In reply to Dylan Richard Sinclar (msg # 21):

While they were stopped, Daniel walked back to the Scout. The electric vehicles remained silent while idling. He looked up at Dylan and nodded. "Uh huh.

"Kim, follow where I go. We'll take it nice and slow."

Remounting his own truck he said to Filat. "Ok. You can back down now. Time to get this show on the road." When the other man was set he took off, driving expertly down the narrow path.

In reply to Daniel Black Feather (msg # 22):

"Ok. You say down, now go down. Up. Down. Up. Down." He sat back down, ready to get back up again when needed.

In reply to Daniel Black Feather (msg # 22):

Daniel drove slowly and carefully. Using his lead, Kim found driving to be fairly easy.

The path was so narrow that bare branches constantly brushed them, scraping down the sides. At points the path edged along hillsides and through ravines. Water rushed by in numerous streams.

PD Note: Kim can make a Driving check. It is at +20% skill due to being able to follow Daniel's lead.

We came up from Seattle. Not too far.  I don't know if anyone has brought you up to date but Mt. Ranier is smoking. All available personnel are warning people to leave the area around the mountain. Not sure when it will blow. We need to get you folks out and RTB most scosh.

In reply to Project Director (msg # 24):

"Damn... damn.... cool.  Made it"

Jimmy settles into a 'position' with a bit of a vantage point.  Not much of one, bit a bit of a vantage point.  He's not hiding, per se.

"Tina, now we sit, eh?"

In reply to Jenna Tallfeather (msg # 25):

Right, well lets get the show on the road. I'll go down and get the doors open." Tim climbs down the tunnel and after a quick check of how the vehicle prep is going he warns everyone that he is about to open the doors.

In reply to Tim Charles White (msg # 28):

After a half-hour the Ranger is finally prepped with the help of Tim, Alice, Lina and Bobby.

Due to clearance with the gunshield the MAG-58 isn't mounted. All the electronics are installed and working. All ordnance and supplies are loaded in. The trailer takes some of the burden (the team camp kit as well as the miscellaneous gear and tools) although they could probably get it all in the main vehicle.

Meanwhile, Windigo and the Scout made their way along the overgrown track. Despite the soft ground and mud the old road bed held together as it snaked through the forested hills. Some fording of streams was necessary but Kim and Daniels' driving skills were up to the task.

In reply to Project Director (msg # 29):

Jenna went back to the ATV and juiced up the radio.

Tallfeather to Deuce, do you read?  Have contact with Kilo Zulu.  They are preparing to exit Bravo Hotel.  Should be ready to Romeo Tango Bravo within 20 mikes.  Two of theirs are on overwatch. What's your 20 Over.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:02, Sat 28 May 2016.

In reply to Daniel Black Feather (msg # 22):

Capt'n Kim does a quick over the shoulder look up at Daniel "Hey Boss?  The family that are fishermen nearby here... That must be the Monroe family.  Guy has three teeth and has two of the ugliest dogs. So jealous, "

In reply to Captain Ly Cong Kim (msg # 31):

Capt'n Kim scratches behind his ear and says "Hey Boss.. how bout making sure those Pie-o-neering tools are loaded. The pole with a bayonet lug too. Out here in the bush those are gold"

Bare branches scraped along the sides of both vehicles due to the narrowness of the trail. Despite the driver's hatch being open for better visibility, sweat dripped down Kim's side from the strain of concentrating to keep the Scout from bogging down or toppling over.

This area had always been heavily forested. Now nothing remained save remnants of the single-family dwellings that were once scattered about this route. Dylan noted in passing that side trails branched off this path at points. One seemed to lead to a large concrete building, a second to large sheds and a third that was likely a power transformer station. They didn't have time to stop and investigate so it was hard to tell more.

Windigo and the Scout were roughly a klick out.

Down in the bolthole the air began to get warm due to the exertion of those working to prep the Ranger. They finally finished up and were ready to open the hatch.

