(A/N: I do not own Paw Patrol, enjoy!)
Power of the Night
Marshall and Cinder were sitting at a table in their favorite coffee shop late one Friday night.
"Can you believe we graduate in a week?" Marshall said excitedly as he practically gulped down his dog-safe hot chocolate.
"Hang on, we haven't graduated yet" Cinder softly said with a smile, taking a sip of her own dog-safe peppermint hot chocolate.
"True" Marshall replied, settling down slightly, "but you and I both know that it is going to happen."
"You got me there" Cinder softly admitted. At this point, they would have to put more effort into not graduating than to actually graduate. "But I bet I know the real reason you are excited for next Friday."
"What's that?" Marshall asked curiously.
"Because it is the day before next Saturday" Cinder softly replied with a smug look on her face.
"Friday usually is before Saturday, that is correct" Marshall admitted, "but, other than going hame to Adventure Bay and bringing you with me, why is this Saturday more special?"
"While that is reason enough for it to be extra special, you may have forgotten what you are doing this Saturday, dear brother, but I most certainly have not" Cinder softly giggled. "Something long overdue…"
"Wash my pup house? I haven't don't that in three months" Marshall speculated. "Play tag with Chase? Spray Rocky with my hose on accident? So many things that I just haven't done in three months..."
"None of those, those it does have to do with a teammate" Cinder said with another soft giggle.
"Well tell me what it is because I've clearly forgot" Marshall begged, "Is it have a panic attack while hanging from Skye's copter? Play water balloon tag with Zuma? Build a sand castle with Rubble? Get a belly rub from Ryder? Go on a forest walk with Everest?" Marshall's voice trailed off as he said her name. "It's ask Everest out, isn't it?"
"I knew you remembered" Cinder said happily but Marshall's face suggested he didn't want to remember. What? Don't tell me you suddenly don't like her anymore Cinder pushed the thought into Marshall's head.
No, that's not the problem Marshall thought back glumly.
Then what is? Cinder prodded. What possible situation could you not have what-if'd yet?
The one where I'm too late and she has moved on Marshall admitted.
Why is that even a possibility? Cinder asked.
Well, she has barely talked to me this last month Marshall thought, literally every time I try and talk she either doesn't answer or has to go right away.
Don't we have that same problem? Cinder challenged. As I recall, there hasn't been a single week since I've been here where your normal Saturday call hasn't been cut short due to an emergency.
Yeah but something feels off Marshall admitted.
Cinder paused at Marshall's choice of words. They both had exceptional instincts and had learned to trust those instincts. Cinder couldn't remember either of their instincts being significantly wrong anytime recently. So either we are due to be wrong or something is off Cinder thought to herself.
Something is off Marshall mentally repeated, plucking the thought from Cinder's head. The question is what?
And Everest not being interested is the best you could come up with? Cinder mentally chidded. Marshall nodded affirmatively. Cinder let out a sigh and hoped that she wouldn't be like this when she found someone to be interested in; but she probably would be. Ok so it is a possibility that cannot be discounted. I'm going to say right now I bet you are wrong but I can't prove it. So let's consider your options. You could not do anything and be guaranteed to be miserable or you could get off your paws and tell her how you feel and maybe be happy or maybe be sad.
Can't I just skip the the end when she says yes and be happy? Marshall mentally whined.
Ha! See, you think she is going to say yes Cinder mentally rejoiced. But no, you have to get there the same time as everyone else. Dust off whichever one of your myriad of plans you think is going to work best and be your normal, charming self; then forget the rest, especially the worries.
Marshall shot his twin sister a mock glare. Cinder just smirked back at him. Fine, I'll still do it Marshall mentally conceded.
See, was that so hard? Cinder exulted her victory.
Yes, but now I actually have to do it Marshall mentally grumbled.
You'll be fine Cinder gently gave him a mental confidence boost, trust me. Cinder leaned forward and pressed the side of her muzzle to the side of Marshall's muzzle. She felt the tension in him relax slowly.
"Thanks Cin" Marshall whispered softly.
"Anytime" Cinder softly replied.
At that moment, the lights went out in the shop. The twp Dalmatians looked up and noticed that the entire city around them appeared dark as well. Without a word, they left their drinks and ran down the street towards Station 25.
In Adventure Bay, a similar conversation was unfolding. Skye and Everest were in the latter's pup house talking. "Are you excited for next weekend?" Skye asked.
