#anywhere

Frank puffs.

Siiigghhh.

The mountains have been beautiful, from the Blue Ridge to the Smokeys... and even on the other side in the foothills "I can see the appeal there"

"On the way home, could we visit the Liam hold?"

"The..oh that Ranch? Well, I bet we'd be welcome"

"Yeah, the ranch. The one Chief won Stormwake."

Frank gauges the distance of the detour.

It's a bit north of Chattanooga

"A bit out of the way." Apologetically. "We're not on a pleasure trip, this -is- an actual haul. People need the supplies we have."

"I know... that's why I wondered about, like, after..."

"Perhaps after, if we don't have a load. Although to be effective we should." He falls into thought. "Maybe a short run -to- Chattanooga, drop it, pick up a new one, drive on......"

Vali seems willing to go either way

"It's a Liam hold..."

"I know, Dagmar." Dry. "And I welcome a visit with my brethren, when duty allows."

"They have horses."

"The best horses?" Vali asks straight faced

"Well, no."

"But pretty good ones."

"Darn. I was hoping to find the hold with the best horses one day" He sighs

Snort.

"You know THAT."

"I do?" He says "Oh right, the farmhold"

Frank chuckles.

"Vali!"

"Okay okay. I guess I owe an apology to the horses when we get home?" A chuckle

"You do. Star might not forgive you."

"Star holds a grudge" he nods "Good point. I mean, Stormwake can be a snob, but that mare gets a touch spiteful if crossed"

"She does."

"An apology and ..an apple " He says as if reminding himself to be prepped when he next sees Star.

"I will see if I can route us through on the way home."

"That'd be great!"

"Thank you, Frank!"

THe eastern mountains get further and further behind them as they continue...and Frank notices it first... in the west, a Tornado! It writhes darkly, and howls like a thousand baying wolves with a sinister smile in the whirls. It is a Chimera, a large one, a reminder that while a virus may building on the mortals, others are dealigh with another force of nature..a nd it's after effect. The thing is miles off, but it feels like it projects loss, and misery, and is ready to take more again

Frank indicates it with a grim nod.

Vali frowns "We can get around it right? "

"Think so." He drives carefully.

"It should fade in time" Vali says "But right now.. mm it has teeth."

Frank grunts acknowledgement.

Driving 'stealthily' is quite the challenge

"Alright, girl...." Frank murmurs to his transportation ".... gonna need to run silent a little bit. Help me out, now."

"Does she have a name?"

"Dawn. Dawn Treader."

"OH! Like the boat!"

"Yeah." Fondly.

And it seems the Dawn Treader responds. The rig goes..entirely quiet. The familiar rumble stops... oh the engine is running, it still accelerates.

A tilt of her head.

Vali looks surprised then grins "Good name"

"Frank, I didn't know your truck could do that"

He .... actually pets the steering wheel.

"There's more to her than good looks."