"As I said, happy to come along to work the radio. Shouldn't have a problem with comms, it's straight across the water."

"The mechanics here can probably work on the engine and do the brakes and some of the hydraulics without supervision. Weapons and so on they can leave alone for now."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:51, Fri 29 Feb 2008.

Chris added some of his own personal knowledge.

"The Trans-Canada turns into the Sea-to-Sky highway north of Horseshoe Bay. That's cause the Trans-Canada continues over on Vancouver Island."

"The Sea-to-Sky goes north along the mountains and Howe Sound. It's blasted right out of the cliffs in spots, wouldn't be too hard to blockade or demo."

"Anyways, from Horseshoe Bay the Sea-to-Sky goes through Lion's Bay, Britannia Beach. Squamish-Brackendale. Then Whistler, Pemberton and my home town of Lilloet. It's all mountains."

"The Soviets occupied Lilloet a couple-few years back. Any deserters in the hills making for the city would come that way. Others coming down from the Yukon would more come down through Quesnel and Kamloops to the east. When I decided to stop playing guerrilla and join the DRI, I came down through Squamish, then across by Kayak to the Island. "

This mention of his trip by small boat over more than a hundred kilometres of water was a reminder that he was probably a pretty good boatsman.

"Corporal, I was a good hunter, and I shot more than my share of Russians. Still alive to brag about it! If you need a partner, I'm willing to go."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:36, Sun 02 Mar 2008.

After a pause, the rain started up again.

The team (plus Taras and Belanger) was getting into the details of how do best carry out the recce of the North Shore community(s). They were located at a covered picnic table off to the side of Thunderbird Commons, closest to their billet.

The concrete table was covered with maps, with a radio set sitting there. A couple of weapons (like Kelsey's C8 carbine and Chris' FN rifle) were propped up under the table, as incongruous as possible given their incongruous nature, like hand grenades at a child's birthday party.

After having put them through their paces, Fox verified that the local Militia and their Mountie NCOs were already familiar with a quasi-policing role and tactics. Not surprising, being that not only were they trained by the ex-Airborne (VanDoo) Belanger, but Khandola's RCMP detachment as well.

"I agree, Sergeant. If you have a sniper, independent reconnaissance is an excellent use for that kind of asset. (Aside from killing people, which we agree is a little premature at this point.) At least, that's what we knew back when I was jumping out of perfectly good airplanes and Trudeau was PM."

"As for boats, we have three zodiacs (small and medium sized), two aluminum-hulled high-performance speedboats. The kind that "beachcombers" use to pull timber off the shoreline and tow logs. Plus a 6m whale-watcher "Rigid Inflatable Boat" that seats 12-13 plus crew, like Taras said. All on trailers and stored here. Lastly, over at the Royal Vancouver Marina there's a 48-foot sailboat (a custom sloop) with crew we sometimes hire out."

"It's true that we don't have any portable generators to spare. These are probably the most important item we couldn't find in this part of the city and the ones we were supplied with during the war mostly broke down. It's the main reason we developed alternative sources of energy. The few gennies we have that still run do so with a lot of effort, but they're permanently assigned to critical facilities like the hospital, RCMP detachment and security centre. We can't really give them away, you understand."
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:50, Fri 29 Feb 2008.

Something sprung in Tara's mind. From a military point of view, this was to become the planning of a proactive mission. He couldn't avoid some excitement. As a previous Officer in the Soviet Army the expectation of the planning was exciting.

Gentlemem, lets take a look at the boats!

The boats should be stored and therefore well preserved from the elements. The engines will be tested and the same will go for the structure and handling characteristics and performance as well.

I suggest to ready a zodiac for the insertion. One or two man will be your decision Officer Ben. Apart from the main whale-watcher I suggest to ready another zodiac to serve the purpose of search and rescue. The party will be too precious and will deserve to take all the attention to safety possible. We'll have to structure all the personnel to be deployed. Sniper or snipers, zodiacs handlers, crew and hardware for the whale-watcher and the rescue stand-by party. Lieutenant, any suggestion about the recon element?

Andy seemed impressed by Tara's grip of the proper way to do reconnaissance. He replied to Chris, "Ahhh... No. Not until I see what you're capable of. For now, if I go, I go alone. After, I can see what you're capable of." He didn't know if that hurt the man's feeling or not but he didn't care. The man sounded like a good marksman and killer but that was world's away from being a trained experienced sniper. At least he'd have to check him out, assess his skills.

