After the early breakfast, everyone got to their assigned tasks.

Kelsey received the message from the dead-drop that Josh made. He had been successful, spreading the information to Cyrus that Taras wanted. Josh also confirmed that Cyrus was going to visit Brandi's next Friday, so there would be no move by the Stickmen before then. But they had started training for some kind of night mission outside the park. Only movement for now, but Cyrus also naturally expected a night attack by police and worked his people to make sure they were ready.

Also, the Stickmen had recovered a scorched helmet with still-working NVGs attached. Jettisoned, as Taras and Kelsey recalled, by LT Jagelis when he'd been hit by a Molotov cocktail and set ablaze.

Clarke's job was the most straightforward, a meeting with Inspector Khandola and the new leaders of the Militia. (Fomerly those leaders had been RCMP, but Fox had begin selecting their own "internal" commanders from within their ranks to free up trained policemen for other critical tasks.) Lee was there too, to help implement the Block Watch program. The local community leaders from UBC (including Angela Kwan) and the most prominent members of the surrounding less-organised neighborhoods of Kerrisdale, Kitsilano and the chief of the 30-40 member Musqueam band (Chief Randy Yates) attended. Everyone wanted to know what they could do to help.

They were all enthusiastic about the Block Watch program, and there were almost three hundred volunteers gathered nearby to help with the census-taking, receiving instruction.

There was word that the UBC milita had over a hundred new volunteers wanting to join up. There was a rising wave of hope and optimism in the community, a feeling that finally something useful was being done.

After, MacDonald dressed in civvies and left with Chief Yates on horseback. He had a radio, and promised to report on the Park when they went to trade there, plus the Airport, New West and the possibly Biker-run Free Market on Annacis Island.

Kelsey, Fox and McRae got the vehicles (an RCMP Crown Victoria, Ford Ambulance and Chevy cube van/surveillance vehicle) ready for their covert surveillance of the downtown. Kwan insisted they take a real paramedic and a doctor, so that if people came to them with actual health problems they could attend to them in a creditable manner. More serious cases could be picked up and/or ferried back to the UBC Pavilions Hospital. Although the radio van was well-suited for its covert role, it also had radiological sensors from UBC's large stock of such equipment.

By late morning, dark clouds had blown in and it started raining again. Taras' trip over to West Van was unpleasant and cold. Chilled by the time he arrived, he was welcomed by Bulat and the Mayor, and invited in for tea. Bulat promised whatever cooperation he could, but confessed that the BTR wasn't mobile because there hadn't been need until now. It would take a couple days in the shop to get it running again. They Mayor of West Van promised her people would get it done as soon as possible.

Speaking of their own vehicle, the mechanics at UBC were becoming more confident and working faster. They were double-shifting and it would take maybe 4 more days to complete the overhaul, if they could located and fix a problem with the turret hydraulics that had been puzzling them for some time. Once done the old LAV would be much more reliable.

Mid-day, Belanger returned and said that Shepherd had set up a meeting with the Survivalists that night under the cover of darkness, at Canada Place. It was a convention centre on the water, a little ways away and across from Deadman's Island.   Canada Place was a cruise ship dock, sticking out into the water. They would wait on the far side for a small boat and give a pre-arranged signal by flashlight.

There was some anomalies that came to Kwan's attention, and she passed this on to Clarke. The oddities had nothing to do with the current operations, but instead had to do with the Fraser River, currently the main transport and communications route in the lower mainland. As Clarke recalled, there was a small volunteer team of UBC researchers upriver monitoring water levels and other conditions.

The water level had begun to rise, more than the heavy rains would suggest. Also, there was a puzzling rise in water temperature of a half-degree Celsius above seasonal norms. Which didn't sound like much but was considerable for a river who's headwaters were fed by glaciers!
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:16, Thu 10 July 2008.

That infomation is passed on to the Commander as soon as possible, as well as the info on the NVGs.  Of course, along with how to blind the crap out of them if need too.




(Ugh..I bet it is black)



Kelsey is willing to kick their asses and make them feel unmanly by out mechanicing them!