"Should I be?" Everest replied quietly.
"Of course you should!" Skye yipped, swatting her paw down for emphasis. "Marshall is coming home!"
"And bringing his gorgeous dalmatian girlfriend with him" Everest said unhappily.
"You know we haven't seen any hard evidence of that being the case" Skye reminded her bothered best friend.
"Sure, and all the circumstancal evidence we find is all just coincidence" Everest replied.
"We don't know Everest" Skye said, "and you keep chickening out every opportunity you have to find out."
Everest winced and Skye realized she may have cut too deep. "Look, Everest," Skye said much more gently, placing a paw on her best friend's back. "I'm sorry I said it that way, it was mean of me. But you are working yourself into a tizzy over what-ifs."
Everest looked questioningly at Skye as she she continued. "Sure, some of what we've seen suggests that they could be in a relationship. But by the same token we are missing key confirming tidbits. Maybe they are close friends. You know Marshall, it is unlikely that he would have a hard time making friends with the Heartland Fire and Rescue pups. And we know there are other female pups that he works with. I guess I'm asking is what is it about Cinder that makes you so much more convinced that there is a romantic relationship?"
Everest pondered that question for a few moments. "I guess part of it is that they always seem to be next to each other. If you remember before you and Chase started dating, in pictures you were next to each other sometimes but also sometimes you weren't. After you started dating, you are always next to each other, and physically closer together. Every single picture we have with Marshall and Cinder has them next to each other, pretty dang close. Sometimes paws around each other, sometimes not. It usually follows what everyone else is doing but sometimes not. Couple that will how attractive she is and obviously a good fire and rescue pup if she is going to be the first fire pup captain, I guess I feel a little threatened."
Skye raised her eyebrow at the last statement so Everest continued. "I know you are going to tell me I'm beautiful, and special and so on I won't argue with you. It is just that I feel intimidated by her, like who I am isn't good enough. I've never felt that before."
"Can I share something with you Everest?" Skye asked to which Everest nodded.
"I was intimidated by you when you joined the team" Skye admitted.
"What?" Everest asked, surprise written all over her face.
"Yup," Skye confirmed, "I was the only girl pup on the team, I had a crush on the handsome lead pup, all the guys had given me appreciative looks at some point. Then along comes this gorgeous lavender husky who is clearly a good rescue pup already. I saw the looks Marshall stole at you and was afraid you would want the best for yourself; the pup I had a crush on."
"Chase" Everest whispered. They had never talked about this before.
"Chase" Skye confirmed. "But I played nice and we became best friends. Imagine if I had let my fear that you were going to steal Chase from me make decisions, we would have been rivals for no good reason instead."
"I'm glad you went the first route and not the second" Everest said with a shudder as she imagined what it would be like to be Skye's rival.
"Me too," Skye said, laying her head on top of Everest's head. "And guess what, you didn't like Chase that way so I wasted all that energy worrying about something that wasn't the case. You are doing the same with Cinder and Marshall."
"I think this might be a little different, Skye," Everest said with another sigh. "You were worried about the unknown with no context. I actually have the context that there is a relationship of some type, I just don't know whether it is romantic or not." Everest let another sigh out. "But you also have a point about playing nice. I can at least do that."
"I bet you 10 liver treats that come Saturday night, you'll be laughing about how silly you've been for the past month" Skye placed the wager.
"You haven't eaten 10 liver treats in your life, Skye," Everest laughed finally, "let alone possessed that many."
"Fine, I'll buy you the whole bag" Skye upped the ante.
"I'll need the whole bag to eat my feelings away," Everest warned.
"No you won't" Skye asserted. "But Chase and I will enjoy munching the bacon peanut butter ones you get us."
"In your dreams fly girl" Everest laughed.
"Our dream is the same silly" Skye giggled, rubbing her head against Everest's affectionately. Then the lights flicked off.
"That's weird," Everest said, looking around.
"The generator should be kicking on…there it is" Skye said as the lights kicked back on.
"Paw Patrol, to the lookout!" echoed from their pup tags.
"Ryder needs us!" Skye and Everest yipped together as they ran out of Everest's pup house and to the elevator.
Marshall and Cinder ran the whole way back to the fire station. As they ran up the driveway. They could hear Paul swearing at the backup generator. "Well, I guess that answers that question," Cinder softly said as they walked inside.
