Kelsey, Tyler and some militia collected the machinegun.

Under Lee's supervision, Police secured the building. Lee also reported finding 2 M72A3 LAW rockets and 2 M143 ATRs in the back of the Humvee, along with 3 M16A2s. Not to mention most of 4 corpses from around the alley.

As well, they found a stash of drugs that tested positive as cocaise and methamphetamine, and garden-variety pot. Not to mention several plastic mickey bottles and several glass two-sixer's of spirits like Drambui Rum, Jack Daniels, Absolut Vodka and so on.

Everyone made it back to UBC safely.

Also, the radio watch didn't turn up anything for the rest of the night, and radio traffic was normal. That is, nothing from the late-rising Bikers in the middle of the black night.

Over the next couple hours into the dawn, the rain, if anything, became worse. It increased to a torrential downpour. Now the wind started up, gaining in speed, whipping the rain sideways.

Almost daylight. The sun rising in the East. Springtime in Vancouver. Torrential rains were not so infrequent and they usually yield an incredible harvest of cherryblossoms and other delightful array of colors and fragances along the streets, in gardens and unkept backyards. Nothing changed the mood of nature over the years. Nor war or peace...human business, after all. Weary soldiers went to sleep. The horror witnessed through the night creeping into thoughts and shadows.

Taras dreaming.

...I was once travelling along the shores of Lake Baikal. I met a young Buryat girl with a broad long face with high cheek bones on horseback, wearing a smock and cotton trousers. I asked her to sell me her pipe, but while we were talking she looked with comtempt to my Black Sea complexion and dress. All of a sudden she became tired of talking and galloped off, uttering wild yells...

Meanwhile the rain kept on pounding outside the window.

In reply to helbent4 (msg #1):

Clarke wearily made herself a cup of tea as the storm's fury shook the window panes.  She finished her tea with a little toast, then retired to get a few hours sleep before the next day's tasks were upon her.

The night before had been horrific, but it had yielded one boon: the girl they rescued.  Once she had a chance to rest, Clarke was going to pay the woman a visit.  They needed a chance to meet the people from the Underground.  Having saved the young woman, they should have their chance to make some friends.  Clarke didn't intend to let that chance slip by.

She eventually finished up, but instead of making the trip in the rain back to UBC decided to stay at the police station on the edge of downtown.

Tyler staggered into his billet. It was jarring, to come from a cold wet night that nonetheless smelled like death, into a clean and well-furnished room in Risumiken House on the University campus.

Before collapsing, he stripped and cleaned his CAR-15 Commando. The smells of gun oil permeated the apartment, bringing a measure of relief that he had survived another short, vicious clash.

In reply to helbent4 (msg #1):

Kelsey finally finds her way back to her room, pausing just inside the door, for a moment stunned that it was hers, just hers.  She smiles at herself and shakes her head closing the door after herself and stripping, hoping there was hot water.. that ultimate luxury, to be had.

Hot water found, a hot meal in her stomach, and a hot cup of tea in hand, she finds herself sitting by her window as the sky lightens towards dawn amidst the terror of this heavy storm.  She shakes her head slightly and finishes oiling and quick cleaning her weapons, and sets them close by, for even this sort of bitter storm that was beating at her window couldn't keep away evil men.

Her sleep is fitful, the fresh blood of the night not washed away by the fury of the storm outside, parts of it visiting her again, and after a few hours of somewhat sleep, she rises, heading for chow, and quietly thinking.

Andy awoke from a disturbing dreamduring the night and watched the rain pattering against the window. Typical, he thought, if you couldn't see the mountains it was raining. If you could see the mountains it was going to rain. He went back to sleep.

1000 Loacl (0800 Game Turn)

Everyone made it back to their billets and into bed by 0300 hours.

It was a little late on Sunday morning, around 1000 hours, when everyone staggered out of bed. Most either hadn't remembered their dreams or had nightmares brought on by the smell of blood the night before. Tyler looked especially rough.

Outside it was still pouring, winds gusting the rain sideways. Heavy grey clouds obscured the darkly forested North Shore mountains.

Afternoon mass was scheduled to be an ecumenical one, a combined Catholic-Anglican-United Church service.

Clarke received word that the wounded prisoners were both in serious but stable condition. The unwounded and cooperative one had been processed and spent the night in the UBC lockup. (There wasn't one before the war in the detachment's small but tastefully modern building, but a little renovation had been done for practical reasons.)

Lee reported that everyone had been briefed about the biker and the need to keep his presence secret. All the prisoners could be held for extended periods without legal counsel under the War Measures and Emergencies Acts that were still in force.

Angela wanted a report on the last night's activities.

Taras and Clarke received word from North Van that a certain package was being delivered from up North, slightly delayed by the heavy weather. They knew this meant that a certain defector had been retrieved by Rod McArthur's train up in Lillooet and they were on the way back. Bulat and company had been riding shotgun as added protection.

Lee had returned to the campus that morning. The recovered Harley motorcycle was transported in a closed moving van to a locked shed.

"Kelsey, want to go for breakfast? I know it's a little late, but it's the weekend!"

As usual, she was dressed in a crisp uniform and hair pulled back in a pony tail, but no patrol Kevlar vest or tactical gear under her dripping dark Gore-Tex windbreaker with RCMP/GRC on the back.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:27, Tue 17 Mar 2009.

Tyler went and found Clarke. He looked like he hadn't had a good night's sleep, eyes red, but he was clean shaved and dressed in fresh BDUs.

He saluted when he found her, a clear sign of respect under the circumstances.

"Commander, I should take a trip back to see my dad. He wanted me to give him a report, and also I need to pass on the details of what you all want us to do in the upcoming operations against the Stickmen."

"I can travel by Zodiac from here all the way there, no need to travel by land at all. As long as I can store my ATV here?"

"It's best to do this in person. We have commo set up, but they aren't secure."

"If you remember, Andy wanted to talk to that biker douchebag we caught, guess I could wait until after that.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:26, Tue 17 Mar 2009.

Like everyone, Clarke had a rough night.  She had been in command when four people were killed and three others hospitalized.  "That's fine, Tyler.  It would be good if you waited until after Andy has his chat.  We'll stow the ATV and front you a Zodiac, no problem.  The question is not what we want your people to do, but what are they willing to do?  At the minimum, keep the Stickmen from trying to break out of the island.  Do you think we could expect anything more?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:26, Wed 18 Mar 2009.

In reply to Andrea Clarke-Sullivan (msg #11):

"Yeah, I think my father will want to cooperate."

"My understanding, from Sergeant Shevchenko, is you want us to secure the areas of the park nearest us. That's the quarters for the wornen and children, and the boats. I'll recommend we do, although we'll see how it goes."

"I'll be glad to wait until Andy's done.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:07, Wed 18 Mar 2009.

Kelsey was looking relatively fresh, considering, recently showered, and into a rather worn pair of combats, though serviceable they were showing wear and faded.  She didn't have any way to iron them, so she lays them out under her mattress, which has a better effect than being pulled from a duffel, definately.  She hadn't received issue of uniforms since she joined up, hadn't had much chance to purchase new, and her existing uniforms had literally been through combat.
All in all though, clean, and with attention to her appearance, her hair pulled back in a tight ponytail, glengarry in hand.
The invitation brought a smile to her face, engaging and honest.

"I haven't eaten yet, corporal.. Rachel, Zhang.. Lee?"  apparently at a loss of what to call the woman, really.. they haven't talked much.
"I would certainly love to take in a meal, not had much since last night, before we tried to sleep"  She looks her up and down a moment  "You been to bed yet, doesn't look it"
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:52, Wed 18 Mar 2009.

Shaving in the morning is something as casual and ritualistic at the same time for an Officer that even the most daunting combat experiences were unable to disturb and less cancel. With the corner of the eye, Taras could observe outside the window the large amount of dark clouds packed on top of the North Shore and the deluge hitting recklessly all over Spanish Banks, English Bay, and as far as you can see. The strong winds made the ocean surface boil with violence and a choppy consistency was a stark contrast with the usual gentle rolling that used to take them to the boat trips to West Vancouver.

...in the positive side, everybody is gonna stay home today...that means less problems...we are buying time...

The intimacy of looking at the mirror was almost unbearable and the razor moved up and down in a technical, quasi industrial fashion. The salvaged portable CD player was clumsily arranged to be fed by a transformer and the arrangement was providing some ambient music from yet another late '90s compilation of some forgotten student collection. Once the "play" button was on, the diminutive speaker hanging dangerously from the bathroom furniture, started barking random songs muffled by the atmospheric conditions outside and the splashing of water from the sink.

Unaware of author or interpreter, Taras was listening to "Alice in Chains" playing "Rooster":

Aint found a way to kill me yet
Eyes burn with stinging sweat
Seems every path leads me to nowhere
Wife and kids household pet
Army green was no safe bet
The bullets scream to me from somewhere

Here they come to snuff the rooster
Yeah here come the rooster, yeah
You know he aint gonna die
No, no, no, ya know he aint gonna die

Walkin tall machine gun man
They spit on me in my home land
Gloria sent me pictures of my boy
Got my pills gainst mosquito death
My buddys breathin his dyin breath
Oh God please wont you help me make it through

Here they come to snuff the rooster
Yeah here come the rooster, yeah
You know he aint gonna die
No, no, no ya know he aint gonna die...

After being finished, Shevchenko went to look for Clarke and the rest of the team.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:52, Wed 18 Mar 2009.

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg #13):

"I slept a little. Not too well, maybe. "Zhang" is my Chinese name, what my grandmother calls... called me. "Rachel" is my English name. Most Chinese that come from Hong Kong, like my family, all have an English middle name that we go by to help fit in better."

They got something to eat, and she chatted for a while about her family and growing up both in Hong Kong and then moving to Vancouver and then Richmond. Richmond was the formerly agricultural area-turned-suburb to the south of Vancouver that had become quite an Asian, primarily Chinese, enclave. Many Hong Kong Chinese had sent their families to stay there when the war broke out in 1995, quickly becoming a flood of "expatriates". They were refugees in a sense, save for the wealth they brought with them to keep safe. Lee's family had emigrated to Canada many years before that, but she found herself transferred back to the city and placed with the Richmond RCMP detachment to deal with the exploding Hong Kong and Mainland Chinese population and their criminal problems.

Unlike her usual distant business-like manner, Lee seemed a lot more relaxed and open. In fact, she got the distinct impression Rachel was flirting with her.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:08, Wed 18 Mar 2009.

In reply to Tyler Gabriel Hope (msg #12):

Clarke nodded.  "That would be fine, then.  You are correct about what the Lieutenant wants from your people, and I agree with him.  If your father's people would support us it would be much appreciated."

Clarke paused for a moment.  "I'm sure you have other things you need to talk to your father about.  We'll see you in a couple of days."

Andy awoke refreshed and alert. He showered and dressed and grabbed a quick breakfast. After that he headed to the debriefing and afterward spoke with the Commander.

"Commander Clarke-Sullivan," he said, formally but still feeling comfortable around his new Boss, "I have an idea about developing the HA as a contact and using him to give us more credibility with the local chapter. My idea is that after he's been interrogated and investigated I go to see him and pose as a sympathiser. We could see if he'd fall for giving me more info, but probably I'd have to arrange his escape. Now, that would give us a huge in with the HAs but it would put a major scumbag back on the street. There are major disadvantages to the plan and I feel dirty mentioning it, but I believe in playing to win, it's my job. Your job includes having a conscience so I'll happily stand the idea down if you feel it's to vile."

He smiled wolfishly, "I know you're against this and I wouldn't suggest it openly but we could have the best of both worlds, let him escape and spread the word and then let me ice the bastard with a weapon stolen from the Stickmen."

He then straightened up, "I feel it my duty to give you any options I see Ma'am but I'd be wholeheartedly behind your refusal to countenance them."

"Ah, wasn't sure how that all worked out, so you prefer Rachel?"



Kelsey talked about high school, and that led to sexuality, it having a lot to do with the choices she made, where she lived (away from her parents) and so on, in her life.  Though she'd been a part timer before the war, mostly, college never worked out for her so well, and the military seems to be now.

"Never seen you so personable Rachel, really separate yourself when on the job, huh?"  A big grin from Kelsey  "So, what prompted the friendliness all of a sudden?   Not that I am complaining."

Clarke put her hand to her forehead and rubbed her temples.  "This is a tough one, to be sure.  We have a witness willing to put the bastard away, period.  At the same time we have bigger fish to fry.  To be blunt, the security of a community, not just locking up one scumbag.  An 'in' with the HA's might give us what we need to break that organization.  That has greater value than locking up one man."

She paused for a moment.  "That's why I'm with you on this. I can't say I approve of an out-right assassination.  I would prefer to take him back into custody and try him.  But if he resists arrest?  Oh, well..."  She smiled.

Then she became serious again.  "Before we put this dog back out on the street, let's get a little more information from our cooperative, conscious prisoner and the victim.  If what we have in hand is an assassin and serial killer, I don't care WHAT value might be gotten from letting him escape.  I'll walk in that hospital room and put a bullet in him myself before I'll see him take another breath in freedom."

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg #18):

Lee smiled and said, "wow, that's a nice way of asking why I'm not being such a bitch like usual!"

"Hah, no, don't worry, I'm not offended. When I'm on the job, I'm on the job. When I'm not on the job here so far I've spent all my free time with the detachment, because in a way with my parents gone (I guess) the Force is all the family I have left. Cops tend to hang out with other cops, because we find we really have the most in common with each other and can relate."

"But that gets boring after a while. I thought maybe I'd like to spend some more time with you, get to know you more. Not spend all my free time talking, you know, cop stuff."

"I understand fully, Ma'am," Andy replied to the Commander, "and I won't just follow your orders in this, I will support you wholeheartedly whatever your decision."

"Nonono."  Hands raised, grinning  "I think riven is a much better word!"




