Ch 121
Deek thought it was an accident at first, but watching them closely through trail cams he put up, a pack of seven 'Joan' alligators were staying together. They favored the west side of the lake and the Connor House in their travels. When they were on land or on the water, they were never far from each other. It was by a trail camera that Deek saw them gather, then surround a large snake, attack and eat it.
Pack hunting. This was astounding! Alligators were lone ambush hunters, normally. Seeing the small alligators perform a coordinated hunt showed a much higher level of intelligence than a common alligator. This pack also didn't have a single place that was their territory. They had a range, and after watching them long enough, Deek found they had a general path they followed.
They started in the Connor yard. Slipping off the dock, they swam west deep and looked for bottom feeders. They would then come up on shore and arrange themselves in circle, all of them pointing out, looking like spokes on a wheel. They would lay there for a day or so, then return to the water and head for the shallow that was just a couple hundred yards from his house. There, they laid in the bottom in the weeds forming a line, waiting for something to pass close by. They didn't attack tiny fish, but now and then they did snatch another fish or a bite-sized turtle. When one lifted up to swim away, they all left.
Deek was wondering how they developed this form of hunting. Watching them from an under water camera, he saw a large alligator snapping turtle, large as in the shell had to be four feet across, swim at one of them. The others surrounded the turtle and snapped at it. The turtle tucked into it's shell from the mass attack, and was bumped to the bottom by the alligators. They then swam away.
They were protecting each other from other predators.
Near Deek and Julia's house, they had large alligators that has claimed their areas. The pack of small alligators seemed to know this and avoided the area. They would then go back up on the northern shore and make their circle again. If nothing wandered by them in a day or two, they would backtrack and return to the Connor's yard to get fed.
This was an extremely high intelligence for a lizard brain. Deek and Julie recorded and added all the camera footage they had into their file on 'Joan' alligators into a sub file they marked as 'Momma's pack'. This group of alligators was evolution on crack, fed by steroids.
Another item they were curious about was the 'hair rides' small alligators took on mers if they came up for air too close to the shore, and if they could catch them, on one of the Connor kids when they were swimming. It was almost funny how these less than two foot alligators would hide until one came by, then swim up to latch into their hair and let the swimmer take them to another part of the lake. This again was superior intelligence for lizard brains. They also had seen Jackie swim, trailing a rope behind her. That attracted many small alligators to latch on and catch a free ride. Neither Deek nor Julie could find a reason why they did this. Every 'ride' the alligators caught, they never tried to attack the swimmer, just got a hold of hair and took a ride. Many times. from talking to Mers, these alligators would stay holding on until the Mer went deep, or another came by to get the gators out of their hair.
Deek and Julie learned how to speak 'mer'. The 'Homo Aquaticus' were essentially aquatic humans. They were curious, and knew their environment and the animals in it. Alligators stayed 20 feet deep or shallower, and the mers usually hunted deeper for fish. They liked fish the best, but now with their tridents, they could come up and spear an alligator now and then. Much of the other wildlife Deek and Julie studied, the mers would show them where to find them. They were becoming more neighbors than test subjects. The boat parties were something Mers enjoyed, especially the younger ones, liked jumping off the boats and back into the water. Grilled fish they thought was very tasty. Their favorites were catfish and Alligator Gar.
Deek and Julie had thick files on 'Homo Aquaticus', and enjoyed interacting with them. Deek and Julie also noted than in general, the lake was a very balanced ecosystem, but also fairly delicate. Some occasional fishing, or a gator hunter or two would not upset it, but any commercial venture would wreck the food chain in the lake, change the PH and cause some species to die off from starvation, including Mers. The Connors knew this, but now Deek had scientific proof of it.
.
