It was the morning of Tuesday, June 20th. The sky was filled with puffy gray and white clouds. At eight am, it was already near ninety degrees, and the humidity was one hundred percent. It was going to be a miserable day for those who earned their pay working outside. People were encouraged to check on the sick and elderly. They were also advised to keep their pets inside or well supplied with water and plenty of shade or shelter.
The Jericho storm chase team had breakfast at the Helmsley's. Their patio had more room and shade than the Jericho's.
Chris spoke to his team. "Okay, from the moment I stop talking, Seth is in charge. I don't have to remind you, what he says, goes, even for Adam and I. Seth, before I turn this over to you, I'd like to say one thing..." Chris paused, sipped his coffee then continued.
"Anything I might say today, well… don't take it personally if I get really mouthy. When I chase, my alter ego comes out. He is not a nice person at times. I don't do it to cause trouble, it's just that my adrenaline takes over. Oh, I will heed what ever Seth says, but I might get… bitchy. So there ya go. Seth, the ROW and team are yours" Chris gave a nod to his student with another sip of coffee.
"Yeah, I kinda warned everyone about chaser Jericho. Better make a deposit to the curse jar." Hunter gave Chris a wink. He then gave a nod to Seth.
Seth chuckled. "Thanks, Chris." He then turned serious. "The NSSL has issued a statement that a tornado watch will be issued at eleven am. We will wait here and prepare until then. Scout, unless it changes, you will go to just north of Anadarko. Rover will go to just south of El Reno. I'll position the red shoe when I get a track of the storm. So Chris, best to wait at ROW. It will be central, between Scout and Rover. I also want to try something. Hunter, fire a probe when you get into position. I want more pre-storm data. Roman, when you first see lightening, report if it is positive or negative. So, that's it for the moment. Get prepped. Roman, please get ROW ready, I want to get in the office." Seth finished his statement with a firm nod.
"Will do, Seth. Dean, will you please take the truck and get the ice for the coolers. If we do it now, we won't have to stop later." Roman handed Dean the keys to his truck. Their truck would stay at the Helmsley's. The Johnson twins would look after it, along with the Helmsley's and Jericho's personal vehicles.
Seth looked at his oldest spouse. "Good idea, Ro. Go ahead, D, I will help Shawn." He gave each of his husbands a kiss, then he helped clear the breakfast dishes.
"Seth, can I go with Dean? We can talk some camera stuff." Adam asked out of respect for Seth being in charge.
Seth gave Adam a nod. "Sure, Adam. Oh, better get a couple of extra bags of ice. This heat is killer, even in a cooler."
"Cool beans, boss. Come on, Dean. I need chewing gum." Adam spoke with a laugh. He also wanted a fresh pack of cigarettes. Chaser Chris would need a smoke … or ten… and Adam knew he would too.
Roman started the Radar On Wheels and ran the system checks. When everything was green, he cut the engine and ran the office off the generator. He then went to make the final checks of Scout, Rover and Red Shoe.
After Chris finished helping Hunter, Shawn, Seth and Kenny clean up, he checked his camera.
"Well old girl, we're together again today. It's been too long." Chris spoke with affection for his old friend as he sat on the Helmsley's front porch.
Shawn quietly sat down next to Chris. "Keep it in check, Jericho. Don't be… stupid today. It know it's for AJ, but even he wasn't stupid. If it doesn't work out today, there always next time. You know how long it took Hunter to finally probe a storm. We aren't ready to lose you and Adam, because..." He was halted by Chris.
"I know, Shawn. I promise I won't let the old me put Adam at risk, if the tornado is too strong. I owe it to AJ to try, but, I don't owe him my life or Adam's. Thank you for caring enough to say it. I love ya, Shawn." Chris gave the preacher a friendly nudge as they sat side by side.
Seth went into the ROW office. He fired up the computers. He wanted to make damn sure everything was in perfect order. Lives depended on it, even more than usual. Nothing mattered more than making sure the Red Shoe was safe.
