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Post by jessica on Oct 23, 2008 1:46:22 GMT -10
Mhm.. I don't think that this is going to be easy..and I seriously doubt that Lucy will make it too easy for Dino So let's see what happens next and.. IF Terry will call Gaby.. Jess
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Post by margaret1234 on Oct 23, 2008 6:05:17 GMT -10
Good chapter Lucy.......so Dino and the team are safe for now ........but, I am wondering what Mr Ortega knows about "The Trail"........maybe they are in more danger than they already know at this stage. Poor Terry feeling bad about their last meeting.......but, Dino was as much to blame Terry.....so stop thinking bad thoughts and get on with arranging some help for Dino. Not sure you should involve Gaby at this time. We don't know that Dino can't get himself out of this mess yet....remember he is a most resilient character. But, as this is a bit of a love tangle who knows what Lucy will do.
Margaret
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Post by lucymalta on Oct 23, 2008 7:37:50 GMT -10
So... Which trail is Ortega talking about - and will Dino and the team use it? Enjoy Lucy Chapter 12 Alberto and Dino traded looks before the team leader answered, “What trail? It’s not marked on any local map.” The Spaniard chuckled, “I’m not surprised, apparently it used to be used by smugglers, but more recently, the rebels have used it on rare occasions to get people out of Chechnya and away from the military.” Dino began to feel more hopeful, “Do you know where it is?” The man’s smile faded, “Not exactly, but I overheard one of the guards say that it was near the source of the Arqun river. About four hours walk from here, there are markers guiding the way.” Dino looked around him. “I suggest we set up a camp and start out at first light. I want to approach this trail in daylight. How long will it take to get to the border Mr Ortega?” “Border? I don’t know, but in seven days, we can be in Shatili in Georgia…” Dino smiled, “Mr Ortega, would you mind joining me for dinner? I need to ask you a few things if we are going to make this trip successful.” && Dino settled behind the cover of some bushes, carefully watching the three men lounging around about half a mile away. Alberto had sent one of his men ahead to scout out the route and see if they could get around the guards. From what he could see, the trail was little more than a goat track but the fact that it led them to a town on the opposite side of the Georgian border made it feel like a four lane highway in his mind. A slight noise made him turn and he smiled to see Alberto – a big grin on his face. “My man has found a path – slightly higher than the trail – the two connect after about 3 kilometers. It will be enough to get around the guards.” && Terry was getting worried, 24 hours had passed and there was still no news about the team. The negotiators could find out nothing and were preparing their things to leave. Chechnya was getting dangerous again and they would want to leave as soon as possible. Mike had grabbed all of Dino’s gear and kept it with his own, just in case. “As soon as we get word, I’ll let you know Ter… but if things start getting worse, we’re out of here – the team are on their own.” Terry had agreed with Mike’s words, good negotiators were harder to find than extraction teams and for the moment he could do nothing else. He sighed and decided to put off the phone call to Gaby. After all, no news was good news… right? && Dino passed his canteen to Ortega so the Spaniard could have a drink. They had been walking for about three hours and were taking a twenty minute break, while the scouts checked out the area ahead. Dino had been gratified to notice that the team kicked into to the normal modus operandi for the situation – pairing up and working together. Alberto kept himself a little separate as a good team leader should, keeping his mind on the big picture as well as the smaller one – though he would constantly check in with Dino to discuss what they should do next. As a result, Dino found himself keeping company with Ortega. The man intrigued him, most hostages were shell shocked when rescued – clinging to their rescuer – which could be dangerous. Others were silent, almost numb, and had to be physically directed because they were not capable of registering what was going on. Emilio Ortega was neither, Dino found himself studying the man carefully and revised his earlier opinion of the man’s age. He was definitely over 50, but his steadfastness and stamina belied his age. “What is it Senior Dino? I sense you have some questions…” Dino was startled, surprised to have been read so easily by a complete stranger. “It’s nothing Mr Ortega, just relax a little, we’ll be moving on shortly. If you would excuse me a moment…?” Ortega gave a slight nod and watched carefully as Dino walked away, his face a myriad of emotions. He noticed how the rest of the team showed him respect, but he was not the team leader. Ortega was curious, trying to work out the red-heads position in the order of things. He also noticed the pain and anger in the man’s eyes and wondered what the story was behind them…
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Post by jessica on Oct 23, 2008 8:10:21 GMT -10
Hmm do I sense...that Ortega probably will be some kind of "sounding board" for Dino? Someone who can be objective about the whole situation? Oh well..but Dino is Irish stubborn, the question is if he will talk at all.
Jess
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Post by margaret1234 on Oct 23, 2008 8:18:16 GMT -10
Well....whatever personal probems Dino has right now.....seems to me he still has all his senses about him when it comes to rescue missions......was very alert to Ortega having a question and for getting the reason out of him........Thus, they possibly have a better escape route. This is an interesting situation here in that both men are intrigued by the other. Will be nice to watch this develop.