ON the TV, Two men sat on a couch, a low table with papers on it in front of them. The dark haired one wearing a ball cap on the left said, "Good evening, I'm Wayne, with me here is Garth," The blonde one on the right nodded with a grin. "Tonight we're going to ask a question. Just WHO in the hell is John Connor? He pops out of nowhere to take control of the Federal Government, and now when an elected President steps up to take the oath of office, POOF, he's gone!"
Garth piped up and added, "He didn't even stay for the party that night. The plane was waiting to take him and his small harem home, and they never got there! They just vanished! Even the most aggressive reporters couldn't find them!"
Wayne shrugged and said, "So he comes out of nowhere, kicked the current President out of office, creates another election, then he's gone again. So who is this guy? Yeah, he was picked to be the administrator by the 42 states that said, 'enough with royal-acting politicians' and gave them the boot out of Washington, but why him? I mean, why not Garth here? Or the grocery store owner down the street?"
"I'm thinking it's because he's got two hot wives," Garth said, grinning broadly.
"They are hot aren't they?" Wayne agreed. "I mean, if I have even one wife that sexy, I'd be smiling all day and night!"
"Yeah!" Garth happily agreed. "I heard they're cyborgs too, I bet they never get a headache!"
"Even if one did, he still has the other one," Wayne pointed out. "And here's the thing, every attempt at a true android we've seen by companies and labs, looks real bulky and has stiff movements. The Connor women look like super-models and they've been athletes! Not just run of the mill either. Back in their college days they were MVP's on their football team. Cameron for being quarterback and Delilah for being a receiver AND safety! Every time they went out onto the field, they got a touchdown. Cameron was nicknamed the Iron Maiden, and Delilah was known as the Bulldozer."
Grinning, Garth said, "I wouldn't mind if they tackled me."
"That's another thing, if they were built as some claim, why go to college?" Wayne asked. "Why not just put all that knowledge on a memory chip and stick it in their head?"
"Wayne, you know that Joan Connor that's tearing up the field playing for the Dallas Cowboys is their daughter. She's pretty hot too."
"She is!" Wayne agreed with a big smile.
"I watch all their games. It's a whole lot of fun watching her run!" Garth beamed.
Wayne tossed a hand up and said, "We're getting off track here. We're supposed to be talking about John Connor here, not his kids."
"Bet he had fun making her," Garth said with a giggle. "They got five kids, so I'm thinking he really likes making them."
"Garth! Come on, this is about John."
"I can see how he stays so well in the background," Garth said. "Heck, everyone's watching his hot wives and hot daughters, why pay attention to him?"
Pressing on, Wayne said, "From what we know, John Connor is the son of Sarah Connor, who for a long time was an escaped mental patient and supposed terrorist. Then, we find out that she wasn't crazy, and the things she was ranting about were real. Sarah and John both get Medals of Freedom, which is the civilian equivalent to the Congressional Medal of Honor for military people for stomping out this Sky Net thing that was going to destroy the world. For years, nothing is heard of them except for normal things, playing charity concerts, making a movie and a TV show. After years of silence, now John is made basically, leader of the free world to get our government's shit together."
Garth frowned then said, "Well, maybe these governors saw his hot wives and wanted to score some points with them?"
Wayne winched. "I don't think it would be that easy. You know they are cyborgs, very fast and strong. I can't think of much anyone can impress them with."
"Maybe just a good package in your shorts," Garth replied with a grin. "Do you think John is Iron Man down there?"
"That could be why not many people have seen him around. His wives keep him busy," Wayne said in a musing tone.
"Yeah, that would also explain why no one can find out where he lives. His wives don't want anyone to know so they won't be disturbed," Garth agreed. He then perked up and said, "That's the reason! The former President knew John Connor was coming and thought he was next, so he fled!"
.
In the Connor living room, Jackie lay on the couch, holding her sides as she chuckled helplessly. JJ was laughing at the show, and at Jackie. Nana sat with a finger to her lip, not getting much of what was being talked about. Mayu was blushing at the innuendoes. Lily and Peggy looked at each other. They were sure Mr. Connor hadn't gone to Washington to force the president into sex.
