In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #20):

Clarke listened to Taras talk about his plans.  "Coordinating with Bulat is a good plan.  Make sure we are all on the same page, as they say.  With only a week to plan, we have to keep it tight.  Going in person rather than communicating via radio lessens the chance that the information could be tapped into.  She paused and sipped her tea again.

She looked at Taras and smiled.  "It also gives you a chance to visit with your friend, doesn't it?  You talked tough before we went there, but I heard his men singing after you talked to them, saw you sit down with Bulat to talk.  That wasn't 'tough talking', that was camaraderie.  You're lonely, aren't you?"

I am lonely...yes.

Taras wasn't used to talk about himself. This caught him was surprise. Many years in the Army and most of the time under the "official" mask. That is, unable to "mingle" with the troops or being too open towards the lesser ranks. A closed, repressive society didn't help much either. Even worst, the stigma of a past of open defiance of the Russian rule over Ukraine in his family was ever present. Thankfully his last name was too common to ring a bell but the shadow of the zampolit or political commisar never was too far.

Is difficult for a man like me to integrate here. My country invaded this country. Many people were killed and many places destroyed. This remains engraved in the mind easily. I can see the faces and eyes of people looking at me with contempt. I don't blame them. But it doesn't help...believe me

Taras stood up to slightly open a window. The fresh air of the night after the rain came in. He lit a cigarette. A vortex of smoke quickly dissapeared between the venetian blinds.

There are many decent men and women living here. This is a University after all...But this is not my culture after all. I don't have real friends to trust. Their politeness may be boundless but...

The scene of the bathtub with Richard Gere rubbing the feet of Julia Roberts awoke some sudden interest in the ex Lieutenant. He twisted his neck with a wide smile.

Bulat is a good man. But he is not alone. He has a wife and soon he will become a father. He still has some of his troops with himt and one day they will have their own families and eventually will form a nice communtiy. Good for them.

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #23):

Clarke nodded, understanding. "So it is good to spend time with Bulat and his men, they at least share your culture.  You would feel less lonely if these friends of yours, come here, no?  There would be people here at UBC who share your culture as well.  I will be more than happy to help you bring your friends here, for your well-being as well as to beef up our forces.

She sighed and looked at her cup.  "It's lonely for me as well.  Officers should not fraternize with enlisted personnel, so there is no hanging out with the rest of the team.  Normally there would be some relief from camaraderie with officers and my own family, but this is a small command and my own family has not arrived yet.  This is a lonely place for me as well.

Tyler excused himself from the booth, and moved along the aisle of chairs and tables.  He headed into the main atrium of the bar, and slid into a chair near two of the female friends he had met earlier in the day.

"Hi there," he said, placing his beret upon his leg.  It was the old adage that a gentlemanly soldier never placed his head gear on the table.  He smiled as he watched his beer being poured from the draft.

"So did you two miss me?" he asked Paula and Michelle playfully.

Andy sat at the bar sipping a beer slowly, this would be his last for the night as nobody knew what tomorrow would bring. It was always best to face the unknown on a clear head, he'd found.

In reply to Tyler Gabriel Hope (msg #25):

They giggled and sipped what looked like tea.

"I don't know," said Paula, the more adventuresome one. "We just met!"

"So tell us, who are you? What are you doing here? Are you a deserter or refugee? Draft dodger?"

With Paula asking most of the questions, they asked him about who he was and what he was doing around there.

Kelsey puts an arm around Andrew's shoulders and squeezes
"Hey Mac, not so low, have another beer and a smoke?"

Andy smiled and pulled out his cigarette pack, "A smoke'll be fine, Kel, but I'm at my limit for beer. Never know what tomorrow'll bring. Anyway, if you're having another, I'll get a lemonade, or whatever's passing for soft drinks in the bar."

She hugs him like that again, damn the woman has some strength, and she sits at the stool by him and smiles
"Damn, bud, ok, nurse the beer and don't you owe me a smoke?"

He pointed to the packet he'd pulled out, "There you are, help yourself." he knocked the packet gently to expose some butts.

