In reply to Andrew Montgomery McRae (msg #50):

Bear's face had a definite "oh Jesus" look to it, as he tried to marshal his thoughts. After sipping his whiskey (and offering some to Andy) he replied, "Christ, what an asshole. Well, ah, we didn't know nothin' 'bout what he was up to. He got himself into shit, he can get himself out. He's responsible, you know? Any deal you got with him is something I don't want to know about."

This was not unexpected. As far as criminals went the bikers preserved compartmentalisation by granting a large amount of leeway and independence, and never admitted anything to any outsider that could hint of "conspiracy to commit" and compromise "plausible deniability". If a biker acting independently got into trouble, he could well be on his own to preserve the larger group, at least officially.

"As for us in the Angels, sure, we want to know if there's anything we can do for him, you know, legally, maybe smuggle in a few, ah, luxuries. Keep abreast of his condition. Other than that, tough shit, he's a big boy. If you know, where's he being held? Is he under heavy guard, or what? Has he copped to anything or ratted us out? Are they going to bring him up on any charges?" This was asked in a way that seemed unconcerned but curious, but Andy was sure his unconcern was feigned and not genuine. Bear was obviously trying to play his cards close to his chest while pumping him for information.

Bear pumped him for further information: "overall, we just want to know if there's going to be a crackdown by the cops or the military. Are they going to raid us here? Any of our clubhouses? Do they have us under surveillance? Are the cops going to be pricks and bust folks here in the downtown? Elsewhere? We got clients and friends and it would be a shame if they were subjected to fascist bullshit because the pigs were coming down on us. It happens all the time when the cops are scared or try to act tough! How many cops are there? Military? What kind of weapons and so on?"

"Ok," Andy said, "I'll speak with him and see what I can do for him. He certainly hasn't said anything to the cops yet. If it looks like he will, I'll use my uh, initiative to try to protect your interests."

Andy told Bear what luxuries the man wanted and then moved on to Bear's questions about the UBC forces, "I'm not sure exactly how many troops and cops there are, the place appears to be crawling with cops, militia and soldiers. I've got some techie friends on the force and I'll see if they can get hold of some logistic reports for you. The forces are well equipped, you've probably worked that out from the fact that they keep risking armoured fighting vehicles in urban environments. I asked several questons about you, they don't trust the HA's particularly, but they are more than happy to leave you alone. The only reason the guy in hospital was pinched was because he was involed in torture, rape and armed inssurection, as well as having an arsenal of weapons that suggested he'd been doing wet work."

"The whole organisation is run by civilians and they're thinking like cops, not soldiers. The guys at the top are well-meaning fools who still play by the book. You know the book too, keep your heads down and don't interfere with the cops when they take out the paramilitary style gangs in the area and you'll be fine." Andy continued, "I'll be frank with you, they've underestimated you and as long as you appear involved in legitimate work and nobody gets into anything extreme, you'll be able to rub along with the white hats at the top. There are some firebrands below, so I'd put the word out that if there are any freelance operators out there that are thinking that whacking the top brass would make things easier that it would be a mistake. The guys calling the shots now are well meaning, predictable chumps. If they get whacked, the guys that replace them are much more likely to be happier to break eggs to get the job done." Andy paused for breath.

"I'll try to find out what they're charging your associate with, my guess is everything from murder, treason and rape down to screwing the company pooch and driving at night without headlights." Andy concluded, "Is there anything else you'd like me to find out or anywhere we might be searching over the next few weeks that you'd like me to try to get people to avoid, or at least get you warning of where we're going?"

In reply to Andrew Montgomery McRae (msg #52):

Bear looked thoughtful, trying to process what Andy was telling him. Alternating between freaked out and hopeful.

"So... you're an Army guy, and you don't know how many cops and militia there are? Come on." He looked a little doubtful, like that was a little hard to credit. Then he kind of shrugged. "Oh well, take a wild guess. Just for curiosity's sake, if you can do a head count, that would be good. Armoured vehicles. Heavy weapons. Artillery. Nothing top secret, of course. Just so us "concerned citizens" are up to date on what our government is up to. They're out at UBC, right? That's what I hear."

"A lot of the Undergrounders are our friends and customers. We don't want them to take heat on our account, or any reason. We do security for the Free Market on Annacis Island. I'm sure people would want advance information on any kind of raids in those areas."

This was all basically known by Andy and the DRI team, although Bear seemed to say the HA didn't control the Free Market but were in a more security role. Andy was a little surprised that protecting the Stickmen didn't seem to be too high on the HAs' priority list.

