01 February, 2140
0710 LIMA
4C, Light Rain
Maryville, North of Seattle

Dawn was not yet breaking. It was a miserable Washington in February morning. A light but cold rain was falling.

The Maryville Gas & Garage was a lot busier since the Morrow Project had set up an outpost there just before the winter. The fortified perimeter had been expanded to include not just the garage, restaurant and still, but a sub-compound with new buildings as well. There was now a school, larger and better equipped garage facilities that included parts fabrication, and Project headquarters with a radio station. Mortar pits had been dug and bunkers had been added, along with new watch towers, just in case. All buildings new and old were of sturdy concrete construction. There was a fusion generator both in the main buildings and the Project compound.

In the walled lot behind the HQ several Project vehicles were parked under bright lights. There was also a highly-modified, armour-plated '88 Ford 350 parked next to a Commando Scout and a Honda 3-wheeled electric ATV with equipment racks and a 2-wheeled utility trailer. All were painted OD Green with MP markings/American flags.

Near the vehicles stood Daniel Black Feather, the local Project Liaison, and Dylan Sinclair of SCIENCE S-6.  Filat Volkov (aka "Filipovich "), Jenna Tallfeather and Captain Ly Cong Kim (aka "Captain Kim") stood nearby. They were all dressed warmly, some holding hot drinks, but it was still wet and miserable in the falling rain.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:29, Wed 18 May 2016.

In reply to Project Director (msg # 1):

Hands in pockets of his wool-lined denim jacket he threw over his coveralls, Daniel began. His breath misted in the cold predawn air.

"Ok. Great of you all to volunteer. Considering the weather, that means a lot!

"As you all know, Mount Rainier is an active volcano. It occasionally erupts on us, every generation or so starting just after the War. This caused a lot of deaths then, and since that time has made life very difficult. For the last few weeks you all have seen the steam plume that's been venting from the crater at the summit. We've been pretty busy around here and a week ago finally the SCIENCE guys and gals managed to plant some seismic sensors in and around the crater. Well guess what? They show that the mountain is definitely working up to another eruption. We haven't been able to estimate the size yet. We don't think it'll be like the big one just after the War but we don't want to take any chances.

"Right now, most Project assets plus volunteers from the Rebels and the Soviets are combing the area around Mt. Rainier, trying to alert people and evacuate them. There isn't much chance of lava flows but the real danger of an eruption of Mt. Rainier is that it has extensive glaciers that will melt and form fast, slushy, mudslides called "lahars". These will travel down stream and riverbeds at a 30-35 kilometres and hour and possibly start at a hundred metres deep, or more! Coincidentally these waterways are the most likely areas for communities and homesteads. Lots of people could die. If the breaks are just right we could see lahars hit Puget Sound, right through the ruins of Tacoma and the middle of Soviet territory. It has happened historically, although not for hundreds of years before the War.

"But enough history and all that. It's all hands on deck around here. You're all we can spare right now to go collect a RECON team up around Bellingham and the old border. Uh, it's RECON KR-44, part of Regional RECON Group K. Prime managed to ping their bolthole with the help of the COMMO Kilo Alpha relay station but there were technical issues that prevented them from sending a recall code until today. Their wakeup cycle should be fully complete by noon. That is, they'll be out of their bolthole then, if everything goes according to plan."

He gave a short laugh as if to underscore how likely he thought that would be! Then continued,

"your instructions from Prime are to form an ad hoc detachment, KZ-167, under Dylan's command. Not me, I'm just the local Project Liaison. You're to take the Commando Scout here, travel north and RV with KR-44, assist with their deployment as necessary. Once you RV, Prime will advise you on your further mission. I will accompany you until this is completed, then I'll be returning to assist with the ongoing evacuation around Mt. Rainier.

"It's 88 klicks to Bellingham, 3 hours if we take it easy. Then we go offroad heading east through the woods to a spot near Lake Whatcom that used to be called "Sudden Valley". That's another 2 hours. That will leave us at 12-1300 hours, plenty of daylight left.

"Any questions?"

