I need your personnel needs and forecasts for the next year so Chuck has something to do. Since we have new sales, his department has something to do ...o he will be busy with hiring as well as being an engineer. Enjoy your bonuses and be sure to buy Chuck a beer."It looked like the meeting was over but just as everyone began standing, Jeff announced. "Oh yeah. I have some personal news that will influence some things over the next nine months and for a little while after that." He paused, looked. I am not sure how long we lay cuddled on the couch, but it was later into the night (or early morning) when I awoke again. TJ was not on the couch. After a cursory glance around, I spotted him in the kitchen drinking coffee he had gotten up and made for himself. Somewhere down in my limbic brain as I dozed, I thought I had a faint memory of him getting up and giving me a warm kiss on the cheek as he exited the couch… could have been dreaming though. Just then I heard a familiar voice coming. "My grandfather says that if I do as I'm told, this time I may stay and scout like my brothers among the Ruthani. Last time, he told me I was too young."Gryllos sighed. And the boy glanced at him. "Why?"Gryllos scanned the huge empty horizon, unlike everything he'd known growing up. "When I was growing up, I too longed to be a soldier and go to war. I wanted to protect my people, you understand? I wanted my sisters, brothers and mother safe, as well as my friends. It was my wish that none of. They both moved toward the sound as quickly as prudence would allow, and saw a man lying on the ground, quite dead. Sue Ann's bullet had drilled him through the windpipe and backbone; she could not have asked for a more effective shot. Andy nodded his appreciation for her shooting and looked around for signs. The first thing he noticed was that the man had used an Enfield rifled musket of the type issued to Confederate forces during the war. This was an excellent weapon for its time, but no.