A metaphorical cloud followed the LAV. The feeling persisted that instead of bringing the light of civilisation to the naked savages, they themselves were the barbarians, awkward and unprepared for civilisation.

In fact, it wasn't as if the scene was that different from the (provisional) Provincial capital back in Duncan, it was just that this really wasn't what they had generally assumed was the case.

The little convoy moved out, signaled by the Militia manning the checkpoint (who also wore reflective vests). For a short while, a barking dog chased the news van, which had joined up at the rear of the procession. The dog slowed to a stop, having made it's point.

After it joined the two lanes of 41st at the boundary of the UEL, SW Marine went from a 2-lane suburban road to a wide 4-lane divided highway through the forest. Pre-war tax dollars at work!

They soon passed a sign in the middle of the overgrown grass divider:



The road was cleared of wind-fallen branches, well-maintained with patches over the few cracks and potholes.  Mostly, this was thanks to a combination of an almost complete lack of the day-to-day punishment of vehicular traffic and Vancouver's mild winters.

On the right was thick BC old-growth forest of the park, ancient coniferous trees towering behind post-rail fencing, towering coniferous trees.

Every so often they could glimpse the water of Georgia Strait through the trees on their left.

Also through the gaps they could see the mountains of Vancouver Island in the distance, clouds gathering over top of them. Perhaps there would be rain after all; even though the morning and noontime was beautiful and warm the weather could change very quickly here.

Squirrels scampered across the wide pavement. They also spotted a skunk on the roadside looking curiously at them as they passed.

Lee didn't want to push the worn-out engine, so they proceeded at a relaxed 50km/h, still trailing a plume of black smoke from the exhaust system mounted along the right side of the hull.

In around 5 minutes or so they passed by a blocked-off turn-off to the right. It was marked by a sign saying,



Ben recalled that "TRIUMF" stood for "TRI University Meson Facility", a high-energy physics research complex housing the world's largest Cyclotron. The complex itself wasn't in sight.

In fact, after seeing not much more than trees and roadbed they were beginning to wonder where the buildings were! So far, there were only trees and water on the left, and thick forest on the right.

Past the blocked-off turnoff for TRIUMF, carefully cultivated fields appeared on the left and right of Marine.

They came to another intersection at W. 16th Avenue and SW Marine, and slowed to slalom through a series of concrete traffic blocks placed to force vehicles to travel single-file. Going under a pedestrial overpass and turning right onto Stadium Rd., they traveled a block, then left on West Mall.

Finally, they began to encounter some buildings. On the left side of West Mall was the buildings of Totem Park Residence, on the right was Thunderbird Residence.

Jagelis' fears seemed to be coming true; lining the street in front of both residence buildings was a friendly-looking crowd of about two dozen on both sides of the street, waiting for them to arrive.

http://tinyurl.com/26y5r2
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:52, Fri 08 Feb 2008.

Seeing the waiting crowd, Kelsey readied her rifle, keeping it at low-ready.

"Uh-oh... I don't know about this... if they get close, do we "Shout, Shove, Show, Shoot?"

"I know what you mean!"

"There could be a suicide bomber in the crowd. Maybe RPGs in the windows!"

Beside McRae in the hatch, Chris tensed up, ready for action with the C6 on a hair-trigger.

"A couple of short bursts should disperse them!"

By the time the LAV is approaching the second fortified checkpoint, Fox is riding inside. He's watching the crowd via his monitors when he overhears the passengers in the back. Looking over his shoulder into the hull, he calls back, obviously very agitated, "Jesus Christ you two... relax and sort yourselves out now. Fuck!"

He looks back at the people on his monitor, then turns around again, not any less pissed, and as if they may not have understood him, he continues "Stand down on those bloody weapons. Look god-damn professional and get a grip." He then mutters under his breath, "There's no suicide bombers for Christ's sake."

Still staring at their legs, (there upper bodies out of view, standing in the roof hatches) he says aloud, "Cpl McRae, get a grip of the dismounts."

As the LAV arrives at the welcoming civilians, Fox ditches his CVC helmet in the cramped interior and digs into his cargo pants pocket. Fixing his beret in place he stands up (he had left the hatch open for a breeze) and observes the crowd. He also takes a quick moment to shoot a pissed glance behind him at the dismounts, and makes sure their weapons weren't pointing at anyone or anything else.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:53, Fri 08 Feb 2008.

Although Andy's not happy about the crowd either, MacDonald's reaction did seem a bit much. Andy didn't know the guy very well but the private actually sounded like he could be serious. It was a bit creepy.

Andy was generally a quiet, unassuming fellow, so when he spoke up, folks tended to listen.

"Take it easy MacDonald. Stay alert but for chrisakes turn it down a notch or two, eh."

Following Fox's lead, Mcrae releases his grip on the C8 just long enough to replace his hard cover with his redcurrent airborne beret. With it set firmly in place, Mcrae took hold of his carbine again but kept it resting on the top deck, out of sight from those on the ground but ready in the unlikely event it was needed.

Kelsey met his gaze without flinching, giving her head a little shake in obvious disappointment.

She safed and decocked her C8, dropping it down into the LAV, then stood up on the deck of the now-crawling vehicle. Holding onto the turret bustle for support she leaned over and spoke into Fox's ear.

"No shit, Sergeant Fox, no fucking shit!"

Finished, she sat back down on the edge of the deck with her legs dangling over the side, waving to the people as they passed.

Just to be on the safe side, she conducted a routine radio check with HQ back on the Island. Kelsey smiled down on Taras, following behind them.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:34, Sat 09 Feb 2008.

Chris snorted in amusement and laughed. Standing down his weapon like Kelsey, he decocked the C6, carefully lowering it down into then LAV.

"Hey Sergeant, those were our orders, remember?"

"I'm chilled. I mean, this is a secured area. What the fuck you think is gonna happen? Anyone around here lookin' like they wanna scrap for no reason, it's us. Not these folks."

"You, you sure got a look in your eye like you want to waste 'em all and let God sort 'em out afterwards. Just to be on the safe side. I think the Yanks call it a "thousand-yard stare"."

Andy knew what he meant. He recognised that look in Chris' eyes. Same as his own.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:53, Sat 09 Feb 2008.

The outriders and SUV in front slowed down for safety's sake.

As well, this was to allow the happy people some time to express joy at seeing some kind of sign that Canada wasn't yet dead, that they could be a part of it.

While it wasn't a big crowd, maybe a couple dozen people (plus dogs), it was an enthusiastic one!

Of course, there were many Canadian flags being waved, some by kids, others by adults who, and some of them were wiping tears from their eyes.

The people were young, old, all races (and unarmed). Obviously overjoyed to see them and not quite picking up on some of the team's ambivalence about them in return.

There was no band, but plenty of bicycles as there didn't seem to be any private cars. The residence buildings behind them were well-maintained, no broken glass. The lawns in front had been planted for vegetables.

A couple of teenage girls up along the LAV and held up bouquets of flowers for the team to take.


This message was last edited by the GM at 10:42, Sat 09 Feb 2008.

Fox turns a little to face Champlain, "Listen to me. I've got a problem hearing two soldiers on this patrol contemplating actually firing... over nothing. From what I just heard, that's more of an issue than what pressing problems you've got right now."

"We'll make any necessary adjustments to the patrol when its time. Until then, keep your threats to yourself. We've been here for just a couple hours, and that doesn't mean we know everything thats going on here. Give a moment for us to adapt. We'll talk later, not during a road move."

Fox then turns around and faces the front again.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:38, Sat 09 Feb 2008.