Clarke took advantage of the enthusiasm to talk about the skills that would be needed most, the training that would be offered and her hope that these new skills would also be of use in improving security in the civilian sector.  She urged anyone with prior experience that would apply to the work they were doing now to apply for one of the special units.Clark was pleased over all by how all the elements were coming together.  They might be able to pull things together by Friday, or need to wait another week.  In either case they were progressing smoothly.
That new concerned Clarke.  Could the glaciers be melting?  She asked Belanger if the UBC volunteers could be contacted to travel further upriver to check on the status of the glaciers.

"Thank-you, Kelsey.  Please leave a message in the drop.  We'd like to find out what their sleep/wake schedule is.  If they are expecting a night raid, are most of them sleeping during the day?  If so, about what time to they all rack out?

"Roger that Clarke, consider it done"
And it will be, of course
"So what is this scuttlebutt about forming a new unit, got room for an old radio jock and mechanic?"

Clarke grinned broadly.  "I suppose we should put together a ceremony of some sort, but with so much going on it hasn't happened.  You could almost say we've been to busy doing to stop and go through the formalities.  You and McRae are both being promoted and put in charge of your own units.  McRae will have a Recce team and you'll be in command of a Communications team.

Clark suddenly got a blank look as the task of trying to review all the applications from the militia hit her. "Excuse me, Kelsey, I need to get in touch with Kwan as soon as I can."  After saying her goodbyes to Kelsey, Clarke contacted Kwan about having an administrative assistant assigned to her as soon as possible to help her.  She was going to need someone to review the applications and help with other tasks.  Perhaps Kwan knew someone from UBC who was looking for a job.

*Kelsey looks a little shocked at her, then grins*
"Right.. me in charge.. kidding right?"

Clarke deadpanned, "Since when do I kid?"

Kelsey blinked, tilted her head to one side "Not sure if I should kiss you, punch you, or just move along" She smirks a little, shaking her head slightly "And what makes you think I can handle that?"

Taras and the boat skipper arrived to the North Shore. They were warmed welcomed and invited to one of the main buildings of the community. Shevchenko met his old time friend Bulat but also requested the presence of the Mayor of the city and the commander of the emerging West Vancouver Police.

In the ensuing conversation Taras reflected on the positive outlook of the situation towards the establishment of the Government and the strategic value of the railroad activation. Wanting to separate civilian and military affairs, Taras informed the Mayor that a commercial commission should be set up and contacts activated with the island for the purpose of reactivate the economy. Then he mentioned the plan of operations for the area of Stanley Park and the crackdown of the criminal elements contained in the notorious stickmen . Without goijng into much detail, he did mentioned that a good source of information was found and was activated. A good tactical picture came to show that a definite action was possible but it would be required the support of many parties. Including, of course, the North Shore community.

Shevchenko was careful with the choice of words and rationale behind this. Without the help of Bulat, the problem could not probably be solved, at least in a quick expeditive manner. Without the UBC plans, the stickmen will keep on presenting a dangerous threat to the thriving future of a North Shore bolstered by the new opportunities for economic development.

Then there was the political leverage that could be obtained. A positive response in the action against the criminal elements would not go unnotice in the nascent government. This could be use for many purposes. It will certainly reinforce the civil authority and provide an environment of trust and confidence in the strength of the new institutions and its mutual cooperation.

When the idea was more or less settle, the obvious next step and questions were directed towards the operation itself. Taras stated that the extent would be somehow limited since the stickmen were divided in different locations, the focus for Bulat would be in capturing the bridge elements. There was also another issue to consider. Bulat's very own would have to take full advantage of mass, objective, maneouvre, simplicity, security and unity of command. That means that the maximum possible heavy elements should be oriented towards the mission. Taras wanted at least the BMP-2 and BTR-70 moving in with a minimum of 20 troops. After the bridge was secured, the column would move forward to the crossroad in the middle of the Park where they would meet the rest of ethe elements involved in the take over and reinforce, if necessary, any of the spots to be overrun. The operation, baptized by Taras as "Operation Berlin" will be fully coordinated by radio. The final point was to reach Berlin . A cooridnated effort against a tyrannical and fanatical foe, not unlike the Great liberation war for the Motherland that culminated in May, 1945. .

