OOC: Whack, whack, whack.

The rules are lighter, even if there are few points that need clarification, and generally work well. Hit capacity, however, is drastically reduced so we may need some more warm bodies to soak up the blows.

On February 28th, you are summoned to a general staff meeting by Barrel Rider for his team, which you have only met small parts of. The room he chose seems to be a lecture hall from when the hospital was a teaching facility. The room is cold, poorly lit by a few of the many fluorescent lights that are not burned out. There is a thick layer of dust on the floor, with many dirty boot tracks made in the grime, but the raised benches and small tables in front of them are clean, if not well used. There is a large white board in front that has seen lots of use, blurs of green and blue and red smear parts of the board where it was poorly erased. A small flat, wooden lectern stands in the middle of a small raised platform. and on the left hand side there is a small wooden office desk and spinning chair.

About thirty people trickle in over the time. Barrel Rider's assistant comes in, looking like she hasn't slept in a  week (she probably hasn't) and has everyone move down to the front two rows, and then sits in the desk and pulls out a small laptop, one of the nicer models that came out right before the war started. The typical noises from the room getting settled and the hard drive and fan spinning up on the laptop. The room has a tension to it. No one is gossiping or talking to each other except for a few apologies for someone intruding on each other's space and such. The last few days in Denver and Aurora have made the room filled with dread. There also hasn't been a full staff meeting the entire time you have been operating out of the hospital. Everyone looked nervous. Privates Bohn and Mitchell, along with a recuperating Sergeant Washington are sitting a bit away from you. You know from the conversations around the office that both of the privates had been pulled from intelligence duty to aid in putting down the riots. They look extremely tired, but both managed to make themselves presentable in their overused uniforms.

Barrel Rider comes in a few minutes late with a small notebook in his hand. He looks tired, he even looks worse for wear than his assistant. You haven't seen him since you debriefed the week before, and you are sure he is functioning on what passes for coffee and shear determination from the look of it.

He thumbs through the pages of the notebook and starts speaking. "Sorry I'm late everyone. As everyone knows, it has been a bit crazy here lately. So let's begin." he says in a calm, tired voice. "There are two new executive orders that have been issued by the Joint Chiefs, acting in accordance with the martial law decree, and their assumption of duties of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of the United States in this time of crisis. First, Executive Order 13132, issued this morning just before the meeting will outline our response to the activities that have been taking place in Denver and Aurora. The curfews will be rigidly enforced. Any civilian outside after 7PM without a signed document issued by the military giving them permission to be outside will be detained. All firearms possession inside city limits is now strictly illegal. The possession of any military hardware of any kind is also illegal. The traditional rights of Habeas Corpus and guilt by association have been rescinded in their entirety in the city limits for the entire civilian population. All civilians must register with a newly created department, operated by the State of Colorado, called the Office of Resettlement and Population Documentation. This will serve as a temporary form of local census bureau, and an identification agency. Anyone without a valid ID or paperwork showing they have registered with the Office or proof that they are members of the Colorado National Guard, State Police, or the United States Military of Colorado Springs (OOC: Mil Gov) will be detained indefinitely. All civilians must submit to search and seizure by military and or state police staff upon orders to do so. This isn't radically different to the Martial Law order as it already exists, just a stricter zero tolerance policy. What affects you, ladies and gentlemen, is that the use of lethal force restrictions have been lifted. Anyone disobeying an order issued by the military or state police in accordance with the martial law declaration is now to be considered a possible insurgent, and may be treated as such if the situation warrants it. All post operation investigation with this will require a proper submission of complaint from at least three eyewitnesses before it will go to a board of inquiry or grand jury. As your commanding officer, I will expect professionalism from you at all times. I WILL NOT accept you becoming death squads out there in the field, but we will operate under these guidelines for the foreseeable future. Understood?

There is a murmur that goes through the crowd in hushed voices. There is some shock to this announcement. A few hands shoot up, and Barrel Rider waives them away and continues.

The second order, Executive Order 13133 is in response to recently acquired information provided by a weather satellite that was recovered recently, and information being provided from areas outside of Colorado across the country. Snow pack and recorded rainfall outside of the state of Colorado, the Pacific Northwestern States, as well as some of the states around the Great Lakes are way below normal for this last fall and winter. The country as a whole is expecting a massive drought. There is an expectation that this will trigger some mass migrations from across the country, as food production is going to be hit hard in all locals, even more so than the transition from oil based agriculture. Executive Order 13133 will attempt to address the hardships of the counties citizens in what is sure to be a massive refugee crisis, that will probably cause parts of the country to fall into chaos. The order limits freedom of movement in the states of Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado from outside states. It establishes guidelines for setting up settlements for incoming refugees as well as dealing with those people coming here from areas outside of our control (a euphemism you've heard before describing Civ Gov controlled areas and the areas under Soviet and Mexican occupation). Mostly, you will not be affected by these orders as long as you stay in Colorado and the states I mentioned. The big impact of this order that will affect you is the provision regarding rationing. We won't fall under the new ammunition, electricity, or fuel guidelines, but we will fall under the new guidelines regarding food rationing. In order to build a surplus to accommodate the large number of expected refugees, all rations will be cut to 1500 Calories per day for support staff and 2000 for active duty soldiers for an indefinite period of time. Hoarding will not be tolerated, and will result in time in the stockade if you are found doing it, or aiding others to do it. Any and all foodstuffs, bottled potable water, firearms, ammunition, medical supplies, and construction tools, and raw construction materials like nails and screws will be turned over to your commanding officer upon retrieval from the field, unless it directly impacts your operating orders. I am sorry folks, but things are going to get very tight around here for the time being. I expect you to follow these orders to a tee. Bring any items to the back loading gate in the main building here. I'm not going to be taking any questions today, but expect orders to come your way soon. We will be acting on intelligence received in the field to eliminate the Brotherhood and any local organization that may be supporting them. All current operations will be postponed while we deal with these assholes. Thank you for your time people."