Inside the fire station was pitch black. Marshall tapped the light on his pup tag to give them enough light to navigate by and the two Dalmatians made their way to their gear and collected flashlights. Then they headed out back to where the generator was kept.
Outside, the swearing was louder. "What is the problem Paul?" Cinder softly asked.
"The generator won't take the load of the station" Paul replied back, "everytime I try to load it, it trips offline."
"Kill all the breakers individually and see if it can take just the dead bus" Cinder softly replied.
"Already tried that and it still trips in offline" Paul replied.
"Ok, then screw the generator; start Engine 25 and we'll run our comms that way. If we start running low on fuel, we'll make a trip to the fuel farm or just siphon out the generator" Cinder softly directed. "We'll only start the medic if we need to respond."
"On it" Paul replied as he shut off the generator and headed inside with his flashlight.
"Uh, Cinder, how will we get the bay doors open without power?" Shadow asked.
"We are going to open them now with hand and paw power" Cinder softly replied as she went inside as well, expecting them to follow her.
"I had to ask" Shadow mumbled as Misty slugged him in the shoulder. Marshall just laughed.
As the crew filtered into the truck bay, they heard the growl of Engine 25 turning over before settling into a gentle idle. "Get the gear on the trucks" Cinder said softly over her shoulder, "we are not going to be caught flat-pawed when something goes wrong out there." It took several minutes, and several stubbed toes and paws, but they were ready in case of an emergency.
"Why don't we move the trucks to the driveway" Marshall asked, nudging Cinder's shoulder. "Then we can close and lock the station and not worry about it if we have to respond."
"Not a bad idea Marshall" Cinder softly mused. "Ok team, let's roll out to the driveway." This move did not take long at all and soon the two trucks were in the driveway, ready for any emergency. And just in time too.
"Light Force 25, Dispatch, report status" crackled over Engine 25's radio.
"Light Force 25, available" Cinder softly replied.
"Light Force 25, we have a report of a small explosion at a house, sending address to your computer, respond code 3."
"Light Force 25 copies," Cinder softly replied as she pulled up the location on the computer. "ETA 10 minutes."
Cinder turned to her crew, "Alright, let's go!"
At the lookout, all the pups had quickly, if slightly sleepily, made it to the elevator. "No crash tonight, we must be tired" Chase said to no one in particular. One gear up and a splash of water on their faces later, the pups jumped out to their spots. "Paw Patrol ready for action Ryder sir!" Chase sounded off more awake than he felt.
"Thanks for hurrying pups" Ryder said as he dove into the briefing. "There has been a turbine failure at the hydro electric dam which caused a cascading failure in the distribution grid."
"Huh?" Zuma asked, clearly not quite getting it.
"The short version," Ryder said with a smile, is that Adventure Bay, Foggy Bottom, Heartland, Adventure City, and several other towns and cities, do not have power right now. Restoration is already in progress but we need to keep the area safe until that is complete. For this mission I'll need Zuma…" Ryder swiped to the water rescue pup's icon. "I need you to escort Rocky out to the Seal Island Lighthouse to help Capt Turbot get the generator going. Then run a sweep of the bay to make sure no ships run into the bridge while the lights are out."
"Let's dive in!" Zuma said.
"Rocky, take your tugboat out to Seal Island and grt that lighthouse generator going" Ryder said.
"Green means go!" Rocky sounded off.
"Skye and Chase" Ryder said, swiping to their icons, " I need you to patrol the air and streets to make sure that there are not any accidents."
"This pup's gotta fly" Skye sounded off.
"Chase is on the case!" Chase added.
"Alright, Paw Patrol is on a roll!" Ryder yelled as he dashed to his pole. Zuma, Rocky, Skye and Chase howled as they slid down the slide to their vehicles.
Everest pulled up the mission in progress screen on the mission display to monitor what happened while Rubble went down stairs to fetch them snacks.
As Engine 25 and Medic 25 drove down the street, they could see smoke rising from their destination. But when they arrived, there was only smoke and no fire. "Marshall, let's go inside and check it out," Cinder softly said. The twins walked up to the door and knocked. A man promptly answered the door.
"Oh thank goodness you are here" the man said, "come quickly, my wife has been hurt."