Mt Rainier, slumbering but deadly:

Jenna couldn't believe how warm her Project clothes were. She smoothed her hands over the cloth, pinching the finely woven fabric. A lifetime of wearing homespun, and now this stuff.

She perked up when Daniel addressed them. She couldn't help but feel frightened by the mountain preparing to belch fire and brimstone on this whole area.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 08:21, Wed 18 May 2016.

In reply to Jenna Tallfeather (msg # 3):

"Ok, Dylan. This show is yours. I have my tow truck parked in the other compound, it seats 2, plus a third crammed in back. They can only spare a 2-person Commando Scout, all other larger Project vehicles are needed for the evacuation. There's also an ATV that Jenna's been qualified on."

He gestured towards his own personal vehicle, the Scout and the ATV.

"You and Kim are qualified to run the Scout's autocannon. Jenna is your best driver but Kim can drive a little as well. We can run with the 2 big vehicles, using the ATV to scout, or else leave the ATV behind."







-Windigo is like this, but up-armoured.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:30, Wed 18 May 2016.

In reply to Daniel Black Feather (msg # 4):

" Ahhh... I believe old saying of snooze you lose, MR Daniel" Says Capt'n Kim.

"My choice to be man on the auto-cannon. And may I add that the families on the Sound been given notice of the mountain making a rumble soon. "

Capt'n Kim grins "And thank you SO much, for the chance to make a difference."

In reply to Captain Ly Cong Kim (msg # 5):

Daniel paused, then replied, "you are welcome. If anyone wants, you can still join the rest of the teams beating the bush around Mt. Rainier, looking for loners, trappers, loggers and isolated farms that will probably take a pot-shot at you for coming on their land.

"Normal vehicle assignment would be to put Dylan in the vehicle commander's seat as he's the team commander, and qualified to boot. Kim, I know you received extra driver's ed compared to most recruits."

Dylan takes a deep breath and looks at his team... Daniel Blackfeather, Filat Volkov, Jenna Tallfeather and Captain Ly Cong Kim...

He thinks to himself, in the SeaBees I hated the arse hat honchos that have no clue, now I am that arse hat. How in satchmo's wail did I get here? He closes his eyes, hearing "Suck it up cupcake, you have this!" And he blows out his breath.

"Ok, this is what we are doing. Mr Blachfeather I will not take your vehicle from you, you will drive and Mr Volkov will have shotgun. Mr Kim, you will drive the scout and I will take command/guns.  Miss tallfeathers, you have scout on the threewheeler." Dylan plays with a bright yellow rad-counter, "I want us wheels rolling in 30 minutes so lets do final gear check, vehicle checks, hook-up, and go people."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:10, Thu 19 May 2016.

"Da." He headed off to get his kit and tell Olga and the kids that he'd be gone for a few days on the mission.

Little Olov, the youngest didn't take it well and pouted. Olga told him "Don't do anything stupid."

Filat hugged each of them and said, "I love all of you. I will be back soon. Listen to your mother."

He reported back to his shotgun seat. Muttered to himself: "If all goes according to plan. Da. Like that will happen!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:48, Thu 19 May 2016.

In reply to Daniel Black Feather (msg # 6):

"Yes... Yes... I am a very good driver" (grins, knowing something of the feelings toward Asian drivers. )

"Me grab Project kit, vest and helmet. (taps his machete) and thumper and me baby 74. Be right back." bows and salutes to Daniel
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:46, Thu 19 May 2016.

Jenna whooped with glee at being assigned the ATV.  She had her own RIDE!  Well, it wasn't exactly hers, it still belonged to the Project. But she could RIDE!  Then she caught herself, glanced around to check the other's reactions, and blushed.  She was not, however, so mortified by her over-reaction that she didn't immediately go to the ATV, pack her gear, and get ready to depart.

From the seat of her ride, she addressed Dylan.  "TL, if'n it's all the same to you, I'd like to take point, sir.  I know the local roads and people, so I could stand a better chance of birddogging trouble."

In reply to Dylan Richard Sinclar (msg # 7):

Daniel nodded at Dylan.