"I concur, a prior reconnaissance with a trained sniper is by far the best idea under the circumstances."

"You were lucky at Deering Island and the shipyard; that's one of the secure areas of the city in friendly territory. Next time, you might not be so lucky."

"By all means, let's have a look at the boats. You'll be using them either way. The sloop of course is at the marina, but the others are here."

They left the Commons and looked in on the various boats stored on trailers. The Zodiacs  and RIB were deflated, but there was a compressor at the marina that could inflate them. The aluminum-hulled patrol boats indeed looked like the ones on the Beachcombers TV show from the 70's and 80's they'd all watched as kids. The hulls and motors seemed to be in excellent shape, although the big whale-watcher RIB's radar, GPS and other electronics were non-functional and removed.

[OOC: There are 2x 4m and 1x 5.2m "Assault Boats, Inflatable", 2x PBLs, and 1x 6m RIB. http://www.pmulcahy.com/waterc...neric_watercraft.htm ]
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:01, Sun 02 Mar 2008.

Andrew studied the maps for a moment longer and then looked up, he addressed his superiors respectfully, understanding that before they made any decisions that sent him in harm's way, they would want his considered opinion on matters, "Well, gentlemen, and ladies," he began, "This looks emminently doable. I would suggest dropping me off, here, at the top point of Ambleside Cove. I'll make my way overland and recce this side of the coastline and inland a little. I'll also scout out a landing for the main team in Whiskey Cove, sorry, the name wins it for me," he paused to smile for a moment. I'll also make sure I have the Eagle Harbour community under obs for the best part of the day. Once we're sure everything is on the up and up, we can land our main team. If we don't like it, I'll slip out into the current and a boat can pick me up. What do we all think?"

He waited, hoping none of the ideas would get Mrs. McRae's little boy killed.

Taras was listening with interest to the voiced thoughts of the marksman. A profound respect towards this type of soldiers was well earned through history of warfare. He was glad to have the oportunity to count with one the highly trained and disciplined snipers from the Canadian Forces. He trusted his words and skills to get the job done.

If your Officer gives the approval I'm all for it. We'll have to take a look at your schedule, equipment, signals, frequencies and precise zones for insertion. Also we need a list with the information required. If our first contact is succesful you will be returning with us. Once we can count with the confidence of the North Shore community we can come back to recon from there the Lions Gate Bridge and the Northern part of Stanley Park.

At this point most of the faces were looking at the young Lieutenant Jagelis.

Ben thought hard....

Really hard....

So hard it almost hurt....

Planning operations that didn't just involve a handful of soliders, but perhaps the future of the country wasn't something he was very used to. Slowly his mind sifted through the information it was being assailed with, picking out a word here, a phrase there until finally something resembling a plan came together.

"Corporal McRae, I want you and MacDonald to insert into the north shore just after dusk tonight and conduct a recce undercover of darkness of the community at Eagle Harbour. Take an inflatable, enough supplies to last three days and a decent radio."
"Action on contact is to withdraw if possible, otherwise use your initiative."
In other words, if he was shot at, he could shoot back, if it was just a couple of kids, or some fisherman out checking his nets, then a friendly wave and perhaps a chat might be in order.

"The rest of us will recce the lions gate bridge and Stanley park, also inserting by boat under the cover of darkness."
It was a job that would need doing sooner or later and rather than have everyone sitting about waiting for McRae, Ben thought they could at least do the preliminaries for the inevitable confrontation.

"We, plus...extras," he rolled his eyes as he remembered that the media would be along for the ride, "will join you at dawn in two days if all goes well."
That would leave the two of them alone for around 36 hours.

"Eagle Harbour is the primary objective to ensure security of the city's northern approach. Once we have done what we can at the bridge, we will withdraw back here, make preparations based on McRae and MacDonalds initial reports, and head over."

It was rough and had plenty of holes, but kept them all involved. Ben had some reservations about two ops running concurrently, but the benefit of seeing for himself what was going on in the park and bridge seemed worth any possible risks. Besides, if McRae needed assistance in a hurry, they'd be already geared up with a boat waiting.

Taras seemed confused when facing the idea of conducting what appeared to be two patrols at the same time. This will dislocate the team and negate the basic priciples of application of mass effects, simplicity, economy of force, unity of command and safety.