Kelsey watches her face a few long moments, then looks away, back to the window at the storm a moment, then back to Rachel  Her voice softens.  "I tend to be the same person outside of direct conflict.  For the most part.  But I know what you mean, there is like a switch you throw that means all business.  And hanging out.. well.. it's important you know your comrades.  A change of pace is certainly welcome, though."

Hands flat on the table before her, Kelsey looks out at the driving storm again, voice softer yet.  "Wish this rain could wash it all away, you know?"

In reply to Andrew Montgomery McRae (msg #21):

"Good man.  Let's find what kind of a monster we've got and decide how to proceed fro there."

In reply to Andrea Clarke-Sullivan (msg #23):

Clarke's radio chirped for her attention.

It was Inspector Khandola. He wanted everyone who participated in last night's incident to meet him at the detachment HQ to debrief them in 15 minutes.

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg #18):

"Nothing, other than, like I said, I realised I didn't have any non-cop friends here."

She smiled. "I'm not trying to pull anything, honest!"

Then she checked her watch. "Hey, Inspector Khandola wants to debrief us all. So he can pass on to Angela what went right, what went wrong and what can go better. Let's go!"

Putting her tray away, she headed over to the detachment.

Tyler was getting ready to depart, packing some things at his billet, but leaving some kit as he obviously expected to return.

He picked up the phone and answered it. When he was asked to come for the debriefing, he wasn't surprised and kind of already expected it.

"Yeah, I'll be there in 15. See you there, Inspector."

When the team showed up for debriefing at the RCMP detachment's small conference room, Inspector Khandola and Alain Belanger were waiting for them. Belanger was ready to take notes.

"Please, everyone, sit down."

A sense of relief came at the moment all the familiar faces got together again. As in "Alice in Wonderland" the very own characters of this story were getting bigger or smaller according to the context of the situation. The previous night they were assuming the hero role risking their lives facing an unknown and powerful enemy. And yet, hours later, the whole bunch was just making small talk in clean, dry clothes over a hot cup of java. The incoming meeting for the debriefing would bring new responsabilities and directions to take, a space for reflection and learning also. The team was an amalgamation of everything that the city stood before and that was the best example of reconstruction. They demonstrated that what appeared to be impossible in the theory was a tangible reality. They were able to work together and prevail against superior odds. The thought comforted the ex Lt. of the Red Army. "Comradeship" was coming together as it only can happen when your life depends in that person next to you regardless of everything else.

Mr. Tyler! I just wanted to congratulate you for the great heroic act during last night! Well worth of an "Order of the Red Banner"!

Taras was in moral debt with the american. It was not out of innocence or tactical situation that he commanded Tyler to throw the grenade inside the hummer. Shevchenko himself was located before him in the alley, closer to the advancing enemy and was also armed with hand grenades. The loyalty of the survivalist "survived" the test and Taras couldn't but feel a sting of guilt for that. ...A necessary evil perhaps...

A remembrance of the very same doubtfull behaviour from Lt. Jagelis also sprung to his mind. He never got a chance. War was a bitch but this was worst: Hell Angels, Stickmen, deserters, mindgames,... The whole fucking SPCA barking at the same time...

Andy nodded and smiled at the others in the room before settling into a seat of his own to await the debriefing.

In reply to Andrew Montgomery McRae (msg #30):

Clarke took her seat, fingers wrapped around a steaming cup of tea.  They had come a long way in a short time, working well together as a team.  "Good morning, everyone," she said as she took her seat.

She nodded at Taras, appreciating the Lieutenant's comments. "When I arrived, your group was demoralized by the recce to the Stickmen.  After last night's action, I'd say you've come a long way, both as a team and in your trust in each other."

In reply to Andrea Clarke-Sullivan (msg #31):

Taking off her rain-soaked Gore-Tex jacket and plastic-covered hat, Rachel seated herself. She nodded at Clarke's statement.

"Yes, it seems a lot better than it was, that's for sure. I was ready to quit, but things have gotten much better. The ERT here is shaping up, as is the recce/sniper team under Master McRae and the commo section under Corporal Champlain." She turned and winked at Kelsey.

Looking fairly-well rested and sharply dressed in Airborne beret and smock over clean CF combats, Sgt. Fox joined them.

"Yeah, the militia here is shaping up and is capable of basic combat operations. Not bad for just under a couple weeks training, eh?"

"The LAV is fully-operational now with all systems go. I was going to crank her up today, but last night's test drive was fine, if a little earlier than expected. She's fully loaded up, with a full tank of bio-diesel and standing by."

He hesitated. "Ah, it's been a lot better for me, as well. I guess I needed a couple days off. I was also ready to walk, but I'm glad I toughed it out. Took some getting used to, going from master of my domain out in the bush to being part of an organised community."

In reply to Robert Duncan Fox (msg #33):

"We've all had to make some adjustments, Mr. Fox.  We are stronger as a group than we are alone."

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #29):

Tyler looked at Taras, trying to figure out if he was being razzed. After a pause he smiled.

"Red Banner? Uh.... like "Guards?" HA! Yeah, sure! Why not? Thanks, Taras, that means a lot."

He looked honestly touched by the compliment.

"I'd put you up for a Silver Star if I could, or whatever ya'all have up here that's the equivalent."

"I don't get out much, either."  A long pause as they put their trays back and head to the detachment.  "Thanks, really.  We should talk more."  A disarming smile added.

In reply to Zhang Rachel Lee (msg #32):

Kelsey slips in wearing her normal rain gear, checking it before seating where it can drip, and taking a seat next to Rachel, a smile returned to her, and a faint blush.  She wasn't stupid, she was just taking it slow.
"Thanks Rachel, and commander.  I agree that we have a lot more confidence, now.  Good leadership always helps."

After everyone was settled, Alain started the process.

"Okay, I just want to know what happened. We have some reports already, but you all are the key players, you have the best idea of what happened."

He shuffled his papers a bit, then looked at each of them.

"Lots went right out there, but maybe there are some things we could do even better. I'm not going to pretend that if mistakes were made they'll be swept under the rug. If we are professional and keep our feelings out of it we'll be better for it."

"Let's begin with... Corporal Lee?"

Rachel had glanced over at Kelsey and returned her smile, showing warmth in a momentary flash. When she heard her name called, she was all business. She took out her notebook, which was the primary tool of every police officer, more fundamental to the job than even a weapon, opened it and began.

"At 0045 hours on 15 April 2001, a citizen living at 13-255 West Georgia St. in Vancouver was admitted to the police station on Main, complaining of possible threatening intruders in the building across from her at 244 West Georgia, in the Pnom Penh restaurant building."

"A unit under the command of Commander Clarke-Sullivan was dispatched on foot to investigate at 0055 hours. Remaining personnel at the station was placed on alert as backup by this officer. UBC dispatch was also advised and the reaction team was put on alert."

"At 0106 hours, shots were fired and we soon received a call from Commander Clarke-Sullivan that additional backup was needed. There was report of an injured civilian and at least one armed suspect, possibly more. Military-grade weapons were reported."

"At 0110 hours additional units at the Main St. station were dispatched under this officer's command. The reaction team plus medical assistance were dispatched from UBC."

"At 0115 we arrived on scene, and observed Commander Clarke-Sullivan's team primarily deployed on the Northwest corner of W. Georgia, with Master McRae approaching the front of the building. No suspects were in sight, and the wounded civilian had already been evacuated by an RCMP unit that arrived with Sergeant Shevchenko. This officer deployed police and Militia to establish a cordon consisting of West Georgia, Gore, Main and Union streets."

"Commander Clarke-Sullivan was the on-scene commander. She advised this officer that the unidentified injured female civilian was an alleged escaped hostage, residence unknown but possibly affiliated with the group known as the "Undergrounders", who are located downtown. She reported being held captive for several hours by seven individuals inside the building. They were heavily armed, there were no other hostages inside, and the ground floor entrances were booby-trapped. One suspect was identified as an alleged biker belonging to the "Hells Angels Motorcycle Club", aka "HAMC" aka "Hells Angels" aka "Hells" aka "Angels" aka "HAs". Master McRae reported the front of the building had 2 Claymore directional mines on the roof directed downwards towards the front entrance, and then he returned."

"At approximately 0117 Commander Clarke-Sullivan deployed her main team element (Sgt. McRae, Sgt. Hope, Cpl. Champlain) under the command of Sergeant Shevchenko to clear the south alley of the 200 block of West Georgia in advance of the further establishment of perimeter."

"At 0128 there were shots fired and there was a loud explosion from the rear alley. There were additional shots fired from the same location, within a minute."

"At 0136 hours this officer received word that the rear alleyway was secure from explosive devices and there was one wounded suspect, with possibly four more suspects that were deceased. All were attempting to flee the scene, one on a motorcycle, the others (all deceased) in a US Army issue HMMWV "Hum-Vee". this officer proceeded to assist in the extraction of the wounded suspect and administer first aid. Hope and Champlain were stationed in the alley with a captured heavy machinegun to prevent the further escape of suspects, considering the display of weaponry seen so far this was a prudent move."

"At 0145 additional units from UBC arrived and were deployed in an inner and outer perimeter. Sharpshooter teams were deployed to the front and rear of the building to cover the street, rooftop and alley. The wounded suspect was transferred to an ambulance. He appeared to be an unidentified white male in his 40's, with a single gunshot wound from the back to front of his upper abdomen-lower back, dressed in Hells Angels colours."

"Two suspects remained unaccounted-for, and so it was decided to go proceed with a high-risk approach for apprehending suspects barricaded within a booby-trapped structure. Various approaches were discussed with members of the team present, including a front or rear entry, and a lateral entry from the adjoining commercial space. Use of the LAV armoured vehicle was proposed by Master McRae as a diversion, which was a good idea."

She smiled over at Andy in acknowledgement.

"Units deployed by Shevchenko to the downtown reported no activity at the suspect location there. The communications section reported to Champlain monitoring no radio traffic downtown or elsewhere in the Lower Mainland."

"At 0151 Master McRae and a sharpshooter from the UBC detachment proceeded to clear directional mines from the rooftops threatening the front and rear of the building in preparation to breaching and entry of the structure. The LAV was deployed to monitor the building using its thermal imaging system."

"At 0200 this officer proceeded to begin negotiations with the barricaded suspects using a loudspeaker. They immediately verbally indicated surrender, and identified other booby traps that had not been observed prior on the roof. They exited the building onto the east roof, indicating the floor entrances were booby-trapped. Sergeant Fox in the armoured unit, accompanied by a 4-person tactical ERT approached the front of the building and proceeded to apprehend the suspects without incident and extract them using a ladder. One suspect was unconscious and we began medical treatment immediately for a gunshot wound to the abdomen."

"The conscious suspect was a white male in his 20's, identified as Carrera, Daniel Morris. His companion was identified as Savage, Michael Peter. The suspect in custody indicated the building was empty, identified additional traps, and claimed to possess information on the homicide involving the unidentified female body found in the Portside Park some days ago. Quote "...the chick the Angel capped..."."

"At 0210 The building was cleared of explosives by Sergeant Shevchenko, assisting the ERT. Some firearms and a quantity of drugs were located in the building as well as the vehicles out back (the Hum-Vee and motorcycle). The items included some restricted weapons and explosive weapons like 40mm grenades and anti-tank rockets (listed for reference elsewhere)."

"By 0300 most additional units had returned to UBC. The injured were transferred via ambulance to UBC Pavilion Hospital and the suspect transferred to custody in the UBC detachment."

"At 0500 the crime-scene was cleared and sealed by this officer, who returned to the Main street outpost."

"End of report. Additional comments: Commander Clarke seemed to exercise effective overall control of the situation. Sergeant Shevchenko exhibited excellent tactical control of the situation. Sergeant Hope, Master McRae and Corporal Champlain demonstrated professionalism, restraint and a respect for the Rules of Engagement to the best of my knowledge."

She closed her notebook and set it down on the table they were all seated around, sitting back in her chair to get more comfortable.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:18, Sun 22 Mar 2009.

Alain nodded his thanks as he finished his notes.

"Thank you Corporal."

"Who's next? Commander? Sergeant Shevchenko?"

He looked around to whomever was present.

Very well, very well...

I believe Ms. Lee made an excellent and factual briefing of what happened...Allow me fill some gaps...I'm no trained policeman. I was a Combat Enginner Officer as you already know and my job was to support the command of Ms. Clarke.

After making his point and clearing the throat with a more offical than effective coughing, Taras continued...

When I arrived to the scene I found the lady victim laying on the middle of the street and being pointed at with a rifle and grenade launcher. I tried to help the woman but suddenly the suspects noticed our presence and instead of complying they pointed in our direction which obviously triggered a reaction from the people covering my approach.

The beginning of the whole scene was something not witnessed by Rachel. Now the picture was getting clearer for Belanger. More notes being scribbled in the book...

...From there it all escalated very quickly...I decided to secure the perimeter with the help of the militia and asking for further reinforcements. Upon visual inspection of the building and reports of the victims we found out that the place was rigged with explosive traps and directional mines...The layout was very elaborated with flare traps associated to directional mines and I knew that we were facing a very dangerous enemy. Thanks to my skills I could remove them without casualties. In order to do so I was in the back alley with cover provided by our sharpshooter, Kelsey and Mr. Tyler. The sound of a big engine was heard and suddenly we found ourshelves facing the enemy trying to escape using an armored vehicle with a heavy machine gun. The crew was using night vision equipment and looking for targets. Since the presence of such a beast moving away from the building and towards our location could basically annihilate our command post I decided to stop that threat and instructed Kelsey to throw a flash-bang grenade and our sniper to terminate the gunner. Since we didn't have any anti-armor weapon on hand, it was my idea to instruct Mr. Tyler to get closer to the vehicle once the gunner was eliminated and throw a handgrenade inside.

Shevchenko realized that his memory was murkier than he thought after the detailed exposition of Rachel Zhang Lee, but it was his moral obligation to provide the first account details of what happened.

...And so he did with great effect should I say...The grenade exploded inside and probably caused secondary or sympathic explosions as the whole interior was obliterated...It was a carnage...very disgusting. Right after that a motorbike was also trying to leave the building and was approaching the other end of the alley when I instructed the Master to shoot him. The suspect was heavily armed and moving towards the militia that was covering that exit.

