S.C.O.U.T. of the Border: Chapter III
Home Base
(3,261 words)
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An El Paso sun sports a game of chicken when the eyes are not having it, but they need
to heed and fight the light and load that road to believe and receive. Kelly gets ready for the
day after her morning breakfast, going for a sightseeing trip in and around the city on this
great Saturday. She gives the ticket to the valet, and when the valet delivers the car, she
gives the valet a tip. She’s leaving the hotel and has the map of El Paso, heading to see the
unexpected areas of El Paso and the surrounding areas. Then on Sunday, she visits the Las
Padres Mountain range, north of El Paso and southern New Mexico. She’s dressed for the
outdoors experience and has invested in a portable movie camera if her cell phone loses its
reception.
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Kelly prepares herself for a Monday; according to the itinerary, it will be a who’s who sort
of day. She stops at a nearby McDonald’s before heading to the U.S. Border Patrol Office,
which is a Federal Division. While there, she attends a meeting with Chief Herbert Dawson.
After exchanging pleasantries, he hands her a list of names, saying, “Those are the list of
Deputies’ names who work under Assistant Chief Austin Weber. He’ll be expecting you
today after our meeting. He’ll be with you, pretty much for the remainder of the day, time
permitting. He’s assigned someone else to take his beat while he's with you. That’ll give
you ample time to set yourself up for the rest of the day, with Assistant Chief Weber.”
“Thank you, Chief Dawson, for the update. Have a good day, sir,” Kelly says to him while
shaking his hands. He replies, “You too, Ms. Kelly. Good-bye now.”
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Kelly goes downstairs to meet the assistant chief at his office, all the while thinking how
‘Project S.C.O.U.T.’ will revolutionize their operations, hoping that it will be viewed
objectively and not subjectively, or that it’ll complicate matters somewhat, being that it’s a
government concept for the future of an effective role in protecting the United States’
borders. She walks down a hallway and sees a glass door where a sign on the exterior wall
next to it says, ‘Office of the Assistant Chief, U.S. Border Patrol Division’. She opens the
door, and a woman at the desk, bearing the name ‘Francis Crenshaw’, says to her, “Hello,
you must be Ms. Kelly Knudsen.” Kelly answers, “Yes, I am.” The woman went on saying,
“Chief Dawson just called, saying that we'll be expecting you. I’ll call Mr. Weber and tell
him that you’re here. One moment, please. Hello, sir. Ms. Kelly Knudsen is here to see
you. (He responds, imperceptible on the phone) Excellent, sir. I’ll send her right in. Just
through that door, Ms. Knudsen.”
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“Hello, Ms. Knudsen. I’m Austin Weber. And, with that said, succinctly. Please enlighten
me on what will incorporate me for the rest of my day?” Kelly begins by saying, “It’s about
‘Project S.C.O.U.T.’, acronymically known as: Synchronic Computerized Operational Unit
Technobot. The future of our U.S. border patrol units, working in a partnership with robots.”
Weber interjects with a smirking gesture, saying aloud, “Ha!” She smiles, saying, “And you,
my friend, will help me to spearhead this concept into action.” Mr. Weber responds, “Me,
you say. Very well, when do we begin?” She goes on saying, “I am expecting the first of
three modified vehicles that’ll accommodate you and the Robot sometime this morning.
It will be the first time we’ll see Scout. Weber is taken aback, “You mean to tell me that
You’ve never seen it before?” Kelly responds, “Just on paper, an analysis of details about
the schematics of the Robot. How do its functions operate, assisting its human
counterpart? How we’ll make this happen is that I’ll be helping you from the back seat
while you'll be in the driver's seat.”
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Weber’s office speaker buzzes, and he presses a button, speaking into the machine,
“Yes, Mrs. Crenshaw.” She responds, “There are two Homeland Security agents with our
head of security waiting downstairs in the lobby, saying that they’re here with Ms.
Knudsen’s expected package, parked out front.” Mr. Weber responds, “Let them know that
we’re on our way down there.” Weber escorted Kelly downstairs, and when they arrived,
Ms. Knudsen produced her government ID, seen through the plastic holder on the side of
her hand purse that she grabbed out from her handbag. After the agents had seen their
respective IDs, they, along with Weber, headed out front to see the specialized vehicle and
its prized feature, the Robot. The two agents do a brochure-like presentation, leave the
keys and other paraphernalia with Kelly, saying, “By the way, Ms. Knudsen, the Robot has
been activated when we were near the border. After the commands were issued, no
activities were reported. The car is yours.” They go in a vehicle that one of the agents
brought along.