"Lead the way," Marshall said. The man led them into the kitchen where his wife was sitting on the floor, looking quite dazed and her right hand was a bloody mess. Marshall immediately got to work treating her, calling for Sam and Alan to bring the medical kit and stretcher.
Cinder could tell that something happened here, but the smells she was smelling didn't quite make sense. "What happened?" She softly asked.
"When the power went out, my wife went into the basement to get a candle. Unfortunately, she grabbed a small stick of dynamite instead" the man replied.
Cinder did a double take. "She grabbed a stick of dynamite instead of a candle and lit it?" She softly asked to confirm.
The man nodded. "I use the dynamite for work and it is stored in the cabinet next to the cabinet with the candles. I have an electronic lock on the dynamite cabinet but when the power went out it released the lock."
"That would explain her injury," Marshall said from down on the floor. "We need to get her to a surgeon quickly if her hand is to be saved."
"Then get a move on" Cinder softly said just as Sam and Alan brought the stretcher in. While they loaded the woman, Cinder did a quick check around to make sure nothing was burning. Satisfied that nothing was on fire, Cinder walked outside to call dispatch. She called directly instead of using the radio.
"Dispatch, this is Captain Jason."
"Jason, it's Cinder with Light Force 25, I got a fun one for you this evening " Cinder softly said.
"Oh? Did you find what caused the explosion you responded to?" Capt. Jason replied.
"Yeah, a stick of dynamite being used as a candle" Cinder softly stated.
"What?" Capt. Jason spluttered.
"A stick of dynamite being used as a candle" Cinder softly repeated.
"I know I heard you right but you can't be serious" Capt. Jason said.
"People do weird things in the dark," Cinder softly replied. "Can you send someone over here to figure out if everything here is legitimate?"
"Yeah, I'll send Battalion 2 and a patrol unit to sort it out," Capt. Jason replied. "Any injuries?"
"Medic 25 should have called in the transport" Cinder softly replied.
"Ah, there it is, I see it now." Capt. Jason said.
"I'll call on the radio once we turn over this mess to Battalion 2 to figure out" Cinder softly as she got ready to hang up.
"Thanks, I'm sure Chief Callie will be thrilled" Capt. Jason said with a laugh as he hung up.
What a wonky night Cinder thought to herself.
At the lookout, Everest and Rubble were startled by an alarm whooping on the mission display. Ryder and Chase's icons had both started flashing red. Before they could investigate, Chase called.
"What's wrong Chase?" Everest asked.
"Everest, Ryder hit a rock slide with his ATV and crashed" Chase panted. "I clipped it too and now my truck is stuck!"
"We are on our way," Everest said, ending the call. "Come on Rubble, we got work to do" Everest said as she leaped down the slide.
Given that she was being called out as an EMT, Everest took Marshall's ambulance. She wasn't as familiar with the layout but it had everything she might need and would be better equipped to transport Ryder if he was hurt. She wore Marshall's EMT pack as well for the same reasons. It had taken a little adjustment and kept loosening but Everest didn't mind because it smelled like Marshall.
When they arrived on scene, Everest immediately took charge. "Rubble, get Chase's truck off that boulder. Then get Ryder's ATV clear of the street. Finally, clear all these rocks from the road."
"Rubble on the double!" the bulldog sounded off as he got to work.
Everest stopped the ambulance next to where Ryder lay face down in the street. Fortunately, it looked like he had missed hitting any boulders face first. "Ryder! Can you hear me?" Everest barked as she jumped down.
A groan answered her.
"It's going to be ok Ryder," Everest said soothingly as she got to work. "I'm an EMT and I'm here to help you."
"I feel like I know that already" Ryder groaned.
"You remember, well that is a good sign" Everest said with a smile. "And you are still conscious and not gushing blood all over the sidewalk, also good. Where do you hurt?"
"My left arm" Ryder replied.
"Is that where you hit the pavement first?" Everest asked.
"Yeah, I tried to cushion my landing with it" Ryder replied.
"Well, we'll see if that helped or not. I'm going to roll you over so I can take a look, ok?" Everest informed him.
"Ok, just turn me slowly" Ryder responded.
Everest gently helped Ryder to turn over so he was laying on his back. Everest noted the various cuts on Ryder's face and hands but his uniform had done a good job of protecting the rest of him.
"Is he going to live?!" Chase yelped as he ran up next to Everest. Rubble had apparently finished getting his truck unstuck.