"Good thinking. I wouldn't a-thought you'd take Windigo away from me, the Scout seemed like a better choice for your command vehicle.

"Jenna's a good rider. She'll know the Open Road from here to just short of the old border. City they used to call "Bellingham". We go off-road there, follow some old trails east into the woods as far as we can. Bolthole location is some place that don't have a name any more, called "Sudden Valley" on Autonav. It's on Lake Whatcom by a seaplane base and landing strip."

The former ranch known as Sudden Valley had been a resort area for workers in the logging industry since the 70's. In the 80's it became a golf resort. Dylan might be able to puzzle that out by looking at the topographical map and aerial photographs that were available in the Project database but Daniel didn't have the foggiest clue what he was looking at.

"I'm all ready to roll. I'll do a comms check, make sure all my gear is working."

Windigo was lareasy prepped and ready to go, so he turned and

It was a pretty quick turnaround.

The tow truck was ready to go immediately. When Filat got inside, it was fairly impressive although he'd have been more impressed if he hadn't already seen other Morrow Project vehicles. Still, it was almost like a spaceship. The old prewar vehicle had been retrofitted by prewar electronics from the CRT computer monitor in the dashboard, to the autonav underneath it alongside an AN/PRC-70 radio. A roof rack held a CP-7 laser rangefinder, two pairs of AN/PRC-5 NVGs and two pairs of gas masks dangled behind the front bucket seats. There were several weapons within reach as well: the rear of the cab had a weapons rack holding an AA-12 automatic shotgun and M21 sniper rifle, both the passenger and driver's doors mounted brackets that each held an Uzi, and there was a 40mm M79 grenade launcher in a dashboard bracket with a 36-round grenadier's vest behind the passenger seat. 4 M72A1 LAWs in a bracket behind the front bucket seat completed the arsenal. The whole tow truck was heavily armoured with front and side Lexan viewports and gunports allowing for fairly good field of view to the front and sides.

As well, the Scout was also squared away. It only held 2 crew and the supplies were limited compared to even the XR311, mainly due to cramped space around the driver and in the 1-man turret. Still, it held quite a bit and everything seemed to be in working order. Daniel punched in their course to Sudden Valley according to the old prewar maps.

The ATV was a Honda 3-wheeler, a utility model with front cargo and rear cargo racks. The front rack would usually hold a backpack and shotgun, the rear rack would carry the AN/PRC-70 backpack radio, Large Medical Kit, Ration Pack and camo net. There was also a small trailer, empty for now.

They coordinated the radios (Dylan conducting a radio check). After, they were ready to leave with some time remaining.

https://goo.gl/maps/PReVWtdgHfQ2
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:58, Fri 20 May 2016.

In reply to Project Director (msg # 12):

With some time to kill, Daniel went into the Project HQ. It was an old prewar 1-story concrete building that had once been a fast food restaurant. The golden arches that adorned its roof were long gone. Now there sprouted antennas. Out front was an American flag, a Project flag and the state of Washington's flag.

He came out and handed Jenna a rugged green rounded plastic case marked "RANGEFINDERS, LASER, 7x42 MAGNIFICATION". "Binoculars. For you."

Daniel then motioned for Dylan to come over and look at the Autonav mounted in his truck.

"Standard convoy formation would be ATV in front, then the Scout, then the tow truck. 45m separation unless we lose line of sight. Which we will because it's all forest up there. The only thing I know about Bellingham is that it used to be a city before the war. I heard there's a few fisher families that live on the waterfront because they come here to trade a few times a year, but I've never visited. Just passed by on the way to New West. I don't know of any trails or shortcuts to where we're going. I suggest we follow the Open Road (I-5) north to the ruins, then track east."

The "Go" time came. The rain continued to fall.

In reply to Project Director (msg # 14):

Uncrossing his arms, Daniel put his hand on the door to his truck.

"Dylan, we ready to get this show on the road? Or you want to meet me there?"

