Everyone having sex is at least 18. This is a work of fiction. I made it all up. This story more so than most of my writing is proof that I write fiction. That means that no, I am not in the Army, I don't live in Canada, I have never been on a dog sled, and this story will most likely never happen. It is a heck of a story, so check reality at the door and enjoy it for what it is.
Warning: this is a self-edited story. I do use Grammarly to help reduce my ability to murder the English language. Special thanks to goducks1 for his help.
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Chapter 31 - The General Visits
2 weeks later ...
Kim is all smiles, Barry is doing much better and is being released from the hospital today. He will be resuming command. Tom is going home but is leaving behind several key people to assist Barry with his command. Barry is still sore and weak. I would do anything to help, but they need a bureaucrat to fill out forms, and I clearly do not fill out forms. They still giggle about that.
I have not been needed for a long time now. They feel like I help Barry out though. I think it's much more likely he enjoys seeing Penny, Kim, and Mary. I can't say I disagree with him. The girls are ready to go home. The living conditions here are far from what we have at home. We reside in a beautiful house, but Penny has brought a new level of luxury to the home, and everyone appreciates it.
I have been working with my team a lot. They have been busy rounding up the few strays that are still trying to hide. They are all almost as good as me. I am still the best at planning and preparing them for what can go wrong. It's amazing at how often one of the situations we discuss comes up. They know exactly what to do. With three of them, they are sent out both individually and as teams. The extra dogs are helping as each seems better at something.
Before we leave, Tom takes me aside into the newly remodeled conference room, and we have a talk.
Tom says to me confidently, "As of this moment, you're now a Major. Congratulations." I am in shock, that is like five levels up. "They tell me I'm not allowed to do it; you can only move one level at a time." He smiles at me. "I filled out five forms and signed off on each." We both chuckle at the amazing way bureaucracy works. "I also promoted Phil. He's a good man and will be taking over for you. My smile is gone. "I am reassigning you to a new position. A position that allows you to work from home. Your #1 goal is to create more soldiers, man or woman, I don't care which. I do know that they will be the best shots in my command. If they want, they are guaranteed an officer level position sight unseen.
"#2, I also want every dog you deem worthy for service. $5000 a dog. Keep in mind, I am supplying my friend in America now. He too has expanded his program. I want extra dogs just in case we lose some. #3, I want to buy guns from you." I look at him with an odd expression. Tom laughs, "How in the hell do your wives end up with the most advanced rifle on earth, and it's sporting a barrel they don't sell?"
I laugh hard, "You know about the agents that came out to see me about the Dimitri situation. Well, I helped one of their wives and two rifles show up a week later for my wives'. They each had many kills. You can tell when a body is hit with a .50 caliber round. We don't know what the split was, but the body count was astounding. There were only two misses based on ammo used and bodies found."
Tom continues, "#4, I want you to create a layman's guide to crisis management. The more we look, the more we love how you divided power and got things done. Nobody has time to read a damn book in a crisis. However, that means doing seminars to teach it. I want you doing six classes a year. If it's ok, we'll build a building for teaching the course on your property. Then we'll rent rooms from you to house and feed the soldiers. I think twenty at a time should be about right. You are writing the manual by the way.
"Finally, #5, either your American General friend George or I will be sending you special people every so often to have a session like both Lieutenants (husband and wife) did with you. They say it helped a ton. I can't send everyone your way, but we each have special people we know, and I think you being you can help them out. I know you don't charge but if there are any expenses, bill me personally. That's the type of people I will be sending to you, people like yourself, people that made a difference."
I sit stunned. Wow. What do you say to that?
Tom looks me in the eye, "You walked away from your last mission without leaking blood, without being carried out, and did an outstanding job of getting it all done. I would say that's a fine way to end your active duty. They'll never call on you again, you have given enough. Now, I have a favor to ask of you." Oh? "Those three women of yours were awesome. However, I can't promote them. I asked my wife what I should do. If I have your permission, I would like you to go home and rest while I take your women to Montreal where my wife and I will go on a three-day shopping spree with them. Your team and my two security specialists will protect us."
