabbed onto him and got swung around behind the guy. He then was taken for a ride. They eventually crashed through a screen door into the interior of the house where there were a whole bunch of people who don’t like police and they were “doing their thing”.
Mack had responded to the area, found the patrol car and tracked Palmer down by means of the debris and the yelling going on. Palmer had just been shook off of his people ride when Mack arrived. Palmer’s first view of Mack was as he came bursting into the house like an animal barely under control. He roared orders at everyone in the house and everyone came to a stand still, even Palmer. He turned to him and asked, “Who do you want troop?” He just sort of indicated the walking refrigerator, Mack looked at the guy and ordered him to grab the kitchen counter top. The mountain grabbed on with great gusto and froze. Mack asked for Palmer’s cuffs, locked up the big man and then asked “Anyone else?” Palmer just shook his head no. On the way back to the car, hoping the guy would fit in the back seat he introduced himself to Mack, thanked him profusely knowing that if Mack didn’t save his life he certainly saved him from a serious ass kicking. He then said “I’ve got to ask you, how did you do it? I was fighting with all I had and telling him and them to stop and nothing worked. Why did they listen to you?” While helping to put the prisoner in the car Mack simply replied “These people know me. They know I don’t **** with them unless they have it coming. They also know that I will make a public service message out of them if I have to.” When Palmer said he didn’t understand Mack told him “You make an extreme example out of someone, the rest of the public gets the message”.
Phelps, told Greg “I always had a great deal of respect for your dad, what did he do after he left the drug team?” Greg replied, “Well, you know he had his law degree, so he took a job as a prosecutor where we lived up North. He was feeling guilty about being away for so much of the time while my brother Chris and I were growing up. He didn’t like being a prosecutor but he would never enter private practice. He said that he met and worked with a nicer class of people when he was buying and selling drugs for a living than when he was stuck in a courthouse dealing with most of the lawyers and some of the judges all day. After Chris finished college and he felt his obligations were done he just packed up one day and said “I need some time” then told my mom he would be back, took what he could fit in his pickup and left. Last I talked to him was about a month ago.
He’s living on a boat somewhere in Alaska. My brother is into climbing and dad promised him some nasty mountain and glacier experience so that’s where they are last I heard. My mother sold off the house and everything else and moved to Florida with her mother and her sister. The folks are still married. I know he calls her from time to time.”
Chris Brown was really sweating it now. The post phones were ringing off the hook from calls from news services wanting to know what the hell was going on. At first the idea was kicked around about claiming a toxic spill but then the place should be swarming with workers in moon suits. A mechanical break down of the truck would not be realistic. Bio-chemical hazard, back to moon suits. Then finally he had an idea.
Call it what it was, a truck full of explosives just broken down that have to be handled very carefully, just nothing about the terrorist crap. That would handle it all. It was approved and went out on the wire to get the heat off of them and the spectators back from the bridge.
“So”, Greg asked, “what brings all you folks here and what’s all the excitement about?” Phelps laid it out in straight forwards terms. “We think there is an extremely large explosive device in the truck parked across the center of the bridge. We have received a ransom demand and we need you to see if there is anything we can do to lessen the damage if it does go off. Also, what kind of damage will we expect to the bridge if it does go off.” Greg started asking questions. “Do you know what kind of explosives you are dealing with and what are the pressure wave parameters. Also, what kind of charges are we dealing with? Are they shaped, platter or just bulk?” Phelps and Palmer both wondered about these questions with kind of blank looks on their faces. Seeing the quandary, Greg advised “You had to know my dad, he started teaching me about explosives when I was in high school. I was using det cord, and dynamite before I was dating.”
After hearing that Palmer showed him the pictures and gave him the explanation of what he thought of the bomb and its effectiveness. After seeing the pictures Greg thought about the whole situation and said “Well, let’s go out to the bridge and have a look at it.” Phelps had wandered back to see how it was going and heard the statement. He said “No, you can’t go out there you’re a civilian and it’s too dangerous.” Greg looked at him and replied ”Look, you need me to see what can and can’t be done. If they were going to blow the bridge they would have done it. I have to see where it is in relation to the structure in order to assess the potential damage. Are you coming?” Then
addressing Lt. Palmer he said “Bring those pictures of how it is placed in the semi so I can see exactly how it sits in relation to the bridge structure” and then was on his way out the door. Phelps saw him leave, looked at Palmer and said “You can tell he’s Mack’s kid. Go with him before he picks up that truck and throws it off the bridge himself.”