In reply to Project Director (msg # 14):

Jenna used the time before Go time to get her gear stowed. Her big pack went in the trailer so it wouldn't buck.  She secured a small tarp over it to keep out the rain.  The PRC-70 was webbed down to the back rack of the ATV.  She was wearing coveralls, her jacket, Project issued helmet, and the rain poncho.  She had put on the kevlar vest over her t-shirt but under the jacket and overalls.  She could stop for a relief break without taking off the vest.  After all, it would suck to get shot in the back while taking a piss.

Her project issue shottie and the ration pack were  strapped to the front rack.  She had re-packed the ration pack as a comfort bag.  Rather than havving all her personal rations, it now had two days worth, plus water, shells for the shotties, a set of clean underwear and socks, compact toothbrush, paste, soap in a tin, a small first aid kit, a wad of tissue and a small towel.  Having the supplies ready to RLAB if need be with enough to keep you alive a couple of days had been a lifesaver to many a traveler.  If you could run and stay alive you could get help and go back and get your shit.  But if you were dead, you and valuable equipment were lost forever.

The Project issue binocs joined the comfort pack on the front rack, with the flap availble to pull them out quickly.

Her personal shottie was in a holster on the side of the gas tank.

Her project issue handgun was in a thigh holster on her leg.  In the webbing of her vest were a couple of snack bars, water canteen, and extra ammo for the firearms.  She had several knives, both in plain view and hidden.  Her personal binocs were in the webbing on her chest.  They weren't as powerful as the project issue pair, but they were lighter and easier to carry.  For a quick look while on the road they were fine.  She could pull out her Project issue pair if she had a vantage point that would make good use of their longer range and higher accuracy.

She checked the walkie-talkie strapped to her chest, fitted her earpiece/mike, and waited for  comms check before departure.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:47, Sat 21 May 2016.

In reply to Jenna Tallfeather (msg # 16):

Capt'n Kim radio checks with convoy. Secures the AKSU-74, machete and M-79 and Morrow pack. Putting helmet on he checks his mike.

"Jenna...Jenna...Jenna... remember that if we make contact on road drive your vehicle to the side so that the BOSS gets a clear shot. Jes"
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:36, Sat 21 May 2016.

In reply to Captain Ly Cong Kim (msg # 17):

"Will do. I don't have all that metal wrapped around me.  Sum'bitch starts shooting I'm more than happy to duck."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:42, Sun 22 May 2016.

In reply to Jenna Tallfeather (msg # 19):

Daniel's question to Dylan was mainly rhetorical.

The small convoy hit the Open Road just as a grey dawn was breaking. Compared to internal combustion-powered vehicles their electric ones were almost silent. The most noise they made was forging through the increasing rain.

Soon, they passed Everett, the last major outpost of civilisation for over a hundred kilometres. People did live in the lawless wastes outside the walled towns, but tended to hide from travellers or at least not live near the route. Not just peaceful travellers would use the Open Road but bandits looking for victims. Often they were the same: nomads, Truckers and Bikers.

Their pace was steady but relatively slow, about 20-30 km/h. This allowed them to spot potential ambushes and maintain a rolling overwatch. They saw no one travelling along the old Interstate. It was in pretty good shape; decades of intermittent eruptions from local volcanoes (Mts. Rainier and Baker) had covered it in over a metre of volcanic ash and preserved the surface from wear. A Project engineering team had run a bulldozer along the route and uncovered 2 northbound lanes of I-5 almost all the way to the border, repairing the one bridge that collapsed over the Skagit river. Frost heaves had caused some damage to the roadbed but not a lot. Landslides and erosion from the surrounding rolling hills caused more damage.

Mainly, the Open Road was a narrow cleared lane through thick forests of evergreen trees, mainly firs. There was a slight morain on either side from ash that had been pushed aside by the road repair team to expose the concrete roadbed.

At some point the rain slacked off to a drizzle.

A few hours later they made the ruins of what was once Bellingham. Only a few shells of buildings remained partially-hidden among the trees of the dense forest which now grew up to the crumbling edge of the old Interstate. The smell of smoke came from an unseen cooking fire, perhaps from the fishermen that supposedly lived there.

