The small convoy turned right, avoiding the Cambie bridge. They traveled down Broadway and then turned left on Main.

They passed under the Sktrain tracks at the Main St./Science World station on Terminal. Off to the left at the end of False Creek was Science World, a somewhat large geodesic dome that had once been lit up like a big soccer ball, now dark. Passing under the elevated concrete tracks and past infamous skid row hangouts like the Cobalt and Ivanhoe Hotels (once upon a time their ground-floor pubs had been great places to score stolen goods or drugs), then up the on-ramp to the Dunsmuir Viaduct leading 1-way into the downtown (Georgia being outbound only).

The Dunsmuir and Georgia Viaducts were kind of odd relics of the automobile age. They were built in the 60's to connect a proposed American-style superhighway from the suburbs south and east to the downtown. That superhighway was killed by proponents of a more "liveable" city, and although the suburbs would forever after suffer traffic congestions (and something like Interstates never caught on) the city centre did indeed remain highly liveable. Still, these two multi-lane concrete bridges "from nowhere to nowhere" remained standing.

Dunsmuir Viaduct led between the twin stadiums of BC Place and the newer GM Place. BC Place was once the world's largest free-standing farbic-domed structure, although the fabric was long-deflated and tattered. Both had been designated relocation points, and much signage to that effect still remained nailed up and painted-on in the surrounding blocks. ("INDIVIDUALS REQUIRING MEDICAL ATTENTION PLEASE HAVE BC MEDICAL CARDS HANDY ... ", "ALL EVACUEES PLEASE PROCEED TO DESIGNATED PICKUP AREAS ..." and so on.)

They rolled into the downtown proper.

As per the briefing by Clarke, the main objective was a recce of the entry and exit points to downtown, then the route to and from the Park, basically infiltration and exfiltration. Also, to survey buildings and damage, the population, their possible allegiences, and so on. Lastly, of course, an important part of the plan was to show people the government was interested in their welfare, to "show the flag" in a literal sense.

So far, Dunsmuir seemed clear enough of debris and abandoned vehicles, at least one lane, sometimes two. They stopped at the corner of Granville. If they continued forards, they would pass the corner of Dunsmuir and Howe, which was where Brandi's and the Bikers' downtown stronghold was located.

The Mounties got out of the car, looking around. The Doctor and Paramedic exited as well. The former business/commercial district seemed deserted. The heavy rain that was threatening before broke with a vengeance.

In the van, Kelsey got into the back and turned on the scanner. No radio traffic in  the area, yet, although she was just getting started. Rain pounded on the metal roof of the van's cabin. The personnel got out their rain gear, the police in neon yellow slickers, the medical personnel in red and orange Gore-Tex jackets.

A few minutes later, they noticed movement from up the street by the old Hudson's Bay Company department store. This would make sense if it were "Undergrounders", as the Bay had a Skytrain station accessing the transit tunnels under the downtown. The Skytrain tunnels plus connecting corridors gave access to the other underground shopping malls in the area (Pacific Centre, Burrard Centre, Harbour Centre, Hyatt Centre, even Sinclair Centre).

As Kelsey (still inside the van) and the others were discussing how to entice people to come to them, one Mountie saw a young man with an arm in a sling watching them from the shadows of one of the office buildings above Pacific Centre.

Runoff from the rain coursed down the middle of Granville.

There was a long rumble from what sounded like thunder, until they realised it was the rumble of un-muffled motorcycle engines. It echoed through the towers of downtown, making it initially hard to pinpoint the direction, but within a minute they saw the headlights of at least a dozen big Harleys reflecting off the wet pavement to the west, coming from the direction of Brandie's.

The bikers approached slowly within a block to the west of them on Dunsmuir (going the wrong way on the wide 4-lane 1-way street), then rolled to a stop. A couple peeled off both to the north and south, but the remainder just sat there a block away, looking at them (a couple with binoculars) and presumably talking to each other. If they were armed under the wet riding leathers it was hard to tell in the rain, although at least a couple had either rifles or shotguns in scabbards in front or behind the seats (but not in their hands).

MCrae watched the bikers pull up in front of him. He flicked his head slightly to shake the drips of rain from his hood and watched them intently. He deliberately left his C4 on it's sling, his hands empty but ready to act if needed. He keyed his throat mic and said, "Kel, we've got company, let the Boss know."

He looked over at the convoy commander and said, "Would you like me to go and make contact with our visitors? I'd suggest watching our flanks too, they've sent out riders on both and no doubt they have reserves."
He kept the bikers under observation, waiting for his superior's answer.

Kelsey gets on the radio to Clarke.

"Green Six, this is Green One, Corner of Dunsmuir and Granvile.  We have contact with pig riders, about one two total.  Rain heavy.  Advise?"
*She repeats, and keeps scanning for radio transmissions with the other device, getting ready to get the car's loudspeakers online*

"OK, Mac, waiting on reply... we should be able to broadcast via speaker too, if you want."

