*Kelsey stands by the radio, obviously excited now, looking around the room once, and then back to the set, her mind focused on this important mission.*

Andy and Mac could see little overt activity in town. The Russian NCO was apparently still inside his billet, the radio waves didn't go berserk.

It was clear to Andy from the delays in reply that it wasn't like they were standing by to receive this broadcast, but by the same token they didn't seem all that surprised, either.

---

"Please stand by..."

There was a few more minutes of waiting as things got sorted out on the other end.

"Ah, the Mayor isn't really awake yet but let me pass on her greetings and I'm sure she'll want to speak with you within the hour. However, Mr. Shailin is eager to speak. Wait one."

After a moment, a voice with a thick accent came on the line.

"Taras Vladimirovich? This is Bulat Izmailivitch! Old friend... is wery good to hear you! What storms we have had, yes?"

Bulat was assimilating nicely; like native Canadians, he was obsessed with the weather.

"Am being sure that Mayor will accept assistance with all great enthusiasms."

"Would be... she would be wanting meeting to discuss... much benefit of cooperation with government forces."

"Will be switch to Russian. For me, easy to talk."

His voice switched to a Russian that was arguably equally tortuous as his English, although smoother and easier on Taras' ear.

"Bulat Vladimirovich, I have question for you. Did something happen with Stickmen in Park night before last? I ask because people here are very concerned about them. The Stickmen burned down their village in retaliation some months back, and they are concerned that if the Stickmen think they had involvement in this latest clash, there will be further reprisal."

"Also, do you by chance have some kind of Razvedchiki (reconnaissance scouts) in the area? We believe that two individuals have been keeping us under surveillance. I was asked to "deal" with the potential threat by the local security forces but am reluctant to do so, as they do not appear to be an unknown quantity, not Stickmen."

By concentrating, Clarke could follow along with the voice on the speaker, barely.

[OOC: Unfortunately, Andy doesn't speak Russian.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:13, Tue 29 Apr 2008.

Clarke looked at Taras. "Lt. Taras, please confirm the Razvedchiki are ours.  We would appreciate if they let us deal with them," she said in Russian.  "As for the park incident with the Stickmen, that is something we'd like to discuss, including how to best protect the citizens in his area."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:11, Tue 29 Apr 2008.

My dear friend Bulat!...Yes, yes...As I said the military is with us and a couple of the guys is up there taking a look at the situation. They certainly spot your people and that was the reason to contact you! What a great surprise!

Taras was speaking slowly so the Intel Officer could get a hold of the tone and content of the conversation. Nevertheless, at the same time he was taking notes not to miss any point for further translation.

...but you may understand that we cannot talk much on the radio about this or what happened in the Park. We shall meet as soon as possible. You are invited to come to the University and meet the people here. There are very nice and as I said we are willing to help you...The scout party is being retrieved. Will you like to come today?

Clarke thought Lt. Taras was very cool under the circumstances.  Perhaps she had overstepped by jumping in.  She looked up at Belanger.  "From what Taras is saying to Shailin, his people up there are in touch with the locals and helping provide security.  Looks like establishing contact with him will kill two birds with one stone.  We also need to call in the recce patrol.  Shailin's people have spotted them.  They won't do anything, but it's best to get our guys out of the area."

She looked back at Taras.  "I'm impressed with Lt. Taras.  He handled that very well.  It's also good to see Pvt. Champlain making an effort to cooperate.  I'd like to talk to you about why Mr. Jagelis took his leave.

"Taras Vladimirovich, these are military scouts? Yes of course, the Stickmen do not use rifles! That we know of."

"You may withdraw them if you wish, they are of less concern now as they are no longer an unknown quantity. We have been tracking them using electro-optical and thermo-graph equipment."

"You may come here, the Mayor could go there (and bring me along if she wishes). Whichever you prefer."

This was Bulat's preferred style of maskirovka, even in conversation; he was actually saying a lot more than he seemed to be, and would give up information only in exchange for other information.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:24, Tue 29 Apr 2008.

Very well...It is the wish of the Council to invite and meet the Mayor as you can imagine. I'm also willing to meet you, my friend...We can be there to pick up the boys in a few hours and then you and the Mayor can come over here . Maybe you can pay lunch and I'll pay dinner!

Shevchenko, knowing old fox Bulat, tried to dig up some common good times in the pasr to re assure confidence on the other side.