He issues a quick salute, turns and leaves the room. The various commanding officers give the dismissal order, and people begin filing out.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 08:02, Mon 22 Mar 2021.

In reply to Barrel Rider (msg # 713):

"Vic, I understand the martial law blah, blah but I am starting to wonder if we are on the right side here. I swore to defend the Consitution but I see a few problems with these new orders."

In reply to Jorg Mendez (msg # 714):

"I see what you mean, Jorg. I'm not much caring for it either. Guess we'll just have to use our 'best judgement' when it comes to what we do out there. Par for the course."

In reply to Victor Lange (msg # 715):

"Yeah, stuff gets too heavy I heard the quartermaster always have a few spots open."

                                            March 2001


                                         Damn Dirty Things
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:23, Mon 29 Mar 2021.

You don't get an assignment right away. You're told when you inquire that Barrel Rider is thinking of the best way to employ you.

A few days later you are summoned to an office by his assistant. He isn't in the office yet when you arrive, but they have you each take a seat in the office to wait. The room is packed with file cabinets, and is missing a cover over the fluorescent lighting. A desktop computer sits on the desk, as does a phone. There is a small bent lamp on the desk, and off to the side is a smaller desk that is wheeled that has a typewriter on it. There are also several candles sitting around the room and a gas lantern. The way the room smells, you think that the everyday experience of rolling blackouts even affects someone of Barrel Rider's stature. It's also a reminder of the times you are living through, as is the reinforced steel that has been jerry rigged over the windows, with small openings for observation and possibly firing out of.

Barrel Rider comes in after a few minutes, closing the door behind him. His clothing, normally well pressed and clean, look like they have been slept in, probably on the small loveseat in his secretary's office or at his desk. His hair seems to have a few more grey strands in it, and he has some shadow from an incoming beard forming.

"Sorry about the wait gentlemen, it has been a bit of a struggle lately. I'm glad you're here" he says in a tone that sounds weary. He continues, "The information you brought in has been good, despite our setbacks. It shows a clear connection with local Soviet Forces or sympathizers with this Brotherhood Group that's was shooting up the streets of Denver and Aurora last week. This information actually let me keep you guys under my command for the time being US ASOC wanted you to be pulled back under Special Forces Command, and have you guys leading platoons with there house clearing ops that will be going on. Aurora and the suburbs are going to be cleared out of as many civilians as they can, and they are going to be fenced off to keep them out. Seems like a losing proposition, but the Governor and the Joint Chiefs have put together a order that goes out in the morning ordering just that. Will give the residents a week to clear out. The bulk of any soldiers I have will be tasked with logging the people coming into Denver proper."

He gives a disgusted look like eating something he didn't like when he said that. Something which strikes you as odd, as usually this man is a lot better at keeping his feelings masked. Continuing he says, "Like I said, I had to fight to keep you guys under my command, and even more to keep you useful to me. Our operation is curtailed right now with this bullshit." He turns his head slightly and waives his arm as if to point to the city on the other side of the walls. "But that doesn't mean we won't be able to use this to our advantage. We may get lucky and find the Soviets who gave our man the nuke, or even him while we do this, so we will do this. So instead of using you here where you would be more useful to me as field commanders, or the Joint Chiefs having you run people from their homes and shooting them if they don't, I talked them into letting me do what you are good at. We are going to use what few assets I have left for field work, and those of the other operations leaders here, and have you work actionable intelligence jobs. We find people who are directly linked to the small scale war that was just fought here, you guys go in and zip tie them and put black bags on their heads."

He pulls some documents out of his desk, scratches his forehead, then grabs a pen and signs a few lines, before he hands them to both of you. Written orders. "Give these to Bekah when I dismiss you. I'm going to assign direct command of Sergeant Washington and his team over to you. You've been working with a few of his guys too. They have a few more guys with some field craft skills, that will probably come in handy to you, but him and his two soldiers are the only combat troops left in his platoon that didn't get yanked from me in all this." Almost as an afterthought, he adds, "Washington will be cleared again for duty in a few days. That is when we will begin. Any questions?"

