A hum and Jimmy slaps his knee.

"With the amount of time needed to convert the boat, the overland route isn't really a time waster and it will give us a bit more in the way of resources.  Commander Weaver, can you rig us to tow a Zodiac with.. did you say we could get a V-150 that can swim if need?  Versatility and resources may be a better solution for us."

A snap of his fingers.

"And Jenna here had a trike just yesterday, is it already re-allocated?"

"We could use a scout if we go V150.  Those engineering vehicles are tough, AND it will have welding equipment and heavier recovery equipment on board.  If we bring a Zodiac along as well, we should be able to get close, at least."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:28, Mon 18 Sept 2017.

In reply to James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire (msg # 47):

"The guide can probably teach you a few words, yes. If you talk to the guide, she will almost certainly insist on coming with you.

"James island used to be connected to the beach by a permanent sandbar at the mouth of the Quillayute River. The US Corps of Army Engineers removed this to make a breakwater for the river mouth back in, like, the 1960's. So it's not far. We have no Zodiacs left in this sector, they are all in the south. We do have self-inflating rubber rafts. Depending on the tide it shouldn't be too difficult to paddle out there.

"Sorry to say you can't have the V-150 ARV. It's the only engineering vehicle in this sector. It's a struggle to avoid having it re-assigned as it is."

"Project policy is not to use mines either near civilians or unless we know exactly where they're going in. We don't know beforehand if our "flank" will be where people normally like to fish or do their laundry or play. The civvies in the area we can barely communicate with, much less warn about what a "minefield" is. And if we use mines to cover a retreat then that's even worse. We lose all control over them. Maybe a Krell steps on one while in hot pursuit, maybe a woman gathering firewood does a week or month later, or a kid thinks it's some kind of toy. See what I mean?

"On the other hand, sure, we might wish we had some if we don't."

Darryl stayed quiet on the issue, one way or another.

"Ah, right, that was to be levered for boat conversion.  Sounds tricky regardless.  I'd rather have a more standard One Five Zero anyway for a mission.  Can you check on the Sea worthy kit?  And if inflatables are what we have besides, it is what we have.  I need to know what I have available to make an informed decision."

Andy starts to take notes as well.  "How about Claymores instead of mines.  Easier to recover if we don't need them." Listing all the weapon loadouts in the team, he nods at the suggestions for additional arms.

"If we take a 150, it'll have to be APC to carry us all.  It'll carry more than 9 but with the extra room we can bring additional gear and Elliot's toys.  It normally rides with a Ma-Duce.  Any opinions on trying to mount a 40mm thumper up there?  We could use a Mk 19 for both close in support and artillery if necessary."

OOC: Pause for replies, but adding more to move forward...

"We are already set pretty well with our current weapons but here's the extras I have from comments so far;

Mag-58 with tripod, a case of Claymores instead of mines, our normal loadouts with extra ammo, and if we can get a 40mm up on the 150 we'll try to get a nice assortment of rounds.

We'll need to gather smoke and flares.  Tina, you got the demo stuff, right?  I will see if I can gather enough Kevlar to at least outfit a small squad if not the whole team."

"Andy, if we go in by boat instead, I am guessing we will have to drop a lot of this load.  Can you make a separate load out in case that is how we go with this?"

In reply to Andy Maxwell Flasch (msg # 51):

"Full demo kit? Ok. We'll see if they got any in inventory.

"I am ok with Claymores as long as I don't have to rig a tripwire. Lot safer than leaving toe-poppers lying around! Easier and safer to collect, too.

"We can mount an XM174 auto-grenade launcher on a pintle if there are any in inventory. Not sure about if we got any Mk.19s."

This message was last edited by the player at 03:47, Fri 22 Sept 2017.

In reply to James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire (msg # 52):

Scribbling some notes, Darryl thought for a moment.

"I've been down to Little Da Nang and Captain Kim gave me a tour of his boat. I've also seen it out of the water when it was pulled out for winter overhaul and conversion from wood charcoal boiler to alcohol fuel.

"It's a prewar steel-hulled 32-footer, single screw in great shape. No rust or corrosion. Probably a harbour-master boat at one time would be my guess. No freezers. North Sea design, very stable. But slow, 9 knots cruising speed.

"There's a berth that sleeps 4 in 2 bunk beds forward, small cabin amidships with a tiny galley on the portside and command chair on the starboard. Big open rear deck, it's got rigging and gear for trawling added on after the war and we could remove that for more space. Bigger than a pickup bed, smaller than a Deuce. No radar or sonar any more. We can rig a new radar unit, no sonar I'm afraid.

"You could fit 9 people in the boat plus a lot of gear. Or 9 people, an ATV plus some gear."

Checking his notes for the armoury and inventory.

"Ok. No V-150 amphibious kits. No Mk.19s, but those are pretty rare even after the 1987 refit. Demolitions kit and demo charge. There is an XM174 available. Claymores, ground and trip flares, smoke grenades, tear gas, MAG-58 with tripod, all the normal issue gear and weapons.

"The V-150 APC and 20mm FSV are both spoken for by the local QRF. We can spare RECON P44's Commando Ranger plus two XR311s. There used to be a Commando Scout available but, well, it kind of got dinged up. Just a little."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:21, Thu 21 Sept 2017.

"One if by sea, two if by land eh?"  though joking he sounds thoughtful.

"The boat probably has what we need, let me see that map.  Think we will do most of our travel by water?"

In reply to James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire (msg # 56):

"I think if you travel by water, there shouldn't be a lot of walking or land travel. Unless you sink or run aground. James Island is maybe 400 yards offshore and in shallow water on its eastern side.

