Only a few minutes had gone when Shevchenko came back to the premises. Acting in a military manner, he had quicly delivered the orders to the militia commanding post. The new shake-up of things at ranking and so appeared to comply with the ideas of moving forward the reconstruction plan. Part of it suggested by Taras but overall concoction went to the Council and Belanger's brains at the helm. The next step, and regardless of how the deal with Bulat went, called for a moving forward. Based on the defensive structure proposed and based on checkpoints and patrols, the RCMP units assigned to the different sectors and supported by the local militia were to start the door to door census system sweeping every single block and house until reaching the Dunbar St. and Alma St. meridian.

This first step was necessary also to increment the rank and file of the RCMP and militia gathering of age-abled citizens to support the program. New recruits will pour into the militia as volunteers while militia capable veterans would be provisionally accepted in the RCMP as auxiliaries. These new recruits would be trained, therefore the crucial needs for competent instructors from military and law enforcement background. Mostly a basic safety training will be imparted and block watch will be organized. Designated land lines will help citizens report any occurrence. Any emergency will be addressed by the UBC "911" service. An ERT will be also needed to addressed the most dangerous tasks.  After the completion of this task, the next step will be forwarding the lines towards MacDonald St. meridian. In the mean time,the already established block watch elements will be conducting assesment of the abandoned real estate and patrimony protection and other secondary but necessary tasks. The University services will expand to this areas. Public transportation will be organized in order to facilitate health and education services located initially in the campus.

If the march of the events will be positive the consolidation will create a strong community and a better example to other neighborhoods to follow suit.

There was something that was intriguing Taras. A capable, effective intel service was needed to provide initial assesments in the grey areas . The Council cannot afford to send RCMP patrols in harms way. A complex structure that should include civilian, military and law enforcement elements was needed to create a comprehensive intelligence picture.

Ok. people. I made the calls. Looks like the IFV has the engine disabled as it is still under repair. The militia guys need somebody of you to monitor the towing and steering of the beast.

Taras was feeling more and more comfortable with the new uniform. Suddenly he felt an urge for a donut.

Well, Kelsey is about the only support person there is, and not doing anything, someone else can handle radio watch I am sure.

Clarke radio'd in.  "Kelsey, they need someone to help with towing and to steer the LAV while they move it.  Do you mind handing off COMMS and coming down to the repair shop to supervise?  Shailin doesn't have to know it's a POS, and Taras wants him to see it."  She paused for Kelsey's answer.

To Taras.  "While we're faking it, why not take a couple spare uniforms, put them on some RCMP's and put them on the LAV?  Shailin doesn't have to know how few actual soldiers we have, either," she winked.  "Congrats on your promotion.  Looks like a well deserved one.

As the sun rose higher, Andy lay in cover, cramping and cold awaiting pickup.

*She perked up, and smiled, radio ops was not her primary duty, she's actually a technician*

"Roger that, Glad to be of help ma'm.  I'll even take a look-see and see what repairs I can get done, as well."

Even though she couldn't see Kelsey, Clarke could hear the lift in her voice at the mention of the LAV.  "By all means, Kelsey, sounds like these guys could use all the help they can get.  I love it when people are self-directed."  To herself, she thought, "Boy are her talents being wasted.  I'll have to talk to her later.  I'm going to need some assistance myself, and soon.

When Clarke got back, Fox sought her out.

"Clarke, if I may?"

"I heard you and Kelsey talking. The team is about to head out to the north shore. I don't know if you're going or not, but I think Kelsey as the team Signaller should go with you. She can't do that if she's getting things ready here."

"On the other hand, I'm going to shift my focus to UBC, then I'm the natural choice to make sure things are ready here. There's no point in my going along to the north shore at this time."

"In other words, I'll stay and get the LAV and things ready. We have some "Purple Trades" (support personnel) here that can help, even give them rifles to make it look like there's more of us."


[OOC: To clarify, everyone's more or less at the Marina at this point, although Taras is outside at his Jeep making some calls.]

"Roger ma'm, I'll see what I can do, good luck on the real mission Angel Actual, Angel-Base out."

*Thrilled to actually do something other than radio watch, Kelsey got her kit together quickly, checking her tools.. nothing heavy, but a multimeter and a battery could do a lot of things.. screwrivers, some adjustable wrenches... it'd maybe allow her to get something done.  With a spring on her step she was headed down to give them a hand, after turning over the radios*

Stopping to use the telephone first, Kelsey called the shop where the LAV was being taken apart for a thorough maintenance. A mechanic she'd talked to before over the last couple days answered, yawning.

At 0700 it was getting late and the team was due to leave in less than 10 minutes to pick up the snipers at Whiskey Cove, then continue on to Horseshoe Bay.

