Uncle Jim: Blog

The new chapters have been sent to the Moderators for posting.

This week's final chapters open with the start of training and the issue of weapons. Problems are encountered during the planning of the move to the target. The problems are resolved with the help of an outside contractor.

Following the completion of training, the first part of the move to the target is started. Problems arise and are overcome. Later, they learn that the target is in a different location than they believed.

On the second part of the move, additional problems arise but are solved in an amazing way.

Reports from the Recon Squad point out additional problems at the target and solutions are developed. Mike reports additional problems the day of the attack, and plans are modified. He has a critical role at the start of the attack, which goes well.

Driving the drug-lords men out of the buildings appears to be a major problem, but turns out to be easier than expected. There are surprises when they gain access to the buildings.

The successful return to their camp is followed by the men receiving their rewards before being released. Mike and his family return to Korat and their life there. Their daughter is born several months later. This ends the story and the Amulet Series.

The final chapter is rather long, but I don't care for an odd number of chapters. The solution to the problem on the march to the target was a surprise to me when I thought of it but was effective given the nature of the drug business and was a practical solution. I hope you have enjoyed the story and the series.

Keep Well,
uncle jim

The new chapters have been sent to the Moderators for posting.

This week's chapters open with the unit and their vehicles arriving at Ban Chap Houma to find the villagers distraught by the appearance of five new buildings over night. Chanthra arrives to explain things.

Following inspecting the buildings, the Captain is anxious to begin recruiting men for the unit before Mike points out some of the major problems to be solved first. The weapons are finally stores, and Captain Vanh returns from his talks with the villagers about support.

Details are worked out and assignments are made. A cook appears for the headquarters detachment, and supplies are obtained before Mike, Thao, and Bounmy return to Sing for the night.

The next day, Chanthra consults with the Abbot about which Wats to visit. The officers decide what order the various villages in the District will be visited to recruit men. The next ten days are busy with recruiting and Wat visits.

The pick up of recruits begins two days later. Because of language differences the recruits are placed in Platoons by the language they speak. Additional cooks arrive.

After five days, the unit is nearly full, but there is a shortage in certain leadership positions. They are soon ready to begin training. At the first unit formation, new equipment and clothing appears, a gift from the Amulets. It needs to be sorted out and issued.

These two chapters were fairly easy to write. They drew on some things from previous stories in this series, plus my knowledge of how military units are organized and trained.

Enjoy these two chapters. More next week.

Keep Well,
uncle jim

The new chapters have been sent to the Moderators for posting.

This week's chapters open with preparations for the 'Holy Day' being celebrated that day. Chanthra and her group are followed to the Wat by a large crowd. At the Wat, Mile informs the others where they can hold their meeting.

At the meeting location, drivers are introduced and the operation set up. They will leave the following day. Trouble arises the following day, but the problem is easily solved. The trip is accomplished, and they move up to the village while observing the trail back down.

Once everything is set up, they take out the night guards and check the trucks. In the morning, the other guards are captured. There is great difficulty moving the trucks down to the main road.

More fuel is obtained in Sing, but even there problems arise. They eventually set out for Ban Chap Houma.

Again considerable research was necessary on the various locations in these chapters. They were fairly easy to write once the conditions at the locations were known.

Enjoy these chapters. More next week.

Keep Well,
uncle jim

The new chapters have been sent to the Moderators for posting.

This week's chapters open with the staff meeting at Ban Kang Mai. Much is revealed about what those in the command group have learned about conditions in Northern Laos and the rest of the Golden Triangle.

A new major character, Sergeant Bounmy, is introduced and he reveals even more new information. There are discussions of where to set up training, and the recruitment of the men for the unit. There is also a discussion of transportation and the acquisition of weapons. Responsibilities are assigned for various jobs. Mike and Bounmy will conduct a recon of a place where trucks have been hidden.

The recon of Ban Phoc Hane where the trucks are hidden reveals a number of problems. They do locate the trucks and find an additional surprise with them.

At the next meeting of the command group, Mike outlines what they have learned. Plans are made to acquire the trucks. The Lieutenant's group has located drivers, and Captain Vanh's group had located a suitable training area. Another meeting is scheduled for the next day in a different location.

These chapters weren't difficult to write, but they did require research on all of the locations plus what was actually occurring in the Golden Triangle at that time.

Enjoy these chapters. More next week.

Keep Well,
uncle jim

The new chapters have been sent to the Moderators for posting.

This week's chapters pen with Mike and the women moving into the house for the night and getting set up. In the morning, their new guide arrives, and they shortly set out for Muang Sing district on Road #17 through the mountains. Chanthra notices a large Wat as they arrive in Sing town. Their guide directs them to the house set aside for them. Chanthra has a gift for Mike.

At the market they purchase things to set up the house. They also learn that the area has many different minority peoples. Some of the traders at the market are directly from China.

In the morning the guide brings a monk and his commander to meet Mike. They set up a meeting for later that day. The commander is anxious to start attacking the drug-lords. Mike reminds him of the many problems to be solved before they can do that.

They set up a second meeting for five days later at a small village. Chanthra is interested in visiting all of the Wats in sing town.

Again a lot of research for these two chapters. The sing district turned out to be very interesting and had a long history of drug sales and movement.

Enjoy these two chapters. More next week.

Keep Well
uncle jim