Out in the dinning room, John, Cameron, Delilah, Barnabas, Daniel, Kouta, Kaede and Yuka sat around the dinning table. After the welcome home greetings, John caught up with what was happening here in Driftwood. He agreed with the rough plans for the Kikumura house, so Kouta and family had their own place to live. Barnabas had his factory up north operating and turning a profit. He also was concerned about another 'energy crisis' made by the government.
"John, there are people who won't be comfortable with nuclear powered vehicles," Barnabas told him firmly. "You still have to beginnings of distilling plants here. I would like to make an E-85 plant here, and one in say, Massachusetts. Those people also are hot on environmental issues. Selling just under the price of regular gas, say fifty cents a gallon lower, I figured we can make a decent profit."
"Yeah, Mr. Connor, I ran all the numbers too," Daniel agreed. "Even using the lower producing plants that we can get from the remains of gardens and even grass cuttings, Alcohol will be inexpensive to make. Barnabas even got a grant from the state to get his alternative fuel plant started."
"There are people out west, in Montana and Idaho, who are starting alcohol fuel plants," Cameron said. "They are ignoring the regulation that says 15% of the fuel must be gasoline. Some farmers here in Driftwood also don't bother mixing gas into their fuel."
"That's true," John replied. "I think that is still illegal though."
"Not any more," Cameron told him. "Remember when you cancelled all Executive orders, and now they are only good for 60 days? And in the new constitution, the only laws that can be enforced, are the ones Congress makes?"
"That's right," John agreed.
"Well the regulation for alcohol use in vehicles was made by a President and his advisors in the ATF. It was never a law, just put forth as a law that no one questioned," Cameron explained. "You can run a vehicle on Vodka or Everclear if you want."
"I'd say that's a green light for getting started," Daniel said.
"It is," John agreed. "So, We should keep working on out Alcohol plant tonsure we at least aren't hobbled by any future government interference."
"John, you're going to need a bigger office and some staff also," Delilah said.
"I am?"
"Yes, Mr. Head of the head of Homeland Security," Delilah reminded him. "You're going to need to keep track of a ton of happenings. I know John Henry will assist with that, but you're going to need other sources of information as well."
Yeah, John remembered. He nodded slowly. He'd ducked out of politics thankfully, but now it it had to do with National Security, he had to know what was going on and how security was affected. That meant researchers also to go through masses of information. It also meant meetings with his people and the President. He hadn't escaped Washington completely. "I guess someone has to do it," he said with a sigh.
"More monitors in your office, and a few fax machines should suffice," Cameron said absently. "And of course I'll get the latest intel from John Henry."
"Thanks, hon," John told her and gave her a kiss.
Cameron cast him a lusty smirk. "So does this mean you won't be keyed up any longer and we can go relax?"
"We are overdue," Delilah agreed.
"Yes, we will correct that tonight." John readily agreed.
.
After the 'amazing' pass and reception that won them the game against Seattle, Karen was sore for the next two days. Joan apologized to her for throwing a 'rocket' at her, which was determined to fly down the field at 105 miles an hour, and explained she had to get the ball off before she was tackled.
Karen saw Joan felt bad and told her not to worry about it. They won the game, and that was what counted.
Not having a game for two weeks, Karen caught a ride back to Johnson City with Betty. They were going to be home for a few days, then Betty would drive them back.
Karen's boys were glad to see her home after watching the game on TV. They were proud that it was Karen who'd caught the past pass that won the very tight game. Her Aunt said, "Even if you fell down, you still caught it and won!"
Karen noted the boys and her Uncle chucked at this. She grumbled, "When that ball knocked me down. I swear, it hit me so hard I thought my guts were coming out my mouth. Good thing I didn't have to go to the bathroom. That really hurt."
"Footballs don't fly that fast, do they?" her Uncle asked.
