Chapter 43-1 The Darkness Ahead

[TacticalJHP]

OK, Looking at some Google Maps for a moment, i actually have to say i changed my mind about this place they are moving to. I still don't like them splitting up, or the idea that the plan was made by just one person and held back from everyone until the last minute, but at least this looks like it could work.

Lake Mathews looks like an amazing strategic location.

1: a secure area Terrain and roads look favorable, at least from the google earth mapping.
2: in an area with untapped resources Many houses and shops in the area, large patches of ground for planting, as well as an Air Reserve Base 10 miles to the East-North East.
3: in an area where an adequate water supply exists Lake Mathews and and Perris reservoir 13 miles to the East.
4: in an area where food will be plentiful, both game and grow Untapped homes, stores, and plenty of wilderness and the bodies of water for fish and game.
5: large enough to support the entire population More than enough room.
6: where the enemy is scarce ....Yet to be seen...



Now if Scratch and Ink just don't fuck every thing up.

[Red Shirt]

OK, Looking at some Google Maps for a moment, i actually have to say i changed my mind about this place they are moving to. I still don't like them splitting up, or the idea that the plan was made by just one person and held back from everyone until the last minute, but at least this looks like it could work.

Lake Mathews looks like an amazing strategic location.

1: a secure area Terrain and roads look favorable, at least from the google earth mapping.
2: in an area with untapped resources Many houses and shops in the area, large patches of ground for planting, as well as an Air Reserve Base 10 miles to the East-North East.
3: in an area where an adequate water supply exists Lake Mathews and and Perris reservoir 13 miles to the East.
4: in an area where food will be plentiful, both game and grow Untapped homes, stores, and plenty of wilderness and the bodies of water for fish and game.
5: large enough to support the entire population More than enough room.
6: where the enemy is scarce ....Yet to be seen...

I agree, Not to mention that:

• That subdivision to the immediate north looks to be nice and tight, no sprawl. Should be easy to (eventually) secure.
• What looks to be already established groves of some kind of tree to the east. Fruit? Nut? Either would be a boon.
• Lake Mathews "airport" to the immediate north-east.
• What looks like what used to be/can be again stepped farm land.

Which brings me back to the Air reserve base you mentioned. March Air reserve Base. I had a peek at it on Google satellite... I counted:

• 6 C-17 Globemaster Aircraft
• 8 KC-135 Stratotankers
• 5 F/A-18 Hornets
• Roughly a dozen or so civvie prop jobs

That's right, Statotankers. Mid-flight refueling. Not sure why, but mid-flight refueling operations are often run by Air Guard and Air Reserve operations. But here's the thing, I didn't see any fuel dump tank farms... meaning that they might be underground... possibly extending the preservation of the fuel.

Then there's the C17's. with a cargo capacity of over 85 tons and a loaded range of 2,785 miles or with a load of paratroopers the range is almost 6,500 miles! That is some serious "Get the fuck out of Dodge" action.

Then there's the F-18's... one to two passes over the jail with one of these babies and it's toast...

Pegs needs to sack-up and she could become one BAMF...

...but...

It's a little Deus Ex Machina. See below.

Now if Scratch and Ink just don't fuck every thing up.

Unfortunately, this ain't Walgreen's.


I've been hesitant to post about this episode. Until @TacticalJHP jogged my curiosity, I didn't think I had much to add to the conversation, being a build up episode and all. I know the feeling of what is going on in the show though. I was stationed at Fort Stewart in the fall of 1999 when the base was largely evacuated for Hurricane Floyd. It was a spooky feeling during the Unit's preparations before the main evacuation. Being largely pre-cell phone, a lot of exchanging numbers of family members of between soldiers. Lots of shaking of hands before we left... definitely a "been nice knowing ya" subtext. When I left base, it was even creepier, as I left a little later than most everyone else. Everything was boarded up in town, don't really recall seeing another car for 30-45 minutes.
Y'see, hurricanes and Savannah GA are a terrifying thing. Fort Stewart is roughly an hour from the coast and in the Coastal Empire and Low Country, it only takes a Cat. 1 hurricane storm surge to nearly turn it into beachfront property. Floyd was 2MPH shy of a CAT5 storm. We got lucky, it missed.