By eleven, everything and everyone were ready. Coolers were stuffed with ice, bags were packed and vehicles loaded. All they needed to know was exactly where to go, that part was up to Seth.
"… includes Caddo, Grady, Canadian, Oklahoma, Kingfisher and Logan counties. Dangerous lightening, damaging winds, large hail and torrential rains can be expected. There is also a high risk for tornadoes. Please take your preliminary precautions now. The watch continues until nine pm local time… repeating… The National..." Seth turned the radio down. He then went to look at the map Hunter had laid out on the tailgate of the Scout truck.
Seth studied the map carefully. "We will rendezvous here. I will decide later how far Scout and Rover will go. Red Shoe will go out when I calculate the storm track… if there is one. Shawn?" Seth nodded to the Pastor as Hunter rolled the map.
After the prayer circle, the Jericho storm chase armada hit the road. Hunter led in the Rover, the ROW was next, followed by Chris driving Red Shoe, with Shawn bringing up the rear in Scout.
They drove to an open area on the prairie between the towns of Anadarko and El Reno, right of the border of Caddo and Canadian counties.
The weather was hotter, more humid and totally miserable. Clouds dotted the sky, but none of them held an threat… yet. Roman parked and set the ROW. The Doppler Radar was soon hard at work.
Chris was at a bit of a loss at what to do with himself. Last time Seth took over, Chris was still in the ROW, watching the weather. Now, he could only wait for the weather. He looked around at his team, they all had various things to do before being sent out to their locations. Even his own husband had things to do, like checking his photography and video equipment.
Chris gave a deep sigh and sat down in a folding chair under the awning. Adam saw how unsettled his husband looked. He understood. Adam sat next to Chris and smiled.
"I know what you are feeling. It's the same for us, just waiting. We've got it honed down on how to occupy our time. Why don't you help me out, look at my picture file for my calendar?" Adam put his laptop on the folding table in front of Chris.
Chris leaned over and kissed Adam's cheek. "Great idea, thanks. I never thought about how hard the waiting for the chase is. I guess there isn't anything that can be done about it though. We have to be in place before the storms or we might miss something." He gave a shrug and began to look at Adam's pictures.
"We understand that, babe. No one minds, honestly. It gives us time to gather ourselves for the chase to come. It's actually nice to have you out here for a change." Adam gave his beloved a sly wink.
Dean sat down next to Adam with his camera bag. "You won't have to worry about the GoPros. Seth put a relay on my phone. Don't ask me how. I can control them easily. He thought it would be easier and safer than you trying to do it." He showed Adam the program Seth had put on his cell phone.
Adam looked at the GoPros on the Red Shoe, via Dean's cell phone. "That's amazing, Dean. Seth is a wonder with computers. Chris, look at this."
Chris looked over at Dean's cell phone. "That is amazing and a fantastic idea. How did we get anything done before you three joined us." He wasn't jealous, he was proud.
"Seth is smart. Chris, you collected data that has already helped. People pay more attention when watches are issued People are better equipped and prepared when they go to their shelters. That's because of what Jericho Storm Chase did before we joined the team. We just brought different skill sets… not better… just different." Dean spoke openly and with a serious tone of voice and expression to match.
Chris looked at Dean with thought filled eyes. "You're right, Dean. Thanks, I needed to hear that. We have made a difference to people." He smiled at the younger man.
Shawn spoke up. "Oh, I meant to tell you this ages ago. But things… well, we got busy. I got an email from an animal shelter in Iowa. They said a man donated five hundred pet backpacks like the one we showed on TV. The shelter hands them out when an animal is adopted So yes, we have helped."
Adam was thrilled. "That is wonderful, Shawn. We should do that for the shelter in Norman. I bet we could get pet stores to donate things. I will get WWE to donate too." He quickly made a note to remember the idea.
