A Flight Attendant - page eight

8

The Military was always something that happened elsewhere at some other time and the recruitment that must be involved was at the end of the Street or in another Town and didn't really affect Cassy. The British Navy might be known for its' Historical press ganging, but America was always spoilt for choice about the employees. One thing was for sure the choice of Sexual partners was about to get a reduction. Sex with potentially violent men was not to the liking of any Girl however well trained the Man could claim to be and the use of Alcohol and substances had recently been reported at an all time high along with the Wife beating and Murder in the paid Armed Forces. Looking at individuals as Human with all the frailties that entails was habit forming, but after a few Bar fights Humans begin to look pretty much the same, taking on the form as potential aggressors whose elimination proved to be good for a short term gain in most circumstances. Hefty Beef filled Males full of testicle driven rage might prefer to go down to an Elephant gun over any other approach and a fully trained killing machine standing in front of you would be enough to force a full submission from well over 99.9% of the population. 'Stay off the Booze' was about the only advice that made any sense for anyone here.

The vagueness as to the duration of the course and the actual realities of Forest dwelling left her not best prepared and the expectation was geared towards working a Computer terminal in a well heated environment with plenty of facilities and down time. Ration Packs and holes in the ground as the Toileting had not come to mind as the place of Manufacture for the Computer Controlled vehicles had everything for modern living in the Office Block elevated and away from the Shop Floor.

'So that was a Colonel then?' Cassy was going to show interest as soon as she could. The driver who was part of the training section had motored for about ten minutes before dropping them off at a pair of Shipping Containers, the Uniformed Soldier had been given the Key and he was now going to open them.

'Major, you mean. No, that's a Junior Officer, they run things. I did see a Major a couple of weeks ago and he was not in a good mood so I'll be happy just to see some Junior Officer or other.' He had the Padlocks off and just let them hang there. 'Okay, someone will have to stay here while I get the Power on and the systems up. That's a cue to volunteer.'

'I'll be Okay here'. Cassy was going to be helpful as well as talkative. The other person was a female dressed in heavy Hiking gear and was yet to vocalize about anything.

'Fine.' Said the soldier, 'If armed hostiles come along just surrender, I value my life.' The doors of the containers opened, one was there as the operations space and the other the living space. The power came on by plugging a Mains lead in that was hanging down. Cassy stepped away and turned round to lookout for anyone who might then be in a position to lock them in or take them prisoner or whatever. The two containers were kept level by what looked like old Railway sleepers jammed in and on the inside a welded hole joined the two making the left tin box the Computer room and the right a living section. The Toilet arrangement was a Heavy duty Shovel, a brush and a bottle of disinfectant; these could live outside the Door after a brief reorganisation.

The defensive surveillance system needed calibrating and this involved making sure the motion sensors were not overly sensitive and would activate the right alarm and switch the monitoring equipment. Moving as instructed the two novices also waved a long pole about to make sure any Drone would be detected as well, the whole thing needed retesting at least once a day if not more as sleepy Computers seemed to emulate the sleepy mistake laden operators. Their was a Flying Computer controlled Camera, but this would probably not be needed and the elevated Camera that sat on top would be of more use, the flying guide for the vehicles would be providing enough of this to keep them occupied.

'Well, we seem to have some time now, I'll play the Video. It goes through some things.' The Soldier didn't have to mess about with VHS tapes or worry about plugging into a TV, this was all Mouse clicking on the main console. 'It's only forty minutes.' Part way through a vehicle dropped off a load of supplies and some warmer clothing, socks and Boots for Cassy whose unpreparedness had not been missed, the Military Maneuvers could be lasting as long as six weeks.

The supply vehicle's co-driver/passenger had time for a bit of a chat and briefing. They would be guiding two vehicles that carried Water, Ammunition and Ration Packs and these would be arriving at about 12 o' clock, midnight. Gas for the stove was to be used outside if possible and near the door if it was raining, but the weather forecast for the next few days was clear.

Lots of things double checked and the complexities of the machinery gone over and of course the Video viewed, the three of them moved into the living quarters and decided to get some Food and a Beverage before deciding on where the sleeping Bags should be going; all the alarms and indicators were working and the Radio easily audible. Rena the other person was not normally overweight, she had just put on weight for the venture, Cassy continued to quiz her as she'd proved she was not shy or veered away from conversing. 'I dropped out of the Reserves about 5 years ago, but when I sent off for another Computer course someone picked up on it and asked if I might be interested in something like this. I never objected to the Camping aspect of the Military and this gives me a chance to continue to work away at a Keyboard so I thought this is great and I get paid. You didn't seem too prepared for the basics of the Outdoors, do the Boots fit alright?'

'Yes.' Cassy didn't know what she was expecting, but was pleasantly surprised by the friendly replies and now an inquiry from Rena. 'The Socks that go with them make for a snug fit, good Footwear.'

The Sleeping arrangement had still not been discussed, but the Cooking just outside the open Doors of the right hand container under a sheet that was tied across the top of the Doors made for a great Coffee and Sausage snack. The other container could remain with the Doors nearly closed and locked if it started to Rain, the Computers did not like the damp and heating was in this container not for the comfort of the Humans, a small blower ensured anything that needed drying out fast could be back in action quickly.