However, it sounded like the mechanics weren't even really ready to start for the day. The LAV wouldn't be ready to roll in less than an hour. Plenty of time to get her ready for the VIPs' arrival, but it meant that she would miss out on going up to Horseshoe Bay in West Van on the north shore.

Kelsey, Fox has offered to take care of the LAV.  That would make you available to go to Horseshoe Bay as the Comms officer.  You've proven your ability to keep your head and work well with little direction.  I think you would be the best person to bring.

She smiled at Kelsey, then looked at the others.  We need to pick our team and shag it or we're going to miss our ride.  Taras, you?  He nodded. Fox is staying, Kelsey is going?  Lee?  Who else?"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:48, Sun 04 May 2008.

I'm all ready to go. Is good to bring the radio operator along. We still need to contact the North Shore before departure and also we may need it for the extraction or even ask for assistance if needed. She is well experienced. Mr. Fox can supervise the armor vehicle and set up a convincing scenario.

The stark contrast in the new leadership was now visible. The next hours will became demanding and hopefully, rewarding. Taras slung the satchel bag across the shoulders and grabbed the backpack on his left hand. With his right hand swept and pickpocketed a small a brass ashtray that had a canada logo at the top. The ashtray was quite a unique type style. It had some pitting In the bottom and some tarnish. With a big smile he tried to defuse the initial anxiety.

*She thinks about it a moment, smoothing her more formal Scots Gaurd uniform and then smiles*

"I guess always going with my comfort zone is not always best, thank you Clarke, I would like to come with you.  Will I be ok with my rifle slung and no round chambered?  And I got time to change to my kilt?"

Clark nodded, acknowlding Kelsey.  "You're the best we have, Kelsey, comfort zone or not.  Yes on both.  SOP is wepons at Loaded, so no round in the chamber and safety on.  Change to your spare uniform, but make it quick.  We leave in just a few minutes."

*Correction from Tony: we have spare uniforms, so the kilt is a go.  Sorry about the confusion*

She looked around the group.  "OK, folks, fall in.  She headed to the peir.  It was obvious that Clarke was going as well.  "Taras, you have tactical command.  That is probably permanent, since Jagelis is gone and Fox will be on training detail."

They arrived at the Whale Watcher.  A group of Mounties were getting ready to cast off in the Zodiak.  "Everyone on, I'll cast us off."  Clarke waited while the others got on board, then set loose the lines and jumped nimbly to the back of the boat.  She climbed into the pilot's seat, fired up the twin Mercury enginines, and steered the craft out into the cove.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:19, Mon 05 May 2008.

*The woman nods, her fatigues were distinctive and in good condition, she sets her glengarry at a proper angle and salutes Clarke*

"If you say so, ma'm, thank you."



*Kelsey scramble on the boat with sure feet, obviously having spent much time on such craft, moving to behind the gunwhales to squat, rifle slung point down over one shoulder, a cupped hand minding it.*

Shortly after departure, Taras produced the ground telescope from the backpack and holding it off hand and leaning in a kneeling position against the soft raft, at the lowest magnification, started scouting from the starboard side of the vessel. Mostly he was looking for any boat activity near the downtown peninsula. Half a mile forward and Stanley Park would be in full view. Then, the Lions Gate bridge. The gentle up and down movement of the whale watcher was shifting the picture in the eyepiece. Shevchenko knew that they will be detected but he didn't expect the possibility of an attack. The were at a stand-off distance but this time he wanted to gather as much information as possible about the Park shores and bridge. He would suggest to slow down a bit if necessary to catch an extra glimpse if necessary.

Champlain, get some binos from the cabin and cover the port side!

"Aye aye sir"  *She grins a little, impishly, using navy jibe*

*She scrambles easily to grab up a set from the cabin, knowing about where it should be, and moving to the left side from the stern.. or the port as they say, scanning and looking, always try to naked eye spot, she knows, then zoom with the binocs, or just use one eye, but her prefered method is the 'overlook' scan, then binoc the horizon.*

(The brass ashtray Taras had been looking at.)

Just before embarking, the beat-up CBC news van pulled into the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club's parking lot. Kelsey changed into her kilt; like everyone, she had appropriate clothing because they had been temporarily billeted at the Yacht Club for the duration of the Op and needed to be able to go at a moment's notice.

Everyone was showered, scrubbed and shaved (as necessary) and in clean uniforms and kit. They'd even brought in a hair stylist still living in Kits (having worked in a salon on West 4th) to give everyone a haircut before leaving, and they all felt great.