The freshly minted Sgt. continued to relate his views making special accent on the nature of the threat. The enemy was using high powered weapons of war with reckless disregard for human being as setting traps in the building and also public areas like the back alley. He also pointed out that they were facing people involved at large in illegal weapons trafficking, as demonstrated with the arsenal found in the biker, drugs, liquor and presumably prostitution, murder and what not. Taras was expecting a second round in the debriefing when he could exposed some personal feelings about what could be suggested for the future.

Tyler said, "if that's all right, I'd like to go next."

He looked down for a moment, gathering his thoughts.

"Things went down the way Corporal Lee said. We got to the corner, and the Commander deployed us to cover the direction of the expected threat."

"This would be after we left the "cop shop" and before Sergeant Shevchenko arrived."

"When we got there, we heard some guy yelling at someone, I think, to come back. Something like that. Anyways, when we could see the location there was a woman in the street and an armed man above her in a window, half out. She was limping, trying to get away, and he said he was going to kill her if she didn't stop, something along those lines. He pointed an M16A2 assault rifle her in a clearly threatening manner, her life certainly looked like it was in danger to me."

"When the cop car came with Sergeant Shevchenko, he pointed the weapon at the vehicle, also in, uh, a threatening manner. It had a 40 mike-mike grenade launcher attached and he was reaching for the trigger. If it were loaded it could destroy the vehicle and kill the officers in side, no doubt in my mind."

"Commander Clarke-Sullivan ordered Andy, uh, Master McRae to fire to save Sergeant Shevchenko's life, and I think he put one in the guy's arm. I don't know how many rounds he fired or how many hit."

"After, I covered the building as Sergeant Shevchenko assisted the woman. The guy had dropped his gun and looked like he was fighting for his balance, maybe."

"Someone started to pull him in, and Master McRae gave a verbal warning to stop. They refused to cease moving and both Master McRae and Corporal Champlain shot at them. I don't know if there were any hits. Both men fell inside, out of sight."

"Master McRae made his bound across the street. I got behind a car on the near side of the street and covered Corporal Champlain as she made her bound to move up on the near side of the street. Someone stuck their head up to aim what appeared to be an M249 SAW, ah, Squad Automatic Weapon, out the window. I engaged the shooter with an "aimed pair" of shots, and I believe I hit because they withdrew without firing the SAW."

"I kept covering the front after that."

"When we went into the back alley, I was in the rear of the 4-man, er, person stack. Sergeant Shevchenko saw and disarmed a tripwire that was attached to a trip-flare, then disarmed a command-detonated Claymore mine."

"We saw a Humvee coming at us trying to escape. At Sergeant Shevchenko's command Master McRae shot the gunner, Corporal Champlain then blinded the driver and passenger with a flash-bang, and I managed to get a grenade down the gunner's hatch. It was chunky salsa, let me tell you! I must have gotten hit by some gear on the side because I ended up on my ass in the alley. I counted what I think were two bodies inside, two outside the Humvee."

"After that, Master McRae shot the biker dude trying to escape. We cleared the alley, and everything went smoothly. We covered the back alley using the Ma-Deuce, the M2HB cal-fifty machinegun, which we dismounted from the Humvee to use while we waited for the backup to get there."

The rest of his report was basically repeating what Corporal Lee and Taras had said. He ended with, "there was a couple things... I'm an American, they were Americans, I recognised the dogtags and BDUs. Maybe I could have talked with them? Negotiated? I'm not saying these guys gave us the chance or anything, but for future reference I think I might be able to talk to other Americans. Speak their lingo, if you know what I mean."

"It was suggested at one point to use the sixty mike-mike mortar to flush 'em out. Those things are great, but bear in mind they don't have the penetration to take down a building or even take out dug-in troops. A frame house, like in the suburbs maybe. Also, the bombs aren't accurate, and if there are civilians in the area (or we don't know if there are or not) they're not a really good idea."

"Last, when we left the Ma-Deuce, the M2HB cal-fifty machinegun, Corporal Champlain took the bolt so it couldn't be used against us, which I think was a good idea."

"Bottom like, we're here, they got what was coming to them, and there it is."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:13, Mon 23 Mar 2009.

"I don't have much to add, Sir," Andy replied, "the situation was unexpected and fluid and we didn't have clear engagement rules so we had to rely on our initiative. I feel we struck a balance between the use of deadly force and giving people a chance to surrender whilst trying to minimise casualties."

He cleared his throat, "We got all the perps and didn't loose a troop or a civilian. Plus we captured prisoners for INTEL. I'd have liked to have done less running around and more planning, but the situation didn't warrent that, it was a come as you are kind of affair. I feel that everyone meshed well as a team and that we did the best we could with what we had. As for improvements, I'd say we need to run rapid reaction drills and make sure we have more skills diversity in some of our units. Plus, personally I need more range time. Of all the shots I fired, three missed, that's an appalling rate."

In reply to Andrew Montgomery McRae (msg #43):

Kelsey smiles at the glance from Rachel, then looks down as the other woman gets to business, licking her lips once as the listens and thinks.

When her turn comes she looks up and smiles.

"Mr Hope's account is pretty much what I remember.  Though I am a little unsure about the timetable, exactly.  We rounded the corner on the scene with the Master Sniper, in time to see the woman jump out of a second story window and be threatened by a man with an assualt rifle.  When he was instructed to drop the weapon, he instead appeared to be trying to engage.  I don't recall that Lt. Taras was on scene yet, I do recall that Master McRae took him down.  I can't confirm the action on the SAW other than to say it gave me a bit of a scare."

She pauses and looks around, then nods firmly.

"In the alley there wasn't a lot of time to think, I heard the engines and though I didn't nail the vehicles, it was good warning.  If that fifty cal had opened up, a lot of people could have died.  I dropped a flash bang almost on the hood, and Mr Hope dropped one right in the hatch, ending that situation.  The Master then dropped the well armed biker with a pair of shots on the Lt's orders."

Sgt. Shevchenko, after regaining some inertia, decided to move forward the debriefing:

I believe that one of the lessons that we learnt from last night is that we cannot be over confident. Sure enough there is no real combat on the streets but yesterday we came across a nasty surprise in the form of well trained or at least well equipped criminal elements. Regardless of the nature of their business they will be willing to defend and even attack with confidence and we cannot afford to be in a defensive mode.

Taras took himself the liberty to stand up and walk towards the blackboard with the loyal satchel of documents. A common touristic map of the city was unfolded and presented to the audience.

Ladies and gentlemen, the next hours are vital in the prosecution of our job. We have to exploit the victoy and gain momentum. It is of the most important importance Here Taras couldn't find a proper mental translation...that no further surprises are ahead in the zones under Government control. That means that no military vehicles, armoured or not are around and therefore represent a threat to us or the locals. This also includes any suspicious activity inside the area. I recommend to activate a "Cordon and Search" operation to guarantee that this is accomplished.

The purpose of a cordon and search operation is to isolate a chosen area by cordoning it off, and then systematically searching it.  It is normally a joint military and police task that has the aim of the capturing wanted persons, arms, ammunition, explosives, documents, supplies, etc.  There are significant legal issues relating to cordon and search operations, particularly searches and the interception and disruption of communications.  A cordon and search operation shall only be conducted when lawful authority has been established.

In order to minimize civilian disturbance we shall focus in street level and underground parkings. This also will speed up the process and reduce the numbers of people involved. We shall take a look at the map and decide the locations to be searched.

The operation must be conducted with complete security and mounted in a speedy and effective manner to offer surprise and therefore achieve the desired results.

To organize this we will have a joint headquarters in the downtown area with command and control facilities (comms). The inner cordon of the zone will be reinforced with watch over bridges. We may have to restrict access as well. Search parties will move by vehicle for speed, surprise and security with at least two members per unit. We will activate a responsive force ready to react if there is any finding and it will supported by an EOD team. As the operation goes we will start with a cordon and then we will move the search parties inside.

This whole enterprise will surely recall somebody attention. We have the radio-electronic component, especially the recently captured, to find out the frequencies and codes used by our enemy.

Being said that, for Taras, there was only left a little wrap up to his presentation:

If our Commanders here approved this operation I can go into more detail. There is not much time to lose. It is a very basic action but it will serve well as:

a) It will help us to find majot threats hiding out there.
b) It will send a signal to the locals as we are doing our job.
c) It will probably gives a clue about the reaction of the organized crime and therefore precious Intel.



Sgt. Shevchenko expected first the reaction of Belanger, Khandola and Angela. The later appeared to be highly shocked by the findings exposed in the debriefing. The grisly details of the high grade violence on the streets came to her as a rude awakening. The tour over the equipment captured and the blown up humvee will probably revolt her entrails beyond belief.

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #45):

"Ah, sir.  It might be useful to contact some of the populace and ask them where the bad people are.  After all, we found this batch because of a civilian tipoff, from occupying a police station again in an abandoned area.  Our people want us back."

The last bits are said with some emotion, a glance given to Rachel, her eyes shining with unshed tears.  Damnit, this was HER town!

Belanger looked like he liked the direction the conversation was going.

"Before we go into that, I'd like to hear Commander Clarke-Sullivan's viewpoint on what happened. Commander?"

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #45):

Khandola interrupted, curious to pursue the issue while Andrea collected her thoughts.

"My apologies, Commander. I'd like to pursue what Taras is talking about. That's something we can help with."

"Taras, do you have any suggestions on a particular location? We don't want to tip our hand to the Stickmen, or Angels for that matter, that we are organised enough to start these kind of cordon and search operations.."

He thought for a moment, looking at the map. "Our information sources in the Block Watch say that there are bandits operating in the Metrotown area. Heavily armed, reportedly with a technical of some sort, extorting travellers transiting down Kingsway. It's far enough away from the downtown and Stanley Park to maintain some kind of security. It's close enough to New Westminster to provide an example of our commitment to law and order."

Metrotown Centre was an enormous behemouth of a shopping mall, actually a combination of several shopping areas spread over ten square city blocks. The area had been redeveloped into one gigantic complex (Metropolis at Metrotown, Station Square, Metrotown itself and Sears Centre) plus adjoining malls like Crystal Centre (an "Asian" mall) and Orchard Centre, a Hilton and Holiday Inn hotels, residential buildings, and twin black office towers (one of whom Clarke knew once housed the local offices of Canada's intelligence agency, CSIS). It was the largest mall in British Columbia, possibly including Washington state, dwarfed only by the West Edmonton Mall. Several miles of underground parkades were patched together, and covered walkways offered access to the buildings that weren't part of the conglomerate structure itself.

"We can deploy a company of militia plus RCMP backup for this operation and the ERT in reserve."

My intentions are oriented towards the city of Vancouver so far. Step by step. I want a clean sweep of the old downtown area. It will be not appropiate at this point to take in new zones without cleaning our own backyard. We have a declared enemy with the stickmen, an incoming problem with the Hell's Angels and I don't think it will be wise to accumulate more trouble without resolving anything.

Sure enough, Taras felt that the situation in Stanley Park was in need to be resolved to gain quick leverage with the downtown main dwellers. Using the Chinatown adventure as a fulcrum, the cooperation of the locals and deterrence with the HA could be easily obtained then. No much need in extending the responsabilities to a far off location.

I see the Metropolis problem as a legitimate interest of the Law Enforcement here but I also believe that we shall make contact with the New Westminster authority first, before we step in. The description that we got from this community was quite positive in principle and obtaining their support will greatly enhanced our opportunities over there. There is that big russian submarine sitting at the port. I'm really intrigued about the possibilities that the alliance with the Commander of a nuclear vessel can bring.

Sgt. Shevchenko reaffirmed some previous convictions:

The search and cordon will be discreet and will make use of vehicles to inspect the area. We can opt for a bridge watch of a low profile nature. "Sanitize" the area to obtain the security for own troops. This operation will also serve as a test and exercise for everybody. Once I'm sure that there is no armoured threat I'm willing to go for the stickmen and clear the Park. The undergrounders will come after and will have a choice. With that presentation card we can start business somewhere else.

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #49):

"It will be difficult to make a meaningful search of the entire downtown, while keeping the Angels in the dark. We can check areas on the periphery like Yaletown, the Downtown Eastside near the police station, Chinatown, maybe Pacific by the Burrard St. Bridge, which is one of our approach routes when we go to clear out the Stickmen."

He thought about it for a moment.

"We'll have to be very discreet and give the sensitive areas like the central business core where the Angels are located and the West End, near the Park, a wide berth. There is still a risk of detection, although they probably won't know what this activity signifies. I think it's an acceptable risk."

In reply to Alain Belanger (msg #50):

Kelsey clears her throat and asks permission to speak.

"Boys, if you want anyone else's input.  I like the provost's idea.  It will give us a chance to make an example, get some experience under the militia's belt while in what should be an easier operation zone, and we might be able to capture some more equipment for our own force."  A big grin  "And it is always useful to do the unexpected.  If our movements cannot be predicted, it is harder to defend against us."

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg #51):

Clarke had been quiet up to now, but felt that with the suggestion of a new operation, it was time for some input of her own.

"There is one detail from last night that you have all overlooked - intel on the scene from the freed captive.  She was the one who warned us about the number of opponents we had and how well equipped they were.  That information made a significant difference in how we responded to the scene.  That, and Andy's initial recognition that the front door was booby trapped, which put us on the alert to look for more traps elsewhere."

"It is good we have intel on another threat.  Like the situation last night, we need as much information from as many sources as we can get.  We should keep in mind that we have just rescued one of the Undergrounders from downtown. She might be able to get further information about Metrotown, since the Undergrounders might have some connections to them."

"Pursuing Metrotown is going to have to be balanced against prosecuting our goals to finish up Stanley Park. We don't want the momentum towards that goal to be lost."

In reply to Andrea Clarke-Sullivan (msg #52):

Khandola replied, "thank you, Commander. I will be sure to report this to Chairperson Kwan. She should be pleased."