Things were quiet up top as Tina, Jimmy and Jenna waited. Rain fell from overcast skies.

In reply to Project Director (msg # 33):

Tim returned to the door controls and said "Opening in three, two, one.." He pushes the button to engage the door opening sequence and takes a step back. Once he is sure there are no problems and the doors are opening he climbs into the ranger and takes his seat. "OK Bobby takes us up and out, clear the doors and then we will park up and wait for the rest of the welcoming committee."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:33, Mon 30 May 2016.

Dylan leans forward, "Mr Kim, I am sorry but I didn't follow what you said, could you say that again."

Once he finished looking at the cement building he keys the microphone, saying, "Tallfeather, we are one kick out and headed your way."

Down in the bolthole Tim activated the door controls.

The inner vehicle doors were already swung open into the bolthole from when Jimmy paced out the exit tunnel to find where the main outer doors opened. From the far end of the exit tunnel they could hear a rumbling and scraping. This went on for several minutes as the hydraulic rams slowly forced the heavy outer vehicle exit doors open. There was almost 2 metres of dirt accumulated on top of them, plus centuries-old trees. Their roots cracked as they were uprooted. A mixture of black earth and grey powdery dirt cascaded into the widening hole. There was a crashes as trees toppled over, pushed up and out from below.

It took around ten minutes for the doors to fully deploy up and out.

At that point Wendigo and the Scout approached from the west. Jimmy, Tina and Jenna could hear branches scraping and snapping as they forced their way through the overgrown trail.

"Copy that, LT." She said to the scouts, "My team will be hear shortly."

"I believe I hear them coming."

HE jumps on his radio <radio>"This is Carson, I hear something coming down the trail big.  Should be our friendlies."

Alice walks the tunnel out to the main blast doors standing in cover as they open, she wants to see what they are driving out over and into before she gets into the drivers position.

She uses her night vision gear to look out into the darkness

In reply to Dylan Richard Sinclar (msg # 35):

"Tell the team to collect up the Pie-o-neering tools. We can use them at basecamp" says Cpatn'n Kim

In reply to Alice Maura McCloud (msg # 39):

Everything, including pioneering tools, had been stowed in preparation for abandoning the bolthole. The only exception was the MAG-58 and gunshield for clearance while going up the vehicle exit ramp.

It was daylight, albeit overcast and rainy, so Alice didn't receive any benefit to wearing her NVGs. The bolthole itself became more brightly lit in a green monochrome way, while places lit by outside light (outside the main vehicle door and at the bottom of the personnel exit became extremely brightly lit.

Taking her NVGs off so she could see, it seemed the doors were clear enough to allow the Ranger to exit. The two trees felled by Tina were still blocking the exit area a little, although their stumps were nothing more than craters. (The Ranger may or may not have difficulty with these craters.)

Alice walks back in " we have two large craters that might give us some trouble" she says to the present team. "It would be best if some one walks me out as I drive"

In reply to Alice Maura McCloud (msg # 42):

"No problem. I'm backup driver, I'll ground-guide you out."

Slinging his Stoner, Bobby started up the ramp.

Jenna shook her head.  "That should be my crew, she said to the other scouts.   "I see they paid real good attention to me sayin' it was rough to get down here and they should wait for us."

She looked at the gaping maw of the open Bolt Hole.   "Wow, that's some really impressive engineering.  I've worked with a lot of machines that are 150 years or more years old and to see those just swing open like that... wow. Just.. wow."

Jimmy laughs, giving Jenna a big amiable smile to go with it.

"Aye, the sort with perfect hindsight I suppose.  Bless their hearts."

He turns to look back at the ramp and nods.

"Old fashioned style of engineering even in my day, more the sort used fifty years or more before the whole kaboodle.  Back then, you over engineered everything.  Built to last, even though it is now disposed."

In reply to Jenna Tallfeather (msg # 44):

Tina looked doubtful at Jenna's comment and raised an eyebrow at Jimmy's apparent agreement, but didn't comment.