Lieutenant, I would like to suggest to focus in a single operation at that time. We need to coordinate the efforts from Head Quarters and be able to ensure that the scouting recce patrol is conducting its tasks properly. We need to coordinate from here. monitor their call-ins and be able to respond in force if needed. If we split the teams we'll put at risk the operation. The last reports about the Lions Gate Bridge seems to show that the place is dangerous as it appears to be blocked.

The ex Officer tried to sound convincing...

Lieutenant, I believe that you should give a Patrol Order and name the patrol leader. It shall mention the objective of the mission, routes to be followed, civilian location, activity and disposition, set up a rescue team, schedule the time of departure and return and method of reporting.

The previous military experience was paying off. As a combat engineer, his unit had some recce experience, usually associated with scouting and finding ways to move forward the mechanised unit or "burning bridges" in order to secure the rear columns. In occasions his unit was tasked with the ungrateful job of finding minefields and other man made obstacles.

The scouting party will need to be provided with challenge and password and certain specific code words for success, wounded in action or prisoner . I suggest that the team reports on the hour for a 24 hours mission. The zone to be surveyed is small and one day should be enough. Extending the patrol for days will unnecessarily burden the men with extra food, water and batteries and will expose them for long. If they get tired they can be more easily detected and compromised.

After a small pause, the red haired man continued:

Basically we are looking at finding out very basic information:

- Size of the population.
- Activity in the area. Like fishing, commerce, outdoor games...
- Determine the level of traffic in the area.
- Get a description of the type of people living there.
- Write down all of this with the time it took place.
and find out the type of equipment they have including, of course, any visible armed force or weapons.

Once we can establish a secured foothold there, then I'd move towards the more conflictive bridge...

Ben cocked an eyebrow at the former communist.
"I am familiar with small unit tactics and control, and completely confident that Corporal McRae and Private MacDonald can accomplish their task without problem."
"As you say, it's the bridge that's the danger. We're not attacking it, at this time, it's just a recce in force. I hope the bandits will not even know we were ever there."
But if it came to a fight, Ben intended to ensure they had to firepower along to win it.

"Thirty-six hours will be nothing to a seasoned professional like McRae and I've heard good things about MacDonalds ability in that area too. In fact, I tend to think it's not really long enough for them to do the job properly."
They'd have a lot of ground to cover in a short period of time, especially if they only moved under the cover of darkness.

"My orders are as stated. McRae and MacDonald recce the north while the rest of the unit, with the media attachment," he added regretfully, "recce the bridge. With luck we'll see all we need to from afar with binoculars."
And with more luck they'd find themselves a perfect position to have the Mk-19 set up for direct support when they finally made an attack. Who knew, the media might even be of some benefit with that camera they always seemed to be lugging about, poking into other peoples business.

Andy sat back waiting for the officers to thrash out the plan. He had given his input and would now let the officers make the decision.

Alain Belanger crossed his arms, making his own Airborne "credentials" prominent, perhaps subconsciously.

"That does seem risky, having your "reaction element" conducting reconnaissance of its own. That's if you plan to actually land it."

"You might as well take the RIB to check out the bridge and/or support the recce element. It has a mount for either your Mk-19 or the C6."

"Tell you what, we'll have our Reaction Team plus another section of Militia ready to deploy as backup from the marina. Say, with the 2 "Beachcombers", one armed with our PK and the other with your C6 (whichever support weapon you're not using, really), and a couple of zodiacs. That should give us the flexibility to respond to either or both elements if need be. Even if it's just to deal with something like engine failure. They can respond to anywhere around the Lion's Gate area within 10 minutes, or the North Shore within 20 minutes, Whiskey Cove/Horseshoe Bay in maybe 30 minutes. We do have four of pairs of night-vision goggles which the boat pilots can use."

"I'm going to recommend to the news people they back off until you've actually secured the Park (who knows when!). Unless you really want them, it seems a little risky too to have them underfoot if something happens."
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:27, Mon 03 Mar 2008.

Fox pulls out his map again as at least four people provide different suggestions and orders to how their first mission was to be conducted. It was a lot for him to absorb all at once, his experience in planning much different than how it was being put together right now. Trying to remember all the points he wants to bring up when he has a chance to speak, he begins in random order...

"Andy, as the leftenant said, It'll be you and MacDonald together for the North Shore recce. I'm sure he won't slow you down or anything. I don't like having anyone working alone in the field, no matter what they are doing."