Karen snorted. "After the game, the officials found that pass Joan threw me was traveling at just over a hundred miles an hour. She had to get the ball off fast, and I was on the receiving end. I caught it all right, and it nearly bounced off my spine when it hit."
"Are you all right?" the boy Harold asked and held her hand.
"Yeah, I'll just be sore for a few days. I don't know how Allison or Betty manage to catch those passes time and time again," Karen said in wonder.
Her uncle frowned. "I thought Joan Connor played for Dallas in the men's league?"
"She does, during their season," Karen agreed. "When their season is over she also plays on the Acoustics in the women's league." With a snort, she added, "Many call her the 'Energizer Bunny'. I swear, she can't sit in one place. The only time I've seen her actually sitting and doing nothing, she was sleeping."
"In a chair?"
"One of those outdoor lounge chairs by the pool. She'd been racing around the pool with Allison half the day. She stopped to take a nap," Karen said. "Any news on how Rachel is doing?"
"Just fine," her Uncle assured her. "She's in that orchestra and having a good time. Karen, are you sure Joan didn't try to kill you with that ball?"
Karen chuckled then winced from a stab of pain. "No she throws like that all the time. Besides, she has really helped me out. I'm officially the third string quarterback. Joan has taught me many things, how to make the most of everything I do. Because she has worked hard at teaching me, I can play in the games now and then when I'm needed. Like that last play, they needed the fastest players to be receivers. It was Allison, me and Betty. Joan is super fast too, but she was quarterbacking. She'd thrown me the ball from our own 5 yard line. That's why she threw so hard."
"Football is beginning to sound dangerous," Harold noted.
"It's full contact, so it can be. It is also a lot of fun," Karen said with a grin.
.
Instead of going home right after the game, much of the team, including Joan and Allison went out the next day for a 'victory dinner' at a local restaurant. Calling ahead, the place had a row of tables set up for them. Patty gave the restaurant the number coming so they had reserved seats. Filing into the place, Joan and Allison paused when someone yelled, "Cameron!"
They stopped and looked around. At first they didn't recognize anyone. A man got up who's dark hair was mostly gray now. "Cameron?" he asked again.
Joan recognized him. "Uncle Derek?" she asked.
"Yeah, and this is Jesse," he said motioning to the gray haired oriental looking woman.
"Oh My God!" Joan cried and weaved between the table to give him a light hug. She then bent down and hugged Jesse. "We haven't seen you in like ... forever! Where did you go?" Joan cried.
Derek frowned at her. "Where did we go? How about where did YOU go. We came back from out extended vacation and your whole family was gone," he told her.
Joan cast him a shocked look, then giggled. "Yeah, I guess we did. Sorry about that. I was thinking about Bob around that time."
Derek eyed Allison. "And neither you nor John even left a message?" he asked in a harder tone.
Allison blinked. "Why would I leave a message?" she asked.
"Um, Uncle Derek, this is Allison, not Mom. They do look identical now," Joan offered.
"Yeah, John can hardly tell us apart," Allison said with a grin. "He's even kissed me thinking he was kissing Cameron."
"So, the metal hasn't aged," Jesse said, not sounding happy.
"Ah, no. Moms and Dad pretty much look the same. What happened to you and Uncle Derek? You look ... old." Joan said.
"No shit," Derek replied. "We ARE getting old. I bet Sarah is getting old and turning gray also."
Joan shook her head. "No, Mom made sure her and Grampa Martin got some nanites. You really need some too, Uncle Derek."
Patty yelled, "Joan! Allison, over here!" and waved to them with her left hand.
Seeing this, Derek asked, "Did she just wave a fist at you?"
"Naw, that's Patty. She has no fingers on that hand," Joan told him. Looking at their table, Joan noted they were already in the process of eating. "Darn. Hey! After you're done, come on over to our tables!"
"Yeah! Come sit and tell us what you're been up to," Allison agreed.