Kelsey grabs the pack and shakes out one, glancing at the brand and hoping it is Canadian, American smokes suck.  She lights up with her zippo and offer that to him as well.
"Sounds like a world of shit out there"

Pulling up another chair, Chris sat down.

"Which "Mac" are you talking about? He's a "Mick"! I, however, come from pure Scottish blood."

He pulled out some Craven "A" Menthols and lit one up.

"Ah, menthol, just like a breath of fresh air!"

He found a saucer to use as an ashtray, as the lounge was (or at least had been) no-smoking.

"So, tell me about the downtown."

Once he had been filled in he gave his own opinion of what was going on elsewhere.

"Sounds pretty bad, allright."

"Things aren't that bad out there in most places (except maybe Surrey) although it's not like before the war. It's not like people are eating each other or killing each other for no reason, and as far as I can tell trade and commerce are happening peacefully. Problem is, if you get ripped off, what can you do about it? Go to the cops? The Angels? No medical care, no community leaders to hold accountable."

"There's even businesses that are surviving outside the few kind of "safe" areas. I was thinking of getting some new ink done at a place I saw that was open on Kingsway by New Westminster. "Van Meer's Tattoos"."

Kelsey started. She'd gotten most of her own ink done at that place before the war, what seemed ages ago. Some stoner Ducth guy from Amsterdam ran the place, she wondered if he was still around?

"Well, I guess we should drink up and hit the rack. We got stuff to do tomorrow. I'm off to the Rez and I hear you're going back downtown. Continue your survey, set up some repeaters, and have a boo at Cyrus' route. Good luck."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:10, Sun 28 Sept 2008.

Kelsey goes over and punches the 'real' Mac on the arm.  It hurts.
"Anger at having your nickname ursurped?"  She laughs
"It's ok baby, you are still my favorite, especially when I want a menthol"

He pulled out some Craven "A" Menthols and lit one up.



"You get a look at the tattoo artist?" She rubs one arm, thinking of the heavy tribal tats she had done at the very place.

Tyler smirked before taking a sip of his Becks beer.

"Nope...if I were a draft dodger, I wouldn't be wearing the uniform proudly...same for the deserter."

He adjusted the way he was sitting before continuing on with them.

"My unit was disbanded in Europe.  This was nearly a year ago.  I managed to make it back here...to see my dad.  He and I are living up north a ways at our home away from home."

He took a longer swig of his drink, and gave the two girls a weird look.

"The orders...they were simple...unit got disbanded 'until further notice,' and we were on our own...they simply wished us luck.  After months of poking, prodding, begging, pleading...hell, even stealing, we managed to get back to the states.  Some of us went our separate ways, but most of us agreed on the idea of making it up to my old man's predestined hole-up home here in Canada."

In reply to Tyler Gabriel Hope (msg #35):

They seemed to think that was pretty cool.

It was kind of strange, being part of a normal conversation. Back home in uniform he would have either been the subject of adoration or perhaps some (muted) derision, depending on the social inclination of those he was interacting with. Here, despite the generally left-wing vibe, he felt like he was more an object of curiosity, impressive but still foreign.

"So, where are you from? You sound like maybe you're from... Texas? New York? American accents are so hard to figure out!"

Michelle's companion, Paula, thought for a second and said, "you sound like you're from Washington. I can tell, I had a boyfriend who went to WSU, and you sound just like him. I'm right, eh?"

Chris grinned.

"Ah, one day I'm "Mac", the next day the Master Sniper is. You white people are crazy! No consistency."

He thought a moment about the tattoo artists' studio.

"Nah, we just drove by, never went in. There was a woman outside having a smoke, she had long red hair, really bright. She had lots of ink done, sleeves and something across her back, didn't get a chance to see."

She remembered that sounded like Van Meer's girlfriend, Katya. She had different tattoos up and down her arms and a dragon across her back.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:47, Mon 29 Sept 2008.

"Hey, you are still my best bud, Mac number one."
She laughs, still absently rubbing her arm
"Katya.. sounds like Katya.  I know those folks buddy, know em good.  Partied with them, got ink done there."