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“Well, the morning is still with us,” as Kelly remarked. Weber added, saying, “And a late
morning at that.” Kelly replied, “Not quite midday, so why don’t you notify Mrs. Crenshaw
that you’ll be gone for most of the day, and that you don’t know when you’ll be back. The
doors are unlocked, and here are the keys. Shall we proceed, Mr. Austin Weber?” Kelly
offers her tone respectfully. “Aper Vue, Madame (After you, lady),” Weber responds,
articulating his French heritage, which adds a touch of camaraderie to their interaction.
Kelly gets into the back seat and waits for Weber to settle in, when she belatedly says,
“Interesting, will wonders ever cease. With a name like Weber, I take that it stems from
your mother's side?” Weber states, “Your intelligence, Ms. Knudsen, has set me back a
spell. You should try to be a detective someday, with the FBI.” “Guns and I don't mix well,”
Kelly expresses, “Although I own a gun at home, it serves as added security. Being on a gun
range, practicing being comfortable made it perfect.”
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Austin remarked, “They thought of everything, with the official exterior decals, to the walkie-
talkie radio unit that probably hooks us up with other patrol units within its range!
I’ll call Deputy Luke Gentry. He took over my beat. I’ll let him know that we’ll be in the area
and that we’re out with this new system. Also, I’ll ask him to notify us immediately if there’s
any situation, and that we’ll take over to see how effective this new system will be.”
“Assistant Chief Weber,” Kelly alerts Weber, saying, “You’ll need to speak to the Robot,
addressing it as such, and identify who you are to the Robot for the car to start.”
“Good to know, Ms. Knudsen,” as Weber stares at the Robot now, making a statement,
“Robot, I am Assistant Chief Austin Weber.” After that, he started the car and cautiously
It moved into traffic, as the office is in a moderately busy area of the city. They make it to
the border in a matter of minutes since the western edge of El Paso flanks the Mexican
border.
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They reached the southern suburbs as Austin radioed Deputy Luke Gentry, “You got
anything, Luke?, ‘over.” Luke radios back, “Nope, it’s dead as a tomb out here. Why don’t
you head further south, past the burbs, where the farmlands are located?, ‘over’.” Austin
replied, “I’ll do that, ‘over and out’.” Luke answers, “Gentry here, roger that, ‘over and out’.”
Weber heads further south, passing Gentry along the way, while flashing their headlights as
an acknowledgment. Weber reaches the farmlands. Austin goes on the radio, saying,
“Deputy Franklin Barnes, this is Weber, ‘over’.” Barnes radioed back, “Barnes here, I’m
parked on the roadside, and I think I’m seeing some activity with my binoculars, ‘over’.”
Weber quickly responds, “Hold off, we’ll be there to activate a new system. Just wait until
we get there, ‘over and out’.”
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Barnes replied, “Barnes here, roger that, ‘over and out’.” In a few minutes, Weber parks in
front of Barnes’ patrol car and tells Kelly, “Now what’s the next step?” Kelly answers him,
“Again, speak to the Robot, addressing it as such, to activate its sensors and to leave it on.
Then ask it to detect any activities. Lastly, merely tell it to respond.” “Okay, that’s simple
enough,” as Austin says, “Robot, activate your sensors and leave them on. Robot, detect
activities. Robot, respond.” The active Robot voices, “Detect six adult humans. Three
males. Three females. Thirty-seven feet ahead. Thirty-one degrees southwest. Subjects
are stationary.” Kelly asks Weber, “What do you deduce from all of that?” “That they’re
illegals and that they’re hiding, also, that they had crossed the border, and they’re inside
the U.S.,” Weber answered. “Purportedly, based on the variable accuracies of a machine,”
Kelly retorted.
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Austin tells Kelly, “I need to radio Dispatch to send the wagon. Well, the radio’s out of
range. Simply, grabbing my cell phone and calling it in.” Kelly outlined, saying, “Well, it’s
like calling the kettle black. Radio versus Robot. However, it is an inaccurate equation.
Advancement versus simple absence is a better conclusion. Reminds me of the biblical
story about David and Goliath.” Weber implied, saying, “But Goliath died.” Kelly inferred,
expressing, “David’s fear died first, enabling him to face Goliath and all that he
represented. Intimidation, stamina, and determination to succeed. “By contrast, Mr.