"Speaking of reports, we received word from Josh, our mole in the Stickmen, that they have moved some of their non-combatants together, abandoning the Aquarium and moving them to the stadium."

He showed them on the map where they were. "Also, they traded some fresh food to the Survivalists for two dozen gas masks. We shall see if Ed kept his promise to sabotage them."

"Josh also says they've started some improvements to their structures, reinforcing and fortifying some buildings. Mostly at the perimeter. They've been practicing at night, but last night with the rain they took it easy, took the night off."

Khandola then looked at some notes for reference.

"Our latest prisoner, Daniel Carrera, has decided to cooperate. He's being debriefed. His story is that he and his friend, Micheal Peter Savage, met up with the alleged biker, Thomas William Ryan. No known street name or prewar record. The only record we have on him was that he was a mill worker from Fernie in the Interior and joined the Militia, Rocky Mountain Rangers, in the early 90's. He in effect deserted, declining to show up for induction after the call-up in 1997. Carrera, Savage and Ryan met at Brandi's a week ago. They met up with the four US Army soldiers, deserters by the sounds of it, also at Brandi's, three days ago. Carrera claims Ryan had them take a native woman, identified only as "Tiffany", out to the Port Park the night they met the deserters and executed her with a single shot to the head. We found fragments of one bullet in the skull, nothing conclusive, so Carrera's statement might help secure a conviction of murder in the first degree."
"Carrera says he thinks that this was business, linked to the drug trade. That explains the method of execution, and the lack of any sexual assault indicates a professional style."

"Speaking of victims, the hostage has identified herself as "Elise Baker", part of the Undergrounder group in the downtown. She's in hospital at the moment, resting, in stable condition. Fractured wrist and sprained ankle from the fall."

"Lastly, we've had reports of people seeking out help and offering information at the police station. It seems we have made a positive impression upon the people of the downtown east side. We are slowly closing the noose on the downtown and Stanley Park."

Outside, there was thunder amid the torrential rain.

"With any luck, if anyone heard anything they'll blame it on the thunder, eh?"

"I say we can move forward on Taras' idea. Cordon an search a small area in the downtown eastside. Anything more than that and we risk alerting the HAs and the Stickmen."

"Let's plan today, go tomorrow morning before the Angels rise out of bed. If nothing else, this wet weather will delay Cyrus' plans to burn us down and keep people inside. By then, we will by in position to move."

In reply to Alain Belanger (msg #54):

"Sounds like reoccupation of that old station is a definate must.  Awesome."

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg #55):

He nodded in agreement. "You were supposed to spend the night there last night, but then that whole incident in Chinatown happened. As you can see, the facilities are quite primitive. Not much more than a building with a garage and a radio. We have a small unit stationed there but expanding our presence there will be a must if we're going to control the entire area."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:08, Thu 02 Apr 2009.

In reply to Alain Belanger (msg #56):

"Then let's proceed with Taras' suggestion.  Make the weather work for us to move forward.  I would also like to speak to Ms. Baker before she leaves hospital."

"Tyler, you were planning on heading over to visit your dad.  If the weather is too rough today, then help us out with today's investigations and head over tomorrow.  We need to know about the gas masks sold to the Stickmen."

My friends, I believe it is necessary to keep in mind what is the nature of our mission and focus in the incoming operation to free Stanley Park. This involves the isolation of the battlefield and there is the need to make sure that no other surprise is waiting for us in a back alley, etc.

Taras went to reflect again on the IRON program and the strategy lay out of the Government to return the city to the good times.

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #58):

Khandola said, "we have enough to report on last night's operation."

"Today we shall proceed with preparing for tomorrow's cordon-and-search operation."

"Anything else?"

"Commander Clarke, there was some talk about exploiting Master McRae's connection to the bikers? For now we might want to hold off on that until we're complete with the main objective of securing the downtown."

"Bear in mind what Taras has reminded us all, the Stickmen are the primary focus at the moment, not the Angels. As well, the guy's still in hospital, so we probably got a few days before he can be moved and at least a week or so until he's released."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:27, Sat 04 Apr 2009.

Andy straightened as he heard his name mentioned. He looked over at the Commander and waited for her to introduce the subject.

Sundays were a special day for the thriving communtiy of the University of British Columbia. Most of the young, and not so young characters living around campus, liked to get together to play boardgames in one of the halls of the educational grounds. The place was roomy, well illuminated with plenty of ampe windows and generous tables where the players spread an assorted number of "Monopoly", "Trivial Pursuit", "Cluedo", "Risk" and many other entertainment sets. Checkers, chess, dominoes...usually mixed with hockey tables and there was even a small club of "Settlers of Catan" always trying to sell you something...

Luck, strategy and diplomacy represented the leisure time at UBC. For Taras this was a good chance to improve his language skills and early on, during the cold days of winter, he got involved in "Scrabble". Only to be badly beaten by an 11 years old boy almost each and everytime...

The Scrabble board has fifteen rows, each with fifteen squares, sixty one of them worth extra points. For Shevchenko's favourited chess, the only occult element is a player's strategy: chess is won or lost primarily on concentration, skill, brainpower and aggression. Something not that far from the real battlefield. These factors count on Scrabble too, though not, perhaps, to the degree that chance does. No one can precisely control or anticipate the changing shape of the tree.

Taras found the game both mindless and cerebral and that may account for its appeal to many different people. The fact that he has to play with children was his humble pie and way to keep in check the evergreen spirit of learning. Sometimes he got the chance to play with recent newcomers to the country and the Shakespeare language and set duels with a taxi driver from Mumbai or an ex guerrilla from El Salvador. You seize up potential partners...

Not every player was happy to be deprived of versatile little score enhancers like "cunt", "darkie" and "fuck" but that was a much necesary rule to enforce in the presence of the youngest and the ardent evangelicals...One of the most remarkable score came surprisingly from the eccentric "piroghi" for the locals while being a staple food in the Ukraine.

Taras greeted the players but didn't participate. There was much work to do for the next morning. The library offered some peace and quiet to eleborate more on the incoming search of the Area of Operations.

He wished to open up with a triple-letter score.

In reply to Andrew Montgomery McRae (msg #61):

"You are correct, Mr. Belanger.  We have a few days to access both the situation and this 'Angel'.  I would like some more intel on him before we decide whether to use him or keep him in lock-up.  Given the state of his injuries, I'd say we have that time."

She looked at Andy.  "This will also give you a bit more time to build some kind of rapport with the man.  Something you can use, whether or not he eventually 'escapes'.  For now we do need to keep our focus on the Stickmen."

Sunday 15 April 2001

Game Time 1200-1800

UBC Campus

The meeting adjourned. Angela came by to get her briefing from Inspector Khandola and Provost Belanger, and thanked each of the team members personally for their accomplishments. Not just on campus but in the city, establishing the IRON program and pacifying the renegade military element in Chinatown.

"Taras! You and Andrea must come by for tea, later today."

Tyler decided the simplest and safest method of return was just to have someone drive him out to the Port area (near their zone of control in Chinatown) and have Ed pick him up in his Zodiac.

Whoever wanted to could go to the late mass at the ecumenical chapel at noon. Chris MacDonald, their team member-cum-liaison, left the Musqueam reserve area to brave the elements to attend mass, meeting up afterwards to brief Andrea on how things were going with the Natives.

After a day of instructing the militia and RCMP auxiliaries on how to conduct a cordon-and-search, there was a little relaxation in the evening with some games after dinner and a movie in the campus theatre: Waterworld.

Throughout the day, it continued to storm outside, dumping buckets of rain. Fierce gusts of wind battered the trees and howled through windowless buildings. The river continued it's almost unnoticed but inexorable rise.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:43, Mon 06 Apr 2009.

"Commander, great to see you again."

Chris looked like he'd put on a few pounds, and had traded CF combats for civilian clothing of a distinctive western flavour. He wore a cowboy hat, rain-soaked duster over a vest, blue jeans and cowboy boots. Kelsey remembered he was from Lilooet (which was cattle country) and bragged obut being a bit of a shit-kicker, and so his dress wasn't too surprising. In fact, you'd see variations of it in cattle country from Alberta to Mexico, and below the equator in Argentina as well. He hadn't gone full western; he wore his Hi-Power in a shoulder rig and the rifle in his saddle scabbard behind his lariat was an FN, not a Winchester.

"Not much to report, as the weather's been so bad no one's really gotten off the Rez much. If you remember, I'm also supposed to keep an eye on the Airport and the Trolls because Kwan and the UBC Council want to resolve that situation soon, eh? Not much happening there either, but Chief Yates says he can get us a meeting with their leader, and we can use that to open talks."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:44, Mon 06 Apr 2009.

Absent any specific task, Fox drilled the militia on how to cordon-and-search an area, mostly in support of the RCMP Auxiliary officers who would be doing the bulk of the searching.

For her part, Lee briefed and instructed the RCMP Auxiliaries on how to safely conduct the searching operations, practicing in the secured areas near UBC. As the main target would be parkades and other areas that large equipment could be hiding, she chose a couple apartment buildings and the Kerrisdake Rec Centre as the search areas.

Later in the evening, she asked Kelsey if she wanted to have some dinner, taking some good-natured ribbing from her RCMP colleagues for "abandoning" them.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:48, Mon 06 Apr 2009.

In reply to Zhang Rachel Lee (msg #67):

Clarke attended late Mass and made use of radio later in the day to call her family.  It was good to hear the voices of her husband and children.  It reminded her she needed to talk to her command about when they would be able to transfer her family to the new post.

Apart from that, she caught up on her reports and other record keeping to make plans for the coming weeks operations.  Around dinner time she went over to the hospital, taking along some tea and a slice of cake from the Officer's Mess.  She went by Elise's room to see how the young woman was doing.

Andy left the briefing and, as many of his team were attending Mass, he made sure his notes and paperwork were all in order. Once that was finished, he did some more weapons maintenence on both his personal weapons and the team's gear.

Kelsey hurried up and caught mass in fatigues after the meeting, then dropped in on her people to check on her listening posts, giving some advice and praise.  She almost bashfully accepts Rachel's invitation, livening up moments after doing so to her more outgoing personality.  She digs into her long unused civvies, hunting for something to wear out for dinner.

1800 hours - Sunday Evening

It was still raining hard in the evening, but the violent windstorm had eased off.

Dinner was pleasant, as was the socialising after. The small community had grown considerably, so there were more new faces and a general atmosphere of hope and even excitement at the future.

The operation to cordon-and-search the eastern areas of downtown was set for early morning, so almost everyone had to turn in early. Either they were in the Militia or RCMP Auxiliaries, or had their chores and work on the agricultural fields in and around UBC.

The most important bread-baskets for the University was the "UBC Farm", once a 24 hectare model farm started in 1922 and now greatly enlarged to include many different separate plots throughout the campus (mainly in the south but also the former golf course, sports fields and grassy malls). UBC Farm had also expanded even outside the perimeter in the nearby neighborhood of Kerrisdale. Before the war the farm had been training for agricultural students and research plots with the produce sold to the University's food services, in the University Farm Market and even to restaurants and stores in the surrounding area.

Clarke-Sullivan made her reports, talked to her family. It made her feel recharged about her job here, like she was doing more than just holding the line against anarchy but building a better future. Coded messages from the North Shore indicated the train was heading back to Horseshoe Bay from Lillooet, having picked up some important passengers but delayed by washouts and rockfall due to the weather. As well, Vancouver Island Command and the DRI office in the provisional provincial capital wanted more information on the sub docked in New Westminster. Who commanded it? What was it armed with? Most importantly, why was it there?

Kelsey and Rachel had dinner, which was quitte pleasant and intimate. Kelsey's civvies tended towards skater chick with a touch of grunge (which was partially inspired by dyke fashion anyways), so she chose as best she could.  Both their absences were noted (with good humour) at the Comms Section's and RCMP table, respectively.

So far Andy's little sniper/recce section consisted of "Mac" (Chris MacDonald) plus a couple of the most promising volunteers. Mac and Chad were hunters, Stacy was highly athletic and a biathelete. They joined him for dinner, laughing and joking.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:57, Tue 07 Apr 2009.

Having finished dinner, Clarke put together a tray with a sample of deserts, coffee, tea, sugar and cream.  She then found Taras.  "Mr. Taras, I need to speak to you about a package we are both anticipating.  Perhaps you would like to walk with me to visit Ms. Elise, the young lady you rescued?  It would give us a chance to talk."

Absolutely, Commander. Right after you...

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #73):

Clarke smiled and nodded, and headed for the hospital.  Given the rain, she made sure the tray was covered, and that they had umbrellas to try to keep dry.  If there were covered walk ways, they would make use of those as well.

In reply to Andrea Clarke-Sullivan (msg #74):

University Pavilions Hospital had been an acute care facility before the war, handling mostly outpatient care and day surgeries. Now, it also had an emergency room and facilities for longer-term patient care.

Checking in at the reception desk, they met with Doctor Chandra. She was a middle aged Indian woman wearing a doctor's coat over scrubs, glasses hanging from a loop around her neck, greying hair tied back in a bun. Her brown eyes sparkled with amusement.

"Commander, Taras, it's so good to see you! Curious about our new patients are you? Do you want to see the prisoners, or the poor girl they brought in last night?"

A pleasure to meet you too, Dr. Chandra. We are willing to pay a visit to that poor woman that needed our help last night. Commander Clarke brought some presents. We are also willing to check with the rest of the personnel...of course. It's been a tough experience for everybody...

As a moral and ethical sense of responsability towards the community Taras felt that they were doing the right think. He also felt comforted with the presence of the Lt. Cmdr., not only a leader, but a female leader at that. For that matter, the communication with the victim will be more easily approached.

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #76):

Clarke smiled and nodded.  "A pleasure to meet you, Dr. Chandra.  I'd offer to shake your hand, but..."  She held up the full tray by way of explanation.  "I am Lt. Cmd. Andrea Clarke-Sullivan, though most just call me 'Clarke'.  Lt. Taras and I are here to pay our respects to the brave young woman who came in last night."