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #23):

Clarke enjoyed the rest of the movie with Taras, then excused herself and returned to her own quarters.  She settled in for the night with an early wake up to attend to business at headquarters.

Her first action in the morning was to contact the head of DRI in Vancouver to request arrangements for contact with possible defectors at Bela Coola.  She mentioned Taras by name as someone who would be known to the people there.  She also relayed that he felt they could bring material resources as well as personnel.  Both would be of use in the situation at British Columbia.

She also inquired about her family, and how soon they would be able to be moved to the island.

She reported on what they had found in their recent activities in the downtown area and the continued preparations to contain the Stickmen.

After making the report, Clarke signed off and went to speak with Belanger about prepping the team for the operation that evening.  It seemed unwise to send a large team with vehicles into the area for this one.  It seemed more a sneak and peak than something for a large group.  Perhaps a couple of small units staged on the route to observe would work best.

They could use vehicles to get fairly close, perhaps just on the other side of the bridges, then travel the rest of the way in on foot.  Dress in civilian attire to blend in with locals and avoid being seen at all where possible.

They would also plant several of Kelsey's re-transmitters in the area to pick up chatter from the HAs.

Once the mission was complete, travel back out to the vehicles on foot and evacuate.  Since the downtown police station had been recently inspected, perhaps that could be used as a command center.  Then if anything went wrong they'd have a closer point from which to make a response.

The rest of the night, those of the team socialised if they wanted to.

Kelsey and Andy related to Fox and Mac what the downtown was like. Spooky as hell, with the HAs at Brandie's downtown and the Stickmen in the park, and the Undergrounders stuck without a prayer in the desolate middle, more-or-less.

Tyler talked and flirted with the girls, but although they were friendly he didn't get any action. Well, it was only Thursday night, and there was always the weekend!

In the morning, Clarke sent off her reports. She got some personal news from her family. Her husband and kids were fine, and were looking forward to the move.

There was a personal communication from Major Anderson, the CO of the DRI's section in Vancouver Island, and a personal friend.

"That is astounding news! We need sources of intelligenc in the 62 MRD that possess timely informaation. We have made effecting this a top priority. Have Sergeant Shevchenko prepare a brief, including the name, rank, unit, location, a method of communicating with the prospective defector, and so on. We'll take it from there. Good work!"

The report from Josh was that Cyrus was planning on his weekly trip next evening to the whorehouse downtown, returning some time after dark. In the mean time, preparation for a night attack by the police continued, and more progress had been made with Ed to trade for a dozen gas masks.

Bulat reported that his personal night recce from the bridge of the northern end of the park seemed to be a success. The bridge was barricaded and completely blocked off near the park end, although it seemed possible for heavy equipment to remove the blockage of logs and abandoned cars. The thermal showed that there was a night watch of a few people. The nearby lookout restaurant showed a thermal signature, indicating that's where the sentries stayed. As far as he could tell he and his partner were undetected.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:26, Tue 30 Sept 2008.

He thought for a second.

"There are 3 police stations. There is the RCMP command post out at Oakridge. It's kind of a ways out, but intact.

"There is the "new" Vancouver Police Department (VPD) police station is across the Cambie Street bridge from the downtown. It's just down the street from city hall (neither are really in the downtown), but it looks like there is fire damage.

"The "old" VPD police station seems intact, and is on the outskirts of the downtown but closer than the new police station. That might be our best bet, but it's in the heart of "skid row" and likely to be looted."

Belanger agreed a noticeable presence wasn't desirable for the observation of Cyrus.

"However, that's going to be in the late afternoon, before sundown. Before then we can get some recce work done.

"Have Taras work up a plan for your objectives. You want to recce the area, place repeaters, and then observe Cyrus' "assignation" at Brandie's. You need a plan for comms, unit assignments, infiltration and exfiltration routes, and so on.

"Also, we could get some C4 to Ed on Deadman's island, to use for booby-traps of the gas masks he's trading to the Stickmen."

