On the road, several of the men in the trucks were looking out at the drones. They were holding steady just a few yards away going as fast as the trucks were. One of the men sitting in the cab of a truck waved at the drone flying just a few feet away. He was surprised that the drone began tilting back and forth in response. He got the attention of the others who also began waving. They began to feel like their ordeal really was over.
***
After everyone had left the camp, Petyr and three others remained behind to make sure no one was hiding in the area. After several sweeps, they were satisfied and began making their way back out via the road. Petyr took his time. He wanted to see the house Freda had grown up in. It was a typical, colorful country farmhouse that looked undamaged by the war. As he came up the road, he saw someone come out of the house carrying a bucket. It was a female, and she made her way to the pump for the well.
Petyr gasped. It was Freda. Taking the controls, he rapidly moved his drone toward the farmhouse.
Freda had begun pumping the old pump to get water for the family. They had watched the Russians move away and she figured it was safe to go outside. The bucket was half filled when she heard a strange buzzing sound. Turning toward it, she saw the drone moving quickly towards her. She dropped the bucket and began running toward the house when she heard a voice.
“Freda!” Petyr almost shouted through the speaker of the drone.
She made it to the door and turned when she heard the voice. She was clearly frightened as she watched the flying apparition come closer to her. It was coming slowly now. She started to dart into the house when she heard it again.
“Freda, it’s me, Petyr.”
A puzzled look came over her face. “Petyr?”
“Dearest Freda, I thought you and the family were dead.”
Now she recognized the voice and her face turned to an expression of joy. “Petyr, it is you!” she said. She raised her hands to reach out, but didn’t know what to touch.
“Better not touch. I am flying this by remote control,” he said. “Is the family there with you?” Petyr asked.
Suddenly the door burst open and Rudy charged out with a large broomstick in his hand. Only Freda prevented him from beating the drone into pieces. “It’s Petyr!” she cried out.
Rudy stopped and stared at the machine.
“Hello Rudy,” Petyr said through the drone.
Sasha came out next, more out of curiosity than anything else. “So cool,” he said. Soon the whole family was out looking at the strange machine, smiling up at him.
“Our tenants here moved away, so after the building was hit, we decided to all come here,” explained Freda. “Since the Russians came a few days ago, we have been afraid to come out.”
“I saw our home. But I also saw one of your dresses and it looked like there was blood on it,” Petyr said.
“Freda helped one of the neighbors who was hurt. I couldn’t get the stains out,” said Petyr’s mother. “We had to leave so quickly there wasn’t time to really get everything, so we left it along with a few other things,” she said.
They spoke for only a few minutes before Petyr called things to a halt. “Look, I have to go back now. We are nearby and I hope when I can, to come home and see you. I’m just so happy to find you all alive,” Petyr said. “I’ll try and come back every so often to look in on you. Good-bye everyone,” he said.
They all waived at him as the drone lifted higher in the sky and disappeared in the distance. Petyr sat back in his seat and felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Ricks standing behind him.
Ricks saw the tears in the young man’s eyes and just smiled down at the boy. “Nice family,” he said. “I’m glad they’re alright.”
“You were right. I shouldn’t have given up hope,” Petyr said as he wiped the tears on his sleeve.
“Always listen to your sergeant,” Ricks joked. “Your prisoners have just crossed to our side of the line. You just saved over 500 people from being killed. The colonel was so impressed, he ordered the other units to do the same. We may run out of room at these POW camps,” he grinned. “Now, get your people back together, we have a job to do.”
Petyr smiled up at Ricks. “Thanks, Dale,” he said before turning back to his console and calling up his platoon.
Ricks looked at the boy with pride. It was nice to see good things happen to really good people.
The Osprey flared out and positioned itself over the helicopter pad aboard the ship. After touching down, the rear of the plane opened and several people got out along with several pallets of blow up mattresses. Lieutenant Commander Rod Jeffers walked toward the superstructure and was met by an officer in a working uniform.
“Lieutenant Commander Jeffers?” he inquired.
Jeffers nodded and extended his hand. “That’s me,” he said with a grin.
“Russ Sampson, the XO,” Sampson said shaking his hand. “Sorry we had to bring you over early, but we were told you understand Russian, and we have over 400 of them aboard.” He ordered some of the men to carry Jeffers’ baggage to his stateroom.
“Is there a problem?” asked Jeffers.
“Not such a big one, but I’d rather one of our own translated instead of using one of them. You never know what’s really being said. Besides, I need a First Lieutenant. The guys aboard are doing a great job, but I need a quarterback,” Sampson said as they made their way forward. Just aft of turret two they entered a passageway and headed toward the starboard side to the XO’s stateroom. “Come in a few and take a seat,” the XO said as he motioned Jeffers to the chair beside his desk.
Jeffers sat down and the XO took off his heavy jacket. “Rod, I appreciate you coming in to help out. Our First Lieutenant was killed during one of the bombing runs a few days ago. Have you had any experience as a first lieutenant?” the XO asked.
“Not much, but I worked closely with ours aboard the Kings Mountain. I was the gunnery officer aboard,” Jeffers said.
“Well, then you’ll have to learn quick. This ship is all steel and nothing but. Just keeping up with the rust is a full time job, not to mention all the boats onboard. You also have the unrep gear and ammo handling gear along with a couple acres of teak to keep clean. Needless to say, the Captain likes his ship to look good and you are the man to keep him happy. You also have the responsibility for your people. One of my pet peeves is the number of people coming to mast. Usually it is Deck Department that keeps my day busy on that note. I need you to make sure your people stay out of trouble,” he said pointing his finger at Jeffers. Then he softened a bit. “Naturally, I know you can’t control all these people, but do what you can. You know the drill. Talk to your officers and chiefs. They’re a good bunch and can fill you in on the details. Being a department head, you won’t be standing watches on the bridge, but I figure your days will be busy. Go over your watch quarter and station bill. That will tell you how many people you have for any one thing and where they go during the day. Do you have any questions?” the XO asked.
“Too new to ask, XO. But if I have any, I’ll come to you,” said Jeffers.
“Good. The CO wants to see you when you get settled. Your stateroom is just up the passageway. Get yourself set up then go see him. He will probably be on the bridge,” the XO said, extending his hand again.
“Thanks, XO. I’ll check in with you later on,” said Jeffers. He then turned and left the stateroom and made his way down the passageway where a sailor was depositing his belongings.