Weber, the trial run was expedient and exceptional, facing your Goliath.” “I am glad about
that, Ms. Kelly. The simplicity of addressing the Robot. The extraordinary abilities that it
performs. I’ll say this about ‘Project S.C.O.U.T.’, that it’ll win over the department in record
time. I guarantee that,” Austin happily said. “Make a physical, besides a mental note, of
that commentary, Mr. Weber,” expressed Kelly.
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Weber walks over to Barnes’ patrol car and informs Deputy Franklin Barnes, “Wait for the
wagon and assist in the apprehension of the six illegals who are hiding at your six o’clock.”
Barnes acknowledged as Weber returned to his car and invited Kelly to an early dinner.
Kelly accepts Austin’s offer, and he drives to an interesting restaurant full of movie
memorabilia. While there, he emphasizes to her at the table, “I’m not a fanatic, I just find it
interesting enough to reminisce for a bit while enjoying my meal, at any time of the day.
Now that’s what I call a well-spent time. The likes of today, Ms. Knudsen.”
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An inquisitive Kelly says, “I remembered seeing a film about David and Goliath, though a
short version. How about you, Mr. Weber? Any film that comes to mind, it need not be
biblical.” Austin enlightens, saying, “Double Jeopardy was a movie about two individuals,
each with determining properties, calculating their next step to win the end game between
good and evil.” Kelly concludes, saying, “Of course, good wins over evil, in the end.” Austin
clarifies, stating, “Somewhat. Good became better over evil, to have the best outcome
prevail.” The two went back to the office, eventually, each left for their respective homes,
anticipating further repeats like today. They returned for the next three days with no
deterrent factors, until the fourth day, when they took the number one spot among the
detailed units parked there.
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Again, Weber instructed the Robot as he did once before, and the Robot responded.
“Detect two adults. Two males. Two animals. Two donkeys. Thirty-three feet ahead.
Twenty-eight degrees southwest. Subjects are stationary.” Weber radios two assisting
patrol units parked on the roadside in opposite directions. He says, “Patrol units, Gentry,
and Barnes. Possibly two drug smugglers at our ten. Get locked and loaded, men. I am
taking the lead, ‘over’.” Barnes radioed in, saying, “Barnes here, roger that, ‘over’.” Gentry
radioed in, saying, “Gentry here, roger that, ‘over’.” “Ready men go, now, now, now!”, as
Weber shouted, dropping the radio in the car without saying over and out. With their guns
drawn, they move in as a gunfire battle erupts. Such are the hazards of our border patrol
personnel. To the extent that the smugglers were apprehended. Unfortunately, Weber was
shot and rushed to the hospital.
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After the ambulance left the scene, Ms. Knudsen returned the Robot’s modified vehicle
to the office, in the specialized, secured parking space, then got into her car and drove to
the hospital. At the hospital, Ms. Knudsen waits in the lounge area near a nurse’s
workstation. She’s aware that Mr. Weber is undergoing surgery until they wheel him out of
surgery. Though she’s not a family member, she learned that the floor she’s on is reserved
explicitly for those who have undergone surgery. When that happened, she returned to her
car and was determined to return in a few days to check on his status. The song, ‘Climb
Every Mountain’s expects the truth to prove that it’s possible, but to move mountains, an
unexpected lie will prove the impossible.
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Ms Knudsen did the unexpected and returned a few days later to a busy hospital. In
truth, she lies to the nurse and tells her, “Pardon me, I am Austin Weber’s sister. Can you
be kind enough to give me his room number and direct me to its location? Thank you.” She
goes down an active hallway, then knocks on a door and opens it slowly, saying, “Are you
decent?” Weber states, “I’m dressed decent, but conversation is subjective, the way I
presently feel.” Kelly sits in the room’s chair and begins talking, “How are you holding up,
my friend?” Austin spoke in glib generalizations, “The hallway has vultures playing doctor
while the hospital staff are exchanging gurneys for coffins.”
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Kelly chuckles a bit, then says, “You sound like a commercial for sitcoms.” He laughed,
then changed his mood, stating, “According to the doctor, they removed a small caliber
bullet, not near any vital organs, clean and easy patchwork. I should be out in a week or so.
Unfortunately, the office placed me on an unspecified number of days of paid leave of
absence, which means that the office will reassign you to our Deputy Franklin Barnes. They
also added two more specialized parking spaces to accommodate the modified vehicles
that are due to arrive the day before next.”