"It depends" Everest said, " I don't see anything that would indicate death is imminent but there could be internal bleeding or another issue I have found yet, or I could amputate all his limbs just to be sure. Now shoo, go keep traffic safe so I don't have any more patients."
Chase paled visibly. "Umm, ok, I don't think you'll have to amputate anything but you are the expert." Chase then ran back to his truck and went about his assigned task.
"You aren't going to amputate anything, are you?" Ryder asked nervously.
"Probably not," Everest replied with a a laugh. "I would let the doctor do it if necessary. But I needed him out of here so I can work without being pestered every swish of his tail."
Ryder started laughing but it turned into a cough. "Please don't make me laugh, Everest, it hurts" Ryder spluttered.
"You have the wrong EMT for that" Everest replied with a smile, "but I'll try and minimize it. Now give me your arm so I can inflict more pain to see if you broke anything."
Ryder shied away slightly so Everest took his arm gently in her paws. She felt along the whole length, from his shoulder blade to the tip of his fingers and didn't feel any breaks. Then Everest checked his chest for any broken ribs. "Arf, X-Ray!" Screen in paw, Everest followed her physical exam with a digital double check. "Ok Ryder, you haven't broken anything, probably just a sprain or bone bruise. No signs of any internal bleeding either But you can't ride your ATV so I'll give you a lift."
"Thanks Everest" Ryder said as Everest helped him into the back of the ambulance.
"You're welcome. Let's get you back so you can rest." Everest replied with a smile. As she jumped up into the cab, Everest spoke into her pup tag "Rocky, how is the lighthouse repair coming?"
"Good, almost done" Rocky reported. "Why do you ask Everest?"
"Great, when you are done, can you pick up Ryder's ATV on your way back and bring it back to the Lookout?" Everest requested.
"Sure I can" Rocky replied, "but why?"
"Because Ryder got hurt and is in the back of Marshall's ambulance, which I am driving" Everest told him. "Yes, he is probably going to be fine but I need to get him back to the Lookout to rest."
"Got it" Rocky replied before hanging up.
I should probably tell Chase he is in command now Everest thought to herself as she drove back. Nah, he is a little too frazzled rat the moment, I'll just take care of it.
Back in Heartland, Chief Callie had not been at all amused by the situation. "She grabbed a stick of dynamite instead of a candle and it it?" she asked Cinder again.
"Yes Chief" Cinder softly replied, "the short version is that they have a cabinet with dynamite in it next to the cabinet with candles. But the electronic lock on the dynamite failed when the power went out and apparently the wide opened the wrong cabinet in the dark."
"Good grief, why can't people just not do dumb things?" Chief Callie asked the rhetorical question, throwing her hands up in the air.
"Because common sense is an uncommon virtue" the human police sergeant who had joined them replied philosophically.
"Quiet Darrell" Chief Callie said, giving him a mock glare. "And not a peep out of you either, Augie."
"My lips are sealed ma'am" the jet black Belgian shepherd, also a sergeant, said with a hint of a laugh.
"As much as I wish I could just make you deal with this, Captain, especially since you will probably be the first fire pup Chief one day," Chief Callie said, turning to Cinder, "this is definitely on us to take care of. You are good to return to the station. Though if we blow ourselves up, I expect you back here pronto!"
"Absolutely Chief" Cinder nodded.
"Ok you two jokers" Chief Call said to the two police sergeants, "let's see what, if any, of this cockamamie story is legal."
Cinder shook her head in slight amusement before jumping up into Engine 25 and heading back to Station 25.
As Everest pulled back up to the Lookout, the power clicked back on. "Well, that is convenient" she said as she helped Ryder out of the back of Marshall's ambulance.
"Extremely convenient" Ryder concurred.
"Ok, let's get you into bed then so you can rest" Everest said, helping Ryder inside.
"You should probably recall the others" Ryder mentioned.
"Good thinking, see you are totally fine" Everest said with a laugh before keying her pup tag. "Skye, Chase, Zuma, go ahead and make one last pass to ensure there are no accidents and then head home now that the power is back on."
"Sure thing Everest" Skye replied, "but where is Ryder?"
"I'll tell you when you get here" Everest replied before hanging up. "Now, scat! Into bed with you!"
"I'm going" Ryder laughed.