"Geen one this is green six.  Proceed with caution, but find out what they want.  Green one out."

In reply to Andrea Clarke-Sullivan (msg #4):

"Mac, you got permission to Parley.. we'll cover you and keep the radio open"

"Wilco." Andy replied through the relay. His mouth was dry looking at the odds. From here, he could have downed five or six of them with the C4 before any could even go for a gun. Up close and personal would be another matter. Still, he frowned, that was what they paid him the big bucks for, and he had volunteered reckoning that his mix of military surplus and civilian gear would be less of a red rag to a bull than the RMCP get up and "shoot me" yellow rain slickers, "Keep everyone else back Kel, get someone watching our flanks."

He kept his hands down by his waist, obviously empty but also obviously not in a surrender pose. Andy started to close the gap, waiting for a reaction from the bikers.

In reply to Andrew Montgomery McRae (msg #6):

Clarke would have given anything for some kind of visual on what was actually going on and what they were up against.  Still, these were good people and either you trusted their judgment and let them work or you didn't get much done.

The rain pounded down onto the pavement, splashing from rooftops and the mostly intact glass windows, bouncing off the steel roofs of abandoned vehicles.

Under Kelsey's direction one rain-slickered Mountie grabbed a C8 carbine from the cruiser, charged it, and turned to cover Granville to the south, the other pumped a shell into the chamber of his shotgun and covered the north. The intersection itself was clear, so they moved off to the corner where there was cover behind stalled cars. (Unlike the movies where car doors were adequate cover, they got down low, taking cover behind the engine blocks.) Dr. Pang and the paramedic covered the rear (east) down Dunsmuir.

Unmuffled motorcycle engines roared and echoed through the glass and steel canyons, all around them. They could hear the outriders circling around them perhaps a block to the north and south, although not in sight.

The remaining group just sat there waiting in the rain, neither approaching nor retreating. Some looked scruffy: big bellies, long scraggly beards and greying hair (now soaking wet), sunglasses or riding goggles, bandannas tied pirate-style over their heads and "drive-on rags" tied around necks and over their mouths to keep off the rain (not the stereotypical German WWII helmets). Beaten leather jackets and chaps over jeans. Others were younger, clean-shaved, short hair, fit and trim, wearing camouflage BDUs under their newer-looking leather, some wearing US-style Kevlar helmets and goggles.

---

It had been a royal bitch, but finally Tyler and his dad managed to wrangle the ATV on-shore opposite Deadman's Island, by the Bayshore Hotel. He could have more easily taken the boat all the way to the RV point at the marina on Burrard Inlet, but he'd be stuck out there without his own transport. This way, he had options, even if he had to traverse the downtown to get out to where the marina was located.

The Suzuki King Quad's 500cc engine purred and the knobby off-road tires sang on the wet pavement, crunching over the odd spray of shattered safety glass on the pavement. It was convenient to get around this way; few stalls could block him and he could easily get around debris.

As the nuclear strikes had hit the refineries and tank farms inland to the east, the city centre on the water wasn't really destroyed, just slightly singed and mostly abandoned.

Mostly, but not completely. There were squatters scattered through the various buildings of the downtown, and he thought he caught sight of one looking out a window a few stories above him as he passed. A few businesses still operated, even a nightclub or two.

There were also the bikers. They could hear their unmuffled Hawgs echoing through the buildings day or night (mostly day). The Hells Angels operated one of the premier entertainment establishments in the downtown, "Brandie's". Although the survivalists weren't completely confined to their island, when they did go ashore to trade with merchants like that guy "Shepherd" they stayed away from the bikers and in turn the bikers didn't interfere with them.

Heading southwards down Howe, Tyler saw 2 bikers riding north towards him a couple blocks away, headlights reflecting off the rain-slicked surface. They turned east (one fishtailing around the corner) then sped up, apparently without seeing him.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:53, Wed 20 Aug 2008.

In reply to helbent4 (msg #8):

"Green one this is green six.  What is your situation?  Do you anticipate needing back-up?"  To Taras and Belanger, she noted, "Sounds like the recce found a group of bikers.  We'd better have a response team on stand-by in case they need back-up.  They are attempting contact."

Agreed Clarke. Lets get ready a standby element here and alert the RCMP units conducting their daily duties of the census to be prepared also, they should be closer to the area. This way we can get quick and enough back-up.

While Belanger appeared to be using his own personal radio to alert the units Taras went back to the maps and paperwork. It was a little bit frustrating not being able to be in the front line this time but he was confident of the professional attitude and skills of the people involved. A hand-picked collection of individuals embarked in a dangerous recce mission. He wanted to make sure that enough response could be granted and therefore the suggestion of alerting the fielded units.

