Fire From the Sky: Trial by Fire by N.C. Reed

Author:N.C. Reed [Reed, N.C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Creative Texts Publishers, LLC
Published: 2018-03-11T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

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Morning dawned cool and hazy. The sky was overcast anyway, and drifting smoke from the wildfire was heavier that it had been the day before. That was normal but it didn't make anyone feel any better.

Tandi and Deuce stood looking at a map and listening to what Abigail wanted. Both nodded as she explained what she needed to try and do, signaling not only understanding but ability. They knew what she wanted and they could make it happen.

“We may have to make two flights,” Deuce cautioned. “It takes a bit for these things to get to that altitude.”

“I have a feeling you won't need as much altitude today as you did yesterday,” his cousin replied grimly. “Though I hope you do,” she added. “That would mean the fire is still further away than I'm afraid it is. Maybe even moving away.”

“We 'll know soon enough,” Tandi said, taking his gear and climbing aboard a waiting ATV with Zach Willis and Kade Ramsey already aboard. Deuce went to where Gordy and Corey Raynard sat waiting for him and both vehicles sped away, heading to their designated spots.

Abigail began pacing as she waited. It would likely be twenty minutes or more before they heard anything back from the drones. Not enough time to return to work on her dozer, yet more than enough time for her mind to run wild with worse case scenarios.

What if they couldn't get her rig operating in time?

What if the wind kicked up?

What if they couldn't get a berm up quick enough and plow a trail?

What if, what if, what if. There were always too many of them, and today of all days there were more than usual. She considered the feasibility of back burning, but with no trained help and no certain equipment she didn't think the benefits outweighed the risks. It wouldn't help deprive the fire of fuel if the back burn turned into just another part of the fire.

“You need to chill, Abby,” Leanne said from where she was waiting to plot the position of the fire. “Pacing like that won't help anything.”

“It won't hurt anything either,” Abigail responded, though not unkindly.

“I suppose that's true,” Leanne agreed. “Still, you need to take a deep breath. While pacing won't hurt anything, it won't make this go faster either.”

“I know that, but it does help me burn off nervous energy,” the older girl explained.

“So, you're nervous?” Leanne asked.

“It's not the same thing,” Abigail shook her head. “I have so much to get done but there's only so much of it we can do, and every minute I lose on getting a break built is a minute I can't get back if this fire is really heading our way.”

“Okay, I can see that,” Leanne nodded. “If we can't-”

“Pip this is Deuce,” a radio call interrupted her. “Bird is flying.”

“I hate you!” she responded over the radio, white hot in an instant.

“Easy now,” Abigail soothed.

“He knows I hate that!” Leanne all but hissed as made a small check beside Leon's name.

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