Conklin nods to Chris and DeShawn to turn the boat around. Conklin scans the beach ahead with his image intensifier. If he doesn't see anything to worry about, he places the image intensifiers into it's case and then into the WP bag from his sleeping bag. He had already placed his SVD, broken partly down to make it fit, and his MP5SD3 into the bag along with unused clips and his radio and pouch. He seals the bag and ties a slop knot to hold it. The bag should float his weight, but just barely. His Ghillie had been put on during the trip and he would readjust it once he was on land. He pulled his M9 from his shoulder holster and chambered a round  before putting it on safe and slipping a condom over the suppressor and sliding it back into place.

"Remember guys, don't go gunning the boat in or out of here. I will signal when I am getting back in the water. Give me about 10 mins and then just take just take it slow toward this inlet. I'll signal again if we are to far apart."

Conklin says under his breath and then slides into the water feet first. From the look of the Sat image it shouldn't be to deep here. He gives a thumbs up to the crew and hopes they will leave soon as he slides the WP bag under his chest and lowers himself onto it so cover it and provide buoyancy. He starts for the shore hoping to look like nothing more then a lump of seaweed or drift. His plan is to use the culvert if it's not closed off on the other end or trapped. If not then he'd have to do some climbing

In reply to Robert A. Conklin (msg #10):

Under his black touque (a rolled-up balaclava) DeShawn signaled his understanding with making an "O" with his thumb and all fingers, divers-style. His face was hidden beneath camouflage warpaint, like Chris. It seemed that Rob wasn't the only one feeling cooped-up and caged-in on their little islet.

Even though the tide was coming in, his boots scraped bottom as soon as he dropped from the raft. He knew that around 2330 would be high tide, then go out at 0440 or so. The water was shallow enough that he knew he would be walking out over a dozen metres of seaweed-slimy barnacle-encrusted rocks (not sand) at low tide.

The low putt of the Zodiac's outboard started up several minutes later, giving him time to slowly put some distance if anyone was watching. Cold saltwater quickly soaked his clothing.

No one probably was watching, due to the rain, and vision was almost impossible in the pitch-black night. It wasn't like he never traveled in the Marine Corps (far from it), but he still noticed that although this wasn't Alaska it was relatively next door and due to the latitude it got darker, sooner, than what he'd known growing up in Texas at this time of the year. The winter days had been noticeably shorter, but likely the summer days would be longer in return.

As it was, he could just float/wade up the narrow channel of the stream's outlet, under the wide footbridge and into the underpass. At the far end, the 4-foot culvert was open and easily accessible, the water cascading down a series of wide "steps". The water pouring out echoed down the spillway and back up the culvert. There were narrow paths on either side of the spillway connecting to the bike/jogging path on the bridge at the stream mouth, and they mounted short open stairs to each side of the culvert at the end of the underpass, left and right. The end of the culvert seemed clear, but he could hear water splashing from inside, indicating obstruction of some sort. Climbing out wouldn't be hard, the sides of the spillway were concrete, sloped at 30 degrees and topped with a single metal railing.

Rocking with the slight tide, Conklin slowly made his way to the culvert. Once there, he removed his flashlight from his alice vest and, under his ghillie, put it to his chest and turn it on. Slowly tilting it until light peeked through to see if the red lens was still in place. Satisfied at seeing a faint red glow he turns it to the culvert interior and carefully scanned for anything unusual at the entrance. If nothing is seen he will slide into the culvert and try to get as much of is body out of the water as possible. If that is possible he will take out his MP5 and radio to make a radio check hoping the sound of the water will cover his sound.

In reply to Robert A. Conklin (msg #12):

Starting from the open water, the stream passed under a bridge for the foot/bike path. Then there was a spillway under an underpass for the road. At the end of the spillway was a culvert entrance.

From inside the culvert, the stream cascaded down some shallow steps into the spillway instead of just pouring out. The depth of the spillway was around 20cm deep. Rob couldn't figure out why there were steps (like a waterfall, sort of) leading up to the mouth of the culvert, because although there was a narrow pathway on either side of the spillway, it was all under the roadway above, not really visible.

He had a choice about which way to go.

The paths on either side of the spillway continued up narrow stairwells on either side of the culvert mouth, presumably to meet somewhere up on ground level.

The 1.5m wide culvert continued a ways underground, and he could see some debris partially obstructing the tunnel a few metres up. It looked like branches, nothing serious. He climbed up the stairs to the culvert through the cascading water. Inside the tunnel, the water was around 30cm, a foot deep, making it almost impossible to really keep out of the water as he had to move in a squatting crouch.

The radio check was fine, a little interference from the concrete, but he was able to contact the Zodiac and Deadman's Island.