Shawn too, wrote it down. "Great idea. The teen youth group has been looking for a cause. Maybe it would interest them. People always forget about the poor animals that suffer in storms."
"I could help the youth group. I could something in honor of Moxley." Dean spoke quietly.
Shawn laid a hand on Dean's shoulder. He knew how much old Moxley had meant to Dean. "That would be nice. The kids like you, and you're good with them." Dean, Seth and Roman went to Shawn's church and often helped with the various youth groups. But this was the first time Dean had spoken to initiate the activity.
Roman joined the conversation. "Maybe, instead of the tired car wash, the kids could do a dog wash. I be we could get a groomer to donate some time. Like two dollars for a wash or five dollars for a wash and simple grooming. We could do a hot dog cook out on the side, or ice cream with pet friendly treats. Great idea, Dean."
Shawn sat back in his chair and chuckled. "Chris, are you starting to feel as old and useless as I am? How did we manage before these three came along and made us redundant?" He laughed again.
Roman laughed. "Don't forget, someone probably said the same thing about you guys when you started out."
Adam nodded. "They sure did. Right, Chris?" He gave his husband a knowing glance.
Chris guffawed. "Well, yeah. Doctor Bluestein said he didn't know why he was still the Dean of the Department after my first forecast. Now I am Dean of the Department. Guess ole Howie was right." He spoke with a mischievous wink.
Seth appeared at the door of the ROW. "Chris, I need to you to look at something, please. The rest of you better get ready to pull out within half an hour, maybe less." He spoke with authority. Chris went into the ROW. The others hurried to get ready.
Chris sat in Seth's usual chair as Seth was in his "Commanders" seat, as he should be. "Storm is approaching Caddo county I just… I want to make sure you and Adam… well… how about going here to wait?" Seth pointed to a spot on the road map under the radar image.
Chris looked closer at the radar and the storm that was building. "Just the right place, Seth. Don't worry, son. I have utter and complete confidence in you. Do not start second guessing yourself. That is dangerous. You know you can do this." He spoke firmly. Now was not the time for Seth to lose his self-confidence.
Seth sighed. "Sorry, Chris. You're right. I can do this. I just… let it get to me. It won't happen again. Gather everyone, almost time for prayer. I will be right out." He spoke with more confidence and a firm nod.
Chris stood. He placed a strong hand on Seth's shoulder. "You've got this." He too was firm voiced.
By the time Seth came out of the ROW, the others had gathered. Hunter had the map ready on the table. Roman spoke.
"I just realized something. We have to change the plan. Did anyone stop to think, Seth would be here… alone? That can not happen." Roman was deeply worried. They had forgotten something so important.
Chris slapped his forehead with a groan. "Oh God. How could we have forgotten that. That falls on my shoulders. Roman has to stay. He is the only one other than myself who can drive ROW, if an escape is needed…" He was halted by Seth.
"Okay, things happen sometimes. Easy fix. Roman stays, Shawn and Kenny can handle Scout. Kenny can film as planned and Shawn can do the FLIR. Roman can watch lightening from here and use the FLIR we got from the University yesterday. I forgot to mention that. Well, that's the glitch for this chase. It happens, it's solved, so forget it now. Hunter, you and Dean will go here, just south of El Reno. Shawn, you and Kenny here, about five miles north of Anadarko. Chris, you and Adam go here and wait There are plenty of roads, so it's the best place. Any questions?" Seth looked at his team, he'd made the perfect decisions and wasn't flustered by the near mistake.
Hunter re-rolled the map. "Sounds good to me. Well done, little Boss." He gave Seth a nod of respect.
No one had any questions, so Shawn formed the prayer circle. After the "Amen", hugs and kisses were exchanged. Chris quietly followed Seth back into the ROW.
"You handled that perfectly, Seth. I am sorry, I just didn't think about it. See you later. Again, you've got this." Chris was very proud of Seth. He left the Radar On Wheels with complete confidence.