Margaret
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Post by sanne on Oct 23, 2008 8:18:40 GMT -10
Oh....he probably will talk........about rescue-operations........about the dangers in the field........but most likely not about his personal worries.......... Good thing Terry didn't call Gaby as of yet........she would be worried even more and probably think it would be her fault...... Sandra
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Post by hypergolic on Oct 23, 2008 9:14:53 GMT -10
Have just caught up now I'm sober again - wow, this is going great Lucy! I can't wait to see what Gaby's reaction will be when Terry talks to her. Sanne - I think you had a great idea, she and the Artemis team might go in to get Dino and the boys out. If Artemis do go in, you can bet your life Gaby's going with them, she'd never stay home while Dino (who she obviously still loves) is in danger - no matter how Eduardo tries to persuade her not to go. Hmm...Ortega intrigues me...is he all he says he is, just another hostage? - like Dino says, he's dealing with the situation very well, better than any other hostage might. Probably just my overactive imagination but could he be a plant, one of the kidnappers pretending to be the hostage? I think whoever he is Jess is right, he'll be a great 'sounding board' to help Dino see what a complete ass he's been in recent months.
Hype p.s. reason for my previous lack of sobriety - I got the job I applied for!!!! (interview was yesterday, I start sometime later this year!)
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Post by sanne on Oct 23, 2008 9:32:49 GMT -10
CONGRATS AMY!!! Great going. Keep us updated on how things are going in your new job. Sandra
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Post by lucymalta on Oct 23, 2008 9:49:32 GMT -10
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY Go Amy....... Congrats on the new job..... and here was I thinking you were upset with me for making Dino such a bad boy..... Lucy
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Post by hypergolic on Oct 23, 2008 10:09:03 GMT -10
Thanks guys. *snerk* Me? upset because Dino's a Baaaad boy??? He can be a bad as he wants! in fact, the badder the better Oh dear, my internal innuendo sensor has just reached critical mass and exploded due to a surge of activity! Hype
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Post by NV Oracle on Oct 23, 2008 16:31:49 GMT -10
Congratulations on your new job, Hype.
Lucy, great job on the chapter. I'll agree that maybe Dino will use Mr Ortega as a sounding board for the job, but I also don't think he'll be quite so willing to talk about his personal problems.
Your friend NV Oracle
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Post by lucymalta on Oct 24, 2008 1:04:52 GMT -10
Hmmm...... So there seems to be more to Mr Ortega than meets the eye...... Enjoy Lucy Chapter 13 “How far have we come?” Dino and Alberto were sitting on a log side by side and had just shared a meager dinner with Ortega, who was now settling down for the night. Alberto checked his map in the minimal light that they had and compared it to his GPS. “Believe it or not, we’ve done really well, nearly 15 miles. Though the trail gets steeper from here and we’ll be running on less energy, it helps a lot that were not fighting our way over bad ground.” Dino nodded and quietly moved away to settle himself down. Alberto was taking first watch and he would be taking the last. He wanted to make sure he had some sleep before then. && “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Dino turned slightly and acknowledged Ortega as he sat down quietly. He had noticed the older man moving quietly around the camp earlier, getting water for the rest of the team, before moving towards Dino’s position. As he received the canteen of water with a grateful nod Dino almost smiled, “I guess… But I’ve seen many sunrises like this and most of the following days did not end well.” “It doesn’t mean that every morning will end badly Senor… You just have to believe that every day is a symbol of a fresh start. What you do with that day is up to you. Sometimes you have to do things that are not pleasant, but they are necessary… For the greater good…” Pausing, the Spaniard took a good look at Dino’ face, “Something tells me you have seen more of the unpleasant side of life Senor… That can weigh heavily on a man… Sometimes at the cost of his own self-belief.” Dino sighed, “You sound like a philosopher Mr Ortega…” The older man chuckled, “Being alone as I was over the last six months gives you a lot of time to look at things… Analyse what you have done with your life…” Dino gave him a sour look, he didn’t have time for this… Yet Ortega’s eyes held him to his place, almost forced him to ask the question. “So Mr Ortega, have you done well with your life?” Ortega smiled, “I cannot say, I am happy, that is true, but I cannot judge. Only one being can make judgment on whether my life has been useful…” Dino was confused, “You reminding me of a bible story Mr Ortega?” The Spaniard chuckled softly before turning back to the camp, “Of course Senor… After all… I used to be a priest…” && Dino eyed Ortega warily, finding out that he had been a priest had answered a few questions, the man’s acceptance of the situation for example, but it also made him more curious. He wanted to find out more, but backed off a little, Dino was not a person who liked to be preached to… Emilio Ortega smiled softly to himself, seeing the battle going on inside of Dino. He could sense that the man needed help – though could not work out how he knew that – or if he could help. He had dangled the bait, now he just had to wait to see if Dino would bite…
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Post by sanne on Oct 24, 2008 1:10:37 GMT -10
Well.....that explains a lot.....Dino is helping a priest to get out of there..........Bet the man can help him to get his life back on track, but the question is......will Dino let him...... Sandra
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Post by jessica on Oct 24, 2008 1:13:30 GMT -10
Mhm..I think he will bite..after some time of battling with himself... Dino is not the person who talks about everything with a stranger..but that Ortega used to be a priest..is something entirely different. Mhm at least they can be lucky now..having a priest by their side..he has some higher connections. Jess
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Post by hypergolic on Oct 24, 2008 1:14:59 GMT -10
Ooh, now Ortega makes sense. Fab chapter Lucy, very well written, I could actually hear Ortega talking in my head as I was reading. C'mon Dino, time to confess your sins (that's probably going to take quite a while) - it'll make you feel better hun. So our couple have both got confessors willing to hear their stories. This just gets better and better!
Hype
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