Kelsey was wearing her OD combats with duty kilt and Glengarry (armed with C8 carbine and manning the Prick-77), Clarke her khaki Navy coveralls and dark blue Navy Beret, with Sig P226 sidearm, Lee and Taras in RCMP freshly laundered regular duty uniforms (khaki shirts, Navy trousers with yellow side stripe, police hat with yellow band, patrol vest under Gore-Tex windbreaker) with 9mm S&W M5906 sidearms but no longarms.

"Hey, didn't think you were going to leave me, eh?"

Climbing out was Tricia, the intrepid girl reporter with the Uni's nasent 5th Estate. Formerly with BCTV but now essentially an unpaid reporter with the "Mother Corp", CBC.

"Curtis is staying on shore, here. I'll stay out of the way, trust me! Can't let this historic occasion go unrecorded for posterity!"

She was carrying her own TV camera with battery packs, dressed sensibly in jeans, utility vest over a sweater. As agreed by Belanger, she was to accompany the team to the West Van town of Horseshoe Bay.

Tricia warmly greeted the team members she knew, including Kelsey and of course her good friend Taras. Although she was sharp enough to notice Jagelis' and Fox's absence, she didn't comment.

Instead she introduced herself to Clarke, asking for some kind of statement on what was going to happen that day, and so on.

The whale-watcher was a fast, rigid-inflatable boat. The stiff side cells were Kevlar-Nomex, which was a good thing when they were covered in burning gasoline! The comfortable seats had been removed and replaced with benches to fit more people. There were 2 powerful outboard Mercuries at the back, and Clarke stood at the open "pulpit" style console just in front of them, controlling the helm. Above her and to the right, a ring pintle mount had been fitted to the overhead "utility" bar where lights and Radar were normally fitted (Radar long gone). The Mk. 19 GL had been mounted there, manned by 2 UBC militia in surplus US-pattern camouflage fatigues and bright orange life jackets.

Clarke grinned, feeling the power under the throttles as she piloted the nimble boat.

The wind and spray was cool on Kelsey's bare legs under her kilt. Taras remembered his own trip down on the rust-bucket of the GB Church. This was a lot different circumstances, for sure!

The day was dawning beautifully, sun rising in the east in a luxurious golden-orange glow.

As Stanley Park was silhouetted to the east, it loomed dark and mysterious. They swung in a little to get a look at the Lion's Gate Bridge (not too close, mind) and from where they were it looked none the worse for wear, no suspension cables dangling or supports ajar. However, any damage from a nuclear strike in towards the city wouldn't be visible from where they were, and of course the deck was unseen from this angle.

They could also see at least a half-dozen small fishing vessels out in the eastern part of Burrard Inlet, oar or sail-powered. Tricia panned her videocamera around, taking in the idyllic scenery.

Lee peered through her own binoculars further to the east.

"Oh shit... it's gone. Yeah, fuck, I think it's gone."

She lowered her binos and explained.

"The Second Narrows bridge at the mid-point of Burrard Inlet, I can't see it. I think you can, from here. Maybe I'm wrong. God, I hope so."

Having lived here a while, Kelsey knew the Second Narrows (or "Ironworkers' Memorial Bridge", named after the workers who died in an accident during construction) was the main road link to the North Shore. It carried the Trans-Canada/Upper Levels highway across the water, and next to it was the only rail bridge across the Inlet.

After studying different maps of the city, Clarke had a sinking suspicion as to what had happened. The nuclear strikes on the city hadn't been over the downtown core or airports (YVR or Abbotsford International, up-valley) as the general pattern for Soviet strikes had to cut transportation links and the liquid petroleum refining and storage infrastructure instead of directly targeting population centres.

In that general area in the middle/eastern end of Burrard Inlet were clustered several refineries (Chevron on the southern shore and Imperial Oil on the north, plus the Shell Oil tank farm in Burnaby), as well as one of the city's 2 east-west rail lines. Plus the main Highway 1 bridge and only rail bridge linking the railroad to the North Shore and beyond (Squamish, Lillouet, Prince George). A MIRV or MRV strike pattern of 200-300kt airbursts over the north and south shores of Burrard Inlet could take them all out at once and not only cripple the city, but sever critical supply lines to forces fighting the Soviet invasion to the north. Residual radiation would be non-existant by now, although at one time there would have been fallout to the east as the wind carried it inland up the valley.

With the Ironworkers' Memorial gone, that left the Lion's Gate as the only functioning road link to the North Shore communities of North and West Van and points further north. The rugged North Shore mountains and fjords like Indian Arm had prevented building other roads to the east, so literally without access to the Lion's Gate bridge driving to the North Shore would entail a detour of several hundred kilometres going up and around through Prince George, Lilloet, down through Whistler, and so on.