GM Note: Be as specific as you like. The culvert is kind of hard to describe, and it has been a while since I was inside it. It's not that important; your main choice is to continue underground or climb up one of the sets of stairs to the surface.

It's important to note that while I like detail, I also want to move the story along. So, if you could post a general intended route and any other general instructions, I will assume that otherwise Rob has done this before and is acting with experience, skill and common sense. When it comes to a direct decision, well, that's where it could get tricky.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:13, Tue 10 Mar 2009.

After retrieving his MP5 and radio he reseals his bag and slowly lowers his feet into the the spillway. Weapon at the ready he approaches the steps with caution. Stopping just before the first step he listens intently for any sound beyond the running water. If nothing is heard he will use his light to inspect the steps before slowly moving up on his belly. Every few steps he will stop again and listen and inspect the steps until he high enough to see the bike path. At that point he will stop and observe. If nothing is seen or heard he will inspect again with his image intensifiers. If no threat or trap is found he will slowly low crawl across the bike path into he tree line. He will again stop, look and listen. If his insertion seems unnoticed he will empty and stow his WP bag, put his gear in order and assemble and bag his SVD. With that done he will plot his coarse with his compass and proceed to his first objective stopping now and again to check for sound or movement and get his bearing on the compass. Moving as quietly as he can he will suppliment his ghille with local fauna from here and there. At the crossing of any trail, he will inspect his route carefully before slowly low crawling across. Otherwise he moves on foot. One hour into the movement he will find a good spot and check in.

[Private to GM: Ok here is my plan of action. Ok can't get to work here is a link. http://d-con.googlegroups.com/...eWZ37tPmenipPYsytFKQ
This message was last edited by the player at 01:23, Wed 11 Mar 2009.

In reply to Robert A. Conklin (msg #14):

Rob exited the spillway and climbed up to the bike trail that ran along the stream. He appeared to be unobserved, so he stowed his gear and moved out. It was about a half-klick to his first objective through thick forest, crossing a couple paved bike trails, now partially-overgrown. Most trees were huge old-growth evergreens of some sort: Douglas-fir, Western red cedar, Western Hemlock and Sitka Spruce. The undergrowth was fairly heavy but not too much to prevent cross-country travel.

It took around 10 minutes to walk the 500m. The forest ended at what once was an open green space where people once played soccer, threw frisbees, and so on. Now, large swaths were fenced-in and planted with vegetables (some of which the Stickmen traded to the the survivalists). It was still raining heavily, water dripping onto his heavily-festooned Ghillie suit.

He saw something moving by one of the fences about 30m away, accompanied by snorting and snuffling. It looked like a feral pig digging at the fencing, what he called a razorback back home.

Rob eyes the pig and grins, knowing the fact that pigs were around could mask his movements and sounds. He slowly turns and scans the trees around him for any that would give him a higher vantage point and keep him clear of the pig if needed.
He was used to pigs in his youth. There are feral pigs or wild boar, these are domestic pigs gone wild somewhere in the past and usually interbreed and there are two types of wild pigs in north america. Razorbacks usually in Appalachians and then collared peccary, or javelina to the Mexicans, in the southwest states. He'd hunted javelina and a few wild boar as a kid and knew they could be dangerous ,especially defending their young, but usually just left you alone. Their sight was horrible, hearing not much better but their sense of smell was amazing. Knowing he probably smelled like a giant salt lick with some evergreen mixed in was his main concern. He didn't want to shot the pig if it could be avoided and knife fighting a pig, although possible and he know how, was not something to do while trying to be stealthy.

Rob slowly removes his image intensifier and scans the area, taking a mental note of any buildings or vehicles and their lay outs. If more can be seen from climbing a nearby tree he will do so slowly and try to to break any branches. Once he's satisfied the fuel isn't here and if nothing unusual or important is seen he will move round the fields looking for cover to move west towards the civilian buildings he's seen on the maps.

In reply to Robert A. Conklin (msg #16):

Rob was unsure of the Stickmen's main line of defense. He knew the merchant convoy tried driving through the park from the city side, from the south heading north. He didn't know where on the causeway that bisected the western part of the forest they were stopped and destroyed. Probably let get all the way into the park before the trap closed behind them.

The beast near him remained unaware, the heavy rain and other smells masking his human smell. There was almost no wind, but it would eventually carry his scent to the porker, likely descended from a domestic pig.

Working his way around the edge of the treeline, Rob looked over the formerly open grassy area and could see neither fuel storage tank nor defensive works.

Working his way back through the heavy woods, he passed a long dark building that looked abandoned. Skirting some empty parking lots in among the trees, he crossed some trails and a road, being careful not to be seen.