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There are times when you would want the government to act responsibly, and then there
are times when they do,” as Kelly ponders, then expresses to Mr. Weber, “Well, this means
farewell, until we meet again in passing. Take good care of yourself and have a good life,
Assistant Chief Austin Weber.” Weber speaks while lying on his bed, “It has been an
exhilarating experience that took me to greener pastures. Those who’ll be trained hereafter
will be equally pleased, or more so, about ‘Project S.C.O.U.T’. It’s kind of you to visit me,
and a pleasure to have made your acquaintance. Goodbye, Ms. Knudsen.” “Goodbye
again, my friend,” were the last words as she left Mr. Weber’s room. She drives to the office
and speaks with Chief Dawson, who then informs her, “Dispatch has notified Deputy
Franklin Barnes to return to the office and park his patrol car, and that he’ll report to you in
the lobby.”
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Ms. Knudsen goes downstairs to wait for Deputy Barnes, and fifteen minutes
later, he walks in and meets her as they exchange formalities. She then tells him, “It’s
almost noon and I had a busy morning that has left me famished, let’s have lunch at this
restaurant that Mr. Weber had familiarized me with, where there’s movie memorabilia all
about. Do you know the place?” “I do,” said Deputy Barnes. After their conversation, they
leave for the restaurant. At the restaurant, Kelly regaled Franklin about the pivotal role
Christianity had in changing the world from idolatry to spirituality. She goes on, saying,
“However, there were some faiths, mostly tribal, that leaned on nature. Though most would
argue that they somewhat still worship idols, that have roots, wings, and four legs.”
She shared a biblical story she had with Weber, and the film Weber had shared with her.
Franklin tells her, “Okay, it’s a beautiful movie called ‘Red Dog’. It’s also about
determination. The gist is simple enough, where a dog waits at home for its master.
Unbeknownst to the dog, its master died in a bike accident. The master’s friends’ inability
to communicate his passing to the dog baffles the dog, prompting it to search for an
answer. The dog treks the world and hops on a train, a boat, a bus, and other modes of
transportation. What the dog found was what life is all about. Then the dog returns all the
way back home and finds its master’s grave. It finally learns what death is all about. Red
dog lies down over his master’s grave, and minutes later, joins him in eternal rest.” Glassy-
eyed, Kelly soberly shares, “That is the most poignant story I’ve ever heard.”
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They go back to the office, and they exchange vehicles with Deputy Barnes sitting in the
driver’s seat while she sits in the back. She tells Deputy Barnes, “You’ll have to speak to
the Robot, addressing it as such, then identify who you are to the Robot.” So, Barnes, from
the driver’s seat, faces and speaks to the Robot, “Robot, I am Deputy Franklin Barnes.”
Then Barnes starts the modified vehicle and drives into traffic. Fifteen minutes later, he
drives south down the highway with the Mexican border on his right side. Kelly instructs
Barnes, “Speak to the Robot, tell it to activate its sensors and to leave them on. Then, to
detect activity. Then tell the Robot to respond.” Barnes proceeds by saying, “Robot,
activate your sensors and leave them on. Robot, detect activity. Robot, respond.” The
active Robot responds, “No activity detected.”
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Kelly enlightens Barnes, stating, “Continue driving as the Robot is now activated. It’ll
activate when it detects activity.” Kelly continues with Deputy Franklin Barnes for three
weeks, with a few apprehensions. Then she continues with Deputy Luke Gentry’s beat for
two weeks and a day because of several apprehensions. The same with three more
deputies for two months, and Chief Dawson for one week. Kelly had received her airline
ticket when she knew that Chief Dawson would be the last person to work with the Robot
that they had preset to conclude in a week.
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So, Kelly packed her bags and checked out of the hotel just a week shy of her
prearranged four-month stay. Her room and tax charges will be sent to City Ledger, where
Homeland Security will settle the payment. Kelly had predetermined to conclusively settle
her hotel charges at the end of each month, so that it would not be overwhelming.
Afterwards, she headed for the Homeland Security El Paso Office and returned the car. The
agents she had met initially, when she arrived, were Zachery Stone and Marc Brennan, who
drove her to the airport, where she flew back home to Washington, DC.
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When operations are given their full measure to execute and accomplish their intended
objectives, the overseer is rewarded with, respectively, in succession, that the status quo
has altered the general state of circumstances, exchanging the past with the future. The
anecdote to circumvent the past is to remediate the future. The structure is a balance
between humans and machines, where faults versus favors, and machine versus none,
as emotions are human traits and nonexistent for machines. The elements that make up
the machine are for human understanding and not vice versa.
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