There was a trail west towards the waterfront, but they were headed east, inland towards Lake Whatcom, in the other direction. Somewhere they needed to find a trail, or make their own through the forest.

In reply to Project Director (msg # 20):

As they rolled up to where the Autonav said Bellingham used to be located, Daniel transmitted, "all right, people. I know there is one family that lives around here, on the waterfront. But we need to find a route east. Anyone know any trails?"

As she was on point, Jenna led the 3-vehicle element, travelling about 30m ahead of the Scout, itself 30m ahead of the tow truck. When the road turned and vision was restricted she slowed down to close the range and keep in sight, and opened the distance when the terrain allowed it.

It was still drizzling a little, cold pinpricks of rain. Jenna felt pretty good under her Project rain gear, in comparison to her normal leather jacket and chaps. Kim had to drive with his head out the Scout's armoured hull and his face was pretty cold, as was Dylan's. Filat was sitting pretty with Daniel in the heated truck cab.

Dark forest surrounded them. People did live around here to the west on the ocean. There were a few of what might be called foot trails leading off to both sides of the Open Road.

In reply to Project Director (msg # 22):

Cap'n Kim  "Jus a thought. If you see a clear path up a hill, its probably a trap. Log piles most likely."

"There's a trail coming up that follows the route the AutoNav shows to go down Lakeshore Drive to Lake Whatcom.  I think the path is big enough for the vehicles, but I could scout up the trail a little to see if it looks clear.  Far as there b'un a trap, summit's moving out there.  Not making any moves yet but I'm pretty sure it's out there.  What'cha say, Lima Tango?"

In reply to Project Director (msg # 22):

Daniel checked his wristwatch, then peered out the side and front vision ports.

"Jenna this is Daniel.

"Our friends should have completed their wakeup cycle right now.

"I say scout the trail. We don't know who's looking at us. Be advised I can't see shit out there. Too dark under the trees. Left or right?"

"Usually, if you are going North and you want to go East, you turn right.  I'd have to agree that I should scout a bit.

In reply to Jenna Tallfeather (msg # 26):

Daniel said, patiently, "I did in fact know that. To reiterate, what direction did you see movement in? To the left or to the right? All around? Or up?

"Roger, scout the path for a hundred metres. Report if it can carry our vehicles."

In his experience Tams had a definite attitude about men, believing them to be child-like buffoons good for heavy lifting and little else. Mainly, it was a deserved opinion and he didn't blame them.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:08, Mon 23 May 2016.

In reply to Daniel Black Feather (msg # 27):

With a bit of looking, Jenna was able to locate the side trail she thought she remembered. The Open Road followed the interstate past Bellingham through the eastern outskirts of the city. It was a raised roadway.

There was a dark gap in the trees just past an overpass. The road that used that underpass was once Lakeway Dr, and the trail branched right off the Open Road down an offramp to follow the old route into the woods.

Jenna nimbly took her ATV down the onramp. Once off the Interstate, the pavement was buried but someone had carved a path for vehicles and horse carts, decades ago. It was mostly overgrown now but she found she could follow it long enough to confirm they could take the Scout and tow truck along it.

In reply to Project Director (msg # 28):

"I saw movement off to the west.  Roughly the opposite of where we are heading and a little before this trail. Whatever it was it's gone now.  Don't know if it was animal or human. Could be a spotter looking for anyone heading this way. I scouted ahead a bit, looks clear for the vehicles to pass.  Someone carved out a trail right proper."

Jenna stopped on the trail, looking for any signs of recent use.  If someone cleared this a few years ago, it would take regular use to keep it open.  That would mean either someone lived out here or took this way often enough for some purpose to keep it open.

She looked for recent tracks and scanned the canopy for any sign of a hide in the trees."Dan, you know anybody that lives out this way?  Anyone that would have a reason to bust this trail and keep it open?"

In reply to Jenna Tallfeather (msg # 29):

"Roger that. Negative, Jenna. I know there's a family that live on the docks. Run a fishing boat. Came to the trading post for supplies last September. Haven't seen 'em since. Not surprising.

"Kim, halt here. We'll hold position while Jenna does a little route recon.