In reply to Barrel Rider (msg # 718):

"Thanks for the brief, Barrel Strider, but the contents are a bit brief. What exactly is the mission again? I understand there is going to be some cordon and search mission combined with civilian relocation but what are Vic and I going to be doing? Who exactly are we  zip-tying?"

Wearily he replies, "Well that is the thing isn't it, I don't know. We have a few leads, but as far as specifics, for right now I don't have any yet. We are going to be working the Soviet connections to the Brotherhood. We should have something for you soon. I'm going to be giving you orders as they come in. I want you both to be ready to go as soon as possible. When the rest of my people give me intelligence on where and whom to strike, you will act on it."

He continues, the stress he is under leaking into his words. "I'll be honest with both of you. Things are falling apart a little faster than the Generals would like. Colorado has this little bit of regional stability, but these riots put it all at risk, and we may end up losing some key assets outside of the state because of it. I need, no... We need a break on these guys, and soon. Not just because of what happened at Buckley, but the people running the show for the Russians here in Denver are a lot more dangerous than I or anyone else expected. They almost killed the Governor with a bomb planted in his shitter for Christ sakes! And we are shy a large chunk of the assets we need to do this. You, and Washington are the last of my best people that can act. For everyone else, this is a sideshow, and the Brass doesn't even see the real threat." He puts his head in his palms, rubbing his eyes, and lets out a long sigh.

"Take a little time to meet the rest of Washington's team, see what assets you have available to you. Those are your immediate orders. That and to be ready. Be ready, and when something happens, check your corners and your doors and don't get yourselves killed. Bekah can show you give you directions to your team. You're dismissed."

In reply to Barrel Rider (msg # 720):

"Nothing to do now but put on a sour-puss and wait. Still not happy with the attack on the Constitution. You can bump that up the chain of command."

In reply to Jorg Mendez (msg # 721):

"You ain't kidding. Kind of reminds me of what good, old Ben Franklin said, 'Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.' Gotta make sure we stay on the right side of things."

OOC: Are you going to go introduce yourselves to your team?

In reply to Mina (msg # 723):

OOC: Sorry, did not pick up on the fact that they were there.

"All right you warm bodies, I am Captain Bad and this is my comrade in arms Attitude! Fall in and sound off with your name, rank and MOS! Now damn it!"

OOC: They aren't, but he did give you some orders giving you command of them, and asked you to meet them. So I will assume that is where you went.

OOC: you are correct. Make it so. ;-)

Entering the room where your team is, you see a few familiar faces. Bohn and Mitchell are there, as is Washington, who seems better than you last saw him, some color back in his face instead of the gray ashen look on his face that he had when he was wounded before.

Coming to attention, he shouts "YOU HEARD THE MAN, FALL IN!!!" When they fall in, he shouts again, "MATFELDT! YOU"RE UP!! NAME, RANK, AND MOS!"

OOC: I'm doing a little research on what these other people do before I post. Give me a few days please.

OOC: no stress. Take your time.

OOC: I could use some help here, I am coming up dry in my research. This team is a specialized unit meant to aid soldiers breach a building. I cannot for the life of me find out anything about these poeple, though I know they exist. Any insight would be helpful to both you and I.

In reply to Mina (msg # 730):

OOC: What exactly are you looking for and where do you hear about them?

OOC: Well, I read somewhere that there are surveillance teams that help minimize civilian casualties by collecting information needed before someone breaches a house. They used stuff like IR and phone taps and what have you to get a lay of the land and allow people to be taken alive instead of just chucking some grenades in and killing everyone you see after.

In reply to Mina (msg # 732):

OOC: Not sure if this helps: https://www.google.com/url?sa=...lQGxahq3eSVKn7bTZlpr

An older man in professional, clean, street clothes is first in line. He stands at attention (without saluting) like he has been in service, but it has been a while. "Field Operations Commander Bret Dodgson, DIA. I command the Recon Team you have at your disposal. We are your eyes and ears." He does not call you sir, but you feel like he was in the habit of doing so before new customs came in.

His file that you were given states he's a long time field operative with the DIA. He is also a former Navy man, with intelligence expertise that goes back to the Vietnam war and everything in between.

"Here is the rest of my team, as it is. Sergeant Curtis Jimenez, my computer and IR specialist" gesturing to the weary faced sergeant next to him, "and this is former special agent Bruce Ramirez. He is my signals and electronic expert." he gestures to another civilian wearing a white shirt and a tie.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:28, Sat 08 May 2021.

When you look to Sergeant Jimenez, he is standing at attention. He looks tired and slightly malnourished. A flash burn  can be seen near the cuff of his right arm and on the back of his neck.

"Sergeant Curtis Jimenez, US Rangers, currently attached to joint operations with the DIA, sirs. I am a specialist in wire taps, IR surveillance, video surveillance, and tactical layout, Sirs!" There is no weariness in his voice, just excitement.

His file puts him as a veteran of the Somalia operation, with deployment against the Soviets in the street fighting that took place in Vancouver.