esim cards are electronic equivalent of sim cards. A SIM card (Subscriber Identity Module) is a small chip that identifies and authenticates your device on a mobile network, enabling calls, texts, and data usage. An e-sim card is an equivalent that can be downladed to the phone

esim cards are electronic equivalent of sim cards. A SIM card (Subscriber Identity Module) is a small chip that identifies and authenticates your device on a mobile network, enabling calls, texts, and data usage. An e-sim card is an equivalent that can be downladed to the phone

He stumbled and Scott was there, holding his elbow, a concerned look on his face.

‘Are you alright Al? Do you need a break?’ ‘Nah, I’m good for a little longer.’ ‘You sure? There’s no shame in stopping before we’d planned.’ ‘I’m good, Scott. Honest.’

Scott clapped him on the shoulder and carried on walking and with a sigh Alan pulled his backpack up and set off after him. He stumbled a little but had just managed to catch himself when a sharp pain shot through his ankle.

His gasp had Scott turning back around. Alan was bent over, holding his ankle but as he glanced up he saw the look of horror appear on Scott’s face.

‘Sc-Scotty?’ ‘Stay still, Alan.’

Alan immediately stilled, for it was the Commander who had spoken. He watched as Scott slowly moved around him and slowly crouched down before backing away. But Alan was already distracted by the rapidly growing pain.

‘Scott? Aren’t you and Alan hiking…’ ‘Alan’s been bitten by a Mojave Rattlesnake. I need course of action and immediate treatment.’ ‘You need to lie Alan down, remove any tight clothing and keep him as calm as possible.’ ‘Thank you, EOS.’ ‘Two is launching now and I have called the local emergency services. They will get to you first. Can you wash the wound with plain water?’ ‘On it. Should I bandage it afterwards?’ ‘Only if you have a loose wrap bandage, not a compression bandage.’ ‘I do.’ ‘Scott, I have Phoenix emergency services online for you.’ ‘Thanks John, EOS. Please stay on the line.’ ‘FAB.’ ‘Hello, this is Scott.’ ‘The Medical Helicopter has been scrambled. Can you give me any stats on the victim?’

Scott looked at Alan. He was pale and sweating, biting his lip in an effort to control the pain. As Scott watched he shuddered once. And then again. He rapidly fired the stats

‘S-S-Sco…’ ‘Alan?’ ‘S-S-Sco…’

Scott swore softly and manoeuvred Alan so that he was propped against his chest with his leg raised on a pile of rocks. He was twitching occasionally, trying to talk but not getting a complete word out. Scott felt helpless as Alan spasmed against him.

‘John, how much longer for the helo? Alan’s dropping fast.’ ‘The helo’s on its way, ETA another 20 minutes.’ ‘And Two?’ ‘Virgil’s redlining her but he’s still a couple hours out.’ ‘Ok. Ok. What can I do to help?’ ‘You’re doing it. Keep Alan as calm as you can. That’s literally all you can. The calmer he is the less the venom is going to pump around his body. How is the wound?’ ‘He’s bled through the bandage I applied.’ ‘The venom is coagulopathic, can you wrap another bandage around it?’ ‘No, I only brought the tiny kit.’ ‘Ok. Ok. Just…concentrate on keeping him calm.’ ‘FAB.’

Scott started rocking Alan gently and began humming their Mom’s favourite lullaby. Alan was too young to remember the tune but his brothers had made sure Alan hadn’t missed out, using it quite ruthlessly to comfort the youngster.

He felt his brother relax against him and continued humming. And then Scott paused and looked to the sky.

The whomp-whomp of an approaching helicopter was a welcome noise and he relaxed.

Of course that’s when Alan stopped breathing.

Scott shifted Alan to the ground quickly and began CPR as the helo settled down to land. He was aware of the two medics who jumped down and set up around Alan, but he ignored them until they were ready and all but pushed him aside.

He paced around them, practically pulling his hair out as he couldn’t do anything more than watch. John was a comforting voice in his ear but there was only so much he could do.

The AED had to be fired three times before the medics were happy that Alan was safe to move and they rolled him onto a gurney and loaded him into the copter. Scott made to climb up but one of the medics stopped him, shut the door and Scott stepped back as they took off.

‘Scott?’ ‘Ah…yes, John?’ ‘The quads will be with you in an hour.’ ‘An hour? Two will be here a little after that.’ ‘What are you thinking, big brother?’ ‘I can jog towards them, cut that time down or I can send them back in case anyone else is injured and wait for Virgil.’ ‘Your call.’ ‘Send the rescue team back. They’ll not get me there any quicker than Two.’ ‘FAB, I’ll let them know.’ ‘Tell Virgil I’m heading back so he’ll know I’m on the move.’ ‘Will do, Scott.’

Scott snatched up Alan’s backpack and the detritus they had caused and set off at a gentle jog back the way he’d come. He knew that John would track him and inform Virgil accordingly.

While he was jogging John kept him informed of Alan’s status. They’d got him breathing and had already began the IV infusion of antivenom. So far Alan hadn’t had an allergic reaction and Scott found immediate relief from that particular news.

John also played a news item regarding the specific air ambulance company that had flown Alan out, how they had always been at the forefront of carrying antivenom on their helos and had not only saved lives but also cut down the hospital stay of their patients.

As Scott relaxed he sped up, and as a consequence once Two finally landed they were much closer to Phoenix and subsequently Banner University Medical Centre. By the time they’d landed Alan had been installed in the ICU and hooked up to all kinds of monitoring systems and IVs.