"Dylan, keep an eye off to the west.

"Filat, you watch the right side of the road."

He pulled over behind the Scout.

In reply to Jenna Tallfeather (msg # 29):

To Jenna's practiced eye the trail looked like it had been carved out years ago and used for some time, but then abandoned. It was winter so there weren't a lot of bushes to obscure the path but during spring and summer it would be obviously overgrown. As it was, no one had driven down here recently.

There was no telling how far it went.

Perhaps someone had lived down there not too long ago, but not any more. Or salvagers from New West had crossed the old border and gone prospecting in the old prewar communities off the Interstate that probably hadn't been picked over yet.

In reply to Project Director (msg # 31):

Roger Dan. What I see jives with what you're saying. This was used, but doesn't look like it was used this winter.  Kim, since you gotmy 6 I'm gonna scout ahead a bit.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:54, Tue 24 May 2016.

In reply to Jenna Tallfeather (msg # 32):

Jenna rode east along the track for about ten minutes. The ATV whispered along, finding the going easy enough. She found the track continued on for about five kilometres. It seemed that despite crossing a number of creeks the prewar construction (culverts rather than bridges) held up rather well, although she could tell most of them were partially-blocked and would back up and flood the road bed come the fall rains. Right now the water level was low enough that they could easily pass.

Few structures remained, and those that did were difficult to make out in the deep shadows lining the trail. The most she could see off in the surrounding woods were a few partially-standing walls of mostly-gone buildings and houses, the odd lone chimney. The most intact building was a fire station but despite retaining its walls it too was also mostly collapsed and the engine bay gaped dark and empty.

After ten minutes of nothing but riding through quiet forest along a trail that rairly often splashed through pools of water and mud bogs, she came to where the path turned right. Her hard-copy map indicated this was the junction with Austin street and Lake Louise Road. The trail continued south but became little more than a muddy trail. Probably they could get the other vehicles down it. Maybe.

In reply to Project Director (msg # 33):

Capt'n Kim shook his head , to get rid of the dampness and in frustration.

"This is why I like my boat better. Did you catch the name of those fishermen?"

In reply to Captain Ly Cong Kim (msg # 34):

Daniel thought for a moment, then shook his head.

"Marlon. Or wait, was that what he liked to fish? Dang. Don't remember off-hand."

In reply to Daniel Black Feather (msg # 35):

Capt'n Kim whistles. Regretting it when it hits the mike.

"By the fires.... memory loss and puns? I hope you do better if we meet up with any wolves, or their bigger cousins. CAUSE YOU'RE KILLIN' ME"

In reply to Captain Ly Cong Kim (msg # 36):

Jenna brought the rest of the group up to date on what she had seen.  Basically, they could make it with the vehicles 5 klicks into the brush, then the trail got much more narrow and boggy.  The project vehicles might make it through but they might not.  The ATV wouldn't have an issue.  It wasn't very wide and had tires for cutting though muck.

What say you, LT?  Push on and risk getting stuck or leg it with the ATV on overwatch?

In reply to Jenna Tallfeather (msg # 37):

Checking the Autonav, Daniel replied,

"I think we're at the RV point here in Bellingham. I was thinking we could go in locate Romeo Kilo Four Four and escort them out but that's not specifically part of our mission.

"If you think you are good to keep going then please continue. If Dylan has any objections he can pull you back. Be advised we won't be able to back you up if you get into trouble before you locate the bolthole."

While they waited at the RV for either the RECON team to show up or to move out and meet up with them, the rain started again.

Dylan thinks about the description of the road ahead and comes to a decision.  He reaches to check that his M-60 is ready "Mr Kim, lets earn our pay and see if we need to find out how good a driver you are."

Keying the mic, "Romeo Kilo 4-4 this is Kilo Zulu 1-6-7 actual, how do you read over?"

In reply to Dylan Richard Sinclar (msg # 40):

" Just make the trees small ones and we'll get thru just fine" says Cap'n Kim

In reply to Captain Ly Cong Kim (msg # 41):

"With all due respect, LT, I'd recommend that I go on to the Bravo Hotel for Romeo Kilo 4-4. I repeat, the track is muddy and you could get stuck, trapping their vehicles. I will monitor your transmission with Romeo Kilo 4-4 and call back in 5 mikes. Jenna out."