Remembering something he wanted to point out he looks at the turncoat and says, "I know junior leadership and initiative are done differently in the USSR... but a Master Corporal can conduct his mission without excessive interference from his chain of command. We don't need to ensure he is conducting his tasks properly... that confidence is invested in him already. He doesn't need someone looking over his shoulder at everything he does with a clipboard in hand like he's on a course. McRae needs only to report in matters of intelligence and his location. On the hour is routine for us, but don't imply he needs someone to ensure his is doing his job properly."

Fox looks down at his map and speaks to Ben, "Sir, I don't recommend we conduct two patrols at once like this. I think its best that Andy goes in first, finds a landing site for us, and then provides the main body with concealed cover. We should avoid the bridge for now, and make it a separate mission later. I think we should focus only on the community on the North Shore area for now."

He pauses for a minute and adds, "Unless our recce of the bridge is just a look through binos from a long distance... and a closer mission conducted later with the entire team."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:05, Mon 03 Mar 2008.

McRae looked at Fox and thought about his words, "That's fine by me. Working with somone else is always better than going solo and gives us more options." he cracked a smile, "As for MacDonald slowing me down, hell, I reckon it'll be me pushing to keep up with him."

"For insertion spots, McRae I think can select his own. For us... well I don't really care. Just as long as its isolated and not in the open."

"Just to make sure everybody... well speaking for myself really... we're gonna need some clear and simplified mission orders. I also think we need to slow down a bit, and limit our objectives and subunit missions. Complicated missions get people hurt."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:54, Mon 03 Mar 2008.

They were back at the team billet, going over the proposed plan.

Belanger frowned at the team leaders' less-than-receptive reactions to Tara's input.

"Leftenant, Sergeant, please! There is no need at all to take Taras to task for trying to be helpful and making suggestions."

"Sure, he may do things differently and dress and talk differently, but he's here for your benefit and it's not meant as a criticism of you." He smiled. "Come, is it not the Canadian way, taking the experiences and expertise of other cultures and making use of it?"

"I was getting around to telling you that Taras is now being assigned to you as community liaison and to provide civilian oversight. We trust you'll make use of his expertise in an open-minded way. Your HQ has assured us that you will be as cooperative as possible to our wishes, and that specifically includes Mr. Shevchenko's."

He looked at the Lieutenant and the Sergeant in a meaningful way. It was obvious from his confident expression that if there was to be a clash of wills between the team and UBC it would probably not be UBC that came out second.

Satisfied that his point had been gotten across, he looked at the map.

"Now, we all can benefit from some clarification. Allow me to state what I think is going to happen as a rough "patrol order"."

He looked at his watch.

"It is currently... 1315 on April 3rd, 2001."

"Leaving at 1945 hours, the team in the Whale-watcher and a zodiac will travel via Burrard Inlet and Howe Sound to Whiskey Cove."

"The recce element in the zodiac, McRae and MacDonald, will insert into Ambleside Park, covered by the team (which will recover the zodiac). They will proceed along the high ground here, westward." he traced a route on the map to the immediate north of the Trans-Canada.

"Some time around twenty-four hundred on the 3rd (tonight) or oh-one-hundred hours on the 4th the recce element should be able to place Eagle Harbour under direct surveillance for around 24 hours, until around 2400 hours on the 4th. After that, during the early morning hours of the 5th ("oh-dark-thirty"), they then relocate north along the high ground and recce the proposed main landing site at Whiskey Cove. They then remain in place for the main element to arrive at 0515, before dawn at 0615."

"In the mean time and prior to that (also on the night of the 3rd), the rest of the team will then conduct a visual reconnaissance of Stanley Park and the Lion's Gate Bridge, traveling by water from the east to west, then south along the seawall. If insertion is desired (but frankly not recommended absent the LAV for fire support) it can be done on the part of the seawall with the low ground behind it here to the immediate east of the bridge, where I believe there is a stairs and trail up to the bridge abutment"

"Once this visual reconnaissance is completed and well before daylight, the main element will retire to the Marina to be held in reserve until they RV with the recce element 1 hour prior to dawn on the 5th at Whiskey Cove."

"Both elements, accompanied at that point by the media team, will then proceed from Whiskey Cove to Eagle Harbour."

"For additional forces, the UBC reaction team and supporting Militia elements will be held in reserve at the Marina for the entire time. They will have as additional equipment night vision equipment and a GPMG from our stocks, as well as a C6 borrowed from the team."