Her expression turned more dour.  "We will need to debrief and interview the prisoners eventually.  Once we have seen to Ms. Elise, I'd like to get a status on the them.  My last report was that they were in critical but stable condition."

Kelsey's evening it appears will be tied up with socialization with a fellow corporal it seems.

In reply to Andrea Clarke-Sullivan (msg #77):

Dr. Chandra smiled.

"Indeed! Miss Elise Baker is her name. She was in poor shape but has improved. She has older physical trauma and malnutrition. From last night there is some residual physical and mental trauma, but she denies being sexually assaulted and after my examination, I believe her. More of a matter of opportunity on the part of her abductors, I gather."

Walking over to the nurses' station she checked some charts.

"We operated on Mister, ah, Ryan, and he's in stable condition and recovering." This was the biker. "Mister Savage is also recovering from surgery. They should be available for questioning tomorrow, if they keep improving."

"Miss Baker is awake, and one of the RCMP has already taken her statement. Be my guest, but no more than 15 minutes talking to her, she needs more rest and we'll be keeping her for observation if you wish to talk further."
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:10, Fri 10 Apr 2009.

When they were done with Doctor Chandra, they entered the private hospital room. It was well lit, and the blinds were open to show the rain coming down. The young woman was watching TV.

At 6PM the University ran a half-hour news and weather update put on by the local CBC affiliate. The voice-over mentioned a raid on criminals in Chinatown. It was believed that several suspects had been shot but there was no official statement as of yet on the events or the identities of the suspects. Witnesses described hearing explosions and some shooting, and there was speculation they were a group of US military personnel, possibly deserters.

Elise was sipping water from a plastic straw in a cup.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:33, Sat 11 Apr 2009.

Good evening lady! I hope we are not interrupting...We came to see how are you doing.

There was a clear perception in Taras mind that the victim will provide a great wealth of information if handled carefully. The number, modus operandi, and any possible detail that could be found out will likely enhance the chances to confront the criminal element with success.

It will be a work of patience and thank God Clarke was there to help. She proved an invaluable tool to improve the communication in the community. The TV programming, edited in the very heart of the University grounds, reminded him of a certain journalist he was intended to paid a visit soon...

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #81):

She looked up from the TV. Her face was marked by some bruising and small lacerations, not too bad. She took in his RCMP uniform.

"Hi? I'm doing good, I guess? Did you bust those assholes yet?"

You can count with that! The people that tried to hurt you are being taken care of. But we are going to need as much as information you can provide us about them...Perhaps you want to share your story with us. I know you need some rest but we will like to hear from you. We wnat to clean up this city and make a better place to live.

Taras took a chair and sat next to the window. Outside the rain still pounding against the glass. The news edition on the TV about to come to an end.

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #83):

"Well, uh, yesterday morning, a friend asked me to pick up some bottles he had cached in an apartment building on Barclay Street on the 11th floor. I made sure none of the "West Enders" were around, and went in around noon. I heard some bikes go by, maybe over on Robson, but I didn't think anything of it because they took off."

She swallowed, nerving herself to remember what was obviously traumatic.

"Next think I knew, these two or maybe three army guys with guns come in the door. I didn't get a good look at their faces. They grabbed me and threw me down, yelling at me not to move. They put a hood over my head, put, you know, zap straps on my wrists, like, behind my back."

Pausing, she continued. The young woman looked to Clarke, obviously relieved there was another woman present.

"Someone hit me in the head and I went out, I guess."

"I can't really remember a lot after that. I started to wake up when they stopped. I was kinda fucked up, you know? I think I heard at least two guys. My hood kind of came off a little and I seen I was alone in the army truck, that Jeep, I guess."

They assumed she meant the Humvee. Dr. Chandra had confirmed she still had a concussion, which matched her story.

"They put my hood back on and took me in the back door. I don't really remember what happened for a bit. I think a couple of the guys names were... Mike? Todd? Maybe Curtis? When I woke up a bit after it got dark, I could see there were four army guys, a biker everyone called "boss", and two other guys, kind of skids, if you know what I mean."

"I, uh, don't want to get into a lot of details. Later on, some of the guys wanted to have a go, but the Boss was holding 'em off. They was mostly asking me questions about if we were talking with the cops, you know, the guys that been in the downtown the last week or so. I didn't tell them nothing at first, what was I gonna say? After a bit the army guys started beating me up.

Elise shuddered a bit, then continued on, a little quieter. She looked between Clarke and Taras, and Clarke noticed that her diction seemed to drift back and forth between a "street" and more suburban style.

"I told 'em we haven't talked to you guys except to get some medical treatment. After, they..." She stopped to gather herself. "They hit me and burned me, and you can believe me I just started making shit up! Whatever I think they wanted to hear. I don't even remember what I told them. I think I said I thought there was thousands of cops and the army, they were out in Burnaby or maybe New West and coming here, whatever I think they would believe. They seemed impressed."

"After a while, they let me up to go to the bathroom, and didn't really tie me up too good. They ignored me, started drinkin'. When I got the chance I went for daylight! Jumped out the window, 'cause I knew they was all downstairs. That's when I saw you."

Finally, after reliving that grimness, the strain of being held captive by men who would do her harm, she managed to smile at Taras.

"Does my boyfriend know I'm okay? His name is Nathan, he lives downtown."

Andy finished the work on the team's weapons and looked out of the window, the rain was still lashing down and the winds were gusting harshly. He met his team at lunch after Mass and as he enjoyed the meal he spoke to each member, getting to know them a little more.

At the end of the meal, Andy spoke to the unit as a whole and sent them home for the rest of the day. The weather was perfect for practice, but after a hard night last night he decided to give the team the rest of the day off. They had earned a rest and he couldn't tell when the next chance would be for them to relax and recharge.

Andy returned to the unit office and grabbed his Parker Hale and dressed in full combat gear. Steeling himself to the weather, he started to run around the campus. An hour later he returned, soaked and tired to the range. The winds gusted erratically and the rain obscured vision. He patiently set up a series of targets and then started work on trigger time. He'd missed too many sitter shots the night before, it was time to put that right.

After a dozen rounds or so, Andy was satisfied to see that he was taking the rust off his aim. He was tired but felt deeply satisfied when he was done with the practice.

It was still raining hard, but the winds were dying down when he was done.

After he headed back to his billet, he saw Chris, who was still dressed in his civvies.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:05, Mon 13 Apr 2009.

"Hey, Master McRae!"

Chris grinned at his friend in his typical laid-back way.

"How's it going? You gonna tell me about what went down in Chinatown, eh?"

The young Native man had been a private attached to their team by the DRI before they left the island as a medic and backup marksman, so he'd only known Andy for a couple weeks. Still, Andy knew he'd been in the militia, and hunted in the back woods while working on his family's ranch after high school. Chris had made up his mind to go back to school before the war happened but when the call up came, he was assigned to his home regiment, the Rocky Mountain Rangers. Cut off from his unit when the Alberta uprising cut off their supplies, he'd drifted home and fought the Soviets for over a year before kayaking across the Straight of Georgia and down the coast of Vancouver Island.

Chris held up a couple bottles of the local Granville Island brew. It was good stuff. "Care to join me?"

The UBC campus was nice enough, but not quite the ideal for a romantic (or at least intimate) dinner.

Instead, after taking the Jeep YJ, Rachel and Kelsey ate out at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, the marina where the UBC boats were tied up. The cook was a world-class chef, and they had a truly exquisite seafood dinner. Everything was fresh, of course, from the vegetables to the catch of the day. The people remaining at the marina were a few families and other die-hard sailors who couldn't or wouldn't evacuate the city, and decided to ride out the chaos in place.

The entertainment was charming, if a little amateur. A young woman, belonging to one of the families who stayed at the marina, showed off her talent for singing. She was accompanied by synthesizer and piano. Especially noteworthy was her rendition of "Heaven" by Bryan Adams, another son of Vancouver (in his case, North Van).

Although the Marina had a generator, the clubroom was lit by candlelight and lamplight. Golden light flickered off ancient polished brass and deeply lustrous mahogany that decorated the nautical-themed room.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1Sf15a2Znk
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:19, Mon 13 Apr 2009.

"Mac!" Andy replied, "it's good to see you man."

He looked at the bottles and smiled, "Yeah, a cold one would be really welcome right now. Let's find a nice spot and get started."

He dropped off his gear and changed into civvies and sat down companionably with Mac. He was quiet for a few moments as he relished the beer and then said, "Last night, it was fairly intense. We'd been scoping out the Hell's Angels and as we returned we found a young woman running from a gang. As we investigated we found that the gang was actually a bunch of US deserters accompanied by a Hell's Angel guy with enough guns to execute half of Vancouver. We neutralised them eventually but not without some hassle, we ended up blowwing up a Hum-Vee and crawling through booby-traps. Man, not fun I can tell you. All these rules and shit, I liked it when you knew who the enemy was and the only rule of engagement was how fast you could kill him. This, it's too messy, too grey. I know it's for the best but it confuses me."

"So, how've you been doing?"

This message was last edited by the GM at 09:10, Tue 14 Apr 2009.

In reply to helbent4 (msg #84):

Clarke took out her own pad and pencil and made notes of the young woman's statement as she spoke.  She responded at intervals so Elise would be re-assured she was listening.  Simple phrases like, "Yes, I understand," and "Go on."  When Elise looked to her for reassurance, Clarke set aside the writing tools and just held Elise' hand for a moment.  "You were very brave, you know," she added.

"We haven't had a chance to contact him.  What would be the best way to let him know you're all right, Elise?" Clarke was careful to convey her concern for the younger woman in her voice.

In reply to helbent4 (msg #88):

Putting the last night's activities behind her, Kelsey takes the time to enjoy the atmosphere and the company, moving to sit very close and do just that, enjoying the show, dinner, and the stolen time as others concern themselves with the honest business of this region again.

"You can really take this much time off?"  She speaks softly, and just before an act finishes, pausing to sit up a bit and clap enthusiastically.  "I can, unless the boss needs me, you know?"

In reply to Andrew Montgomery McRae (msg #89):

"Yeah, it would be good if we could just wipe 'em all out. Being out in the bush it's simpler, maybe. Kill the other guy before he kills you. Fighting the Soviets in my home town, that was clear. What wasn't clear was the people that were caught in between. Indians, white people, some cooperated... collaborated maybe. Most didn't, or at least cooperated, you know, with a gun to their head."

He took a swig. They were sitting in the common space of the apartment, the living room where the 4 bedrooms opened off.

"Well, on my trip, I went to the airport last week. The gang that's there, I think they're airport security unit. I saw Americans and Canadians. Well armed, but not that vicious. Or that tight, if you know what I mean. They're kind of soft, relying on river trade."

"The Free Market on Annacis Island, that was a great place but a little scary, too. Bikers run it. I heard a lot about what you could get but couldn't see too much. I guess there's not much of a market, yet."

"There's one of the suburbs up the river that's still going. New West. I seen a casino ship docked there at the wharf, plus that Russian Sub. I didn't get a very good look at the sub because we went to the Quay market in front of it."

"On the way back we got ambushed by bandits. Some assholes along SW Marine."

Chris finished his beer and opened another, offered another to Andy.

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg #91):

Lee smiled in return. "Sure, I can take time off. It's hard to work all the time. I'm glad I went out, it's good to be reminded there's something worth fighting for."

She sighed. "For all I know, things are going to move quickly in the next week or so. We may not get the chance to relax for a while."

Andy took the offered beer and said, "You've been busy. It's good to know that some people are getting back on their feet, bad that so many of them are evil assholes that don't want to make things better for the majority. I think the HAs are going to be a major problem in the long run, but, hey, that's life."

He paused, "These guys at the airport, any chance they'd ally with us without us having to whip them first to prove we're top dog?"

In reply to Andrew Montgomery McRae (msg #94):

"I think they would, at least maybe with the government. They got a hardass leader, I hear, some guy named Basil. Gets along with the Indians out on the Musqueam Reserve, but there's some bad blood with the Faculty over an "unauthorised" salvage mission some folks from UBC tried to do a while back."

In reply to Andrea Clarke-Sullivan (msg #90):

"Thanks, I don't know why they wanted me, what they think I coulda done for them."

Elise thought for a second.

"You could ask around for Nathan at Pacific Centre. He also does trading with a lot of other people. He deals with the HAs as little as you can, but because so many of us Undergrounders do, it's impossible not to."

"You could see if anyone here knows him. He also goes by "Shepherd", his last name."

This name seemed very familiar to Clarke. She realised with a flash that Shepherd was also the name of Belanger's extremely helpful fixer-connection in the downtown.

In reply to Zhang Rachel Lee (msg #93):

"Yeah... I'm glad too.  She grins a bit "Worth fighting for, huh?"

A sigh and she leans back, looking to the ceiling.  "Yeah, could get real busy.  Thanks for.. well, you know.  Being you, I guess."  At a loss for words, well, when it was like this... yeah.  Sometimes.

Shepherd...That name is familiar. I guess it would be easy to contact him and bring him over to visit you and after that take you home. I can see that the heavy hand of the Hell's Angels is behind this...We are here to protect the population and restore the order. We want you to pass this message along. We are not enemies of the Hell's Angels at this point but we believe that everyone deserves an opportunity for the future. I'm grateful that this country gave myself that chance and I'm willing to fight for it.

Tara was finished. In his mind remaining the picture of the american troupe addressing as "Boss" the heavily armed Hell's Angels suspect. He glanced at Clarke as giving the turn to talk with Elise.

Tomorrow is going to be a busy day...We have to de-brief the rest of the team regarding the recce missions and also deployed the cordon-and-search about noon in downtown. Hopefully there will be in position to send a dense radio communication to the HQ in the island. Instructions so far were clear: Continue with the current line of gaining the upper hand with the locals and building relationships with the established communities.

Those damn cookies sure look good...

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #98):

"We can contact Shepherd and have him get in touch with Nathan for you.  That shouldn't be to difficult.  As Taras pointed out, we are not enemies of the HAs per se.  It sounds like they may choose to make it so."