Roman stood on the ROW steps and waved as Scout, Rover and Red Shoe took off for their locations. It felt strange, but staying with Seth and ROW was more important than driving Scout.
"Ro… I'm scared." Seth spoke softly to his husband. He was very glad Roman was there.
Roman went into the office and sat in the empty chair. "Nothing to be scared of, baby. You know what to do. Chris has faith in you. Do you think he'd trust just anyone to steer him into the direct path of a tornado? He's only doing this because he knows he can trust you. I am here, baby." He leaned over and kissed the top of Seth's head.
"Thanks, babe. It's just… I can do it, but it's my first time alone, without Chris I am glad you're here. Now, fetch me a coffee, please." Seth smiled but his eyes had never once left the computer screen.
"Yes, Boss." Roman laughed and went to get himself and Seth a cup of coffee
In the Red Shoe, Chris was quiet as he drove. Adam glanced at his husband. "It's alright, Lion. No one thought of it, not even Kenny, a cop. We were all too caught up in this car. Seth solved the problem with your help. Take his advice, don't dwell on it. We have more important things to worry about." Adam laid his left hand on Chris' right thigh. His sapphire engagement ring and sliver wedding band glittered in the sunlight.
Chris smiled, picked up Adam's hand and kissed it. "You're right Seth's got this and so do we."
Hunter parked the Range Rover at their designated point. "Okay, show me how to launch a probe." He wanted to make sure Dean remembered what Adam had taught him.
Dean turned in his seat. He reached for the radio. "ROW, Rover. We are going to launch a probe as soon as it is ready. Rover, out." He pressed the button that prepared the launch computer system.
"Rover, ROW. Ten-four. Fire when ready. ROW out." Seth's voice responded.
The light turned green on the launch panel. "Which one, Hunter?" Dean looked at the older man.
"Better make it number six. It's the least used in a chase. We may not have time to reload. Fire when ready." Hunter gave Dean a nod.
Dean pushed the button marked "6". The probe launched with a sound like a flying firework. He and Hunter watched it soar as the got out of the Rover.
In the Radar On Wheels, the alarm that tracked the probe sounded. Seth looked as the data was absorbed by the probe data tracking computer. He was satisfied that everything worked perfectly, as usual.
At the Range Rover, Dean jogged to the place where the probe had fallen to the ground. The rocket had landed a good half mile away. Hunter chuckled, he was glad he didn't have to chase the probe in the miserable heat.
Shawn parked the Scout under the shade of a tree, just off the dirt county road. He gave a quiet chuckle. Kenny had fallen into one of his power naps. Shawn let him sleep. He knew Kenny would wake, sharp as a tack. Shawn got out and looked to the southwest. He could just see the tops of the thunderheads on the horizon.
At the ROW, Roman sat on the steps and watched the distant sky. There was no lightening to watch yet. He got a thought. He went into the ROW to speak to Seth.
Seth sipped his coffee and watched the radar. He listened to the NWS radio with an earbud in his right ear. He had his left ear tuned in, to listen to calls from his team out in the field. Seth didn't notice when Roman sat down next to him.
Roman smiled at the intensity Seth had. "Baby?" Roman called out softly. He didn't want to scare Seth.
"Yes, Ro?" Seth spoke, his eyes on the computer.
Roman chuckled again "I have a question about the probe data. I wonder if there is any way to tell if a storm is positive or negative?
Seth looked over at Roman. "I have no idea actually. I've never known to look for that… or what to look for. I'll see what I can find out. Probably have to collect a lot more pre-storm data. Then, you can tell me, by the lightening if that storm was positive or negative. Then, I can compare the data so I know what to look for. Um… did that make sense? My mind is on the team." He'd turned back to the radar as he spoke.
Roman nodded. "Yeah, I understood. Sorry, baby. I didn't mean to distract you. Want anything?" Roman asked as he stood.
"A cold water, please." Seth stated with a smile to Roman.
