Cliffhanger
The War of the Americas - Chapter VI
Dom opened his eyes and for a moment he thought he was in his own bed. He rolled over expecting to see his wife Sylvia lying next to him. Instead he saw a man in dress uniform looking down at him. Suddenly his memories rushed back and he recalled the dizzying events of the the past day. The US bombing of Mexico, the arrest order for all US citizens living in Mexico, Sylvia's calling her new employers for help, the arrival of the SEAL team, the death of his two beloved dogs, his wife's decision to stay behind, and his own decision to lie to the SEALs and say she had been killed. He winced as he recalled the gruesome death of the young Mexican soldier only inches from his own face. His mind replayed the moment when his head broke into pieces from the impact of a SEAL sniper round. He put his hand to his own face expecting the blood and bone chips to still be there, but they had all been wiped away and he was clean, though he desperately needed a shave. It had been a long while since he had any time to even think about grooming. His long, wavy black hair must look like a bees nest he thought before chastising himself for worrying about his appearance at a time like this. The last thing he remembered was the sands of the beach exploding all around as he and the SEAL team boarded the small RIB and raced north as quickly as they were able. He managed to prop himself up onto one elbow just as the man standing next to his bed spoke "Dr. Platt, How are you feeling? My name is Lieutenant Tim Stephens, medical officer aboard the USS Jack H. Lucas, but everyone calls her the Luke or Cool Hand Luke for short. On behalf of the Navy I would like to officially welcome you aboard and express my sincerest sympathies at the death of your wife. We are now officially at war with Mexico and sadly she will not be the last American to die I'm afraid." He paused there. Dom had heard the genuine sadness in the young Lieutenants voice, and it was reflected in his dark brown eyes. He was grateful for the expression of sympathy, even if it was misplaced. His wife was not dead. His dogs however, were, and his emotional reaction to that terrible news once again played to his advantage as tears came to his eyes almost immediately as he thought of them. Lieutenant Stephens of course thought they were for his wife and continued to stand silently over him waiting patiently for Dom to get his emotions under control some until saying anything more. Before he could speak again there was a banging at the door of the small medical room where Dom had been brought to rest and recover. It swung open and two men in suits and wearing dark sunglasses strode into the room. One of them spoke "Lieutenant Stephens you are dismissed, we need to speak with Dr. Platt, now." It was strange to see two men who appeared to be civilians summarily dismiss a Navy officer and Dom fully expected some protest from the Lieutenant, but instead he simply nodded his head and quickly moved out of the room, shutting the door behind him as he went.
By Everyday Junglistabout a year ago in Chapters
The War of the Americas - Chapter V
Author's preface: Previous chapters can be found at the links. Chapter 1, 2, 3, 4 "Where is Mrs. Platt?" The Seal again barked at Dom. Dom's mind reeled as he sought to provide an answer that would satisfy. He knew that if he told the soldier his wife was still in the house he would insist on a rescue attempt, and very likely would succeed. Dom was sorely tempted to do just that as it would result in what he very much wanted, Sylvia with him as they fled Mexico. However, she had told him she wanted to stay, that she needed to stay. He knew in his heart that she might never forgive him if he did not give her that chance. And, he knew, that ultimately she was right. She could do much more good for the war effort from behind enemy lines then with him safe in America. Having made up his mind he replied "She's dead." The Seals eyes widened "What? Are you sure? Are you one hundred percent certain?" The tears still in his eyes over the death of his two beloved dogs likely helped him sell the lie as he replied "Yes, I am certain. All she was doing was trying to stop the dog. She made a move to block him, and the Mexican soldiers just opened fire. She was shot multiple times. In the head and the body. No one could have survived. She is dead. Let's go." The seal radioed to his team that he and Dr. Platt were on the way out, back to the RIB. He instructed them to provide covering fire if needed and prepare for immediate departure. They both turned and raced down the long winding stairs to the beach as quickly as they were able. They faced no resistance and quickly reached the bottom, where sat the waiting RIB along with the four other SEALs that made up the extraction team. Dom had never even seen them until they were almost on top of them. Their camo was expertly crafted to the environment and their movements so precise and practiced they appeared as if ghosts out of the sands of the beach. They had all embarked onto the small boat when the first gunshots rang out. The sands of the beach exploded all about and rained down on them as the boat raced away at full speed. They heard shouts and a few bullets that whipped by their heads much too close for comfort though fortunately none found their mark and they were out of range within moments. Dom worried about any Mexican patrol boats that might be launched to intercept them from the Coronados. He did not know that the SEALs had already closely reviewed intelligence data on the islands from US spy satellites and concluded their was no real threat. The few small boats the Mexicans kept there were not fast enough or well armed enough to threaten the SEALs especially with US close air support launched from San Diego or the many US Navy aircraft carriers in the region only minutes away if needed.
By Everyday Junglistabout a year ago in Chapters
Everwar
Praythee, hark. You have come for a tale, and we have quaffed a peltful of ale. . . (That rhymes, what joy!) and the lot falls to Us to tell the tale of Palandrus. Of the desperate battle. Of the loss of our planetary system. We must talk of our people. We must remember. For the lost.
By Conor Darrallabout a year ago in Chapters
Speak Not
Any self respecting swiftie could tell you Taylor’s 3rd album is her first (and only) completely self written album. The title track Speak Now, is a cute pick me story of a girl who crashes her ex boyfriend's wedding as he’s about to say I do. It ends with him realizing she’s the one he truly loves, leaving his bride, who is made to seem uptight and unfun, at the alter as he and Taylor run out hand in hand into the sunset, ending the song in a fairytale happily ever after. At least, it’s a happily ever after for her, but you know what no one thinks about? The poor bride, standing at the alter in front of all of her (and his) friends and family, who spent months planning everything, thousands of dollars making everything, only for someone else to have their happy ending. Today, I am that bride.