She paused for a moment, making sure everyone had some of the food and drinks from the tray before she moved on.

"We want to give everyone a chance to make things better.  Get back on track, have clean water, power, jobs, schools again for their kids.  A safe community to live in.  We can't do it alone.  It appears we won't do it without resistance.  We need all the help we can get.  Do you think that you and other undergrounders would be willing to join us?"

In reply to Andrea Clarke-Sullivan (msg #99):

"No, Nathan's last name is Shepherd? If you can contact him that would be awesome."

Anyways, she seemed to know what Clarke meant.

"Thanks... we need help, we're caught between the HA's and the Stickmen."

Andy mulled over the incident Mac described about the reservation, "Not good, bad blood can last a long time. We'll talk about it with the brass in the morning. I'll suggest a proper hearts and minds job there, maybe even a no strings attached medical unit visiting there. we should make it clear that we'd like an alliance but the help we're initially giving isn't about that, it's about making amends for our wrongs. We could say that we'll only talk about an alliance again after the Reservation Authorities mention it."

He took another draw of the beer and said, "I'm buying next, we'll head to the bar. You know," he segued, "I wish we could rebuild things without having to beat down every other group we meet. It would make life easier."

In reply to helbent4 (msg #100):

Clarke nodded.  "When you get back home, talk to your friends.  We want to help." Clarke was thinking that with the repeaters in the area, even a couple of inexpensive walkie-talkies would be enough to let the Undergrounders keep in touch with the RCMP.  Enough to set Elise up to liaise with the UBC.

She smiled at Elise, as if a sudden joke occured to her.  "Wouldn't that be the ultimate irony?  The HAs accuse you of helping us, and end up forging the alliance they seem to fear."

2000 Hours
Light Rain

As the day wore on into the evening, the rain continued to lessen.

It would be an irony, but not an unknown one, if one side's rough efforts to gain cooperation drove people into the opposing camp. In a way that was the line that the government side walked as well. Using force wasn't always a bad idea, but used without restraint it could just as easily be counter-productive.

Elise agreed to spread the word among the Undergrounders. In the mean time Belanger could be notified to pass along to Shepherd that his girlfriend was safe.

Andy and Chris went out for a beer and to hang out a little more, although things tended to close down a little early in the farming community once it got dark.

Off-campus at the Marina, Kelsey and Rachel finished their dinner, capped by an excellent Okanagan red bottled before the war.

In reply to helbent4 (msg #103):

Clarke politely said her good-byes to Elise, gathered up the tray and left with Taras.  She wanted to make sure the items they had taken from the mess were returned.

"You know, Taras, it might work out best if Elise were kept out of the legal proceedings as much as possible.  For one thing, she has been targeted by the HAs once. We don't want to put her in a position to be threatened again.  If they believe she is a key witness, they will try to kill her."

"For another, we have much more serious charges than kidnapping against the Angel leader, if we can make them stick.  We don't need her for that, we need the other two.  I think she would play a better role as a threat to gain the other witnesses' cooperation than as one herself."

"It's quite simple, really.  As long as they cooperate in the murder charges against the leader, they receive relatively light sentences themselves.  If they welsh on us they are charged with assault, kidnapping and attempted murder. Enough to put them away for a very long time."

"Elise only gets involved if those two goons fail to cooperate.  She would be our witness against them.  That way, we ensure we get a conviction against the worst of them and keep that young woman as safe as we can."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:20, Sat 18 Apr 2009.

I agree...

Taras was still fighting against some fastidious crumbs stuck in his well trimmed goatie...

From a military point of view the stickmen and an easier enemy to defeat. They are well entrenched but that works against them as well. But the Hell's Angels...well, that is going to be a... tough cookie! as you say here in America!

The end of the short walk came and it was time to depart towards quarters.

Tomorrow will get an early briefing to see how the team is doing and I'll give the instructions for the downtown search. By Noon we can start and it will be hopefully quick. I have some doubts. HQ wants us to focus in the russian sub and the airport. That is a big job and we don't have enough resources for that. Will you be willing to contact them for advice? The incoming operation in Stanley Park will tie up our forces until is finished.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:44, Sat 18 Apr 2009.

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #105):

Clarke smiled to herself over Taras "in America" comment, and refrained from pointing out that this was, in fact, Canada.  She figured he probably meant "the Americas" instead.

"Absolutely, Taras.  I will make contact with HQ in the morning, before we start OPS.  We need to stay on track and complete the objective with the Stickmen, not get sidetracked."

"Speaking of HQ, I received word that your friend should be arriving shortly on the North Shore.  The bad weather delayed the train a bit.  We will have additional forces to shore us up, just when we need them most."

"You are right, the HAs are a lot tougher.  But unlike the Stickmen, they have other places to go.  If it gets too hot for them here they may just move on."

She juggled the tray a moment, preparing to part company with the Lt.  "A decisive strike against the Stickmen may do just that.  If it doesn't, then HQ will be sending us more forces later.  The hotter we make it for them here, the more likely they are to take their business elsewhere.  Having one of their own sent to prison for murder..."  She paused for a moment and smiled.  "That's enough to pursuade them that things are much hotter now here.

Good night, Taras.  See you in the morning."

Clarke continued on, took the tray to the kitchen and then went back to her own quarters.

0000 Hours (middle of the night)

Everyone hit the sack afterwards.

Clarke was informed by Belanger that Tyler was coming back. Belanger would send the RIB to pick them up at 0200, and he would go meet them in at the Marina.

The heavy rain and rumble of thunder returned with a vengeance in the middle of the night, easing off again in the morning to a light rain.

Dawn broke, and the rain, which had gotten heavier, eased off again.

The University, which was to a large degree a farming community, got up early to go to their work in the fields.

Today was going to be the cordon-and-search of the downtown areas furthest from the park.

Belanger reported that Tyler had returned from the survivalist compound, in the company of another US military veteran, a Marine.

North Van reported that the train had finally arrived, along with the friend of Taras they had picked up in Lilloet. HQ responded to Clarke's inquiries about objectives to clarify that the team should certainly address the Stickmen issue, which would be a great leap in securing the heart of the city and a crucial transportation route north. However, Kwan and the Committee wanted them to keep in mind the plans to expand telecommunications further throughout the city at this point largely depended on a resolution to the stand-off with the group at the Airport. Although the sub wasn't going anywhere, it certainly would bear further investigation.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:40, Wed 22 Apr 2009.

The morning briefing:

Good morning everybody,

today's briefing should be pretty straight forward. I'm going to give the instructions for the incoming cordon-and-search. After that we can hear the findings of the rest of the team that they were not assigned yesterday to the downtown incident and finally our Commander will be bringing up us to speed with the news from the Head-Quarters in the Island.

Regarding today's operation we code named it "DREAMCATCHER". The purpose is to comb a wide and sensitive area in the Chinatown sector looking for vehicles that may represent a clear threat to our security and that of the community. It will also help to make an active presence in the neighborhood and, hopefully, win the confidence of the locals. Our comittment to them remains strong.

The Command element will be lead by Lt. Cmdr. Clarke and myself and supported by Kelsey in the comms department. It will be located at the old Police station on Main St. This is located in the very center of gravity of the area to search.

There will be a security element is built around the LAV-III as emergency response in the inner cordon: Fox, McRae, MacDonald, Rachel Lee will be the core. 4 more militia will be added for sentry duties at the station and Mr. Tyler will be more than welcome to join the security element if he wishes to do so. The security or support element will count with 2 SUV's for non-threatening response.

The outer cordon security detail will be composed by militia. The locations will be strategic and not exhaustive. There will be two man teams armed with SMG and reporting with radios if any movement is detected towards the AO (area of operations. The teams will be located in the following locations clockwise:

-Hastings and Clark St. watching the North-East approach.
-Georgia viaduct and Main St.
-Main St. and Terminal.
-Cambie bridge and 2nd.
-Homer St will be the western boundary and there will be 3 teams at Smithe, Georgia and Hastings St.
-I am also counting with an undercover element keeping watch over "Brandi's" for any HA movement.

4 patrol vehicles will search West to Easst in 4 sectors. Assigned streets will be: Powell, Hastings, Keefer and finally Dunsmuir. Each vehicle will search this and North of the area including backalleys, etc.

While our boys and girls are looking out there let me remind you what will be the tasks of the security element:

Detainee Team: Will provide back up for possible arrests.
Vehicle Search Team: If found, we will taking care of that.
Documentation Team: We will reporting the findings of the search conducted.
Special Recon Team: If required, we will investigating suspicious areas.
Interrogation Team: We may have to be on the move for extra INTEL if any citizen is willing to cooperate in this aspect.
Possibly Media: I will request the presence of the media in the Main St. to take advantage of any interesting finding to show to the community.
EOD team: I will be leading that element if requested by the searching teams.

The patrols are encouraged to make contact with the locals. We may expect some extra information coming and the security team should be ready to handle any occurrence. The UBC detachment will be fully cooperative and will have ready a response force in case is needed.

At 12:00 we will have deployed the outer cordon elements isolating the area and conducting access control and then we will deploy the vehicles at their starting points along Homer St. They will be moving at their discretion but reporting location every 20 min. or any time something is found.

Time is not an issue and I expect to be reaching all the way to Clark well before daylight starts fading. When we are finished, we will withdraw from the area. Vehicles first and then picking up the "sentries". There will be an after-action review at the Main St. Station and will call it a day.

And now. Let's get going with the reports regarding the recce missions on the Airport, New Westminster, etc. Any question can come after and we will get ready to work!
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:39, Wed 22 Apr 2009.

Alain smiled.

"Well done, Taras! Before we go, let me introduce Rob Conklin. He's a friend of Ed and Tyler's."

Belanger, Tyler and the new man, Rob, had entered as Taras was starting, and waited until he was done to avoid interrupting.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:39, Wed 22 Apr 2009.

0800 Hours, Monday 16 April 2001

The rain was slacking off again, stopping and starting.

This morning, the briefing was being held in Ritsumiekan House's activity room. The beautiful low-rise resience building was built by Ritsumieken University of Japan in an effort with UBC to promote mutual connections and cultural understanding across the Pacific, and each 4-bedroom units once housed 2 Japanese exchange students and 2 Canadian students.

Students gone now, the large building was deserted except for the handful of units occupied by the team, and the activity/conference room. The decor was modern Japanese, mainly graceful blonde wood and natural fabrics covering the concrete sub-structure.

The large conference/activity room looked more traditional, with paper screens and mats decorating one half. At the other end there was a harwood table, projectors and white screens for display. Cork-boards and easels held maps and diagrams, as well as notes scrawled in dry-erase markers on white boards.

Coffee gave off it's enticing smell, obviously either pre-war freeze-dried or made from beans grown on UBC farm. There was also a heaping plate of honest-to-God doughnuts, honey-dipped and glazed. Better than Tim Hortons!

Tyler grabbed a cup of joe, and doughnut.

"'Scuze my reach. Howdy, everyone. This is Rob, he's a friend of my Dad's."

He was dressed in pressed US BDUs, maroon airborne beret on his head. As was becoming a little more usual for him on campus, he was unarmed, but still looked a little naked without at least a sidearm.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:32, Wed 22 Apr 2009.

Rob nods slightly to no one in particular and leans against the back wall hoping not to interrupt any more then they already had.

At first glance Rob looks a bit over the hill and rather small framed. Dressed in faded cammies that probably haven't seen starch since the 80s, an alice vest, complete with  various pouches and grenades, that seemed to have it's own natural camo ground in with age and old scuffed jungle boots. A silenced MP5 SMG is slung and hanging at his side and a pistol rests in a shoulder holster under his left arm. He looks well out of place since he seems to be almost completely dressed for combat. A faded tiger camo bandanna covers what looks like thin gray-speckled close cropped hair. His tanned and rather weathered face could remind some of older Native Americans or Inuit. His eyes are bright and alert however, as he scans the room person to person. When he realizes he's somewhat overdressed he takes a cue from Tyler and tries to fit in by getting himself a donut and some coffee before returning to his spot at the back wall to listen in.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:26, Wed 22 Apr 2009.

In reply to helbent4 (msg #108):

The far lighter rain is greeted with almost enthusiasm by Kelsey as she leaves the marina where she had spent the night with a friend, looking rested and rather cheerful.  The pair make their way to the 08:00 briefing with time to spare, already seated (next to each other) going over paperwork, kelsey sketching out a few rough plans with this day's planned events in mind.  Her always ready smile is even more so, energized even, and during briefing her gaze is particularly alert, even while licking donut glaze idly off one finger.

"Right, Eltee.  I want to see each team we send out to verify radios."

Andy nodded his welcome to Tyler and his companion. He thought about Shevchenko's plan.

"That sounds acceptable to me, Sir. Is there anything particular you'd like me to prepare?" he asked politely.

Taras V. Shevchenko probably was surprised to see the visitor sporting a full array of cammo and weaponry but it didn't give it much thought. After all this was a friendly environment and the new american acquaintance demonstrated already enough loyalty and bravery to bring along some comrade.

Good Morning, Sir! Welcome to the grounds of the University of British Columbia. Please have a sit.

After the brief introduction he went on with the team starting with Kelsey:

Kelsey: You will be in charge of the whole communication network. Make sure every patrol car set and "walkies" for the sentries are in good working conditions and make a list with the radio codes for each. When we set up shop in the Main St. Station we will run a full radio check with the units before we start.

Then he addressed the rest:

For the Emergency Response Team I don't have any special instruction. You are all good soldiers and know your business. Get the personal equipment that you may need and make sure is in good order. After that, get all together and decide about the support weapons that you want to carry along. Plenty of room in the LAV III, we have machine guns, grenade launchers, etc. Once you are ready make a list for Rachel. She will be in Command of the ERT and will report to me and I will to Lt. Cmdr. Clarke.

It was obvious but a necessary choice to make a mention of the chain of Command. The decision to gave authority over the ERT to Rachel Zhang Lee didn't come as a surprise. Sgt. Fox would be busy at the wheel in any case.