He was asleep when they arrived, for which Virgil was very thankful for when he had the opportunity to actually regard Scott, who had immediately sat in the chair nearest the bed and taken gentle hold of Alan’s hand.

The guilt was already piling up on the man. His shoulders were hunched right up to his ears – in fact his whole body was curled into himself – and Virgil stifled a sigh.

It was so like his brother to crush himself under the guilt of what happened. As if everything was his fault.

Virgil’s hand on his shoulder had Scott startle even though he knew his brother was here. He gave a squeeze and expected Scott to relax but he didn’t, impossibly he tensed even more, so Virgil did the only thing left open to him – he pulled Scott back against him in the tightest bear hug he could from his position.

At first Scott tensed again before relaxing and then melting into the hug. Virgil didn’t release his hold until Scott let go of the breath he’d been holding and patted his arm. Only then did he let go and pull up the second chair in the room and sit down.

They’d not been there long when the doctor came. He looked over Alan’s stats and checked the two IVs. Alan was currently on his second dose of antivenom and would potentially have to have several more over the coming hours depending on how well he was responding, and the second IV contained saline and morphine to help him with the pain.

The doctor shook hands with both of them and proceeded to run down what had been done and what was going to be done for Alan.

‘Alan received the full initial dose of Anavip onboard the air ambulance and did not have a reaction. He was also treated with some antihistamines and a shot of Dilaudid. Thankfully he responded quickly to the CPR and didn’t need any further invention. Mojave Rattlesnake venom can cause a lot of issues not only with clotting but with tissue damage to the affected area. Whoever applied the first aid did a great job and it hopefully limited any permanent damage.’ ‘Permanent damage?’ ‘Alan’s young and very fit, and he was treated very promptly so we’re not expecting any complications. What we’re doing in the immediate is managing the pain – rattler bites are one of most painful – and keeping a close eye on Alan’s blood in regards to his clotting and blood pressure, and on the swelling around the wound.’ ‘How long are you planning on keeping him in?’ ‘Ideally three-seven days in case he needs further antivenom.’ ‘Is that likely?’ ‘Unfortunately no one can predict how a patient reacts to a bite. Now, that’s a lot to digest and Alan will be awake soon so you’ll need some time to discuss things. We’ll be doing regular blood draws but unless there’s an issue we’ll stay out of your hair for as long as we can.’ ‘Thank you, Doctor.’

He shook hands with Scott and Virgil, and left, and they settled down for the wait – both for Alan to wake up and for the rest of the family to arrive.

They didn’t have too long to wait.

Alan stirred and Scott sat forward immediately, laser-focused on his brother’s face. He didn’t stir even when the door opened and Kayo slipped into the room. She hugged Virgil and leant against Scott before kissing Alan’s forehead as his eyes fluttered open.

‘Kay?’ ‘Hey Alan. You good?’ ‘Yeah.’

She grinned at him, ruffled his hair and stepped back so Scott could talk to him. She paused by Virgil and murmured that she was going to fix security before slipping out as quietly as she’d arrived.

Within the next couple of hours the rest of the family arrived and Alan fell asleep and woke up twice. This last time, though, he was more aware of what was going on, and stretched his hand out to Scott, who took it and held it tightly.

John booked the nearest hotel and for the next four days they took it in turns to sit with Alan and Scott, who only moved when Alan insisted he sleep. But they were all together when Alan was given the all-clear – with one proviso.

Since it had been less than 48 hours since his last shot of antivenom the doctor had advised no flying to reduce the continued risk of clots and swelling.

Alan huffed and pouted but Scott lit up. He winked at Virgil and John, who immediately understood what he wanted, and John slipped out to order what his brothers needed while Virgil and Gordon tried to cheer a glum Alan.

It didn’t take John long, and on his return he handed Scott a set of keys. Alan frowned and waited for an explanation while, with a not-too-subtle nudge the rest of the family said goodbye and left the two brothers alone.

There was a slightly uncomfortable pause before Scott once again leaned forward, passing Alan the keys. He watched the frown deepen as he regarded the keys for a moment before speaking.

‘Sprout? I am so, so sorry.’ ‘Sorry? What for?’ ‘You got bitten. That’s on me.’ ‘No – what? How the…Scotty!’ ‘Um…Alan?’ ‘This is not your fault. I should have been looking where I was going. How many times did you tell me to watch where I was going?’ ‘Yeah, but I should have taken you on a shorter trip. I knew walking wasn’t your favourite pastime.’ ‘Stop it. I wanted to share this with you. Get over here.’

Gladly Scott sat on the bed and folded Alan into a gentle hug.

‘So…how are we getting home?’ ‘Well, since you can’t fly for a few more days, how about a drive?’ ‘A drive?’ ‘Let’s go home to the ranch. John’s hired us a car and we can take our time.’ ‘That sounds sweet! What’s the car?’ ‘What do you want it to be?’

Alan thought for a moment. He’d wanted to do a road trip for a long time, but he hadn’t really given any thought to the car itself. But then a memory surfaced.

‘Wait – do you have a Mustang?’ ‘Nope. Try again.’

He frowned again and thought hard, causing Scott to laugh. Scott helped him to stand and they made their slow way outside while Alan continued asking questions.

‘A Corvette?’ ‘Nope.’ ‘A…Thunderbird?’ ‘Better.’ ‘What’s better than a T-Bird?’

They made their way outside to see the car waiting, bright blue with darker blue and silver highlights. Alan turned to his brother with his eyes alight and astonishment clear on his face.