CHAPTER 19
Greg Mack, Palmer, Messler and Maxwell went out to the semi and joined the radio technicians. The boom truck was next to the semi and Bill was on the crane over the trailer. So far the voice had not raised an objection to the activities. Before Greg started his task Bill came down off of his boom truck and called over Messler and Palmer to advise them of his suspicions. “See those little smoked glass looking things placed all over the trailer? I think they are covers for those digital chipboard cameras. I've also seen what look like little condenser mikes in place of rivet heads around the trailer. I can’t guarantee it but I think some of these radios are microwave and are beaming out real time video and audio of everything going on around the trailer. Smile, we are on candid camera.”
Greg looked at the position of the semi and seemed worried. He studied the pictures of the semi interior and compared them to where the trailer was sitting. After being on the bridge for 3 years he knew everything there was to know about the bridge substructure and the superstructure. While looking at the pictures he asked Palmer if there was any idea what was in the 55 gallon drums that were stacked in the corners of the trailer? Palmer alluded to the list of chemicals that were itemized in the list retrieved from the truck. Greg told Palmer that along with explosives background from his dad he also had a degree in chemical engineering as well and could he see the list.
After looking at the list, Greg looked at Palmer and ran off a list of chemicals and mixture percentages that only he and Palmer understood as the others looked on. Finally, he asked Palmer if he knew what the chemicals would do if mixed appropriately. When Palmer admitted he did Greg said “You know if there is as much of that brew in that trailer as it looks, then it’s not only the road and substructure we have to worry about. See the direction of the cones if they are shaped charges then with the placement of the barrels, they can actually use each other to increase the total amount of over pressure from that blast if it were to occur. There would probably be an overpressure wave traveling in the 20,000-25,000 feet per second range. With the capacity of the volume from the barrels and the proximity to the main support cables there is a real chance that the plates set in front of the charges would have the ability to slice through the suspension cables and the casing. Then if accurate enough and any of those other plates hit one of the support towers, it could crack a tower. With the release of balancing pressure from the suspension system and the integrity of the concrete damaged or penetrated by one of those plates”…. he let it hang. “If that happened it would bring down everything between the towers and maybe even the towers themselves. There is no guarantee that it wouldn’t happen anyway. The towers are holding the strain of the cables. If the suspension system was cut all at once, the resulting stress would be like releasing a giant rubber band. The violence of the release of tension may bring down the towers anyway, even if they aren’t hit by anything. There would be enough steel and concrete in the shipping channel to close the Straits for weeks, maybe even months if demolition crews weren’t allowed to simply blast away all the obstructions”
Palmer and Greg returned to the post to advise Phelps of the situation. Phelps needed to know some answers so he could advise the Governor of the best and worst case scenarios. He also wanted to have an idea if the structure would be put out of service and if so how long as well as an idea of how much to repair the damage. Greg advised that periodically there was a revue done for just such emergency situations such as an errant plane or freighter doing lots of damage. There had never been any contingency planning on the scale that this potential event would require to repair.
Greg went to the large case he had brought into the post and pulled out a set of blue prints of the main bridge structure. He pointed out the main support cross beams and substructures. He indicated that the position of the truck was almost perfect to maximize the amount of damage to the entire span. “With the way those projectile plates show up in the pictures, there is no question that every major I beam and bridge brace would be sheared through. Along with the pressure wave generated by thousands of pounds of explosives with the way the drums are placed, the shock waves hitting the vertical supports at the same time the road is being cut, who knows, maybe we lose the towers maybe not, even if they don’t come down the cracking will probably be so severe that they most likely will have to come down anyway.” Phelps asked the question no one wanted to ask. “What would it cost to fix and how long would it be out of service, best guess?”
Greg pulled out his calculator and ran numbers for about a minute. looked up and said “If the bomb goes and we get all the breaks without tower and serious suspension cable damage but the road structure is destroyed, figure the bridge will be out of service a minimum of 6-10 months unless 24 hour a day schedules and work shifts are run then might be able to do it in 4-5 months. Costs anyway you cut it would be a minimum of $400 million. All the steel in the adjoining area and the welds and rivets would have to be x-rayed because of the potential damage due to shock. All the concrete would have to be drilled and tested and then patched, lots of work to even make a minimal situation back to normal. Worst case scenario, the towers go, the suspension cables have to be replaced, we are looking at $800-900 million as an absolute minimum and a year to a year and a half. If we have to design a replacement bridge, clear the old one away and build new, and we can get away from all the environmental requirements of the State and Feds for such a project, we are looking at probably 3 years or so and about $1-1 1/2 billion and change. If we have to deal with all the environmental issues then all bets are off and we had better plan on going back to car ferries”. Phelps was not looking forward to making that call to the Governor.