'We can get some rest for a while, I'll take first, two and half hours each should take us up to time. You can make com. tests and checks every 1/2 hour, hour or not at all, someone will call or notify if they want us.' The Soldier did know what he was doing after all.

Definitely colder now it was past midnight, one person was needed to monitor the desks and Radio while the Sleeping Bags had enough room to get laid out, an inflatable Lilo could be the most important pack item in future. The time crawled past 2am and then seemed to stop advancing at all, maybe this drop Aircraft was a fantasy or a notional concept introduced to keep up morale before a scheduled execution at Dawn. Now just after 3:30 am, the Radio announced, 'Screentime less than 5 minutes.' The sleeping section was abandoned to peer at the currently blank Monitors and after several minutes a dim light brightened, taking the form of an Aircraft that landed in the middle of the screen, stopped and dropped it's Tailgate. The camera added a view to the screen of the exterior and now the interior. A few figures had large metal levers that loosened chains holding the gear they'd be using in place. Everything on the plane was freed and screens gave different information and viewing came to life. 'You're up', was heard over the Radio after a huge Tank, tracked vehicle made it off and on to the Runway and then to the Dirt track. The two Supply, tyred vehicles made it off and followed each other to start towards the first of the points marked on the Map. As much automation as possible made up the system and this was taken care of by the Soldier, but extra pairs of eyes for monitoring the progress was always a big help. This was far too exciting and new as well as possibly adventurous to stay lying down and grabbing much needed rest, the 2 novices eagerly looked on.

The first Way-point was a few hundred km. along the dirt track and then their was a turn before the second, after that the Map was blank and the Radio communication would become weaker, the flying Drone would have to attach range extenders to something or anything above Head height to keep the signal strong and would also be the eyes to get them toward the final point where they would become of use to the assault force. All this was Hours away though and it was only just becoming light, the Soldier gave up his seat and Rena took the spot, 'I'm taking some rest, I know the schedule's a bit awry, but let's see what we can do. Wake me if their is anything.'

'Okay.' Said Cassy. 'The flask has some Coffee.' She knew he knew that, but putting yourself forward as singing something someone might like to hear couldn't be amiss or hurtful at the moment.

The 2 Vehicles made progress and extra Cameras and sensors were brought up populating the large number of screens in front of them while the feed from the Aircraft could now be replaced with a backward view from both cars, it was way too early to launch the fly-Drone from the lead motor and it had to stay under a low ceiling anyway to avoid detection. The Path was mapped for a few kilometers and then it was going to be rougher terrain with ditches possible and perhaps expected and desirable given the Pole Vaulting capabilities of the Vehicles, their would have to be at least some Trees if the Radio boosters were going to be given any chance to work. Cassy was up soon as the Driver, she'd taken note of it all and wasn't expecting any real difficulty with any of it. The packs carried were fairly light if you could consider Water and Metallic ammunition not heavy, but every bit might be counting towards overall mission success.

Now it was Cassy steering, controlling and driving. She could stay in the seat and could adjust what she liked using the Trackpad, Keyboard or other controllers, but the main thing was signal strength and their was still plenty of this although the edge of the known terrain and Road had been reached just as it started to get light enough for the Cameras to start making exposure adjustments. Two possible routes were coming up, the Drone would have to fly ahead to pick the best route and the Soldier took his seat a few minutes before Cassy was going to start making noises about needing some help. The Camera on the Drone revealed the easiest Path avoiding a very nasty Ditch and Water arrangement. The Eye in the Sky flew ahead and then returned to its' seat on the lead vehicle. Cassy could get some rest, but stuck with it a bit longer and when the clock crawled round to 9 am her sleeping Bag beckoned and that was it for a couple of Hours.

Long, hard nights had been awarded such a description in her Diary before, but this would definitely be getting first place under the heading, she came to and found the destination point reached with orders waited for. They were now thinking about firing up the stove for something to eat, but a vehicle arrived asked after the welfare and dropped off Hot Bacon sandwiches, Flasked Coffee and a replacement Keyboard, just in case. The Radio wanted some attention and this was going to be the start of the push toward the objective and a Radio extender needed to be deployed and then both Camera Drones had to bear down on the position to give a good view to whoever was overlooking it all.

A Tree successfully Homed the catapulted piece of Tech. that had an incredible range of sensors, a camera and a Wireless Communication range extender and the 2 Drones flew forward to where the small Nest of Houses were waiting to change ownership, the relayed sounds were of Gunfire and images of Smoke, running and crawling hit the Cameras in full Colour. Not too long and surrendering Soldiers appeared walking slowly toward the bemused Assault Force who pointed them toward the backlines as they went forward. It was all a rare and fantastic event playing out onscreen before Battery warnings were visible and the Flying Marvels returned to a Holster and started recharging. The resupply moved forward again to another point on the Map and awaited the attention of the exhausted, but now much more cheery Men.

The Motors could serve as Emergency transport for any Casualty, but this would involve dumping everything off and then picking it all back up later, but as it was the main use was going to be bringing the Rubbish back and any Ammo. and casings now surplus to requirement. The Water would lessen the weight for the return, but Flack Jackets would make for much more bulk and these had to be strapped tightly. It was starting to get dark before the small convoy started its' way back to the Airfield come Runway. No sleep had been gained through the afternoon, but they took turns at making up for it with some good rest involving closed eyes.