He sipped his tea and looked at the map.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:52, Wed 01 Oct 2008.

Taras received from Clarke the communication from DRI. He would we working in the request as soon as possible.

Well, I'm glad that there is a common interest here. The 62nd is being stuck up there for quite a long time and to get some information will help the overall effort in the province.

Then looking at Belanger he added:

I also agree. A small and discreet team should suffice to do the job. I will also send the original Haz-Mat team as a distraction. They will be more likely to call the attention of the bikers and other population. In the mean time our radio operator, Mr Tyler and probably one more escort can conduct the recce on Cyrus. Let's see what our new friend from America has to say. I do have some variety of explosive substances to offer to him as well...

*Kelsey perks her brow at being called the 'radio operator' it was a wee tad more than demeaning.*
"I suppose this puts me in command of the recce since the third element is unnamed and thus an afterthought, and Mr Tyler is certainly not one of our troops?"  She didn't look too thrilled about it, though  "Even if I am just a Radio Operator  She mimics twisting dials for a moment.

*The looks around then her smile settles on Chris 'mac'*
"If I get to pick, I'd like to take Mac number one there."

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg #43):

Though normally quite formal, Clarke couldn't resist this opportunity.  "So, the Queen of Informality takes offense at being 'just the radio operator', eh?  Well, don't get your kilt in a bunch, Kelsey, I'm sure Taras thinks of you as quite a bit more than an afterthought.  You had some good ideas for the recce and you've recently been promoted, so you get to be in charge.  Congratulations."

"Sure, Chris can be your third.  Just prepare to travel light and go in civies this time."

"Taras, if we use the Haz-Mat decoy again we'd better have back-up staged for them if the HA get frisky.  To be honest after the HAs last response I'm not sure using them as a decoy is a good idea at all.  Mr. Belanger, let's see if we can open the old Police Department and have some people on stand-by there."

"We might also use this as a chance to check the other bridges into downtown."

The rather doctrinary and totalitarian aspect of the Soviet armed institutions left little room for field Officers in terms of job description of mostly conscript troops. Formal operational meetings still kept first names out of the ex Lieutenent's mind. Shevchenko could never understand what the two women were talking about.

I guess we have a decent recce element and we can put our trust in... Kelsey. My idea of keeping sending the HazMat team is based in the fact that we need to keep the intel coming. We have to make our "official" presence be felt in the downtown. In this manner we show the flag to the people living there and also contain at some point the Hell Angels. The activation of a nearby Police Station will help us to closely locate a quick reaction force to support not only the HazMat team but also the undercover unit if necessity arises.

Taras also addressed the other concern exposed:

I understand your concerns regarding Mr. Tyler. Looking at the big picture we have to understand that without the co-operation not only of the survivalists but also of the North Shore community we cannot effectively defeat the stickmen . Those bastards operate in their terrain, are well trained and deployed and only a well concerted operation using a surprise, speed, initiative, simultaneous attack in depth and firm and continuous command and control we can be victorious.

Almost without noticing, Taras, was making a verbal enumeration of the soviet adoption of the principles of war. A well hammered down lesson back in the Officer's School days.

I believe that we have an opportunity to work along the survivalists for a common benefit as much as we can do it with Bulat. I think Mr. Tyler should have a vote of confidence. They have a better understanding of the psychology of the enemy since they trade often and also of the geography of the Park. They are combat veterans after all. Maybe from different fronts or maybe from different wars but I strongly feel that we are together in this one.

Kelsey broke into a huge grin and Clarke's comment
"Go easy on the new stripes, sheesh.  Ok, you got me.  What I meant was.. I am a hell of a mechanic too"
She laughs and then gets far more serious looking.
"I like the idea of additional eyes out there, I am worried the bikers won't fall for it again, so I would have a ready reaction force prepared to back them up."

She mmmmms  "As far as Tyler, I want to talk to him seriously about following orders if he is in on this, with a 3 man team we need to not be hot dogging or anything.  I've never worked with these American snake eaters before, and I don't know what I can trust.  Or better... one of you two should talk to him.