Ah Bulat, I can still picture your face back in Sukhumi when that monkey scare the shit out of you! Ha, ha, ha...

Clarke hastily translated for Kelsey, standing by the other radio with Andy and Chris.  She was glad Taras was taking it slow, it gave her a chance to figure out what he was saying.  "Taras is telling Shailin we'll pick up the recce team in a few hours... he's setting up a meeting later with Shailin and the Mayor from up there..." she had a puzzled expression for a moment. "Monkeys?... well, anyway, Pvt. Champlain, I'm sure you can take it from here."

She got herself a cup of coffee and sat down, thinking.  It sounded like Shailin wanted assurance of his own safety for the meeting.  Taras seemed to be suggesting they'd meet him half-way.  The CF would come to get their people, meet him and the Mayor, then escort the combined party to the UCB to meet the council.  Good plan.  She was more impressed by Taras the more she listened to him.

There was still much she found disturbing.  The mention of the Stickmen, the failed recce of the park, the trouble it might cause.  That last bit was the worse.  Clarke shook her head and sipped her coffee.  "Not even my through my first cup, and I'm ready to trade it in for a whiskey sour," she thought to herself.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:41, Wed 30 Apr 2008.

*All business with peoples lives on the line*

"Right ma'm, I'll tell them two hours at the last reconned extraction point."

*She checks and does a test break to alert the team on the second radio*

"Ruby 1, Ruby 1, Amber 1.. over.  Ruby 1, Ruby 1, Amber 1.. over."
After acknowledgement she gives the instructions
"Ruby 1, advise you have wun hundred twun-tee mikes to Romeo with Topaz, location unchanged.  Repeat  romeo with topaz at location unchanged in two hotels."
*After acknowledgement*
"Roger Ruby 1, good luck.  Lima Oscar Victor Echo, Amber 1 out"

*of course, she would contact the boats to get on the same timetable*

"Good job, Pvt.," Clarke said.  These two certainly seemed capable of doing their jobs.  So what had been stopping them before?  She looked at the door to the foyer, where she'd last seen Lt. Jagelis.  To Belanger, in French, "We do need to talk.  Something is not right here."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:38, Wed 30 Apr 2008.

*She looks up, about to set up the pickup, she frowns.. private.. is all this woman sees is rank?  Damned if she was going to spend the rest of her life being called 'private'*

"Kelsey ma'm, or Champlain, I prefer Kelsey"

Clarke smiled.  "Kelsey it is, then.  I hate to assume familiarity.  You deserve more respect than that."

"Yes, that was funny! Those Armenian... "nurses"... and that vodka didn't help. Good times, my friend, good times."

"We will wait for your arrival and not be concerned with your Razvedchiki. Will you be coming by the south entry points or the harbour?"

Belanger answered her Acadian French with his Quebecois, "What do you mean? I don't understand Russian."

The CF personnel could understand French, but probably none of the civilians out here unless they, too, were from Quebec or the Maritimes.

"They're fine," she indicated Taras and Kelsey. "but... why not befo.. eh, I need to listen to this. She squeezed Belanger's hand.  "After, OK?"

Paying detailed attention to the crackling voice pouring out of the speaker.

Will go to the harbour. We'll make radio contact in this frequency when we get ready to go...

Taras waited for the confirmation. It came shortly after. He didn't waste time this time and addresed the whole team:

Ok, people. I have a good impression on this. Now we need to bring some leverage here. I wanted to bring them back with the recce team so Bulat will have the opportunity to scold the snipers. He loves to do that. He is a Sargent. Let him gain some confidence. Before they disembark in the Marina we need to have an escort of vehicles and we need to move that Infantry Fighting Vehicle out of the garage and put it near the road for them to see. We saw their BTR and we have to show our Queen maybe with some good looking militia and even the plamya .

Regarding the negotiations we are going to keep options open. We start with the fact that return to normal life is unstoppable and is only a matter of time. We propose what we have to offer and we show what they have to lose. We'll show them what are the benefits of cooperating with the Government and then they will have to make up their minds. The balance is in our favor. I'm fully confident.

Shevchenko made a pause and look at Clarke. He remembered her worries.

...Stanley Park...Best course of action is to tell the truth and put all the blame on the bad tactical decisions of the Lieutenant, which by the way...is being replaced. The stickmen is now a common enemy...of course.

After letting sink the words for a while, Taras inquired:

Any questions or suggestions?

