*This is an experiment in terms of how to tell a story...*

DATE : 06.12.10
LOCATION : SOMEWHERE IN IDAHO
TIME : 14.51.23

A small convoy made up of a VAMP and Patriot Grizzly wind their way over a road strewn with rocks. Flanked by boulders and a rock valley, the Joes are on edge. It reminds Clutch of the scene in Starship Troopers where the platoon was walking thru a valley that was many stories high and there would be only two ways to run. Cobra could be hiding in the giant boulders, prepared to take out both vehicles and steal back an unusual natural made energy crystal found in one of the many mountain ranges of Idaho.



"HEY! Why we stopped, Clutch???" yells Capt. Steeler, after slamming on the breaks of his tank. Thunder and Rock N Roll groan with irritation as the sudden stop. "We're already behind schedule, ya grease monkey!"

"Something in my gut says to stop here for a few minutes..." Clutch says over the radio. "Zap, get out and look around, will ya?"



After a few minutes, Zap decides nothing look out of the ordinary. He admits that he isn't the best man to be put on point. He's better at blowing away heavily armored tanks than looking for ground mines or homemade bombs. He looks around again but doesn't see anything out of the ordinary. Why make him use his own eyes if the onboard electronics on the tank could do a better job? This mission, to Zap, was pretty hush-hush and there had to be pretty slim chances that Cobra knew about this little mission.

Up high, the mercenary sabateur Firefly carefully makes his way from rock to rock, boulder to boulder. The sun is high in the sky and he tries to stick to the shadows. But he can't all the time. He's been in the game long enough to know when he's being tailed. In a place like this, there isn't a trail left. Nor is there a trail to be made. Every part of this valley could act as it's own trail. The only way to spot someone else would to be high enough up, with good binoculars and the knowledge of WHERE to look. Firefly figures that he blends in quite well with the gray landscape.

"Damn," he swears. "Behind schedule and the Joes could be anywhere in this damn valley."

Deciding that Clutch's gut is usually right on, Steeler orders Rock N Roll, Thunder and Zap to take a look around. Technically, these are three of the hardest hitting Joes on the team. They are also veterans. Zap, best known for his bazooka skills, isn't ideal for this outing but the man has to do something. Steeler figures he might even learn something new. Thunder used to operate the Slugger. Since the vehicle has been put in retirement, he's had to find other ways to be helpful for the Joe team. Working as infantry but still apt at heavy cannons, Thunder has a strange niche with the team. Lastly, there's Rock N Roll, the original heavy gunner. Not much more could be said about him.



Elsewhere, but not too far away, the resident ninja Snake Eyes hunts the elusive Firefly. Even with all the skills and training, even he's not sure Firefly can be found. If someone doesn't want to be found, they won't.



At least 15 minutes have passed since the scout crew took a stroll. It's hot and the men are sweating. They are also tired. That has more to do with the craptastic ride than being awake for 18 hours. They have checked about a half radius of 30 yards and found nothing. No sign of life except a few weeds growing and wild grass. Thunder's allergies are starting to get to him.

Feeling that the scout crew is taking too long and tired of looking at the radar console on the VAMP, Clutch gets out to stretch his legs. While at it, he checks to make sure the VAMP isn't in jeopardy of overheating. He carries his trusted grenade launcher with him. He's not the best aim with a rifle or pistol but with a shotgun or what he has now, accuracy doesn't have to count.



Also tired of sitting in a hot tank, moving about 10-15mph, Steeler gets out to look around. To him, the road looks clear as does the valley. Sensors show nothing except the Joes on scout duty and Snake Eyes who barely shows up as it is. To Steeler, it's a matter of WHEN Cobra attacks, not so much where. This valley, it's as good as gold for Cobra. He just hopes that they have enough firepower and manpower to beat the bad guys.











Thanks for reading.

And as an EXTRAS feature, this is where I shot today's 8, uh, shots. I've spent at least 3 days in this area. This place is full of COOL spots to shoot and they all have different feels!


Down near the beach (well, it's all by the beach, I guess), there are these piles of rock. They are fairly large sized rock so walking on them is like walking on the beach with rocks. Could break an ankle pretty easily. Sure, you see grass and other vegetation but there are rocks strewn all over. This is where I shot Firefly and Snake Eyes tho they were on different rocks.



Closer look at the spot for SE and FF. I'll prolly use this same site for the upcoming dio, Deadly Poets.



This is the location for the Vamp and Patriot Grizzley. I moved them for the picture because I was trying to keep stuff together. It'd suck if I left a figure or vehicle there by accident. Note the towel. I use that to lay on so I didn't get overly dirty. Plus with all those rocks, I could set my camera on them for a stable shot!

cool setting and story

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Cool shots, especially like the one with snake eyes and the one with the grass patrol.

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