"I've been making a partial list of gear:"

Team Issue:

1. 1 Camp Kit, Team issue,
   
2. 1 Demolitions Kit,
   
3. 1 Demolition charge (C4, Det-Cord),
   
4. 1 MAG-58 load (3 belts) plus tripod,
   
5. 1 M174E4 load (3 drums) plus tripod,
   
6. 1 Case Grenades, AN-M98 Smoke,
   
7. 1 Case Flares, M1 Hand-Launched,
   
8. 1 Case Mines, M18/A1 Claymore,
   
9. 1 Set Tools, Electronic,
   
10. 1 Set Tools, Mechanical,
    
11. 9 Hazard Suits, Mk.I,
    
12. 2 Geiger Counters,
    
13. 9 PASGT Kevlar vests,
    
14. 9 Cold Weather kits.

Boat Issue:

1. 1 Set, AN/PPS-05 Surface Radar,
   
2. 2 AN/PRC-70 Radios,
   
3. 1 Trade Kit,
   
4. 1 Contact Kit,
   
5. 1 Medical Kit, Large.

"You can't strip the armoury and stores, of course. But I think this is a reasonable start."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:44, Fri 22 Sept 2017.

"Yup, boat it is.  Everyone, come up with your lists and let's see what we can pack, and what we can't.  If we have the luxury of picking and choosing, smile and do it."

In reply to James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire (msg # 58):

"Let's take a few ration packs so we don't starve."

Jimmy laughs at that.

"Want to take care of that for us Bobby?  We'll probably want enough for a couple weeks if possible, and I think the boat has some ability for cooking as well."

Capt'n Kim looks puzzled. "Ration packs??? Was bringing 4 slabs of ribs and jerky"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:20, Fri 22 Sept 2017.

"We'll need to document what we find," Elliot adds. "Flash photography for sure, film if its available. If it is a submarine, the higher-ups will want to see what we have seen on this mission."

In reply to James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire (msg # 60):

"Ha ha! Yes, there is a galley. A very small galley with 4-seat teable. Charcoal stove for now but can rig it with an electric burner or microwave.

"Yes. Good point, Elliot. I was going to suggest someone take a camera. We have film cameras and as well, we can get you a hand-held VHS videocamera that works off Morrow battery packs."

In reply to Captain Ly Cong Kim (msg # 61):

"We could throw out some lines and troll for fish while we travel to the island. It would help to be partially self sufficient.", Lina added.

Darryl, if we are installing a Project power plant in that boat, I want as much as possible to be converted to electric, a couple burners and microwave both, please.  And get some lamps and such on it.

Captain Kim, Ribs and jerky sound damn fantastic, and so does fresh fish.. but seas may be a bit rough to enjoy it.  Ration packs and sea sick pills are a damn good thing to have.

In reply to James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire (msg # 65):

"Aside from a booth, the "galley" is a small counter with a cupboard below that can hold a small microwave or an electric hotplate. But actually not both simply due to space.

"Come to think of it I'm not sure how we could even do that. We are converting the alcohol-powered engine to a fusion-electric generator and electric motor but we don't have time to rewire the entire boat for standard electricity. We could try but that could delay completing the conversion. We can rig some power leads to a battery charger, the radar and a spotlight but anything more would be basically an extension cord. Not very robust, I'm afraid."
This message was last updated by the player at 03:53, Sat 23 Sept 2017.

"Yeah...  Extension cords running across the deck covered in sea water.  That's a recipe for a shorted out motor or a fire.  Bad day in either case.  We'll just have to cook over charcoal."

"The ribs will probably be the highlight of the dinner table, but all we really need is the ability to eat on the run until we get there.  Once on the island, we could look for fish or game to add to the menu while we are investigating."

Andy scratches down the list that Sabio recites, nodding as their supplies come into focus.  "Weaver, one thing that we might need is some lighting and caving gear.  Can we 'borrow' some lights for the explorers along with some rope and hardware?  We may have to set up camp underground and it will be miserable if we are running back and forth to charge the flashlights.  Shouldn't take up much room either."

"I feel pretty good with the security gear unless someone else can think of something we missed."

In reply to Andy Maxwell Flasch (msg # 67):

"This boat is intended to be lived on while working, if a little cramped. Four people can sit in the booth at time. As long as you have a way to boil water you can use the small counter in the galley or the table to prepare freeze-dried rations.

"There is no Project-issue "caving" kit. I think a Mountain kit would suit you, and the island looks like you might need to climb up some sheer cliffs if you don't find a entrance near the waterline.

"I'm not sure why you think you'd need to camp in the cave? You are supposed to go in for a quick recce to see if it's safe. If it's safe enough to camp then your task is complete at that point. But again, a mountain kit, some work lights and power cords won't be a problem. We also have a solar power charging unit as well."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:28, Sat 23 Sept 2017.

  Capt'n Kim mumbles "Lubbers"

Jimmy chuckles.

"That sounds good, but sometimes stuff hits the fan.  Some basic survival and camping stuff should not take up a lot of space.  We can live without luxury and frankly this already sounds more luxurious than a commando ranger.

As far as a hot plate, which I prefer over a microwave, running on an extension cord, that is fine.  Remember, we don't have to leave it plugged in.

Sounds like a consensus we are reaching.  No ATV, Hotplate on an extension cord, some gear just in case things can't wait."

In reply to James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire (msg # 70):

"Water purifier, like on our Morrow Project Vehicles. Don't think we have desalination available, though."


PD Note: The ration packs and water purifier are gimmies! Otherwise, you need to list what you're taking. If you don't list it, you won't have it!