Roman went to one of the coolers and filled Seth special mug with plenty of ice and some water. The large mug had a special skid proof bottom and a very tight lid. That way, it was safe to have around the electronic equipment. He went into the ROW. Roman placed the mug into the special holder Seth had. He again kissed the top of Seth's head, then went back outside and sat on the top step of the ROW.
Shawn and Kenny watched as the distant storm grew closer. "Scout, ROW. Please send me some FLIR feed. Aim at the storm center. ROW, out." Seth called over the radio.
Kenny keyed the radio mic "ROW, Scout. Ten-four. Scout, out."
Shawn aimed the gun-like camera at the storm and pressed the button that relayed the footage to the ROW. "Oh, come look, Kenny." Shawn called over his shoulder.
Kenny moved to look at the small screen in Shawn's right hand. "All that blue and purple is the cold air moving to the storm?" Kenny asked. He had used the FLIR once before, but wasn't sure what it all meant.
"Yes. When the storm gets closer, you will see the mix. Sometimes we even see the horizontal spin." Shawn explained as Kenny watched with great interest.
Kenny looked from the screen to the distant storm. "The horizontal spin is what turns into a tornado?"
Shawn nodded. "Yep. If the cold air is strong enough, it weighs down the warm air. The combined moisture pulls the horizontal column down to a vertical column. That's when a tornado is born… once we see the debris cloud that is. It isn't officially a tornado unless it touches the ground." He explained again as best he could.
"I know a bit about the way storms and tornadoes form, but nothing like you guys. I am really enjoying this opportunity." Kenny was soon lost in watching the storm. He'd almost forgotten why he was there when Shawn had to nudge him and look at the camera. With a bit of a flushed face, Kenny began to film the developing storm.
At the Range Rover, Dean had returned with the probe. Hunter had made him sit down and drink some water. Dean leaned back against the vehicle as he watched Hunter check over the recovered probe.
"Any damage?" Dean asked as he watched how carefully Hunter checked over the probe.
Hunter held the probe like a baby. "Not that I can see. I wish I could figure out a parachute that would actually work. They get ripped up when we probe a storm." He stared at the item in his hands.
Dean thought for a moment, then spoke. "What about a metal shield? Something that would at least slow it down. It just needs some kind of drag… kind of like an anchor." He gave a shrug. Dean didn't exactly know how to explain what he meant.
Hunter grinned. "I know what you mean. Fantastic idea. Maybe I can figure out a way to have the fenders expand out from the probe to slow it down." He was soon lost in thought.
At the Red Shoe, the Jericho's sipped on cans of cold root beer. "I've been out of the field too long. In the ROW, I am busy with the computers. I forgot about the rush to wait." Chris let out a sigh.
Adam chuckled a bit. "Bored, my Lion? I can remember what we used to do while waiting." He wiggled his eyebrows wickedly. Many times he'd given Chris a blow job as they waited to chase.
"You are a very naughty Kitty. I well remember So, what are you waiting for?" Chris gave his hips a thrust as he leered at Adam.
Adam gave his husband a very over dramatic look of horror. "That would be very unprofessional now. We have to set a good example you know." Adam smirked. He then moved over to where Chris sat on the ground, in the shade of the car. The couple were soon lost in lust as Adam sucked on Chris' cock.
Things happened at the Radar On Wheels. Seth went on high alert as the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning. The storm that approached had grown in its intensity. Roman went in to listen as well.
"Still to faraway to send them out. Shawn's FLIR footage looks promising though." Seth spoke to Roman without moving his eyes from the computer's screen.
"Should I get some FLIR too?" Roman asked, brow arched.
Seth gave a nod. "Yeah, from the roof. You height will help. But Ro, watch for bolts out of the blue Send me the footage, please." Seth spoke like the boss he was.
Roman stood. "Will do…." His voice faced and his eyes opened wide. He nudged Seth. "Um… I think someone forgot about the GoPro cameras..." Roman and Seth both stared. There, on camera, was Adam, and he gave Chris one hell of a blow job.