After this conversation came to and end Shevchenko walked the room with Bulat and asked him to go out for a walk. A fluid conversation in Russian took place. The ukrainian confessed to his friend that he was missing home. The new people met were quite nice and well intended people but there was a cultural barrier that prevented him from fully integrating in the system. Working in a hierarchic structure like the RCMP came to demonstrate how different was the approach towards discipline. The sudden turn of job descriptions from a military to a law enforcement didn't felt very well either. Being aware of the rest of the situation in the Lower Mainland and the mindset of the new Government towards fighting this threat he felt that the task will be daunting at least. In his mind, he felt that he could contribute to some extent and that's why he was so much involved in this. In his heart he wanted otherwise. He was thinking and so told his friend Bulat to move to the North Shore once the stickmen was resolved and live a peaceful life away from bandits, bike gangs and other undesirables. The North Shore was located in such strategic location that once the park and bridge were secured, the security and economic expectations for the location will become ideal. In the mean time, the newly appointed government and the military, the former foe, could do their deeds for the rest of the Lower Mainland.

Taras also made some recommendations about the equipment needed and disposition for the vehicles. He wanted to know what could probably be needed and promised to help. Adaptation was important. After gaining intel and making an analysis on the tactics and weapons of the stickmen he recommended to procure a fire truck or a similar vehicle provided with a water cannon. He remembered how the Soviet TV aired back in the arly '90s the riots in Berlin and helped to create a good deal of propaganda for the apparatchiks to show the resurgence of neo nazis. Shevchenko would dissect the tactics used by the Bundespolizei : Armored vehicles will move in to protect the anti riot officers of the rain of rocks and cocktail molotovs. But the armored vehicles were easy prey for the incendiary artifacts, therefore, nearby a water monitor equipped anti-riot truck will dose the flaming vehicles extinguising them. This pictures got embedded with memories of old battles narratives of the elders back in Ukraine and everywhere in the soviet media.

After all of this, half of the day was already gone and it was time to go back and resume activities at the University grounds. Primarily, making an inventory and follow up with the rest of the team and their progress. Shevchenko saluted the russian crew of Bulat and offered them the vodka bottle.

Not to be daunted, Clarke shot back, "Since the first two would result in disciplinary action, why don't you go for #3?  As to why I think you can handle it, just what makes you think you can't?  You're intellegent, competent, and up to now underutilized.  I can't afford to let talent go to waste and I don't intend to."

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #10):

The discussion with Bulat and the Mayor of West Van went well.

A small Persian woman, Mayor Sheila Fahandizh poured tea for all three of them as they discussed matters in the mayor's office, now located in the BC Ferries foot passenger terminal and administrative building by the ferry dock. As the small neighborhood of Horseshoe Bay possessed no real pre-war municiapal buildings, this was the best they could do. It was a very nice set of offices, and Sheila's corner office had a spectacular view over the narrow steep-sided cove and the marina below.

She tapped on a laptop, getting ready to print some things.

"We will be able to all that you ask. Although legally the West Van Police department can't go out of our jurisdiction, department personnel can be seconded to the RCMP under Inspector Khandola, so that they may operate temporarily out of their area."

"My mechanics tell me we shall have the, ah, BTR, the wheeled armoured vehicle, ready to go in 3 days with Rod MacArthur's resources and the shops that he uses to maintain the locomotives and the trains."

"Speaking of Rod, a "Regional Economic Commission" can be set up here. I think Rod should head it; he's had the most experience trading with people outside the city I know, and he's kept this entire community alive that way. He's kept those trains running. Even on time, I hear!"

"Likewise, our militia could be placed under some kind of Canadian Forces authority, like a... regional security council? That way if cooperative action is needed, there is a permanent coordinating structure in place."