Phelps contacted the Governor by way of his aide. The aide wanted all the details before putting Phelps through. Phelps had been up too long and in the business too long to put up with that petty bull**** and told the aide that the Governor could call him back when he had the time. The aide immediately responded the Governor would take the call and put him through. “Well, have you got it figured out? Have you got it all handled?” asked the Governor. Phelps looked at the phone then bit his tongue. He had over 30 years in with his military time buy in option and could leave with his full pension anytime. Today might be the day. “Governor”, he started “we are still trying to figure out just what we are facing. We believe a terrorist group known as the Black Eagle Group has created the truck bomb. We have only had the one request for money from the person who calls claiming to be the responsible person. The amount they want right now is $100 million dollars. The governor roared in shock at the sum of money saying we will NEVER pay anything for someone threatening to damage the bridge. What’s the worst that could go wrong?”
Phelps replied, “What I can tell you is that we have the bridge engineer here and he says if the bomb goes off the least damage we could expect is $300 million and out of service 4 months (may as well put the best spin forward I can for now) “ Totally unacceptable” yelled the Governor at Phelps as he continued “that is the best case, the worst case is $1 billion plus and no bridge for 3 years”, further, that has nothing to do with the economic damage the State would suffer as a result of the loss of the bridge.” Thought Phelps, “I’ll bet that made your ******* pucker”. The Governor told Phelps he would get back with him.
Governor Arkie was not a brave man. He had achieved his height of power by never making a decision without checking a poll and having a test sample of voters contacted and asked “What if the governor did this?” Then, depending on response he would decide. The economy was strong so no one noticed that he was just along for the ride. He was not going to be able to take a pre-poll on this one before a decision was made. He called in his toady Brent Edwards, who sucked up better than a dustbuster. Arkie, ever the coward had to talk to someone. He told Brent about the conversation with Phelps and then asked “What can I do?” If I don’t pay and the bomb blows the bridge I am the Governor who let it happen and I cost the taxpayers millions. If I pay the extortion I am the guy who caved and cost the taxpayers millions. “What the **** do I do?” Brent possessed a Masters in Political Science. He also was smart enough to know because of his weasel personality he couldn’t get elected to a dog fight but he also knew that he could in essence be the governor by leading this one where ever he wanted. After giving it a few minutes thought Brent smiled at Arkie and said “No one can blame you for anything if the US Government came in and took over then something bad happened. It would be their fault, and if something good happens it was because your leadership came up with the saving solution for the people of the State". Arkie mulled it over for a second, gave a slight smile, straightened his tie a little and said to Brent “get the FBI on the phone.” “Very good decision sir”
CHAPTER 20
The phone rang in the FBI operations center in Detroit and woke the duty officer from his nap at the desk. It was a Monday after a large Federal holiday weekend and he knew it would be late in the day before the big Federal machine roused itself out of the long weekend vacation and got into gear. No one ever called the FBI at this time of day. Only the most junior agents or agents in the doghouse had the night watch duties. Clearing his throat before answering the phone Agent Smith answered the phone on the 3rd ring. The high pitched whine on the other end identified itself as the aide to the Governor of the State of Michigan. (yeah, right) thought Smith. He asked Brent what could the FBI do for him? Seconds later not only did Brent have the attention of Smith but Smith was charged with adrenaline. Wow, he thought, if this works out I might be able to get back on days. He got a call back number for the Aide and advised that he would be contacted by senior agents shortly.
Smith checked the location roster that kept track of every command person in the Bureau above the rank of section chief to see which high ranking person was closest to the scene. He discovered that Deputy Director Abbot, the number two ranking person directly under the Director was in Detroit that weekend and he punched in the contact numbers to his hotel. The FBI was different from most government bureaucracies these days. Division level and higher personnel were apprised of situations immediately and then they decided how far down the food chain assignments would go versus working up from the bottom. Ever since the debacles of Ruby Ridge and Waco, when field personnel made some horrible decisions, such as the shoot on sight rules of engagement at Ruby Ridge that cost Vicky Weaver her life, the FBI had tried very hard to rebuild its tarnished image. The command staff decided that they would forgo a little sleep as opposed to letting someone farther down the chain of command make a decision that would reflect badly on their still questionable image.