Now his thoughts went somewhere else. He realised that the intel unit needed more and more information beyond the current limits of influence of the government. There was a need to get first hand and reliable information about what was happening across the border. A matter of discussion with Clarke and Ms Kwan.

Right after Belanger came back, Shevchenko exposed some issues:

We are going to need reliable information about what's cooking in the USA. If the current government is illegal and therefore not recognised by Canada then we have a double problem. I suggest to seal the border to avoid the flux of illegals, weapons, drugs, etc. A Border Guard Unit should be created with RCMP and militia and basically control the access to the country. Commerce should be taxed, limited to individuals enterprises registered in the country and refugee cases taken in individual cases. This will bring the need for visas. Control of the border is paramount to the progress of reconstruction in the country.

Shuffling through papers Sgt Shevchenko was trying to present an outlook of the modus vivendi in the Lower Mainland.

Seems that the economic survey section of the IRON program reflects that this area of the Province is in lack of a heavy industry and people are surviving with economies of very low impact. There is some trade and basic economic activities involving local fishing, household agriculture and farming. Seems that looting helped to survive throughout the hard times a lot. The evacuation of the city presented the remaining citizens with ample opportunity to provide themshelves with goods such as in clothing and mostly long term storage canned food and furniture, appliances, etc.

Obviously this cannot continue for ever. The economy must shift towards an economic model that can suit the city. As I see it, seems that Vancouver was almost a "resort city". It could be difficult to implement but we need an economic mode to bring back life, jobs, production and wealth. While private initiative is most welcome I believe the government that we represent should start thinking in some serious program. The re-activation of the railway is a great move. Now we should look into create an industrial base to revamp the economy. This will bring hope to the locals and will keep the criminal elements from spreading. Then there is the question with the returning people. As soon as peace, security and basic economy is restored we may expect and influx of returning people. We have to be ready to deal with this situation as well. We need green light from above to send spies to the US, by the way...

The situation was getting under control very slowly but firmly. Most of the people living in the City of Vancouver and the North Shore were already registered and therefore ready to make their voices heard in the political future of the Lower Mainland. Government services were getting available to them and introduced primarily by the RCMP patrols and voluntary militia members that conducted the survey. A ray of hope amid the squalor was growing. The Stanley Park tumor was being surrounded, carefully inspected under the microscope and ready for invasive surgery. This will complete a primary phase of reconstruction that will quickly expand to neighbouring communities as in osmotic pressure. The final goal will represent the referendum thst will legitimate the current government and open the doors to democratic elections. The battle for the numbers was shifting to a positive flow. A good deal of diplomacy laying ahead. The Hell's Angels represented a serious problem. Not a military problem and certainly an above average Law Enforcement issue. Taras already was thinking about solutions...

Andy stopped about twenty feet away from the group of bikers, he paused a moment to pull his hood down and expose all of his face and head. He smiled pleasantly and said, "Hi, how can we help you?"

*Kelsey starts dispensing the element with them, keeping in mind those bikers did do a little splitting up themselves.  Out of the vehicles and covering their flanks and rear, she herself will belly down with her C4 ready to start icing bikers to cover Mac if need*
"Roger that Mac, keep a grenade handy, they love those bikes."
*She talks to the folks as she gets them around*
"Time to get wet, but I'll buy the warmup beer, now move"

In reply to Andrew Montgomery McRae (msg #11):

As their cover was a HAZMAT team, Kelsey and Andy were wearing white hooded coveralls, with full-face filter masks and detection equipment handy.

Mindful of the supposedly covert nature of their reconnaissance, Kelsey made sure to keep her C8 Carbine from direct view of the bikers as she lay in the cold runoff.

The paramedic and doctor were already keeping an eye on the rear. "Hey, we got a van coming down Dunsmuir behind us!"

Kelsey checked the rear and saw, several blocks to the rear, the CBC van driving cautiously towards them through the pounding rain, wipers slapping frantically. They were supposed to have accompanied the team, but had been delayed by van trouble. Finally, they had caught up with Kelsey and the others.

"Hi, how can we help you?"

The bikers laughed loudly at this, a rough ugly sound. It complimented the feral sounds of the idling machines underneath them.

Some of them were talking with the leader, one or two of the more vicious-looking ones getting pretty excited. Andy had a hard time reading their lips at an off-angle, but he imagined they were begging for permission to ride him down.

Looking closely, he could see they were armed with a variety of pistols, still holstered, and a few civilian rifles and shotguns. Plus knives, even a couple swords and maces/clubs. Fortunately, none of them had drawn a weapon, yet. Possibly waiting for the leader's orders.

The leader, a huge bearded red-haired man wearing fringed leathers, answered. "Hey man, You're blockin' the fuckin' road! Better move aside. Don't want there to be no... traffic accident. Shit happens and you become a statistic when you stand in the middle of the fuckin' road!"

His men laughed at that, grinning now.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:36, Wed 20 Aug 2008.