"We'll do that. Got a couple tables together?" Derek asked.
"More like six, over half the team's here," Joan beamed. "Just walk over that way, you can't miss us! We'll have beer too!"
"We'll take you up on that," Derek told her.
"OK, see you in a bit," Joan said with a smile. She and Allison went over to the long tables in the other dinning room section.
.
Derek sat back down and let out a huff. "After all this time, we find them by accident."
Jesse cast him a smirk. "Shit happens, a' love?"
"It does at that. If it wasn't for Joan being a quarterback in the NFL, I would have had no clue where to find any of them. At least we don't have to go to Dallas now," he agreed.
Jesse glanced over at the way they went. She noticed many people waving to Joan and calling to her. Joan was waving back. "Joan has really grown up since she was in the middle of High School. Looks like everyone knows her."
"First woman ever to be a quarterback in an NFL team, let alone a Most Valuable Player. Yeah, she's famous." He did note that by the size of those chest puppies, Joan had really grown up!
"I'm surprised her parents let her be so high profile," Jesse said.
Derek shrugged. "Well John always said he wanted their kids to be what they wanted to be. Can't fault him for that."
Jesse pondered, "Wonder what little Jackie's doing."
.
Jackie found out her Fencing center was doing good on participation, but they were going to need money so she could keep it open. Daniel was generous making sure they had enough. She knew he meant well, and was glad he supported her. She didn't want to be a burden to him, however. Another big help was Duncan. He gave her good financial suggestions. He also liked to come and fence. 'The exercise', he gave as a reason. Still some days, people came just to watch Jackie and Duncan on the mat, dodging back and forth, their flashing blades a blur as they whistled in the air.
One thing she did was order Fencing outfits, Eepe blades and mat shoes. The clothes and swords she sold, the footwear she rented out. It was a help. Many kids didn't have the money to pay for say a full fencing outfit, so she talked to the banker and arraigned loans for them. A few younger adults also wanted to fence. She decide to rent some outfits out for the few-timers who only wanted to learn, or come with their brothers or sister to fence.
Before Jackie knew it, she had a regular business going on. The next nearest place that had a Fencing club was in Austin. She contacted them about matches so her members now and then could face someone else besides they ones they normally did. The Austin Sword club was for it and even suggested matches they got trophies for. That was a good idea. There was even talk of 'regional' matches for areas of the country.
.
Once Derek and Jesse finished their dinner, they went over to the long set of tables filled with young women. The selection of food looked like a banquet with the different kinds of platters and pizza boxes along the table, as were a couple bottles of whiskey and a few pitchers of beer.
"Hey, everyone, this is my Uncle Derek and Aunt Jesse!" Joan announced as they approached. A sea of waves and an uncoordinated chorus of "Hi Uncle Derek, Aunt Jesse," assaulted them.
Joan was up and stole a couple chairs from a nearby table. With Allison's help, Joan crowded a few people a little closer together to make room for Derek and Jesse to side side by side near her.
"You gotta meet Kendra" Joan told Derek as she planted him in the seat beside hers. Pointing at Kendra across the table, Joan explained, "Kendra, and her whole team play really great! I know it will be an interesting, hard played game every time we meet them."
Across the table, Kendra chuckled and said, "It is, but you keep squeaking by us."
"Today was luck of who had the ball at the end of the fourth," Joan said firmly. "We happened to have it so we won. If you would have had it I'm sure you would have managed to get the last touchdown."
"We would have done our damnedest," Kendra agreed and lifted her glass to Joan. "You keep us on our toes."
Joan lifted her own glass to Kendra. "As do you."
Derek had to grin at them. They competed against each other, but he also saw they respected each other. "What are up to besides playing football?" he asked Joan.
"We're building a house!" Johan said happily, "It's nearly done. Bob's back home getting it finished."
"It's going to be cool," Allison said. She then poked Joan in the shoulder and added, "And Joan's even got an alligator to camp out in the yard."