The largest cluster of buildings in this part of the park were ahead, about a half-dozen structures. Some looked old-fashioned, like they were restored, and others kind of back from the road in the trees and the front of the park were more modern and utilitarian. In a large parking lot he could see some large vehicles parked under tarpaulins.

Conklin stays a while and keeps a close eye for any movement. He knows the Stickmen have been drilling at night and wonders what else goes on at night. He will have to verify the tarped vehicles to see if any are his fuel source but not before watching carefully. While watching for movement he scans for a good approach to the  area. Once a game plan forms he will start picking his way there being in no hurry about it.

In reply to Robert A. Conklin (msg #18):

He was about 100m east from Objective 2. The woods all around, not to mention the trees in between made it necessary to get in so close. The good news was with a little backtracking he could approach unseen via various routes to almost the road separating him from the buildings. There was about a 20m open gap he might have to cross, should he choose to do so, and there was no lighting anywhere. It was pitch black among the trees in the rain.

There were 3 vehicles parked in the parking lot, out in the rain. It was hard to tell under the dirty and somewhat tattered covers, but one looked like a van of some kind, another was a car and the third a pickup truck. There was nothing else obviously stored there. There were 2 large shed-like buildings with large doors that looked like they could possibly house other vehicles.

No one seemed to be around; if anything it seemed to be raining harder.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:30, Sat 14 Mar 2009.

Rob move to where ever he has the best view of the parking area and then wait and watch for 15 more mikes then take the most concealed path toward the covered vehicles. Once hes near the open area he will have to cross will scan again for anything out of place. If all seems comfy enough he will sprint to closest vehicle and duck down near the rear tires and prepare to defend that position. If no contact make itself aware he will inspect what is under the first tarp.

In reply to Robert A. Conklin (msg #20):

He made it to the first vehicle unseen. One thing that struck him was how all the roads and the parking lots were covered with fallen branches and coated with needles and pine cones. It made low-crawling over open ground relatively easy, because when stopped he merely looked like not-particularly large fallen branch among the debris.

There was no one around. Under the first filthy tattered tarp, the van looked like something out of "Road Warrior". It was a rust-spotted Chevy Econoline van, with plates of "applique" metal armour crudely welded onto the sides, with vision slits cut into them. The tires were flat and it looked like it had been set on fire.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:22, Sun 15 Mar 2009.

After inspecting the first vehicle he will plan his route to the next tarped vehicle to maximize cover and concealment to the buildings nearby. Low crawling slowly toward the next vehicle he stops every now and again to check his surroundings. Once there he will again stand at the back tires and prepare to defend. If all is well he will check under the tarp and follow the same routine to the rest of the tarped vehicles. Once all were checked he will move back into the  tree line and radio in a sitrep while he watches his backtrack.

In reply to Robert A. Conklin (msg #22):

Following the same procedure as before, he discovered the pickup was a Ford F-150 that had been converted into a "technical" by the addition of armour plating around the cab and bed, and an MG mounted on a post in the back. The truck was also badly burned, and the partially-melted weapon (possibly a Dushka) looked like it was in poor shape, barrel bent either from the heat of firing or the flames that had engulfed the rear of the vehicle, possibly a direct hit from a molotov. The tires had also gone flat.

The last vehicle was a large car of some sort.  He pulled back the tarp and discovered that it appeared to be a cherry-red '69 Mercury Cougar Eliminator. The tires, from what he could see exposed at the back and under the cover at the front, were fat mag wheels with steel-belted all-weather radials, and so unlike the other retreads that were so common still held their pressure after months of sitting.


This message was last edited by the GM at 05:47, Mon 16 Mar 2009.

Conklin suppresses a whistle and gets back to business. He slowly heads back to the tree line and tucks into a good spot to watch his backtrack. removing his radio he  makes a low call to the radio's twin.

"Potsie to Ralph... Potsie to Ralph. No burgers found at store 2. Headed to store 3. Please advise if reschedule is made on the birthday party. Out."

Rob checks his watch and gives it 15 mikes of watching before heading east then south to Obj 3 staying out of sight and stopping often to observe and listen.

In reply to Robert A. Conklin (msg #24):

The rain kept coming down. The car's exterior seemed undamaged, if a little dusty. With a sigh he moved covered it and slipped away.

The radio check went well. Ed was listening, and when he began transmitting Ed broke squelch twice to signal he was receiving.

There was no one on his back trail, no one moving. It was around 0030 hours Lima, still raining hard. Still no sign of any fuel source. Looking out over the parking lot (to his west) Rob could see the hulks of a dozen other vehicles, these were stripped, pushed to the end of the lot to his right and left open to the elements. The nearest building was a large shed-like structure, with other buildings behind it. Trash and garbage was piled scattered around a medium-large building not too far away. Rainwater sluiced off the roof and from the rain spouts, splattering noisily on concrete.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:56, Mon 16 Mar 2009.