Mulling this over, everyone also soon saw billows of white smoke rising in a narrow column from somewhere to the east of the northern end of the Lion's Gate Bridge. It was coming from somewhere in the shopping/business district of Lonsdale Quay. This was on the opposite shore from Stanley Park, so perhaps the Stickmen had crossed over the bridge some time last night and exacted some measure of vengeance on someone living there?

---

Over in Whiskey Cove, it was quiet and still dark because of the bulk of the mountain to the east. However the sky above had lightened, stars disappearing.

The silence was broken by the lap of tiny wavelets against the stony shore and the chirping of birds.

It was quiet enough that Andy and Mac heard what sounded like a vehicle driving up from the south. However, it was a ways away and they weren't in a position to observe the road. It got louder as it approached, but strangely enough at some point instead of continuing to draw near, the sound of the engine began to... echo? Then fade.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:10, Mon 05 May 2008.

Clarke returned the introduction and gave a brief statement about entering negotiations to re-establish contact with the North Shore.

Clarke chewed on her lip.  There was no help for it.  Between the attacks from Stanley Park and the need to have access to the Lion's Gate Bridge, they were going to have to clear out the Stick Men.  Negotiations were going to be a real joy.

Taras removed the weary pupil away from the eyepiece. A few good bits of info needed to be jotted down.

Champlain. Get the telescope and crank up the power. You may catch a bit more with it.

Shevchenko opened the leather satchel and flipped over the paperwork until he found a map of the area. This was one of the free maps sponsored by the Downtown Vancouver Busines Improvement Association (DVBIA) commonly distributed throughout the hospitality industry sector in the city. Taking one of the pens that were poking out of his shirt he marked the spots were boat activity was seen. Also the smoke column on the North Shore was included.

Clarke. Please slow down a bit. We need to take a better look. We have to double check on the bridge and also that smoke.

Taras was well aware that danger may be lurking at any time and any place. He will take no more chances. At least he will, from his tactical command, get as much situational awareness as possible.

Champlain. When you finish take a good look from here at the extraction site. Then proceed to radio contact the snipers. If everything is Ok just double check with HQ and report that we are going in for the pick up. As soon as we have a succesful extraction will contact Bulat and move towards Horseshoe Bay.

The whale watcher was already slowing down, the humming of the engines turn into a baritone pitch that made easier the verbal exchange.

Lee. Please help Clarke to navigate towards the extraction point and request from her what kind of signalling will like to see for positive identification.

Shevchenko attention turned to the good looks of the journalist. She was a privileged expectator and she felt the adrenaline rush of going again into the adventure mode. A sparkle in her eyes betrayed the professional appearance that she tried to keep. Taras tried to joke around with her...

Trisha! Beautiful Pryncessa! You know we are going to see some russians...and they are going to like you...But let me tell you something that my great-great granpa said long time ago...

The jovial red haired man was digging his pockets looking for a small wallet that contained his military ID cards and also a few scribbled notes in cyrillic.

Listen... “O lovely maidens, fall in love, but not with Muscovites/ For Muscovites are foreign people/ They do not trust you right,”...And that is what we say in Ukraine! So be careful!

An exaggerated wink and a slap in the tight followed suit. Then he turned back to business.

How things are progressing my friends?

Clarke eased back on the throttle.  Even so, she kept her head up, alert to hit the gas if threat indicated they needed to speed up again.Even in daylight, a bright flashlight can be seen.  They're supposed to flash us using a pre-arranged sequence and a green filter.  We'll answer the same.

*Smiling in her proper uniform she moves out.  Sometimes it just felt good to be dressed proper.  And of course.. she wears it properly Regimental*



*The private turns on the charm, moving to help intercept*

"Hey.. Tricia, good to see you again"

*A slight grin as she goes to help her aboard, staying a bit close, setting her up near her in the boat, so they can chat, showing off her own technical knowledge and trying to engage her in conversation.. while she can.*

"Aye aye!"

*She does as asked, looking for details and reporting them*



*As ordered she snap to duty, she turns the telescope onto the extraction site, taking a good hard look at the area, then lighting up the radio*

"Ruby-1 this is Amber-1, over, give me a Sierra India Tango Romeo Echo Papa!"
This message was last edited by the player at 12:58, Mon 05 May 2008.

"Amber 1 this is Ruby 1. The cove is clear and the conditions good. Be advised we heard a vehicle engine to the south but are in no position to make a visual ID, Over." Andy replied over the radio.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:45, Mon 05 May 2008.

"Roger Ruby 1, Stand Tight, that should be Amber elements, Amber 1 out."

*A changeup and she is radioing.. likely same freq*

"Topaz this is Amber 1, advise romeo Echo on Ruby 1"




OOC:  yay, messed up my own radio codes.. the recon team is ruby 1, and the main team is Amber 1, topaz is base, IIRC.