Author's Note- Well, we have made it to the end of the alphabet. I hope that you have enjoyed reading S is for Smokejumpers. At this moment I would like to ask you a question, would you like to see another one of these story advent calendars next year? The only reason this story got done in time for the holidays was because I was stuck traveling in locations that didn't have internet access. As a result, I had to write stories that didn't involve a whole lot of research. If I would like this type of special to occur next December, I would like to start in January.

On a completely different note, this story was inspired by a bunch of scientists that I have worked with in the past. Whenever they got bored they started throwing things such as rocks, soil knives, and other pieces of equipment. As the leader of the field crew, it was often my job to inform the scientists that it was time to get back to work. Those lectures tended to not stick very long. Watching the smokejumpers on the screen they really reminded my of some of my former team members so I suspect they would get into the same type of trouble.

Z is for Zipper

When Drip had signed up to become a firefighter he had dreamed about being an epic hero facing down massive walls of flames. In reality his job was a whole lot more boring than that. Yes, he did actual firefighting, but most of his day to day work fit solidly in the 'other duties as assigned' part of his contract. At the moment he and his team had been pulled from doing controlled burns to help with trail cleanup. And while this was not Drip's least favorite assignment it didn't stop the task from being mind-numbingly boring.

The young skid steer was trying to figure out a way to keep from dying from said boredom, when a small rock got stuck in one of his trends. Frustrated, Drip revved up his engine trying to loosen the pebble…which caused him to launch the rock towards the other smokejumpers. Blackout swore in Spanish as the rock nearly hit him as it flew past.

Everyone froze for a moment, letting the existence of the zipper sink in. This of course gave Drip enough time to get another rock set in his tread and to fling it at the team's swamper. Blackout was a little bit more prepared this time and he once again successfully ducked the rock as it whistled by. After the fourth rock was launched, it was pretty darn clear that the game had completely distracted the two smokejumpers from their assigned tasks.

"Drip, just because you have figured out how to fling rocks doesn't mean that you can throw them at Blackout just to check his reflexes." Dynamite said glaring at the youngest member of the team.

The fire captain's threat last for about five minutes, as soon as she had rounded the corner to scout ahead Drip let another rock fly. It made a satisfying thud against a nearby. The little skid steer was revving up to see if he could hit the same spot twice in a row, when his fellow smokejumpers decided to take control of the situation.

"OKAY THAT'S IT!" Avalanche dropped what he was doing and rolled over to the camping gear. After a moment of digging through things he located his prize. "I AM TOTALLY CLAIMING ALL THE MARSHMALLOWS."

All the smokejumper groaned at that, but they got back to work which was what really mattered. As for the marshmallows, it turned out that it was an empty threat. While Avalanche kept hold of the bag for the rest of the day he shared the loot with the rest of the team when the gathered around the fire that evening.

Term-Zipper- When a rock gets stuck in your equipment and then thrown at a high rate of speed that rockzipper. While it makes everyone's life exciting they can cause real damage or even kill if they hit someone. As a result, zippers are generally things that are to be avoided at all cost.

Author's Note- Well that is a wrap. Another story is complete. I will back posting chapters on my other stories starting January 1. Merry Christmas everyone, C-130 signing out.

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