Harold Abbot answered the hotel phone on the 6th ring after untangling himself from the arms and legs of the very junior female agent who was sharing his bed with him while he was out making his “inspection” over the weekend. One of the perks of being a Deputy Director was the ability to plan field trips when the wife would be otherwise occupied in another part of the country. “Abbott” he growled into the phone. Smith detailed out the information that he had received and gave Abbott the contact number for the Governor. Abbott told Smith to get the HRTs activated and find some fast transport. Smith advised that there was the Selferidge Air National Guard base just outside of Detroit in Mt. Clemens and he could get anything he wanted there. Abbot then broke off and while dialing up the Governor thought about how this situation just might push him into the Director’s chair if all goes well. If all doesn’t go well, he'd have to have someone else to blame. He got the Governor on the phone and listened to the rambling and disjointed dissertation about what was going on at the bridge. The Governor assured the Deputy Director that total and complete cooperation would be provided to the FBI and that the situation would be completely under their control once they arrived on scene.
“What an *******’ thought Abbott, “of course we will have total control, we don’t work for anyone, we’re the FBI” Abbott advised the Governor that the situation would be under control and resolved today and not to worry.
One thing you had to give the FBI and the Federal government credit for was when they pushed the panic button the amount of resources they could throw at a problem was awesome. A phone call here, a phone call there and all of a sudden you have 20 HRTs, 2 bodyguards and 4 helicopters to get you where you need to be. Behind them but on the way soon in more commandeered Guard aircraft would be some of the best investigators and technicians they had as soon as they got collected. Abbott had instructed the Guard helicopters to meet everyone at the Detroit City airport, he’d be damned if he was going to have to go all the way to the Guard base, and after waving bye to his bed warmer he was out the door headed North.
CHAPTER 21
Manny was safely tucked away in his office when the secretary advised him that Tre Lee was on the phone and asking for him. Manny’s heart leapt at the news, she was the hottest reporter in the area and not just because she was good at getting news. Deep inside Manny had mental illusions of doing things to her and with her of which his wife would never approve. He took the call. “Tre, what can I do for you?” “What’s going on Manny” she asked. “The bridge is closed, there are cops everywhere and nobody is working on moving that truck off of the bridge. There is also a SWAT team at the post and they look like they are getting ready for a war.” Manny knew he couldn’t tell her the real story but still he couldn’t really bring himself to say he didn't know anything. That would indicate he wasn't important enough to be in the loop. He finally said, “Well it looks like a truck with some radioactive rods broke down and they are just being careful”
Tre was already aware of the recent State Police press release and so she knew immediately that Manny was lying again. She also knew about the friction between Maxwell and Manny and decided to try something. She took one of her famous gut feeling shots and said “Some other police chief I interviewed said it was some sort of terrorist thing.” Manny sat bolt upright, and he took the bait, he knew Maxwell was trying to upstage him and steal all the limelight so he would be damned if he would lose out another sound bite to him. “Was it Chief Maxwell? He wasn’t supposed to tell anyone anything about the bomb on the truck. It was all supposed to be kept under wraps.” Tre remained silent. Manny continued “Well since he already blabbed to you I’ll fill in the rest. I was the first one to the vehicle and found out about the radios in it and the remote control devices that seem to be used to control various functions on the truck.” He left out the part about almost being electrocuted and blown off the bridge from his stupidity. When he finished he had provided enough information that in wartime he would have been shot for treason. He included in his soliloquy the name of the terrorists supposedly involved, the Black Eagle Group. “So, did I fill in the blanks for you Tre?” She didn’t have the heart to tell him that he would be the only one quoted as a source for her information. “Manny”, she said, “you are without a doubt the most important person I have talked to today, thanks for the info” then she rang off. Her next call would be to the station manager, he would have to be involved in the extent of information to be released. “Hollywood here I come’ she thought.
Manny was still in his office thinking about how he had ****ed Maxwell when one of the officers advised him he may want to take the call on line that was the direct connection to the bus garage. Manny said hello and the voice on the other end identified himself as Bob down at the public transport garage. He said he had just received a very strange phone call. Seems a guy was getting ready to go fishing this morning. He had his boat down at the Black Point Marina. Anyway, he was on the end of the dock looking at the bridge about 4:00AM and he sees this guy jump off of the center of the bridge. Saw it plain as day. Said the moonlight was good enough to make out the shape. He sees this speed boat pick the guy out of the water. He didn’t really think anything about it. Figured just some kids prank.