Clarke didn't speak while Lt. Taras had his say.  She took a breath and stood a little straighter.

"As for a return to normalicy, it sounds like he's half-way there already.  Unless he's got some hold on the mayor, he's already working with the people up there and providing security.  Otherwise, why would he relay their concerns about the Stickmen?  She paused to let that sink in.  "I think you are correct about a show of force, but maybe not for the same reason.  We need to show him a strong ally, more than a force that can resist him if he won't play ball.

She waited to see if Taras had any comments or questions of his own.  "So, Stanley Park - that was one person's bad tactical decision?  I would like more detail on this.  Makes sense, really.  I wondered why you she indicated Taras and Kelsey "were so obviously compitent today, but things had gone badly in the past.  What was stopping you?  She looked at the foyer.  "Now it makes sense."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:12, Wed 30 Apr 2008.

The general plan was to withdraw the snipers for pickup at Whiskey Cover at 0730. At the same time, another boat would head to Horseshoe Bay to pick up the VIPs for transport back to UBC.

"That sounds good, my friend. I shall remind the Mayor to call you when she's more awake."

It was coming on 0600, and the sky was getting noticeably lighter in the west.

Weary, wet, cold and tired, Andy and Chris up sticks again and tramped the now familiar route back to Whiskey Cove to await pickup.

"Thank you ma'm, that is respect to me, means you know who I am."

Clarke laughed, her eyes twinkling.  "Private or Kelsey, I could never miss who you are."

Clarke laughed, her eyes twinkling.  "Private or Kelsey, I could never miss who you are."
</quote>


*She glances at Talas a moment, she had picked up on his anger at her attitude but she wasn't crumpling to it*

"I outgrew private years ago, but thank you.  I wasn't kidding about the shame part a bit, ma'm.  I'll just have to trim my roses where I may"

*She glances at Talas a moment, she had picked up on his anger at her attitude but she wasn't crumpling to it*

"I outgrew private years ago, but thank you.  I wasn't kidding about the shame part a bit, ma'm.  I'll just have to trim my roses where I may"
</quote>
She shook her head.  "You really take me back.  I can remember being a boatswain's mate and getting just the opposite kind of flack.  No one believed I was straight."

Clarke saw Kelsey look at Taras.  "You're an excellent soldier, Kelsey.  Your words should reflect that as strongly as your actions."   She looked at Taras herself for a moment, and then back at Kelsey.  "Lt. Taras is saying the Lion's Gate Bridge fiasco was a tactical error on Lt. Jagelis' part, and he should bear the brunt of responsibility.  What is your opionion?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:54, Wed 30 Apr 2008.

This message was deleted by the player at 01:10, Thu 01 May 2008.

Casting a gimlet eye Fox chimed in dryly, "yes, and let's all bear in mind any roses that need trimming can't be planted in one's chain of command."

He smiled. "Still, keep up the good work, Champlain."

At the mention of Stanley Park, Fox spoke up.

"Well, I accept my share of responsibility for that. I saw the terrain was against us but didn't advise we try in a better spot. It was my fault for not advising the LT better in that situation, even if my advice may or may not have been taken."

"When the taunting started we should have acted like we were under actual attack as per the ROEs and acted accordingly, instead of waiting for a physical attack. After all, we were in an area controlled by known or suspected hostiles. This confusion stems from the fact that we're operating in the grey area between military and civil operations, not quite sure when to react with force or not. It's not a combat zone like northern BC but not quite a rear area like the provincial capital in Duncan. The next time in another part of the city, shooting first may not be appropriate."

"I will point out that Kelsey providing suppressive fire and then popping smoke at Taras' suggestion were decisive actions that allowed us to withdraw without anything more than minor casualties."

"Moving forward, in the future we should try to be more aware of what an appropriate response will be in a given area. For example, let's give some general guidelines for operating in communities like Horseshoe Bay, whom we believe to be friendly, which will be different than Stanley Park, which we know is not. Then there's the Airport which is an unknown, New West, the "free market" on Annacis Island, the fishing village in southern Richmond, the friendly neighborhoods around here in Kitsilano, and so on."

"We don't need a big colour-coded board like this is the Republic of South Vietnam charting community allegiances and dictating allowed responses. Prior to travel or operations some guidelines just need to be laid down ahead of time so we're not making it up on the spot."
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:48, Thu 01 May 2008.