"You captured an alligator?" Jesse asked, eyeing Joan.
Allison put an arm around Joan's shoulders and said, "It's like a really BIG cat, it followed her home. I gotta wonder if Allie Gator will be jealous."
Derek raised an eyebrow at Joan. Jesse eyed her and asked, "How big is this alligator?"
"The one at our new house is eleven, twelve feet long? Allie Gator is only nine." Joan said.
"These alligators follow you home?" Derek asked.
Joan nodded. "Well, this last one did. I was swimming in the lake and he followed me."
"He probably wanted to eat you," Jesse stated.
"He did want some more food. I went inside and got him some. He's not a bother, really," Joan explained.
"Not until he bites your leg off," Derek said with a snort.
From Jesse's other side, Betty said, "Joan and Allison are just a little bit nuts. I've never seen anyone else that hugs alligators."
"Yeah, Joan, you still got that video Bob took?" Jessica asked.
"The one of that alligator welcoming Joan home," Betty said. "That was wild."
"You shouldn't mess with wild animals," Derek told Joan firmly.
"Allie Gator is more like Joan's dog," Allison said. She then chuckled. "Oh! and when we get home, don't forget to make sure the couch is empty before you sit down. A short while ago, Yuka went in the living room and sat down, right on Allie Gator who was lying on the couch. Allie snapped at her and Yuka ran out screaming hysterically. It literally scared the shit out of Yuka. Nana told me all about it."
Girls laughed as Derek rolled his eyes. "OK hold on! You're telling me an alligator was lying on the couch in the living room?"
"She got in the house again." Allison said firmly. "No one knows who let her in."
Jesse asked, "Who's this Yuka? That sounds Japanese."
"She is," Joan said. "Moms picked them up in Japan, Kouta, Kaede, and Yuka. Jackie and Louise found Nana by the lake when they were swimming and saved Nana from being eaten by an alligator. They aren't related ... Well, they are kinda like a family of orphans." She then giggled and added, "Nana calls our place 'Far Away'. She was traveling alone for a long time."
"Texas here is just about as "Far Away' as you can get from Japan," Allison said.
"I saw John was taking the place of the President," Derek said. "How'd he end up like that?"
"That's a story Dad will have to tell you," Joan said firmly. "That is, when we get home. You are coming to see the house, Dad and Moms, aren't you?"
"I've gotta see this place, and these alligators that sleep on the couch." Derek said with a chuckle.
"Oh no! Well as long as one of us comes with you. The alligators don't like strangers, and they haven't met you yet." Joan explained.
"Ahh!" Derek said knowingly. "So, tell me, since when can an alligator distinguish between people?"
"Allie Gator is not a normal alligator. Neither are her little ones." Allison said.
"You must live in alligator heaven," Jesse said dryly.
"No, they pretty much live in and around the lake." Joan told her.
"The lake you kids swim in."
"Yeah, but we stay away from where most of them hang out," Joan assured her.
Joan was happy that Derek and Jesse stayed while they ate, then kept the beer pitchers coming for a while. It was good to see them again.
.
"We got more wild pigs," Aliana aid as she came into the sheriff's office.
The sheriff looked up from his paperwork. "Where?"
"Northeast of the big lake," she explained. "This is a large bunch. Roughly, I'd say a couple hundred of are close to the Lewis farm again, if they haven't gotten into the fields yet, it will be soon."
The sheriff sat back with a sigh. "Enough to seriously damage crops in a short amount of time," he said in a mussing tone. "OK, so we organize another pig hunt. The festival will be in a couple weeks, so we can have a town wide pig roast then as well. Could you update the dates on the fliers and print them out to pass around town? We'll all meet in the hotel parking lot at the big lake. I'll make sure we got our equipment ready."
Aliana got the fliers updated and printed out. She then went around to post them at every business then went to see the people who she knew liked to go on these hunts.