Seth snickered. "Adam is going to die when he finds out. No wonder Chris is so happy most of the time…." He looked at Roman with wide eyed wonder.
Roman smirked. "He could learn a few tricks from you… um… I'll send the footage in a few." He hurried out of the ROW before Seth could smack him.
Seth soon forgot about the Jericho's antics and watched the FLIR footage from Roman. He smiled, things were going to get interesting...fast.
At the Scout, Shawn let out a sound between shock and astonishment. "Oh wow, just… wow. This is going to explode… very soon." He looked up from the screen and looked at the sky.
Kenny looked up when he saw the look on Shawn's face. "Wow, those mammatus clouds really do look like a woman's breast. I've never seen it like that before… the entire sky…." He stared at the puffy clouds that did indeed resemble the breasts of a woman.
"They mean an extremely strong storm is brewing. They are mostly ice. With that much cold air colliding with this hot, humid air… not long now." Shawn explained with a touch of awe. He too have never seen the sky totally filled with the globular looking clouds.
At the Rover, Dean focused his camera on the clouds overhead "That is so cool looking. Hunter, get my camera bag, please. I gotta get some black and white photos of this." He was filled with excitement.
Things at the Red Shoe had changed. Adam clambered for his still shot camera as Chris zipped his jeans. Just as Adam had finished his fantastic blow, the blond had looked up at the sky. Sex was forgotten as he dashed for his camera.
Chris too, grabbed his camera and aimed it at the sky. "Wow, I haven't seen a sky like this in years, if ever. If there isn't a tornado, then… well, I don't know..." He stopped talking and just filmed.
Seth stood on the ROW steps. He just had to see it with his own eyes. "This is unbelievable." The first flash of lightening and rumble of thunder brought Seth back to his senses. He went back inside.
Roman looked at the distant lightening. He couldn't yet tell the charge, it was too far away. Roman came down from the roof. He knew he was a prime target at his height. Roman entered the office when he heard the NWS radio alert.
Seth listened to the NWS report intently. "They have upgraded to a PDS warning..." He was interrupted by a radio call.
" ROW, Scout. We have slight rotation on the southwestern sector. Scout, out." Shawn gave his brief report.
Seth keyed his radio. "Scout, ROW. Ten-four. ROW, out. Rover, ROW, report." Seth spoke calmly as he waited for Rover to respond.
"ROW, Rover. Report the same. Rotation, but no funnel. Rover, out." Hunter's voice reported.
Seth nodded to himself. "Rover, ROW. Ten-four. ROW, out." "Red Shoe, ROW." Seth keyed his mic again.
"ROW, Red Shoe. We report the same. Any orders yet?" Chris' voice responded with a bit of excitement.
Seth looked at the map under the radar. "Stay put for now. Storm isn't settled into a path yet, but be ready. I am predicting County Road CC. ROW, out." He hoped he was right. He felt the weight of the lives of the Jericho's in his entire being.
In the Red Shoe, Chris and Adam both watched the radar on Adam's laptop. Their video cameras worked on tripods, aimed at the storm.
"Seth is spot on so far. Something had got to come of this baby, are you absolutely sure? We can't stop once we start." Chris looked at his husband with great concern etched on his face.
Adam looked at his dear husband and greatest love. "Yes, Christopher, I am absolutely sure. Together. Besides, if… well…. I'll go with you on my breath." He went from serious to mischievous as he winked at Chris.
Chris laughed from his belly. "Well… I guess you have great taste. It will be alright. I trust Seth not to send us into an EF five. He's right on the target… I predicted on Saturday night." He returned Adam's wink. They resumed their watch of the radar.
Shawn and Kenny had the best view of the storm. Kenny did his job and filmed it to the best of his ability. Having a steady gun stance came in very handy. Kenny had even slowed his breathing like he did when taking aim with a sniper rifle.