"Comms will include the code words suggested, hourly check-ins, and so on. Arranged by the team Signaller."

Lacking vital information like the presence of possible hostile forces he included every other detail that went into a standard warning order, including the presence of civilians and the need to treat them with care.

"Rules of Engagement are as follows: Rights to Engage in self-defense is always paramount. Civilians and armed forces of unknown (but potentially friendly disposition) will be present. They may be suspicious or confrontational. Weapons are therefore to be kept at "Loaded", magazines inserted but no rounds chambered. (Support weapons above Section Automatic Weapon or single-shot grenade launcher level will be kept loaded and a round chambered, including the automatic grenade launcher on the rigid-inflatable whale-watcher.)

Armed hostile forces (defined as outlaws, criminals, enemy combatants etc.) are to be met by going to Action or Instant (weapons free) as per the aforementioned Rights to Engage according to the situation.

Minimal force necessary is to be used against unarmed threats.

Exceptions to the above restrictions (other than Rights to Engage) would be to defend civilian life and property. Civilian casualties are to be avoided at all costs and collateral damage to property unless necessary.

Any enforcement of the Criminal Code will be done by the RCMP personnel present, at his or her discretion. Although it is worth bearing in mind that the purpose of this mission is reconnaissance and not law enforcement."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:00, Tue 04 Mar 2008.

Belanger presented a piece of paper. "Here, this should clarify your ROEs."

---

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-defence or the defence of civilians.
• Avoid civilian casualties under any circumstances or the destruction of property if at all possible.

---

"Well, any questions or alterations? Then I'll go get the Militia prepped and ready."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:24, Tue 04 Mar 2008.

Lee watches and listens as the planning is discussed. She walks over to Fox and looks over his shoulder to see the map at one point... but remains quiet. When Belanger asked for patience with Taras from Fox and Ben she spoke quietly, as if to make an observation and not a point, "I think Fox just means to give the men credit."

Andy quickly copied the rules down in his notebook and turned back to study the maps of the area he was to scout. He noted several ideal observation point for Eagle Harbour and marked them on his tac map. if he did decide to use any of these, the pair would have to be extra careful when checking them out. If he could spot the positions, so could the defenders of the community and if he was in charge there, he'd have staked out the most obvious OPs to discourage observers.

Belanger raised an eyebrow in surprise and chuckled.

"My goodness yes, of course that's what they meant!"

"Likewise, I would never imply anything else.  Or that they would fail to respect or give their full cooperation to anyone for any reason. That is naturally beyond question."

"I'm glad we all understand each other fully, Sergeant!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:45, Tue 04 Mar 2008.

"Hey Corporal, whatever you need me to do, anything you need me to carry, I'll be happy to do it." He seemed to be trying hard to get on the man's good side.

Andy smiled again, "We'll be travelling light, a radio, a couple of MREs and our lightest load. I'd suggest you switch your rifle with my assault rifle, its lighter nad handier but if your really attached to that old monster I won't object. We'll need any night vision gear we can scrounge up and binoculars. I'd also like a camera, preferably digital with a telephoto lens, if the Uni has anything like that."

"Sounds good. Guess you won't be taking the ghillie suit."

"I tried a C7, didn't like it, too much plastic. I'll hang on to my old FN. Never know if I'll need to club someone to death."

"Them yanks didn't leave us any MREs, but I have a few of our IMPs (Individual Meal Packs)."

"I already have a pair of binos and some NVGs so I'm good."

"If you want to go over my kit then I would appreciate it. Otherwise, I'm good to go."

He examined the map and the route the Belanger suggested.

"You know, I was looking at the map. If we don't want to hike all the way up to the Upper Levels (Trans-Canada) highway, we can go along the rail line close to the water instead."

"If I was gonna put up checkpoints around Eagle Harbour, it would be on the ridgeline above the 2 nearest exits from the Trans-Canada, here and here. Also, 2 more on NW Marine on either side of the harbour. That would easily control all vehicle traffic in and out."

"Having a gun you're comfortable with outweighs the advantages of the handier weapon. The Ghillie suit is a bit pointless if you don't have one. We can spend some down time making one for the next run. Apart from that, your suggestions are excellent. We'll be extra careful around the checkpoints and use the rail line for infiltration." McRae replied, "As for your kit, if you've survived all this time against the Soviets, there can't be much wrong with it."