Yesterday we demonstrated that we can effectively operate at a platoon level under strenous circumstances. Today we are going to be conducting Op. "DREAMCATCHER" at a Company level with a more pro-active approach. This will serve as a test for our forces to evaluate the real operational capacity that we have. There is so much that its been already accomplished and the future is very promising. I want you to be enthusiastic about that. We will be receiving more support from differents channels in the incoming weeks and growing even stronger. I wish you the best of luck to all of you in this endevour.

The morning briefing was a tool not only to communicate orders but also share factual information of the progress and use this to encourage the attendants to keep doing their best for a worthy cause.

Before we have more questions regarding "DREAMCATCHER" I will like to hear from the previous recce executed the last days over the Airport and the rest. The HQ in the Island wants us to move in that direction and I believe will be heading South very soon. As soon as we finish with the Stickmen...
This message was last edited by the player at 06:29, Thu 23 Apr 2009.

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #116):

"Sergeant Fox, glad to hear we're going to be deployed with you."

He introduced the other man.

"This is Gunnery Sergeant Conklin. Like I said, the Gunny here is a good friend of my Dad's."

Sgt. Fox nodded to the other man in a friendly way. Lie everyone else, he politely ignored commenting on or even looking at Rob's "smig". He listened to the briefing, and replied to Tyler, "sounds good to me. Glad to meet you, Gunnery Sergeant. I'm Sergeant Fox, What service were you in?"

Instead of US-style camouflage BDUs in rip-stop cotton, the Canadian Forces personnel were all wearing very comfortable-looking lighter cotton weave non-cammie OD "Combats". Two (Sergeant Fox and Master McRae) also wore camouflage smocks (nylon thigh-length parachutist/commando jackets) over their combats along with maroon airborne berets. The Native man, Chris, was in uniform and wore a green beret, Lt. Commander Clarke-Sullivan a dark blue beret and Kelsey a Scottish-looking "Glengarry" (sort of a black watch cap with a red-white checked lower border). Taras and Rachel wore Mountie uniforms (yellow hat bands, dark Gore-Tex jackets over their Kevlar vests and grey uniform shirts, black pants with a yellow "cavalry" style stripe, and unlike everyone else (who were unarmed) wore holstered sidearms. The Mounties looked impeccable, and while none of the other military personnel wore spit-shined boots or creased combats they all looked pretty sharp and squared-away.

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #116):

"Understood, Taras."

She turned to the people assigned to the ERT/reaction team.

"Master McRae, Sergeant Fox, Private MacDonald, any suggestions? Tyler, Gunnery Sergeant Conklin?"

Chris thought for a second.

"Let's see. We got the LAV. It can handle everything up to a tank, and if we do run into one we got nothing that'll handle it, anyways. Maybe I'll carry the GP-Gun (C6/M240/MAG-58)? Get one of the Militia to help me out, carry some ammo? Or use the C9 Section Automatic Weapon (M249/Minimi), better for close-in urban fighting?"

He helped himself to a dougnut and a coffee.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:17, Thu 23 Apr 2009.

In reply to Robert Duncan Fox (msg #118):

Rob nods and extends a hand to the sergeant.
"Marine recon , But I retired a little while ago. You can call me Rob or Gunny, I'll answer to either." Rob wasn't sure what his roll was going to be or why he was going so when the question from Corporal Lee came he had little to say.
" This is your show Corporal, I have my weapons but if you need me to carry something else just let me know."

In reply to Robert A. Conklin (msg #121):

She nodded and smiled reassuringly at Rob.

"Okay Gunny, that's a fair question. I guess, what can you do?"

"As I understand it, we're the security team for today's operation, which is going to be a cordon-and-search operation to clear our approaches to Stanley Park of any hostile groups, so we don't have any surprises when it's time to move in. We're going to wait at the Police Station on Main as a security and reaction team."

She wasn't saying anything he didn't know, but wanted to go over the groundwork.

"There's Fox, Andy, Chris, you, myself with the LAV-III and/or two SUVs. Unless you've had experience or training with your version of our LAV, I think that it'll be best if you're mainly on foot as a dismount."

"Depending on what the threat level of the situation is, we'll plan on primarily responding in two SUVs (Fox, me and Chris in one with the C6 GPMG, Tyler, Gunny and Andy in the other with the C9 SAW). If there is a serious danger, we'll take the LAV with the Mk. 19 on top (Fox runs the 25mm gun, I'll be Vehicle/Section commander and we'll borrow a Militia to drive, Chris, Tyler and Gunny under Andy as dismounts). "

Rob nods to the corporal.

"Well mostly I was trained as a scout-sniper. Been doing that since the late 70s. Well up until a few months ago I should say. If you need a grunt then I can do that. If you need some overwatch or recon then I have a bit of experience there too. The LAV I am familiar with only in so much as knowing where to get in and out of it. So you tell me what you want me to do and I'll do what's needed. I wasn't prepared for an operation when I arrived but that is fine. I thought I was mainly here to go over the stickmen mission and relay a recon I did on them the other night with who ever is in charge of that. If you can set up a time before this run kicks off to get that out of the way it would be best. Just in case something unfortunate was to happen before this is over."
Rob seems to ponders for a second.
"I'd also like to know the ROE for this run. I am not to used to police actions and don't want to overstep my bounds on our first meeting."

In reply to Robert A. Conklin (msg #123):

"Briefing me now would be fine, I can pass that along to the Commander and Inspector Khanodla, my boss."

"If you want to sit on the sidelines, that would be understandable. We figure that if you're going to cooperate with us then you could get a good idea how we do things better this way! I'm sorry if it seems like we're co-opting you."

"I'm glad you want to get involved, if that's your choice. If so, I'll pair you up with Master McRae, he's also a sniper, and then the four of us (Fox, Chris, Tyler and I) will take the C9 in the Suburban, and you two will be in the Jeep CJ so we can deploy you independently. We don't have any ares in particular we need surveillance on."

"Generally speaking for the moment, our weapons will be kept at "Action". That means mag in but no round chambered.

"The exact ROEs are as follows:"

She got him a typewritten sheet.

Nothing in these rules interferes implicitly with your Rights to Engage or to take appropriate action to ensure your personal safety, the safety of your unit or that of civilians.

1. You have the right to use force to defend yourself against attacks or threats of attack.
2. Hostile fire may be returned effectively and promptly to halt a hostile act.
3. If attacked by unarmed hostile elements, use the minimum non-lethal force necessary under the circumstances to accomplish your mission.
4. You may not seize the property of others to accomplish your mission unless involved in a criminal act (see below).
5. Enforcement of the Criminal Code, including detention of civilians or the seizing of property and weapons, is authorized only for the attached RCMP personnel and at their discretion.
6. Weapons to be normally kept at Loaded.

Remember:
§ We are not at war with the people of Vancouver and not all armed parties are to be automatically considered hostile.
§ Treat everyone with dignity and respect.
§ Many people may be unreceptive or suspicious. This does not make them "hostile" under these ROEs.
§ Use minimum force to conduct your mission.
§ This is a reconnaissance mission, so withdrawal or avoidance is always preferable to confrontation.
§ Always be prepared to act in self-defense or the defense of civilians.
§ Avoid civilian casualties under any circumstances or the destruction of property if at all possible.

ROE Mission Status:
A mission status applies special rules to the ROE.  Status can be upgraded by the Unit Commander as needed.

Blue Status: (Applies to patrols in CP/UCB governed areas.) Please bear in mind that in the Blue Status, CF/RCMP Forces act more as Police than Military and should behave as such.  Err to the side of restraint wherever possible.
Green Status: (Applies to patrols in allied/friendly areas.) Unless requested, matters of law will be left up to the governing civil authorities for the area.  As guests in friendly territory, restraint is paramount.
Yellow Status: (Applies to patrols in potential allied/unknown areas.) Safety of patrols is not assured in these areas.  Balance caution and restraint.
Red Status: (Applies to patrols in hostile/suspected unfriendly areas.) Safety of patrols is paramount.  Any threats to the patrol should be met with all due force.

Weapon Statuses:

Default status is "Loaded".  This may be changed at the discretion of the Unit Commander as needed.

Unloaded - no mag on the rifle and SAFETY ON.
Loaded - mag on the rifle, no round in the chamber and SAFETY ON.
Action - mag on the rifle, round in the chamber and SAFETY ON.
Instant - mag on the rifle, round in the chamber and SAFETY OFF.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:07, Fri 24 Apr 2009.

Tyler looked a little thoughtful when Lee suggested Rob make his report to her.

He waited until he she had handed the ROEs to Gunny Conklin and asked, "uh, ma'am can I have a word with your for a second?"

He leaned in and whispered something to her.

In reply to Tyler Gabriel Hope (msg #125):

She listened for a moment, then smiled and nodded. "Oh right, I should have thought of that."

Turning to Conklin she said, "my apologies, as a suggestion it might be better if you relayed what you know about the situation in Stanley Park to Sergeant Shevchenko. He's key to the operational planning, after all."

Rob  raises an eyebrow at the corporal for a moment before Tyler stepped in. He reads the ROE sheet while they chat and gets a slight grin on his face then replies to Lee.

"Very well, and where can I find this sergeant? I would also like to meet this McRae you spoke of. I'm sure we can find some use for our mutual talents that would benefit the team."

"Roger that, Eltee.  I will also ensure that they all have proper procedure and codes.  Do you want me on this op, or do you want me with the TOC running the radio net?"

Andy raised him hand, "I'm the McRae of whom they speak, pleased to meet you Gunny. I'd love to work with a Marine scout sniper. For now, I think we'd make a good team, though eventually we'll need to split up to take some of the young 'uns I'm training out to blood. Until then, Sir," Andy said, changing his focus to the El Tee, "I'd suggest we stick as a pair to start with. That way if the fire group needs a sniper team we're ready, if they need grunts, well we can split up and do that too."

In reply to Robert A. Conklin (msg #127):

"Sergeant Shevchenko is otherwise known as Taras, he's the guy who gave the briefing. Master Sniper McRae is over here, behind you." She indicated Taras and then Andy in turn.

She answered McRae's question, "I think that's a good idea. You guys can take the Jeep, the rest of us will be in the Suburban. Any other questions?"

Taras addressed the concern of the radio operator:

Kelsey, you will be part of the Command element together with Clarke and myself. Our HQ will be the old Police station on Main St. Yours is a very important task and there is no need to deploy you with the Emergency Rescue Team for the moment. If the tactical situation requires otherwise, then, we will modify the structure. We need your expertise in the radio network and handling of everybody's codes and overall OPSEC.

I also welcome our new american friend. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko, born in Ukraine and ex-Lt of the Soviet Army as a Combat Engineer. Currently I work for the RCMP with the grade of Sargeant. You may feel free to join the ERT if that is your wish and in that case you will be under the orders of Rachel Zhang Lee, the leader of that element. I'll be coordinating the entire Operation "DREAMCATCHER" as Executive Officer under the overall command of Lt. Cmdr. Clarke.

Shevchenko thought that an experienced soldier will add a considerable scope to the security element. Having Kelsey in the HQ in static duties with the comms somehow could be compensated with the arrival of the american soldier. Making familiar with the survivalists in operational terms will also enhance the chances of success in the next planned battle against the stickmen .

Rob shakes McRae's hand and then turns and studies Taras before speaking.
"I think that will work best for all of us. Have gun, will travel. McRae and I can act as a scout team as needed or break up to cover more ground or assist different areas. You just say when and where. I also would like to go over some details of the stickmen compound before this Op kicks off. That is the main reason I came with Tyler and I'd hate to bite a bullet before having a chance to relay the intel. Before we retire to that however, would someone mind pointing out the head?"
This message was last edited by the player at 06:41, Sat 25 Apr 2009.

"The...latrine...is down the hall...though it says...rest room...above the door...whatever that means," Tyler insisted with a grin.  Interservice rivalry was always present in any situation, for better or for worse.

Tyler looked about the room, realizing not everyone would understand their small squabble of syllables.  No matter as he still had some questions.  At that point in the quick moment of silence, Tyler's eyes seemed very distant as they seemed to stare through a few people sitting across from him.  In that moment, Sergeant Hope could still see the man's eyes.  The passenger of the Humvee.  The last 48 hours had been hellish.  As the lifeless body smacked, and slid into the pavement, the face had turned right into view, the eyes somehow staring directly at him.

Tyler continued to stare at the dull wall behind his comrades, and rehashed a plethora of terrors and unnerving moments from the past few years that were all seeming to come to the fore at once.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:22, Sun 26 Apr 2009.

As Gunny Conklin left to find the restroom, Rachel pulled Andy aside.

"I was put in charge of the reaction team because this is a police operation, but as you know my rank is only a Corporal. We've worked together enough for you not to mind, I hope, but I have a feeling that Conklin is kind of in between. That is, he's no longer in the military, but still acts like he is, and I'm not sure he's going to have a problem taking orders from me. So, if it's okay with you, is that I won't order him to do anything directly but go through you. Even then, I'll make it more in the nature of "suggestions" or advice. As a Master Sniper, our ranks aren't exactly equivalent to American ranks, but it should be close enough to his to go smoothly."

"Sounds like a plan?"

She winked at him. He thought she looked a lot more relaxed and easygoing than normal. They day off must have done her a lot of good!

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #131):

Kelsey grunts, then gives a thumbs up.  "Sure Taras, but I am fine on the sharp end if you need that too."

"That sounds fine," Andy replied, "I'll assign a couple of my trainees to handle the jeep when we're on foot. They know the area better than I do anyway. When it comes to orders, well, things are rather flexible now, I take my most direct orders from a Soviet El Tee who's a Sergeant in the Mounties. You've been given command, I'll happily take orders from you, but you're right, Conklin could well be an excellent asset to the team so it's worth easing him in without playing who's got the biggest dick. I'll be as diplomatic as I can be, but I'll get the job done, Boss."

Rob returns from the head and addresses Taras once he doesn't seem too occupied.

