Fox organised the team to embark on the mission.

Sgt. Khandola arrived in his Suburban and greeted the team, polite as ever. Privately he checked with Lee, his fellow Mountie, to see if she was okay.

Tellingly, he was wearing not the khaki shirt and chevron epaulettes of his previous rank as Sergeant, but wore a white dress shirt and rank as an Inspector. Of course, the blue turban was unchanged, gold RCMP Regimental badge pinned to the front. He was still armed with the RCMP-issue 9mm S&W.

Coming back, Lee looked serious and thoughtful. Her brevet rank of Sergeant had gone back to Corporal chevrons.

He went over with her and Taras how he thought they should act and behave.

"Act courteously and polite, of course. Above all, be confident. Don't rise if your authority is challenged. Mr. Shevchenko is correct, we must act as if the return of law is inevitable and any slights or chanllenges are mere misunderstandings, not be taken seriously. At least, not for the moment."

He also gave Taras some papers.

"These letters are for the Mayor. They are greetings from the provisional authority of the GVRD (Greater Vancouver Regional District), an invitation to meet, and so on. Also, there is a letter granting on a provisional basis a lawful waiver for presumed breaches of the Criminal Code that may or may not have occurred out of necessity. There is also a letter of amnesty for any former combatants now living in West Vancouver, similar to the blanket amnesty in effect for all former Soviet troops."

"In other words, the Crown isn't interested in pressing charges at this time for actions taken in the name of upholding law and order, and in the name of community survival. Pending further investigation, of course! I would imagine that if they somehow thought they were going to be arrested for looting, manslaughter for shooting bandits or their Russian friends put on trial as enemy combatants, your reception may be a somewhat awkward one."

"Lastly, Constable Shevchenko, for your invaluable service to the Crown and to Canada, you are now formally and permanently transferred to the RCMP and are being promoted from Constable to Sergeant. Your current assignment will continue to be the DRI and the provisional GVRD authority."

He handed Taras a pair of blue epaulets with 3 chevrons (points up in British/Canadian fashion, opposite US style).
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:34, Sat 03 May 2008.

Taras couldn't help but show surprise before the new rank offered:

Well...this is completely unexpected...Thank you, thank you very much...I'm truly hopeful that the negotiation will be positive for us. And now, with your permission I will lik to use the radio set to request the militia to bring the armored vehicle to the proximity of the entrance to campus in the South side. I'll get a platoon of the militia to toy around as well. After that, I'll request from HQ to get a hold of the TV people. Maybe they can get instructions to call you and you can brief them about the nature of the encounter. It would be advisable also to communicate the kitchen about the dietary restrictions of our main guest..No pork!"

Shevchenko rushed to the UAZ jeep in order to use the radio and impart the instructions to the militia. He packed all the paperwork in a leather satchel that used to contain maps full of sinister lines and symbols (i.e. minefields). Now the new lines appeared to point to the fullfilment of a brighter future for everybody...
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:58, Sat 03 May 2008.

Fox looked a little ambivalent. On one hand he accepted that there would be changes in the unit organisation now that Jagelis had quit, on the other this was a little sudden and Taras was now equivalent in rank to him.

"Commander, may I have a word?"

"Look, ah, meaning no disrespect here, but I don't, ah, feel I can continue on in my current role."

"Not that I want to transfer out or anything, but I think I could be best put to use here at UBC in a training role. The RCMP detachment is being used as a command and NCO cadre at the moment, but they're going to be needed to be Mounties to help restore civil order and carry out Taras' plan. So the militia is going to need to be able to produce it's own leadership cadre. I think that would be the best use of my time and effort at the moment."

"Again, please don't take this as a vote of non-confidence or anything."

"Belanger asked me confidentially if I would be interested in doing this, and I guess I am. Don't worry, I can work with Belanger."

Unsaid was Jagelis' removal and the elevation of a former enemy combatant to a prominent position, equal to his own. Not to mention the change of focus that being under an Intelligence officer would mean for the team. And a pongo (Navy) one at that!
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:00, Sat 03 May 2008.

"Congratulations, Sergeant Shevchenko. Welcome to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. May you wear the Red Serge with pride!"

Although her words were friendly, Lee's eyes were still a little reserved. The shock of Jagelis' quitting and the installation of a new OC were still reverberating through the small unit. She too felt she had to make a choice as to whether she would continue on in this role as team negotiator and diplomat. Or perhaps transfer to the Uni's RCMP detachment to train a much-needed tactical team full time.

Screw it, she could still do this, and still find time to train an ERT at UBC as well. Not too long ago she feared she become just another soldier, trading in death and destruction. Maybe it was time to begin reconnecting with who she was, bringing law and order through negotiation and diplomacy like generations of Mounties before her in peace and war.

Her smile was a little more genuine, and she addressed Khandola.

"And congratulations are certainly in order for you, Inspector! I have the feeling that finally we may be starting to get back on our feet at last. Return to something normal."

"I think I will take more of your advice from last night and leave the subgun behind. After all, if it's an ambush then an MP5 isn't going to do much good."

She decided to leave the HK MP5 behind, wearing just her duty uniform, patrol vest, Gore-Tex jacket and 9mm sidearm.

Clarke smiled, her eyes kind.  "I don't, Sgt. Fox.  I'm too new here for these changes to be much to do with me, except perhaps by extension."This being my first full day at a new station, I'm hardly in a position to make a call one way or the other.  Belanger has a much more detailed grasp of the situation.  If he feels your best role is training, then I trust his judgement."  She smiled at Sgt. Fox.  "We all have to expect that a new officer on-board may mean a change of focus.  It could necesitate other changes in structure as well.  I'm glad you can take this change gracefully and are willing to work with Mr. Belanger."

Taras had accepted his promotion and taken off before Clarke had a chance to congratulate him.  She would have to do that later.  Just as well.  Shouting, "Hey, good going," at someone's departing back was poor form.

So, Taras and Khandola had been promoted, Lee got busted and Fox was removed to training.  Looked like Jagelis wasn't the only problem child, and Belanger was giving Taras the oomph to make his wishes stick.  Also, promoting him now before the meet-up with and old friend would remind the former Soviet just how much he had to loose if he decided to turn coat once again.

"Well played, Mr. Belanger, she thought.  It seemed that at the great game, that old fox knew his shit.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:14, Sat 03 May 2008.