"To be clear, Bulat and his people are to be released from our service and their contract picked up by the Federal Government. It's one thing to employ armed soldiers in the protection of the community, but ordinary civic leaders like me, we're not soldiers and it's not... proper. Or normal, which is what we're ultimately trying to achieve!"

After, Bulat had his discussion with Taras. He agreed that moving into North Van would be a good idea, close to the city. He wondered if Taras was thinking of moving as well, and if so, opined that he was crazy to leave the orderly safe enclave in the University.

His friend said would be no problem to get Bulat's 2 vehicles, 9 foot soldiers and another 40 West Vancounver Police loaned to the RCMP in full riot gear. A couple more armoured trucks could be improvised from cargo transports possessed by the community. Likewise, a spare water pump from a fire truck could be easily improvised.

"It is funny," Bulat said, "back home Milicia means police. Here, they are different, yet supporting in some sense."

"Have a safe voyage back, my friend."

---

http://tinyurl.com/5df79y

Note: The BC Ferries administrative building is to the right (east), just to the south of the ferries dock across Bay street. Between Keith St. and the Upper Levels Highway before it debouches onto the ferry ramps, connected to the terminal itself by a covered walkway. Mayor Faradizeh's office is in the NW corner of the building.

It's funny, looking at the docks you can see raft-mounted pile-drivers anchoring in new bumpers. This is because a year or so ago a ferry lost power while on approach and plowed into the marina, annihilating several boats and wharfs next to the terminal (no one was injured).

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

VIC (Vancouver Island Command) and the 35th Brigade certainly had no problem with promoting Andy to Master Sniper and Champlain to Corporal (and section leader). Andy was already ranked as a section (squad) leader, but now he could officially lead sniper and other special recce teams.

Champlain got better acquainted with the 2 signals techs that had been sent over from the Island by VIC to help out the DRI section in the city. Privates Derek Plessic and Arif Mahanandi were basically competant but not exceptionally well-trained, and certainly not especially well-motivated or go-getters. Basically, they would at most be CFLers (Corporals For Life) if they bothered to stay in the 'Forces after the war ended.

Belanger got back to Clarke on what they could find out. The few remaining climatologists were further puzzled by the rise in river levels and temperatures. The recent snow (as recent as a few days ago) should have added to the glaciers in the Fraser's headwaters, and indeed just by going outside they could easily see the snow caps on the North Shore mountains were still mostly intact. The recent heavy rains could be contributing to a small "freshet", a quick surge of water brought on by increased runoff as well as glacial melt.

The team upriver could check some of the closer glaciers, although it would be at least a 75km hike both ways. The entire watershed for the mighty Fraser River encompassed most of the southern province. For the mean time, they would prefer to monitor the situation in place to observe any trends.

One odd thing the remote team reported was that water temperature was normal upstream, which was why they hadn't noticed anything out of the ordinary before. Therefore, something or someone must be dumping a lot of heat into the river between the mouth at UBC and Coquitlam where they were stationed.

The tentative theory was that the increased temperature might be waste heat from an industrial process relatively close to the river. Offhand, a foundry might produce that kind of waste heat. There were few foundries located close to the river, although there was one located on Annacis Island, the Continental Wire Cloth Company.

Clarke recalled that Annacis Island was where the "Free Market" had been set up, supposedly with Hells Angels backing and protection.

Later that evening, MacDonald telephoned and said he was settling in with the Musqueam band on their reserve. The next day they were planning on sending a trading party by boat to New Westminster, also stopping at the Free Market on nearby Annacis Island. They would also stop and pay the toll levied by the Bridge Trolls on the way back. He could look around if needed. He also reported that Tricia, the reporter, was interested in coming along to investigate some of the other communities that were supposedly out there. In the next few days they were willing to make a trip to Stanley Park to report on the Stickmen.

In reply to helbent4 (msg #13):

Maybe there was more going on with the HA than they thought - like some kind of production facility?  What were they making?  It had been a Wire Cloth company.