By Kelsey Windsabout a year ago in Chapters
Worth the Wait Part6
Crystal already knew what type of Pandora’s box she would potentially be opening by making this phone call, but she couldn’t worry about that right now. All she could think about was confirming or denying Cane’s involvement in this cartel mess. She swallowed the nervous ball in her throat and made the call to her ex, Rami Blackwell lead detective of the police department. They had dated for about three years, but that was over five years ago. There was no bad blood between them; things just didn’t work out with them actively pursuing their careers. They just didn’t have time to work on building their relationship. She hadn’t talked to him in a while, but she was willing to face the awkwardness for some information.
By Crystal Caneabout a year ago in Chapters
The War of the Americas - Chapter IV
Author's preface: See links for Chapter I, II, and III of the story. "Fuck Syl, only 10 minute left, what about the cats and the dogs?" He had just completed packing his small bag and stood in their bedroom near the large windows overlooking the patio and the cliff-face which dropped down about 150 feet to the beach and ocean below. Sylvia's heart dropped to the floor as she thought of her two cats. They were the only things she loved as much or more than Dom. She could not believe she had forgotten about them. Dom's thoughts had turned to their two dogs. They had been his best friends for almost five years now, the frisbee loving German Shepherd Mynos, and the Anatolian Shepherd, a gentle giant they had named Mythos. It would be impossible for even one, let alone two dogs to fit onto a small RIB packed with SEALS while trying to remain unnoticed by Mexican military. As he tried desperately to come up with an idea for how he could possibly bring the dogs with them, suddenly the door bell rang, and then he heard loud banging at the door. Sylvia looked at Dom eyes wide and whispered "Go Dom, now. Get to the beach. I will do what I can to stall them. I have been thinking. I am not going with you. I have to stay. Do what I can to help the other Americans who will have been arrested. The Mexicans don't know I'm CIA. There is so much more I can do from behind enemy lines then with you in the States. I must stay, and you must go. And you must go now." Suddenly there was an explosion from upstairs. They had blown the door. Six Mexican regular army and three Guardia charged through the door guns drawn yelling in English that they were under arrest and they had been authorized to used deadly force to detain anyone who resisted. Then Dom heard a low growl, "Oh shit, oh no, Mynos, no" he screamed and ran toward the door in the direction of the stairs and the dogs. Sylvia grabbed him, twisted his arm around behind his back, settling him into an arm lock from which there was no escape. The speed with which she executed the move was incredible. Dom had barely registered her movement before he was trapped and held fast. She held him tight against her body speaking into his ear as he struggled against her. "You can't help her Dom. You have to save yourself. Go, God Damn it. Get to the beach as fast as you can." He heard another growl, loud barking, and then a scream. Mynos had attacked the lead Mexican intruder and clamped down hard on his leg tearing out a big chunk of flesh. Blood flew in all directions. Then a gunshot, a yelp, and Dom new she was dead. Mythos heard it too and the big dog went berserk in his rage at the death of his long time companion. He charged the remaining army and national guard, managing to severely injure two in his furious attack before he too was shot and killed. From the sound of it, it took at least six shots to put him down, not surprising given his size and strength. "No, God damn it" Dom screamed. "God damn you. My dogs. My babies." He cried now as he screamed. Sylvia still held him tight, as he continued to struggle against her. Tears were now pouring down his cheeks, and she was crying too, for him and for the dogs. She kissed his ear said "I love you baby. I will see you again. Now go. Out the patio door, down the stairs to the beach, Run. As fast as you can. Run." then she pushed him away towards those patio doors as hard as she could, turned and sprinted out the bedroom door towards the soldiers upstairs slamming the door shut behind her as she went. Dom considered briefly following right after her, but he knew she was right, and there was nothing he could do. Instead he made for the back patio and the stairs leading down to the beach.
By Everyday Junglistabout a year ago in Chapters
The War of the Americas - Chapter III
Author's preface: See links for Chapter I and Chapter II Sylvia was an intellectual and athletic prodigy. She had skipped high school and gone straight to college at age 14, graduating at age 18 with honors. In addition to her academic prowess Sylvia excelled in athletics competing at a high level in track and diving and winning a Georgia state women's championship in archery. After graduation, she went on to law school and medical school although she finished neither, instead opting to pursue her passion for laboratory research and animals, quickly completing a Ph.D. in veterinary science and animal health. Since then she had become a 2nd degree black belt in Krav Maga, the fighting style pioneered by the Israeli secret police, and one of the most dangerous forms of martial arts on the planet. She was just as deadly with weapons as her hands, and, in addition to her archery skills was a near Olympic level marksmen with the rifle, handgun, and the weapon she favored most, the crossbow. Her shooting skills were not all that surprising as she had grown up in the backwoods of Georgia and was shooting and hunting since almost before she could walk. She was also proficient or expert level with a variety of stabbing and stick based weapons. In his mind Dom pictured her as a cross between Linda Hamilton from the Terminator movies and Mad Max. Since they had moved to Mexico the association with Linda Hamilton in T2 had grown. In short, she was exactly the type of woman you wanted around for the post apocalypse, and their current predicament had him thinking along those lines.
By Everyday Junglistabout a year ago in Chapters