Anyway he is getting ready to go out and here the speed boat comes racing into the marina. Says 2 guys pull into an empty slip and jump out and run. They are laughing and stuff about the bridge. They were both wearing ski masks, he figured because they could get in trouble for jumping off the bridge and didn’t want to be identified. He comes back from fishing and sees all the traffic and starts hearing about the stuff on the bridge. Figures he should tell about the 2 guys he saw. Said their boat is still down there in the slip when he got back. It looks like a Sea Ray about 21 feet. Has the name “Black Eagle Revenge” Manny almost jumped through the phone “What’s the guy’s name and where is he?” Bob replied, “I asked but he was real reluctant to give me that information. I asked if he had a telephone number he could be reached at and the guy said he didn’t want to get involved and hung up.” Manny asked him, “Why did he call you?” and he replied “The guy said every time he tried the police numbers the phones were busy. This was the only way he could get through to someone official.” Manny exploded out of the chair and ran to his car. If all went well he could be at Black Point Marina in 15 minutes. The only problem for Manny was Black Point Marina was out of his jurisdiction and he had no plans at the present of notifying anyone who would have jurisdiction at the marina. HE would get all he could and wrap it up before anyone else could beat him to it. He could see himself on Nightline as he gunned the car toward the West.
The direct line started ringing again from the toll booth supervisor’s office. Smith looked at it with dread. For hours the booth operators had to deal with the death threats from the motorists refused passage over the bridge. Semis had been commandeered to physically block off all approaches to the bridge other than the one that ran out of the rear of the State Police Post onto the southbound lanes. That entry was now being guarded by one of the troopers with a car blocking access. The toll booth operators were not a happy lot. Each time they asked if there was any idea how long the bridge might be closed the answer was “I don’t know. What do they want now” Smith answered and had the super on the phone, who said “ I got a call from some old guy who was camping next to Black Point Marina this morning and was leaving, when at about 4:00 in the morning he saw the truck lights flashing all over the bridge and was staring at it through his binoculars when he said it looked like someone jumped off the bridge and got picked up by a boat. Said he could see it fairly clear because the whole thing was backlit by the moon. He saw him get picked up by a speed boat that pulled into the Marina. The caller didn’t think anything about it, just thought it was some prank until he was most of the way home and heard something on the radio about a bridge problem. He tried calling the post but the number was always busy.” “Did you get his name” asked Smith? The toll supervisor said the guy didn’t give it too him, said it was too far away to get involved and hung up. Smith screamed for Messler.
Phelps was brought up to speed on the phone call and he told Messler and Johnson to get to the marina and see what they could find out. They headed out for Black Point Marina. The Marina was on the South shore of the Straits about 10 miles out of Mackinaw City and to the West. It wasn’t big as far as marinas on the Great Lakes go. It was big enough to hold 50-60 boats and nothing bigger than 30 feet. They picked up a goose on the South side of the semi and “kicked the tires and lit the fire” they were at better than 100mph when they cleared the bridge.
Tre was just kicked back sitting on the sand thinking about the conversation she had with Manny and then her station manager. They were going to have to mull this one over for a while and she had advised that the competition was no where in sight and that she was sure that she was the only one who had the real story at this time. The Station would get back with her because they were going to contact the national network and work out the details. They also wanted to contact their legal department about the seriousness of the information they had. They didn’t need to jeopardize their FCC license by creating a national security problem. Just then one of her crew alerted her to the blue patrol car screaming off the bridge approach. She ran to the chopper where Hanson was already in the process of spinning it up to speed. The little turbine engine reached operational temperature and Hanson yanked the collective, rolled in throttle and climbed for the sky. As they broke through 700 feet they saw the car running it’s overhead light racing to the West.
The helicopter took up a position high to the rear because they didn’t
want the officers to know they were there until they got to where they were going. They saw the car slide into the Black Pointe Marina and saw a confrontation with Manny taking place. Tre had been on the “beat” up here for a long time and knew that the marina wasn’t in the City of Mackinaw City. She was wondering why Manny was there. Their police scanner had carried no radio traffic for him or the troopers to go to the marina yet they both were there. They had dropped down to about 200 feet off the ground to get a closer look. They were wondering about the conversations taking place when Hanson got that feeling on the back of his neck that kept him alive in Vietnam and other combat zones.