Shawn held the FLIR equally as steady. "It's pulling on the horizontal spin. It won't be long now." It still amazed him to watch the storms through the infrared camera.
Kenny glanced over at the FLIR screen in Shawn's hand. "Wow… so… that makes the beaver tail, the cold air pulling on the warm." Now he understood even more about the formation of tornadoes.
All ears alerted to their radios when the NWS sent out the signal that meant a tornado warning had been issued. At the same time, the horizontal column of spinning air, went vertical. A funnel cloud had been born.
Roman filmed from the ROW steps. He listened as Scout, Rover and Red Shoe reported the funnel. One thing took Roman by surprise. So far, there was no lightening, save the one flash earlier, in the distance.
"Seth… there is no lightening yet, visible that is. There is thunder, but… why no visible lightening..." Roman's voice trailed off in thought. You could have lightening and no thunder, but you could not have thunder without lightening. Thunder came from the sudden blast of electricity against the moisture filled clouds. Thunder rumbled, but no lightening had flashed that Roman had seen.
Seth hadn't heard his husband. He had buds in both ears. He had to hear the calls from team and the National Weather Service.
When Roman stepped back inside, Seth worked on a mathematical formula. It was so complex and complicated, Roman was lost. He worked difficult equations in his lightening research, but nothing like the one Seth worked on now. Roman quietly went back outside and resumed filming the storm as it grew and advanced toward them.
At the Red Shoe. Chris and Adam quickly broke down their cameras and tripods. Chris put his camera in his bag. He looked toward the storm.
"Finish up, baby, then get buckled in. We have to be ready when Seth gives us the green light. This is very interesting… no lightening. Now it seems like the storms want to hide from Roman." Chris stated as he put his camera bag behind the drivers seat. He wanted it handy, in case he had a chance to film if they were in a tornado.
Adam kept his camera out, and put his bag on the floorboard between his feet. He spoke as he fastened himself in the harness style seat belt.
"You mean hiding if it is a positive or negative storm You do know, a storm can't really think… can it?" Adam bit his lip, was it possible?
Chris snapped his harness in place. "No, not really, but it sure seems like it..." He got very quiet when Shawn's voice crackled over the radio.
"…we have a tornado on the ground. It looks to be moving to the north, northeast. Rotation is steady, looks to be an EF two, maybe three. Scout, out." Shawn's voice was calm, but excitement was there.
Hunter and Dean sat in the Range Rover and looked at the map. Hunter had his wax pencil in hand as he spoke.
"If it stays on track, we could try for a land probe as well." Hunter made a circle on the map.
Dean nodded. "It won't be in the way of the Red Shoe if we place it there. We have plenty of time I agree, ask him." He nodded to the radio.
Hunter grinned and keyed the mic. He quickly explained the idea to Seth. Hunter and Dean waited with baited breath for Seth to respond. They both wanted to try for the land probe.
"Rover, ROW. Go ahead, fifteen minutes from… now." Set probe and go to Scout. ROW out."
Dean had pressed the stop watch function on his cell phone at Seth's signal. "He wants us out of the way of Red Shoe. Seth really has this under control." He spoke with pride for Seth in his voice.
Seth watched the blue dot that represented the Rover on the radar. The Rover had stopped. They were setting out the land probe. He also watched the tornado. It was perfect for Red Shoe to intercept. The storm was headed for the exact spot he'd calculated. When Rover was clear, and on the move again, he picked up his radio mic.
"Red Shoe, ROW. Go to the intercept point on my mark..." Seth paused. His eyes never blinked, mathematics ran through his brain like a super computer as he watched the tornado move on the radar.
"Go, Red Shoe, go! ROW, out." Seth finally gave the command he'd been waiting to give.
As Scouts tracking dot was already red, Seth used a neon, hot pink dot to mark the Red Shoe. He watched as the hot pink dot moved. Seth felt like his heart would pound right out of his body.
Had Seth just sent Chris and Adam to their deaths, or into storm chase history?