Everest helped Ryder get situated in bed all comfy and cozy before laying down next to him. "Run your hand through my fur, it should be comforting."
"Who told you that?" Ryder asked, a curious smile on his face as he started rubbing Everest.
"Marshall" Everest replied, "he said that patients usually enjoy cuddling something soft and fluffy after an accident. He also said my fur was very soft and fluffy so I put two and two together."
Ryder opened his mouth to say something but a yawn came out instead. "Well, it seems like he is right, I'm feeling calm and relaxed already. Goodnight Everest"
"Goodnight Ryder" Everest said softly, laying her head down. She stayed there until Ryder was asleep, which did not take long at all. Careful not to wake him, Everest slid out of his bed and out the door.
Everest had just finished closing the door softly when Chase, Skye, Katie, Rubble, Zuma and Rocky all burst into the lookout like a herd of elephants with a barrage of questions.
"Is Ryder going to be ok?!"
"What happened?!"
"Do we need to take Ryder to the hospital?!"
"Why did you amputate all his limbs?!"
"I'm sorry, what? One at a time please" Everest asked, trying to sort out the questions.
"Why did you amputate all of Ryder's limbs?!" Katie asked frantically.
"Who told you that I did?" Everest asked curiously.
"Chase said that you said you might have to" Katie said, turning her head to look at Chase who looked just as concerned.
"Well, I decided to just amputate his entire body instead" Everest replied with a straight face. "Less cutting to do and mess to clean up."
"You mean Wyder is just a head now?" Zuma yelped in fear.
"Exactly" Everest nodded. The pups were silent for a moment in horror.
"Oh my goodness you six, you are too easy" Everest laughed. "Ryder is fine, I didn't amputate anything. A little banged up we with a couple cuts, bruises and maybe a bone bruise or two but nothing a good night's sleep won't take care of for the most part."
"That was not funny Everest!" Katie said indignantly.
"It was a little funny" Rocky said with a smile. "You have a dark sense of humor when you EMT, Everest."
"Wonder there she gets that from" Skye said with a smile.
"Can we see him?" Chase yipped excitedly.
"Yeah, I have so much to ask him" Rubble added.
"Yes you can have a pup treat, Rubble" Everest laughed.
"How did you know that was what I was going to ask?" Rubble inquired, cocking his head to the side.
"Lucky guess" Everest replied to which the other pups laughed. "But no, you can't see him tonight. I just got him to sleep and he needs to sleep well so he can heal faster. He doesn't need a bunch of anxious pups or a girl swarming him tonight."
"Fine" Chase huffed, "as long as he is ok."
"He is perfectly fine" Everest replied with a hint of exasperation, to which Rocky snickered.
"What about if it was just me?" Katie asked hopefully.
"Fine, just you Kaite" Everest relented. "But if you do anything that wakes him up before the morning, you are going to wish Marshall was the one tranquilizing you!"
"I'll be good, promise" Katie replied before slipping quietly into Ryder's room.
"Ok, the rest of you, get a treat if you want one then off to bed with you!" Everest said sternly. All the pups headed to the kitchen, with Skye falling in beside Everest.
"So how come you are doing the commanding instead of Chase?" Skye whispered.
"Because Chase was a panicked wreck" Everest replied with a quiet laugh, "it was almost as bad as the last time you got hurt. So I decided not to make him worry about it and take care of thing myself."
"Fair enough" Skye giggled as the besties collected their treats and headed to bed.
The power was still out at Station 25 when Engine 25 arrived. Medic 25 was already parked out front again, ready to respond. "You took you so long?" Marshall asked as Cinder hopped down.
"I had to wait for Chief Callie and Patrol to come relieve us" Cinder softly replied. "How is the patient?"
"In surgery" Marshall replied, "we'll see how that goes, there was a lot of damage to her hand.
"Dynamite will do that" Cinder softly said, laying down on the driveway between Engine 25 and Medic 25. Marshall laid down next to her to wait for their next call out.
(A/N: Special thanks to Bluewolfbat for the ideas about Everest and Skye having a conversation about Cinder and for Marshall and Cinder to just hang out for a bit and to Marshall V2018 for the idea about Ryder's ATV crash)
(A/N: Thank you to chasem24 for the kind words. I did a lot of research to try and write a accurate and believable story. I would never say that I'm that good but I'm glad you are enjoying the story. Take a look at my other stories as well because they tie together.)