.
Jackie was happy about the pig hunt, as were many people. During thee hunts, the town all but closed down due to most of the people going on or supporting the hunt. Many were also getting low on meat from the last hunt. Everyone also knew the extra cash from selling the leftover porkers helped Driftwood local taxes stay low.
Coming into the Fencing Center, Duncan asked a "Pig hunt?" as he looked at the notice.
"Yeah!" Jackie chirped. "We all go out and have an organized hunt to kill the wild pigs. It's food for everyone, keeps those pigs from destroying crops, helps out the economy, and it's fun! You're coming, aren't you?"
Duncan asked, "If the whole town is going, isn't there a real risk of someone getting shot by accident?"
"No, the sheriff finds out where the pigs are, then he assigns places for everyone to be, and designates the drivers to get the pigs running into the shooters. After the hunt, we gut and collect up the carcasses and take them down to the grocery to get butchered. A few get cooked for the festival, the meat is split between all the participants and the extra get sold to help with the community. Things like stuff for the school and some roadwork. Stuff like that." Jackie explained.
"I don't have a gun," Duncan told her.
"Gun store's right down the street," Jackie said, pointing. "The best thing to get is a .30 caliber semi-auto rifle, clip fed. Those pigs come at you fast when they're running. Last hunt I burned through all three ten shot clips for the rifle I have and another couple clips of 9MM pistol. I got a couple more clips just in case. I'm going loaded full up."
Duncan had to grin at her smile. "All right, later I'll go buy one. While I'm there, do you need any ammunition?"
"I could use two more boxes of .30-06. Get the 180 grain boat tailed bullets. If you want to practice, We have a shooting range set up at the house."
"I'll get them while I'm there." he assured her. "Ah, 180 grain? those are big bullets."
"Yeah, but they will bust open a pig's skull head on. I tried the 220 grain bullets, they have a worse trajectory and blast things apart. They are a little too much."
.
Later on, Duncan went down to the gun store. He noticed the rack on the wall was many semi automatic weapons, rifle and shotgun, as well as some bolt action and pump guns. He went up to the counter. "Hi, I'm going to help out with the pig hunt coming up. was told a .30 caliber semi auto rifle was the best thing to get."
"Hunting pigs, that's right! Or a semi auto 12 gauge shotgun," the man agreed. "We got some new guns in modern versions of the M-14's. Let me show you one." He got an assault looking rifle down and showed it to Duncan. "It's like the original M-14's in many ways. Upgraded so that kick up and to the right doesn't happen now. Still .30 caliber, chambered for .308. Identical ballistics to the classic .30-06. Scopes are pre-sighted out to 200 yards, with recticules for 100 to 400 yards. Beats the hell out of those old AR models. Especially if you're joining the pic hunt. You're going to want that extra fire power." He took the clip out and showed it to Duncan. "The standard clip is ten shots, we got 15 shot clips available, and extras of both."
"I'll need to brush up and practice some," Duncan said in a musing tone. "I'll take that, three extra clips and ... four boxes of .308, 180 grain shells and two of .30-06 180 grain shells."
The man behind the counter asked with a grin, "Cameron, John or or Jackie running out of ammo?"
"Jackie asked me to get those."
"You want a cleaning kit too? Got whole kits here, supplies also. You'll have to clean the gun grease out of the barrel before you shoot it, or it's going to kick your shoulder off."
Duncan laughed. "OK, I'll take a cleaning kit too."
"Don't need a backup weapon, do you?" The man asked. "Most folks carry a pistol with them when they go out. We do got snakes, gators and other lizards around here that will bite ya."
Duncan decided that was best, and spend a ton of money at the gun store. He then went to the sheriff's office to sign up for his hunting permit and hunter safety course. He was mildly surprised that he didn't need a carry permit for the pistol. As long as he carried it exposed, he didn't need a permit. After his class, Duncan was ready to go out on a pig hunt.