Rob eyes the buildings with suspicion. He preferred to keep a healthy distance from targets but time constraints were a serious issue atm. Resolved to get out of here by morning if at all possible, he picks a path to the buildings that will provide the best cover and the fastest possible escape route to the relative safety of the trees. He starts moving that way slowly and keeping eyes and ears open for movement and sound.

In reply to Robert A. Conklin (msg #26):

Again, nothing and no one was moving. He made it to the buildings at Objective 2 without being seen. Cover wasn't a problem, there was woods close by in almost every direction. At some point he would have to leave them to get closer.

Some buildings looked obviously abandoned, like the large shed-like buildings nearby the parking lot. There was a large building that looked like it was once park offices, some kind of shed, and maintenance buildings behind them. Across the compound from his position was a horse paddock, with some horses tied up.

GM Note: This is facing South, Rob is on the left side of the compound from this anlge. This is still at Objective 2; if he wants he can move to Obj. 3 immediately or continue the investigation here.

http://i209.photobucket.com/al...bent4/Objective2.jpg
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:33, Sat 21 Mar 2009.

Rob moved within the trees behind the building near the covered vehicles and tried to use the shed as cover to the obviously occupied building. He would make his approach here. B-line to the NE corner of the shed and then see what kind of entrance was available. He wanted to stay out of LOS to the occupied building as much as possible. He will investigate the building from the exterior if that is all that is needed and will enter only if something inside seems like it could be his target. If the shed is clear he will move back to the trees an move along them to the far eastern building to investigate it as well.

In reply to Robert A. Conklin (msg #28):

The shed seemed clear, filled with parks board supplies, grain for the horses, sawdust (for fixing trails?) concrete blocks and barricades. There was a slight rustling inside, possibly from rodents or the cats that hunted them.

In front of the main building's entrance, he could through see the night glasses a guard sitting cross-legged with a spear in his lap and a crossbow beside him. Possibly asleep, by the way he slumped forward, head on chest. A dog slept beside him.

Rob could easily cross back unseen to the trees, then south to the eastern building. The building was offices of some kind, most likely unoccupied.

Conklinheads back toward the trees slowly and uses the shed as cover to the dog and his master. Never discounting any weapon in the right hands, he had no reason to to doubt the man would use it if pressed. he'd seen men do horrible damage with simple tools. The dog worried him more then anything and he would have to stay doubly alert for them.Once safely back to the trees he scans the other buildings for possible storage areas. The fuel could be stored anywhere but he only had time to search the more likely areas before sun up.

In reply to Robert A. Conklin (msg #30):

It was only around 0130 hours local. Still, he didn't have time to waste. Rob continued around the perimeter of the compound, within the treeline and away from the sleeping guard dog and the horses.

The large most central building was obviously the only one that was likely occupied. A wisp of smoke rose from a chimney, a banked cookfire or a fire for warmth.

On the far side, in a kind of courtyard on the south side of the main building (formed by some equipment and storage shed), Rob struck paydirt. Parked there was a US Army M978 HEMTT fuel tanker truck and a 10-ton moving van.

That established, he was free to backtrack to Objective #3.




This message was last edited by the GM at 10:28, Wed 18 Mar 2009.

Rob looks around to get a good bearing on the trucks in question so he can remember their exact location when he returned. He scans the surrounding are again for any defenses or OP/LPs that might be seen. If nothing threatening is found he will slowly and quietly skirt the area by using the trees to get a better look at the trucks and if possible inspect them in person. He doesn't want guys dieing to get to an empty fuel source.

In reply to Robert A. Conklin (msg #32):

It looks like the Stickmen have made a half-hearted attempt to fortify the entire compound, but really only concentrated on the main building. The others looked like they were in the process of recent upgrades (windows recently boarded up, doors barricaded, loopholes cut into walls, construction materials like cinderblocks and wood piled nearby, etc.) but at best it was half-complete at the main building and barely started elsewhere.

Rob examined the trucks. The moving van had flat tires and the rear was locked. The HEMTT had flat tires as well. The fuel gauge reported around 2000 gallons of fuel remaining. There was a strong smell of kerosine near a manual spigot, as well as several plastic gas cans a boxes of dozen of glass containers (liquor bottles and jars) near a manual spigot.

With the fuel found and the main building scouted it was time to sneak away and head to his next objective. Somewhere along the way and in good cover he will radio in.
"Potsie to Ralph... Potsie to Ralph. Hamburgers found at store 2. Headed to check on kids meals. Will call for taxi. Don't wait up. Out."

With the radio call done Rob heads on to inspect the building housing the  women and kids.