After I finished eating, I grabbed my gear and started configuring everything. My tactical vest was a shell that held my level 3A bulletproof panels. The vest was a soft vest that would stop shrapnel and most caliber bullets shot from handguns and even a few shots from rifles. It did not, however, stop stabbing weapons. It was a lot better than just a long sleeve shirt. On the outside, the tac vest held my ASP collapsible baton, O.C. spray, two pairs of handcuffs, a handcuff key and a pouch for my radio. It also had my tactical gloves clipped to one of the straps. The gloves were of durable nylon material with carbon fiber armored knuckles, apt for smashing someone in the face if need be.

I took my tool belt and pulled off the knife sheaths and hammer thong. I reattached them in about the same configuration on my duty belt, making sure the hammer didn’t interfere with my firearm. I then checked my get home bag, which I guess I could now classify as an assault pack. I added a couple bottles of water and a couple cans of beef stew.

I may only be driving ten miles outside the city limits, but I wasn’t going to be caught away from home without my ruck and equipment. My newly acquired quiver of arrows I’d collected from my house replaced the target arrows I’d gotten from Dan. These arrows were tipped with standard tri-bladed broad-head tips and did an extra 10 piercing damage. The quiver had been re-strapped to my rucksack.

I strapped on my tac vest and duty belt, then slid on my gloves. Just for curiosity's sake, I checked my armor class on the status screen. I was delighted to see that it had increased to 25. I still got one point for my t-shirt and boots, and one for my BDU pants. I also got one for my BDU top and gloves. Additionally, the gloves received a damage rating of three to five when it came to bludgeoning. I received a full twenty for the tac vest, which the system labeled "light armor". Completely dressed and equipped, minus the rucksack, forty pounds of my carrying capacity were taken up. Grabbing the ruck and my bow, I turned to my wife ready to head out again.

She looked at me and frowned. “Something is missing,” she said.

“Oh yeah, and what’s that baby?”

“Hold on,” she said and turned to walk down the hallway to one of the bedrooms. When she returned, she carried an ornate hand and a half broadsword in a leather bound wooden scabbard. I froze. I couldn’t believe it. I hoped, but I still couldn’t believe it. I was scared to ask about the sword, content to go back out with what I had. Now here it was. I placed the ruck and bow on the floor and moved over to my wife. Taking the scabbard in my left hand, I drew the sword with my right and held it up. My inspect ability triggered:

-You have found, Broad Sword of the Miller, Toledo High Steel, quality: epic, rarity: Rare, Damage: 50 slashing, 50 stabbing, Has the Sharpened and Cleave traits.

I was absolutely amazed at what the screen displayed. Not only had my sword been labeled epic and came with some serious damage stats but it was also a named sword, specifically named for my family. The system must have recognized that this sword was granted to me by my oldest son Mike, after he entered into the Army. This was one of the main reasons the sword was so significant to me. Mike also had our family crest hung on a guide-on to accompany the sword. Nothing was more critical to me than family. This sword and crest represented my family and my will to protect and defend them.

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Furthermore, this sword was crafted by one of two artisans in Toledo Spain that still practiced superior techniques of forging, hardening and tempering blades. The artisans' techniques have been the pinnacle of sword making since the fifth century. Only rivaled by, in my opinion, the traditional Japanese Tamahagane sword masters. This had to be the reason why the sword now carried the "epic" quality with the damage and traits it was listed with. I understood what the cleaving trait was because it was pretty self-explanatory, but I wasn't sure what the sharpened trait entailed. Focusing on the trait, I brought up the description.

-Sharpened: Perpetually sharp, this blade has a razor’s edge that never needs sharpening. It is said the sharpened blade cuts with its wielder's will.

I closed out the screen and sheathed the weapon. I grabbed Denise and pulled her close, holding her tight in an embrace. I whispered in her ear, “God I fucking love you, thank you baby.”

“I fucking love you too my love. You know I can’t have my warrior go out there unarmed and unprepared.”

“I’m a Ranger honey," I whispered back. My class is a Ranger.”

“Oh geez, put your red pen away, Mr. Technical.” She said as she pulled away, slapping me on the arm playfully. She pulled me back into another embrace and said “Come home to me.”

“I will my love, I promise.” With that I kissed her one last time. Still holding the sword, I grabbed my ruck and bow. I nodded to Dog who got up to follow me, and headed out towards the vehicle.I put the bow, ruck and sword on the truck bench seat. I turned to Dog and said “Sorry, you’re too big to ride up front.” I dropped the tailgate down and motioned for him to jump into the truck bed. Dog did so without hesitation.

“Are you ready to head out?" Chad asked, walking up behind me.

“Sure am. It shouldn’t be too long. I just need to check on my mom and son and then I’ll be back.”

“Here,” Chad said as he handed me a gold-colored pocket watch. “No electronics, but I’ve kept it wound up so the time should be right.” I clicked open the watch and saw that it was about 4 am.

“Thanks for this. I shouldn’t be gone for more than two hours. If I’m not back by 6 a.m., hit me up on the radio. They will make it out that far won’t they?”

“Sure they will," Chad replied. They’re police issue quality radios that will reach out past thirty miles, and I don’t think you’re extending out that far.”

“No we’re definitely not. Does Frank have one? I’d like to keep up with comms while driving.”

“I gave him one and a charging unit, so they can keep in contact with us until we come up with a plan," Chad said.

“I never should’ve doubted," I laughed. You were definitely prepared for the end.”

“You got to be,” Chad smiled.

I walked out to the side yard where Frank was packing his gear into the van. “So what are we doing?" Frank asked.

“We’re going to handle it like we ran convoys in Iraq," I started. You’re going first and I’m following by about a half-mile back. You'll have to use your headlights until the sun comes up, but I won’t have to. If you run into trouble I’ll be right behind you to back you up. Hopefully since I’ll be behind you a short distance and running without headlights, whoever tries to stop you won’t see me coming. If I get caught somewhere, you just keep going. There’s two of me with Dog in the back, and hopefully we’ll be able to handle it.”

“Makes sense to me," Frank said. What’s the route?”

“Simple, we go north a couple blocks till we hit that long country road on the outskirts of town. Then we head east towards your house,” I said.