I laugh at him, "Go for it, they will love every moment."
Tom is more serious now, "A lot of good people here got injured and still did extraordinary work. I want to reward them. When I started asking around, most would like to spend a week on one of your hunting or fishing trips. Some have families and the horseback tours and a week by the lake sound relaxing. Some just want to spend quality time in your cottages. They are rumored to be awesome."
I explain, "Penny spared no expense on linens and decorating. When our lodge was being remodeled, we spent time in them. Each cottage is five-star quality all the way. Mom, Penny, and Mary can book all trips. If needed, I can hire more guides and, in a pinch, dad and I can lead a group. I'm already in debt to Barry for one week. I owe him a dog as well."
Tom grins, "Yeahhhh, about that. If you ever have a dog, or two, left over. I sure would love one for my wife and me. The idea of an extra level of protection is very appealing."
I knowingly smile, "I know exactly what you mean."
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Fast forward a year.
Life is very hectic; the base keeps the lodge full. We've even had to hire extra guides. If the army isn't paying for it, the people are. The horses are a huge hit. We get a whole new type of customer, families. We have three airplanes now and a boat to bring in our supplies. Using the horses for hauling the supplies was a brilliant idea. We get two containers at a time. It's truly amazing at the amount of food we go through. Kim is kept busy in the clinic and has hired a nurse.
The parents are less involved with the business and more involved with Daniel, Penny's son, James and Peggy, Mary's twins, and Chris, Kim's daughter. With being less than three months apart, it's a lot of crying babies. All the moms are tired and worn out. Penny's son is sleeping through the night, the others are close. The business is bustling during the day and then being mommies at night, they need a break.
I call Barry. I explained my problem. He told me not to worry about it, he will arrange something and soon. Both sets of parents have been awesome. However, they are all older, and four babies is a lot of work. Then making lunch and dinner. They are all worn out. In the real world, you get by because you don't have a choice. I have resources and a ton of favors. I think it was an impressive use of a favor.
I have had no sex in about four months. I hope that this will spur some change. Soon!
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A week later an older woman, probably in her sixties, is dropped off to see me. She is stunning, nearly six feet tall with long platinum blond hair. Breasts on the smaller side but they are perky still. That's impressive. She is called Dora and won't tell me her last name. All I know is that she never saw combat, but her husband has. She wants to understand more since he won't talk about it. Apparently, it's driving a wedge between them in their marriage.
I take her out hunting. She has never shot a rifle before. Second day out, she has a shot lined up with three elk. She can't take the shot, she can't kill the mother. I suspected as much.
I explain to Dora, "Now imagine that elk has an AK-47 pointed at you and me. Could you kill it then? If not, we both die. That's what your husband lives with. He was forced to take that shot, or you'd never have met him. He's dead because he couldn't do what I just asked you to do. Now imagine four years or more of having to make that decision and then seeing the results of your work. Imagine a hole through that beautiful animal and knowing you're responsible.
"It's two years later, and you are sitting up in bed at night. You can clearly remember the face of the person when you did pull the trigger. You can see the surprise or anguish on their face as they realize their fate. You can't understand the horrors your husband has faced. The death he has seen and caused. Now imagine that elk we saw had an AK-47, saw us first, and he killed me. I am dead, next to you. You are pinned down and can't move. It's hours before my body can be removed. How hard do you think it is to forget?"
Dora starts crying. She reaches out to me for a hug.
I apologize, "I am sorry for doing that to you. You are lucky, that's as close as you'll ever get."
She realizes her gun isn't safe. She quickly turns on the safety and removes the round.
I smile at her, "It's ok. Those are blanks. They make noise but no bullet. There was no need to kill the mother, I just wanted you to feel the emotion. You've never used a rifle before, you don't get live ammo."
Dora laughs hard, "Thanks' for your confidence. Did I pass your test?"
I ask Dora, "What do you think?"
