They awoke the next day. And started their preparations for return home.
Fortunately, he had spotted a rabbit. And they had roast rabbit for breakfast.
The puppies also had Rabbit for
breakfast as well. He set the aircraft into drone mode. So that they would stay
within 5 miles of their location. Leapfrogging ahead, he would use their Cameras
to investigate the area ahead of them. They would also help pick out the way
home using the drones' cameras he used his heads-up display to find the easiest
terrain to ride the horses. The stud only partially broken bucked him from his
back several times along the way, every time he spotted something that made him
flinch. But Michael managed to hang on to the lead rope on each occasion, finally
he had had enough and started leading the Stallion behind him, the Stud still
feeling his oats, would occasionally move forward and try to bite, but Micheal
was too fast, he would almost without looking, swat the horse's nose with and
open hand. Finally, after an hour of walking, they saw the drones ahead parked
with their solar array deployedy, the area was open and there was plenty of grass
for the herd to graze. He handed the lead line to Sandra and spooled off some
cable, clipping it a pair of cutters from the crafts toolbox, he hooked the
cable around a small sapling and the other end attached to the Stud's lead
rope, giving him plenty of room to feed. Sandra just dropped the reins and her
horse stayed close. He did not feel bad for having to walk, his butt was
already hurting from the little bit of riding he had done. He had read, that
the Indian riders could go all day bare back. Staring at the benches on the
drones. An idea came into his head. They even look like saddles. From the
pictures of the old westerns. Held in with six straps. The seats had a small
back on them to keep you from sliding off. But they were still only about 2 1/2
feet long. Yeah. Using an adjustable wrench. He took the bolts loose that
attached the seat to the drone. After completely removing both seats. he
experimented with the mare first, because she seemed to be the most Docile. He places
one of their blankets on the mares back to avoid damage to her skin, then
placed the padded bench on top of it. He connected the front and rear strap under
her belly and adjusted them tightly. He then added wench handles to either side
for stirrups. Sandra quickly leapt aboard her mount and rode her around,
shouting enthusiastic thankyous to her lover, for her ass was sore as hell. He
repeated the same process with the Stallion; he was not as cooperative. He
finally tied the stud very close to the sapling limiting his movements,
finishing his saddling of the stud, he climbed aboard, the horse pitched and
bucked a few times but quickly gave up. Michael thought it was much better.
With padding on the horses back he ordered the drones forward, as they moved
out he reviewed the Terrain, at almost five miles ahead he saw in the distance
what looked like a small river. He thought he would try something new and
kicked the stud up to a trot and about half an hour later they caught up with
the drones. Sandra caught up and started swearing at him, this old mare and I
are not up to that speed yet, he grinned and apologized. We are only about four
miles from here to a river, do you think you can make another four, she nodded
her head and said walking speed only. Another hour they made it to the river,
and set up camp.
Laying in his arms Sandra and the pups slept soundly, about the break of dawn,
Michael's eyes snapped open, the stallion was raising hell, the Hat Light
popped on and he saw several wolves running away. Unfortunately, one had got close
to the big stud, and got her head crushed from the horse's mighty kick, out of
the dark a little wolf cub appeared, it looked to be only a few months old, it
whined and sniffed her fallen mom, which of course melted Sandra's heart. They
still had a long way to go and there was not much water between their location
and the bunker, so leap-frogging the drones they made their way back. Upon
seeing the facility, he signaled the drones to return home. When they got close
Michael called for Jeff to open the doors to the great hall, and they drove the
horses inside, since there was not a fenced in area to keep them. Jeff met him
at the door, hey man you gave me a scare when those empty drones arrived, Jeff
said. Sorry Jeff, can you help organize some men to build a large corral, and
help Sandra with their care, Michael asked? Please relay to everyone they are
not to be eaten; we need them for plough horses very soon.