Story 12 – Part 4 – Not Fragile

“I thought obstacle courses were supposed to be a giant playground,” Don said.

“It’s a leadership training course,” Jordan explained again. “The whole purpose is to succeed as a team. In other words, the officers use it as both training, and watching how a squad works together. You can get injured, so fragile people don’t get far.”

“Good thing no one here is fragile,” Vire commented. “Except for maybe some egos and Carmine’s leg.”

“Getting over that last wall was pretty fun,” Don added. “Even when we all fell off.”

“It’s kind of like a live video game,” Carmine called out from where he stood.

“Now, I like this kind of video game,” Tasha said. “I’m glad you convinced me to come, Boom, and I’m especially glad the Owens’ agreed to watch the girls.”

Boomer grinned and Carmine laughed. The only reason why Nero and Wilanna had agreed was if they were able to be the first to watch the video. Carmine was getting some pretty funny videos recorded, as well as some equally amusing photos. With a crew like Boomer, Tasha, Vire, Jordan, Don, and Tech, it was high quality entertainment.

“Okay,” Boomer said as he walked over to the sign. “It says that the object of this section is to get the entire team across without anyone falling into the water. We have two boards and some rope. Well, that shouldn’t be too hard.”

What happened next was pretty fun to watch. The pool of water was probably only two feet deep, but the eight foot long boards were only about a quarter of the length. In the middle of the pool as a single post that stood about four feet above the water. The only way to get from one side to the other was to tie the two boards together and get to the post, and then pull the boards over and get from the post to the other side. The problem was that the post was only big enough for two or three people to stand on.

The first attempt at tying the boards together was quite disastrous. They had only half tied them together and it practically collapsed on Tech when he had gone out to test it. After Tech signed his disapproval about nearly getting soaked, the group retied the boards tightly and stretched them out across the pool.

Jordan elected to be the person to stay in the middle and pass the boards back and forth. Because Tech refused to be the first one to test out the boards, Boomer and Tasha went across after Jordan. The logistics of trying to maintain balance on a post while maneuvering the boards was entertaining to watch. There were several times that it looked like all three were just going to just topple.

“Looking good!” Carmine yelled as he hobbled his way closer. “We’ve got two across and two in transit. Not counting Jordan.”

“Thanks,” Jordan said as he helped Don and Tech cross to the other side. “I feel so loved and important.”

“Oh, is your poor little ego hurt?” Vire teased as Jordan pulled the boards back around so she could cross to the middle.

“Careful,” Jordan said as he watched Vire inch her way toward him. “The rope looks like it’s starting to give way.”

Once Vire got to the post, Jordan wasted no time getting the boards flipped around. Carmine barely caught the thumbs-up that Jordan gave Tech. Carmine chuckled as he realized that Jordan was making this up as he went. Before Vire could even start crossing, Jordan moved out onto the boards. He was about half way to the other side before he stopped and turned back around.

“This has now become a toll bridge,” Jordan said as he knelt on the board. “If you want to cross, you have to say yes.”

Carmine already knew the answer, but the reaction he captured on camera was great.