Since the promotions were approved without a hitch, she needed to get personnel assigned.  After speaking with Kwan she found out the Kyoko, the young lady assigned as her assistant at Retsumeikan House, had been an MBA candidate before the war.  She was assigned to Clarke in preparation for an Admin role.  Clarke contacted Kyoko and soon had her sifting through the applications from the militia for likely special unit candidates.  She also asked Khandola for any candidates from RCMP he could designate.

Clarke confirmed that MacDonald was doing a good job on his assignment.  The information he could obtain on the goings-on in his area would be invaluable.  The articles for sale at the Free Market might be a clue as what was being produced by the HA at the foundary.  Tricia could be imbedded as well, as long as she could do so at minimal risk to herself.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:41, Sun 13 July 2008.

Kelsey shrugs a little "Sometimes it's worth the punishment."  She watches her a long moment, unsmiling, then breaks it and winks, smiling again  "Ok boss"

"Atta girl.  I suppose the RCMP command center is as good a place as any for me to continue working on things.  After you've talked to the new techs, meet me there.  I'll contact Lee as well."

True to her word, Clarke got in touch with Lee. While she waited to hear from McDonald, she asked Kyoko to join her and Lee at the RCMP location to start going over files.  Clarke also had some questions for Lee.

"We've had Sebastian in custody a full day now.  Has anyone talked to him?  Any information out of him yet?  You seemed to think he might be a former addict.  What access would he have to hard narcotics now?  Is he showing any withdrawl symptoms?  He was pretty uncooperative before, but given a day to think about his options, it might be time to try again."

*She does a quick salute and heads on out, a bounce in her step.  she heads for the shop to check out all these new techs with a bit of wonder, but hopefully sneaking in as just another tech, rub elbows, talk shop, evaluate them without them knowing she is in charge, just one of the guys.*

Belanger arched an eyebrow politely.

"Let's hold off on asking that for now."

"Referring to earlier discussions with LT Jagelis that you were of course not a part of, law enforcement would be the primary aim of the government here in the Lower Mainland, with the RCMP the principle agent for restoring civil order. The military would be operating in a supporting role."

"As the RCMP will be expanding their presence as well, they will probably need all their experienced officers to train and lead new RCMP Auxiliary personnel, in addition to restoring civil order. We've already been giving Inspector Khandola first crack at the new recruits. In fact, Lee at some point is going to be needed to train an Emergency Response Team so her availability may be curtailed for brief periods."

"This is something that hasn't really been brought up before now, so don't worry."

MacDonald signed off (well, hung up the telephone), promising to report on anything unusual.

Later, Clarke and Lee arrived at the RCMP command post, accompanied by Kyoko. It was a couple blocks from Oakridge mall. Lee got out the set of keys that would allow them access.

The RCMP's provincial emergency command post was in an unassuming 3-story concrete building with a level of secure underground parking off 41st  and Cambie, close to the geographic centre of the city and on the high ground that ran east-west. It had been secured and not broken into, as it didn't look like anything special. Most of the gear like radios and all the working computers had been removed, relocated to the Island when the city was evacuated.

In a mechanical room off the underground parkade, there was still a generator seemingly intact but without fuel.  Unfortunately, the mobile command post vehicle was long gone, and in fact the parkade was completely deserted.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:27, Mon 14 July 2008.

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg #17):

Dereck and Arif seemed like okay guys in their 20's. Now that their initial work of setting up the radio gear was complete they were taking it easy, enjoying the relative luxury UBC afforded.

They seemed friendly enough to Kelsey. As long as they didn't have to work too hard, they were happy to keep riding ride the gravy train.

A couple more people showed up, recruits sent by Belanger for the Communications and Electronics section.

Troy Defazio was in his late 20's, while Bert Smilicevic was a large grey-haired man in his late 40's with a thick European accent. Troy had some experience with radios in the Sea Cadets, while Bert had been in a Signals unit in the late 70's while doing his mandatory service in the JNA (Yugoslavian Army).
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:26, Mon 14 July 2008.