"Sorry about that. When Ole lady nature calls, she don't always whisper. Gunny Conklin. USMC retired. You can call me Rob if you like. I came with Tyler to relay some intel and possible get some from who ever is planning the stickmen operation. Now when we can, I'd like to brief you. I spent all night in their camp and did some snooping around. I'd also like to go over what your tactics are going to be so I can coordinate our efforts and keep the blue on blue to a minimum. So whenever your ready let me know."

Thank you everybody for your support and understanding...

The briefing was going on as initially planned and the positive attitude of the presents was reflecting. Not only in the acceptance of the roles attributed but also in a pro-active approach. Once again, the warrior spirit of Kelsey showed up across the room.

Mr. Robert Conklin, I'll be glad to hear from you. We need all the possible information about the stickmen that we can gather. We want to get rid of them and for that matter, the provisional Government is counting with the active support of your community. As military people we know well about the strategic situation and value of Stanley Park. We also are aware of the special...identity of your people. The Government will be in need of securing this area and its value and its willing to count with the survivalist community that you represent. As you can see there are many different people that actually are in process of integration. As an armed forced and Law Enforcement branch of the legitimate Canada that we represent we are responsible not only for the reconstruction of the civilian society but also to get rid of the criminal element. Go ahead.

Since the news that the train was coming from Lilloet, Taras felt that something was missing in the overall planning of the operations. While waiting for the american to start talking, the ex Lieutenant got his attache and start looking through his personal papers, maps, tourism brochures, etc...

In reply to Andrew Montgomery McRae (msg #136):

"Sounds good. Legally speaking, Rob and Tyler are "armed civilian contractors" because they don't fall under the Status of Forces Agreement between Canada and the USA (if it's still in effect). Tyler is technically a deserter, but it's from a government Canada doesn't recognise, the military government. For the purpose of this exercise, Rob will be your responsibility, Tyler, mine."

She looked over at Rob, started to say something, then changed her mind.

"We'll get call signs up for the teams. We have a few hours to prepare before we deploy. Plenty of time."
This message was last edited by the player at 07:36, Mon 04 May 2009.

In reply to helbent4 (msg #139):

Kelsey humms, eyes following the conversation, then starts scratching on her notepad.

"Call signs, right.  For this op we have a TOC, a C and C, skilled and unskilled search parties." she chews on her eraser a moment, as inspiration hits.  "Echo for command elements, Alpha for search elements.  Use to the standard MTOE for individual calls, roll out will get the final assignments done.  Taras, you will be Echo six, the... "  the businesslike tone fades a moment as she eyes Rachael, then she smiles and continues "Rachael, you are Echo Eleven.  I'll take Echo One, or Echo Actual, variously.  Each team out there will have a numbered callsign starting at Alpha Two Zero."  She looks between the two mounties.  "Sufficient?"

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg #140):

"Thank you, Corporal, for the call signs."

He smiled at her in appreciation.

"The search parties are unskilled in that they haven't conducted this kind of operation, but the militia have been given basic training, equivalent to GMT, if not advanced infantry training."

(GMT was the CF equivalent to US Army "Boot Camp", but all services underwent the same GMT in the same camps, receiving basic rifle drill and tactical training.)

In reply to Alain Belanger (msg #141):

Kelsey blushes a little and smiles widely at Mr Bellinger "Awww.. it's my job, but thanks."  She eyes the mounties a moment, then sighs  "I hope I don't have to kick any of them off my net."

Rob walks up front and takes a look at the map of Stanley park.

"Hope you don't mind if I use your map."

He doesn't really expect any issue, so he continues

First, My recon report then I will go over what we plan to do and that can be modified once I understand what your objectives and tactics are going to be.

"Here is the area I took a look at."

Rob draws an imaginary circle around the whole south eastern leg of the island.

"I found the women and children had a camp in the sports stadium here. Maybe a dozen  makeshift structures so I am going to assume thirty plus noncombatants to be on the safe side. I understand we are tasked with securing them and that should be easy enough if we have surprise on our side. The under-bleacher locker rooms and showers can house them with only two exits to cover. This is assuming they go without to much of a struggle. We plan to envelope it from the west to cut off any runners. The top of the bleachers can provide a good lookout for the area. There is also a stable structure here that we might need to use."

Rob points out the open stadium and the building on the southeast edge of the field.

"I did a fast passing recon of the aquarium. It is probable the most defendable position they have. We plan on securing that once the noncombs are taken care of and secure. It also puts us in a good place to cut off anyone heading to the stadium or our compound."

"I found some burned out vehicle, I am guessing yours?, in this parking lot here."

Rob points out a small parking lot just northeast of the main compound.

"Lastly I did a recon of Cyrus's compound. They have started fortifying the buildings there but they were not complete as of night before last. Mainly boarded up windows, making firing ports etc. A lot of material was laying around for more fortifications though. If they make a stand, let's hope it's here and not at the aquarium. No real defensive positions that I saw in the area so I am guessing they are relying on the buildings. Only seen one guard at the main building including his dog. Both slept through me time here. The Corral here has horses and they have tack for them stored."

Rob points out the main building that is fortified and the corral.

"Now with all this moving around at night, and we have been hearing them operate more at night lately, I seen a total of one dog, one guard armed with a simple spear and crossbow and one feral pig. This leads me to believe that they have a strong perimeter but little else. The main compound is probably their fall back point. I didn't scout the road areas mainly for operational safety. This recon didn't account for anyone living in the north or western areas of the park or anyone already holding up in the aquarium. I am guessing you already did some scouting of your own of those areas. We were mainly concerned with our side of this mission.

Some general info.The women are living in tin and plywood ramshackle shacks while the men live in renovated housing with heat so lets hope they are ready for some change. The old nature trails I crossed are overgrown and can be hard to find though I am sure they know where they are and might use them. Overall if you do have to go in and clear them out or do some heavy handed convincing then lets hope they fall back to the compound once the perimeter fails. If they go feral into the wooded area this will be a long and dangerous search. Who knows what they have cached and dug in out there. If they decide to defend at the aquarium it's going closed quarters fighting in an unfamiliar, and possible prepared, large structure, perfect for their weapon types."

"I am not exactly sure how you are planning to go about this but, as of know, our objectives are to secure the women and children as soon as you start this off. Understand that we absolutely have to have the element of surprise to get out of our compound. We have a narrow bridge and causeway to cross just to get into the park. If It's defenses are beefed up with extra manpower we are stuck there or at the least held up for a good while. We don't have APCs or your manpower. Any major fighting there could cost us a large part of our force."

"Once that is done, our second objective is to secure the aquarium area to try and keep them from using it as a fortified position. I am guessing as soon as your presence is known they will rush people to take up positions against you hopefully leaving the back door relatively open to us."

"Third, and only if needed, we can assist in securing the eastern side of the main compound if it comes to that."

"With that out of the way, we can continue with your ideas or questions on this subject or leave that for later. I just wanted to make sure you got the Intel from the source and could ask questions if needed."

Rob steps away from the map and waits for a reply or questions.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:33, Wed 29 Apr 2009.

Very well, thank you.

Nothing appeared to be of a special nature upon Taras thoughts. Through their spy they already knew that reinforcements were on their way. The idea of launching the orchestrated offensive together with the survivalists worked well both ways. The government forces will be able to support a smaller but better prepared element to close in and eliminate the main compound. Once the other areas occupied by the stickmen would be neutralized, the main thrust will fall over the centre of gravity of the enemy.

Preparations for the assault on Stanley Park is an ongoing issue. There are committed several elements and will demand a tremendous effort of coordination. Today's cordon-and-search operation is intended to put to test the ability to commit to this kind of tasks. As I originally planned the operation for the Park I decided that the only way to achieve success was exploiting the surprise and speed factor. The different units involved will act independently and from different angles but under a unified command and time-table. As the operation moves forward, the force will converge towards the compound. This will amount for a mechanised unit composed by a BMP-2, a BTR-70, other vehicles and in excess of 50 fighting men to reinforce your position.

Rob went to the map, pointing out what he knew of Stanley Park.

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #144):

"Taras, what happened to trying to cut the head off the snake?

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg #146):

"From my understanding, the idea is to capture Cyrus when he leaves for or returns from Brandie's."

"However that works, we still have to strike swiftly and overwhelm the Park's defenders as well, either at that time or close to it. We hope the Stickmen will collapse without a fight if Cyrus isn't in captivity but that's not 100%, and who knows, Cyrus might ever slip out of our hands."

"We don't have to go in guns blazing, but we're committed to a maximum effort when we move against Cyrus or else at the very least our friends will be in serious trouble."

He nodded towards Tyler and Rob for emphasis.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:28, Thu 30 Apr 2009.

Exactly, Belanger.

Our Intel tells us that Cyrus will be coming back from his Friday visits to Brandi's very late at night. In his way back is when we are planning to snatch him. Then, there is time enough towards daybreak to commence the operation. A simultaneous assault will give us the surprise and their different locations through the Park will be steamrolled by sheer number and technical advantage. His capture will give us tremendous leverage in the progression towards the main compound. Those members of the stickmen that were following him just for the intimidation of his figure will be more likely to decide not to fight for a lost cause.

In any case, the capture of Cyrus is paramount due to the judicial process that he will be facing as charges against him keep on mounting. Taking advantage of his arrest and dismantle the whole infrastructure of the Park will finish the problem. The Government needs the route through the Park and Lion's Gate Bridge open as an strategic way of communication and transportation towards future reconstruction.

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #148):

"Sorry Rob, Got a little sidetracked."

He turned back to the map and nodded in satisfaction.

"Thanks for the information, this confirms a lot of what our intelligence has reported already about numbers and locations. It's good that we can cross-check our other soureces for accuracy now."

"I think it's a good idea to secure the aquarium and zoo area even if it's unoccupied as it's made of concrete and there's a lot of underground spaces that could be easily fortified if the Stickmen had a mind to. We'll be supporting your group in force, as you see, and further, we'll assign you observers to supervise, so that no one could question the legality of your participation. My apologies if this seems like babysitting, but at least with our people there you can be assured we won't be using you as cannon-fodder or as a disposable distraction."

Looking at the map for a second, he appeared to be thinking.

"I don't have much further to add. The burned-out vehicles are not ours per se, but there is a large supply of kerosene fuel there that we need to recover. I hate to say this, but any items in the Stickmen's possession or other property are not for the taking, at best it's government evidence and at worst it's looting. However... if there is stolen property of yours you "think" they may have in their possession, or anything else along those lines, we can release it back into your custody after the paperwork is done. If you know what I mean."

Belanger looked significantly at Rob and Tyler.

"A couple more things. Ed mentioned he wanted all your noncombatants evacuated during the operation, and I think this is a wise move. We'll send the whale-watcher, three trips across to the downtown should be sufficient to move everyone and some possessions."

"Second, how is the shoreline along the north and east approaches? It might be an idea to insert a team there to support you, especially if our land forces get stopped or bogged down and can't reach you in a timely manner. What do you think?"

In reply to Alain Belanger (msg #147):

Kelsey lightly raps the side of her head with her knuckles  "Right.  Think I'll get another cup of coffee."  She grins, blushing faintly, and rises to do just that, and look over the remaining donuts as well.  Such a treat.

Rob listens to Mr Belangers comments and questions then replys.

"Correct, we will want our noncombs evac'ed before this kicks off. At night would be best as to not tip off the stickies. Most of our folks fall into this category. Once our troops move out there will be little to no defense left at home so this is a real one shot deal for us. While you will have a warm secure compound to return to no matter the outcome, we are risking what we call home and everyone and everything that is a part of it. I personally have family on that island. One of which needs serious medical care that we simply can't provide. So you can understand that this is deadly serious to us and why I might be a bit more forceful or blunt when it comes to this matter."

Rob pauses for a second then gets back to business.

"The northern approaches I haven't scouted but the eastern approach is where I  infiltrated for my recon. Here northeast of the zoo/aquarium. They have fishing boats and a good beach here just east of the aquarium area. A beach landing could be costly but if we are hung up getting off the island then it should only be lightly guarded if not completely unmanned. If your plan is to land troops here I suggest they assault the aquarium as soon as possible. Our guys will join them as soon as the stadium is secured."

"As far as your Kerosene, Its here."

Rob points to the exact spot in the main compound.

"Beyond some flat tires, it looked to be in decent shape and carrying 2000 gallons last I checked. There is a locked moving truck nearby with flat tires aswell. I was going to try and drive them out'ta there and use it as trade for some medical care for my niece and some comfort and security for the rest of our group if possible but it was a long shot anyway. I hope our efforts and trust in the matter will garner my intended objectives for the fuel anyway. I would still suggest someone secure it before the main compound is taken. It could make one hell of a mess and is probably the most potent weapon they possess."

Rob paused for a moment and looked over the map.

"If your comfortable with an amphib assault, I'd also suggest landing some folks on a western beach and have them move east to the compound. This has us moving from  4 directions hitting most of their perimeter all at once. This will keep their forces spread thin and keep reinforcements from other areas to a minimum. Once all the groups close in on the main compound they'll have no escape routes left to them beyond death or surrender. I'm betting on the latter if Cyrus isn't around to spur them on."

Rob steps away from the map again and looks to Taras and Belanger.

"Any more questions?"

Andy sat listening to the planning carefully. He made notes whilst he waited for his coffee to cool. As he paused in his note taking he took a bite out of his doughnut. The missions here were important and could get you killed, he thought, but it sure beat crawling around some Alphabetville in Poland waiting for a Soviet counter-sniper to blow his nuts off.

In reply to Robert A. Conklin (msg #151):

"Thanks, Rob. If you haven't anything to add about their perimeter defences then that should do for now."

"Taras? Commander? Anything to add or any questions?"

I have no more questions for now.

The meeting was adjourned at that point.

It was around 0900 Lima (local), so there was a couple hours to go until the forces started to be deployed for OP DREAMCATCHER. DREAMCATCHER would commence at 1200 hours Lima, once the outer perimeter of the search area was clear.

Outside, it was still raining lightly.