There was no explanation for why it happened he just knew better than to ignore it. It was simply something he felt, and not that he saw. To Tre it seemed all was OK then for no apparent reason he jerked hard on the controls and rolled the agile little Hughes on it’s roof as he almost dove it into the ground into a small field next to the marina. He then had to snap the little helicopter back upright before he could give it maximum throttle and collective to keep it from slamming skids first into the ground. When Hanson finally stopped the dive he was no more then 5 feet off of the ground. The maneuver was so violent the camera Tre was holding was almost imbedded into her chest then slammed to the floor. She was just about to scream at John “Are you crazy?” when the words caught in her throat as the sky where they once were was obliterated by the form of a HUGE helicopter running at maybe 10 feet above the tree tops level at over 180mph followed by another and 2 Super Cobras flying cover 300 feet above them. “What the hell is going on up here?” said Tre to her pilot and to no one in particular. “Follow them and see if they are going to the bridge, we can always come back here and I can always get the information out of Manny” Hanson looked at the departing aircraft and said he would try but he was giving up better than 50 MPH even with his best efforts.
Manny had arrived at the Marina and was advised by the marina manager that there was no slip rental to anyone with a boat called the “Black Eagle Revenge.” So, Manny was in the process of racing around the Marina looking at the names of the boats. He could see the headlines now, how he had single handedly solved the case of the century. U.S. Senator Robelli, now that had a ring to it.
Manny had just found the Crestliner and could even see what looked like a rolled up parachute under the bow and was starting to board it when Messler and Johnson came into the parking area sideways then slid to a halt. They saw Manny’s car then Manny standing on the rail of a boat. Messler was beyond the level of being furious. They went to where he was and see just what the hell he was doing there. Messler was also painfully aware of the helicopter running circles overhead. He knew it was the news chopper that he had seen earlier. Ah, the wonders of the 1st amendment, ya gotta love the news folks. Manny was shocked to see the arrival of the troops before he had solved the case. He was also panicking knowing that he had no authority outside of his jurisdiction and could be seen as hindering the case if he didn’t spin his story well. Messler approached Manny with fire in his eyes and desire to kill in his heart. Manny had screwed up several investigations in the past by getting involved in cases that were not his and he was not going to screw up this one.
“What the hell are you doing here?” he yelled at Manny. Manny, ever ready to tell someone a lie if it covered his butt said he had been waved down by a driver as Manny was in the area following up on a previous larceny that took place in the city. He was almost in front of the Marina when he was waved down and the person reported seeing a guy all in black with a helmet on a boat in the Marina. So he thought he would save Messler some time to see if he could see anything. He was just getting ready to call him when the 2 officers arrived. “Bull****” thought Messler, but now was not the time to wring the squirrelly little cocksuckers neck. The problem was that if they went on board and found something without the warrant they would lose it as evidence and also any thing it led to under the theory of “the fruit of the poisonous tree.” Messler told Johnson to get on board and look to see if any one was present on the boat, to be sure they would be secure from attack, but don’t search while on the boat, he was going to call Phelps. The boat was an open speedboat with an elongated bow. Johnson just gave Messler a funny look, then said, “OK” and hopped into the boat and looked under the bow storage area.
Messler walked to the rear of the boat he saw the name and the “Black Eagle” at the post took on more significance. He got Phelps on the line and told him of the boat and its name. He also advised of the legal problem. Search without a warrant and potentially lose evidence but maybe find the terrorists in time or wait for a search warrant and be legal, he left the call to Phelps. Phelps thought about it for about 2 seconds and then said “**** the search warrant get what you can and run with it. We’ll worry about cleaning it up after we have the *******s bagged.” Messler thought, “You had to love Phelps, he tried to solve problems and said **** the political correctness”. Just as he was breaking the connection with Phelps, the air roared from the sounds of the 2 giant CH47 Chinooks hugging the tree tops with a pair of Super Cobras flying in formation with them. They were headed for the bridge. “Now what” thought Messler?
At the GOD command post Watson gleaned some new information from the intercepted cell traffic to the post. He dialed up Henson's coded extension. Henson knew it had to be the duty officer because the phone had been dedicated to his use. "What do you have now?” he asked fearfully. Watson replied, "Looks like the cops found the terrorists’ boat. It has the name Black Eagle Revenge on it. Man, the file on these guys was really right on the nose. They've left everything but signed pictures of themselves saying who they were." Henson just took in the information having reached the point beyond disbelief. He sort of absentmindedly responded, "Thanks" for the information and broke the connection.
Straits red chapters 18-21
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