With that Jenna started carefully down the track, noting as she went the condition of the it.

In reply to Jenna Tallfeather (msg # 42):

The track was just wide enough to accommodate the vehicles. Barely. It seemed to follow the path of Lake Louise road through the woods. It was fairly rough terrain, at certain points one side was hill and the other a shallow ravine. Some effort had been made to reinforce the track to stop erosion but it would be tricky moving down this way.

There were no traces of prewar structures in the surrounding woods.

Within a kilometer a side trail branched off to the right. At the end was a low concrete building with something of its metal roof remaining. Some kind of road works maintenance building, a shed or garage, although she would need to check further. It was clear the trail she was on was made by scavengers that were salvaging heavy equipment and vehicles that lay forgotten after the war. A couple kilometres further was an electrical distribution transformer building, used for distributing power through the area. It was similarly thoroughly scavenged, this time not for vehicles or heavy equipment but valuable refined metals and electrical components.

In reply to Project Director (msg # 43):

"LT I just heard a muffled explosion. Sounds like it's coming from the direction of the Bravo Tango. Moving in to investigate. Jenna out."   It didn't soundllike gunfire, so Jenna thought it best to have a look see before jumping to conclusions.

At this point the other vehicles of KR-167 began moving. They turned off the Open Road and down the trail that followed the route of old Lakeway Drive.

When they were about a kilometre down, Jenna had heard a muffled bang, perhaps a grenade. The sound had echoed off the hills but seemed to have been absorbed by the trees. Whatever it was, it was located about 500 metres down the road, at the intersection of Lake Louise Dr. and Lake Whatcom Boulevard, near or at KR-44's bolthole location.

PD Note: Sorry, I edited the sound of the explosion out by accident while Mel was making her post. But only she can hear it, it's much too far away for the other vehicles.

After listening to the radio Dylan keys the mic, "Romeo Kilo 4-4 this is Kilo Zulu 1-6-7 actual, my challenge is X-Ray Delta... Authenticate?"

Dylan checks the computer for protocols in communicating when Jenna calls out.  He replys, "Ms Tallfeather, don't get too far out... We don't know what we are driving into... And I may have Romeo Kilo 4-4 on the squawk." He starts scanning with the scope.

LT, I will hold position so you can ask Romeo Kilo 4-4 what the Hell that bang was. I recommend you not bring heavy vehicles down this road unless necessary.

Jenna leaned back on the seat of the ATV, pulled out her canteen, and took a swig. She scanned around with her field glasses while she took a fewmmore sips from the canteen.

In reply to Dylan Richard Sinclar (msg # 46):

Daniel pulled out on the trail behind Dylan and Kim in the Commando Scout.

"Filat Filipovitch, keep an eye on our six."

PD Note: what speed are you travelling: Normal? Searching? Cover and movement?

In reply to Daniel Black Feather (msg # 48):

"Da. Will watch."

The taciturn Russian opened the passenger-side roof hatch and stood up on the seat. He turned around to face the rear. Rain spattered on his back and neck. He did not complain. Filat propped the butt of his M21 on the seat where he could quickly grab it.

In reply to Jenna Tallfeather (msg # 47):

Jenna could only see about ten metres in the bush. All she could hear was rain pattering on the trees around her. There were also a lot of bushes but those had lost all their leaves in the fall.

The electric motor emitted no noise while idling. Battery power was just over half. At a full charge, the ATV's battery pack had around 180km range. Even if the power gave out, 20 minutes hooked up to one of the bigger vehicle's fusion-electric cells would be enough to fully recharge it.

Other than the rain it was quiet.

Jenna listened to the drip drip drip of the rain, the pattering as it hit her poncho and helmet.  Satisfied that there wasn't anything to see at the moment, she put her binocs away.


Kilo Zulu 1-6-7 Actual, this is Tallfeather.  Requesting clearance to proceed to Romeo Victor."

She paused, awaiting
This message was last edited by the player at 16:56, Thu 26 May 2016.

In reply to Jenna Tallfeather (msg # 51):

While Dylan was on the long-range net, Daniel was monitoring both channels.

"Tallfeather from Deuce. You got your ears on, nodamene?

"Our TL confirmed that it was just Recon-44 blowing up some stuff. Nothing to be concerned about. Just proceed if you think it's safe."

He looked over at Filat's legs. "You see anything?"

In reply to Daniel Black Feather (msg # 52):

"No."

Wanting to have his rifle closer to hand, he pulled it up and put the butt against his shoulder, aiming the way they came. He slipped the sling over his shoulder so that he wouldn't drop it.

"Tallfeather you are a go for Romeo Victor," Dylan examines the autonav while he talks. "Take it slow and careful, once you get there, do a safety and security check of the area... And if you happen to spot a good vehicle trail from that end, shout out."

In reply to Dylan Richard Sinclar (msg # 54):

Capt'n Kin hunkers down in the Scout.

"I'll just keep an eye on the radar."

In reply to Captain Ly Cong Kim (msg # 55):

Dylan's thermal imager doesn't show anything in the passing woods. He climbed down and looked over Kim's right shoulder at the Autonav. It was very cramped in the driver's compartment!

Meanwhile, Kim was playing with the Autonav. The Autonav had a selector switch for "RADAR". Selecting this had no effect as the Scout lacked a RADAR system. Switching to "RDF" and "MAG" produced confusing results. There were other switches and selectors for gear and instruments he didn't think were installed on this vehicle, as this type of unit was simply a model that was common to all vehicles. This seemed a little odd to him; all prewar gear that he'd seen had been extensively modified and personalised over time. Newer equipment was made by hand on an individual basis by craftsmen trained in the ancient arts of manufacturing, so a pristine mass-produced item was quite unusual.

As they were currently in motion driving down a forest track, keeping an eye on anything but the road was unsafe.

PD Note: I won't have Kim make a Driving check because he's distracted. This time!
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:41, Fri 27 May 2016.

Roger Duece.  I read you Lima Charlie.  Thanks for the update.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:22, Thu 26 May 2016.

"Roger LT.  Proceeding to Romeo Victor at a safe pace.  If you have our contact on the horn can you give the channel of my walkie?  Let them know I'm inbound. Will update on trial condition in 5 mikes. Tallfeather over.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:36, Thu 26 May 2016.

In reply to Jenna Tallfeather (msg # 58):

Following the old abandoned trail, Jenna approached the intersection where Lake Louise Rd. met Lake Whatcom blvd. at a T-Junction.

Suddenly, there was a muffled shout followed by a loud "BOOM!" from the woods to her left. This was an explosion even bigger than the last one!

Something not 50m away in the woods just got the crap blown out of it. From where she was located she couldn't see what it was.

Wood, dirt, needles and pinecones were flung a dozen metres into the air. Debris rained around her and the surrounding woods. A grey puff of smoke shot out above the trees and hung in the air.

Jenna sighed, keyed her walkie, and said, "Kilo Zulu 1-6-7 Actual, this is Tallfeather.  I think Romeo Kilo 4-4 just blew up some more shit.  Would you be so kind as to introduce us before they blow something up right under my ass?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:01, Fri 27 May 2016.

In reply to Jenna Tallfeather (msg # 60):

Jenna saw one man keeping a watch in the leafless bushes near the road. Off under the trees a woman climbed out of a hole in the ground.

Players can now start posting in the new IC thread.

"Mr Kim, we need to get to Tallfeather ASAP... drive safe but fast" Dylan tucks the radiation badge with the black strip on a chain in his shirt. "Mr blackfeather, we are taking a fast combat advance to Tallfeathers local... Possible combat activities... you have a better handle on th e terrain, do you waqnt to lead?"
This message was last edited by the player at 08:52, Fri 27 May 2016.

Ooops
This message was last edited by the player at 21:08, Fri 27 May 2016.

No, Seriously, stop posting in this thread!

Tony