"With regards to our friend... we will be more than happy for any assistance you can provide. I'll see what I can do to get what he wants together. Nothing too bad, some booze, weed. Ahhhh.... I guess point taken on whacking the government leadership. Anything happens to them, the gloves would come off. If the current brass is going to go slow, fumble around, it's good if hard chargers or psychos don't replace them. Upset the rowboat."

Bear looked at his watch.

"Sorry to cut this short, I got a lot of shit to do. So, you know, we just want to know numbers and stuff, some advance warning on raids and stuff. Our friend, we'll play it by ear. Can you make it back here to let us know what's going down? Or some place else?"

"The problem with estimating the numbers of combatant is that they're not all mustered at once." Andy said, "If you want an accurate guess, I can get it within a few days. A ballpark figure would be dodgy, I haven't met everyone or seen them mustered yet. I've been taught never to make a guess that other people might have to die for if you get it wrong. I'll get you accurate numbers soon, but I'll need some payment for the info as I'll probably have to bribe someone. What I suggest is I bring you the info and you pay me what you think it's worth in coke and hash, I've got no use for it, but I can spread it around and build more influence."

"As for advanced knowledge of raids," he said, "I'll get back here to let you know. If I can't come," he pulled out his regimental cap badge, "anyone that comes here carrying this will be speaking for me."

"I'll do what I can for your friend," Andy said, "unless I have something juicy for you I'll see you in a few days, if you aren't here, I'll tell whoever you want about the troop numbers."

In reply to Andrew Montgomery McRae (msg #54):

"Oh, I guess I see. Well find out what you can about numbers okay? I'll make it worth your while."

Bear looked impressed with the cap badge.

"Airborne... you're a commando, eh? Good outfit, kicked the hell outta the commies in Europe. Hear they're all back now, and it's time to take care of the fuckin' Frogs!" He laughed.

Andy had heard rumours that most of the regiment was back home now in the east, and involved in training insurgents (both Anglos, Natives and even Francophones) and conducting commando operations against Quebec Francophone separatists and their French advisors. A few months back he'd heard the Separatists and French Army were now finding it hard to move anywhere outside the towns and most cities. Montreal, with it's majority Anglo-Italian-Jewish population, had never "gotten with the program" in the first place and was either a hard-fought urban battleground or a Federalist no-go area for the Separatists, depending on who you asked.

He'd often been to the Canadian Forces Base in Valcartier for training with the "Van-Doos" Francophone contingent of the Airborne, and been to Montreal many times. The built-up areas city (Canada's third largest) was mainly on a large island in the St. Lawrence seaway. Although there were extensive suburbs on the north bank of the river, the southern bank had many Native reserves stretching all the way to the US border. The natives universally despised the Francophones and were staunch supporters of the federal government. If the densest part of the island city was resisting separatist rule and being supplied through the Native reserves, then he figured it could stay independent and pro-federal a long time, if not indefinitely.

Bear continued, addressing the issue of information transfer. "Sure. I'll be around and if I'm not, I'll let the head bartender Paul know you got information for me. He'll tell you where you can meet me or leave the informarion with him, and you can run a tab. We'll get together and then see what's what."

"That's cool, I'll see you in a few days," Andy said, "now, I know you're busy at the moment so unless you want to ask more questions, I'll get out of your way, that sound like a plan?"

In reply to Andrew Montgomery McRae (msg #56):

Bear lit a cigarette, offered the pack to Andy, and replied, "yeah, good to go. Hang out, drinks are on the house. I got other shit to do, so don't mind me."

He got up to show Andy to the door. Clearly, the meeting was over.

Andy spent an hour or so drinking quietly and making small talk if he was approached or liatsning casually if not. Then he finished his last drink, said goodbye to the barman and headed downstairs.

There he waited for his guns to be returned and then headed out for home.

Brandie's was dead. The strippers moved around half-heartedly to the thumping bass-heavy beat, distracted and bored. A few customers drifted in and out, but this was a a Monday, after all.

Finally, Andy left. It was still relatively early, around 2200 hours, but darkness had fallen. The bouncers turned over his weapons with hardly a comment other than a grunted 'night. The cool night air streamed in his face from the open Jeep YJ as he drove to where the rest of the team waited. From there it was a short hop home.

On the radio, Kelsey was struck how dead it was, as even the normal local network  were quiet.

As they returned home, Andy briefed the rest of the team about what had occured. He was also keen to have a discussion about what his next intelligence breifing with Bear would include.

In reply to Andrew Montgomery McRae (msg #60):

"I don't know Andy, but it almost seems as if the whole city is holding it's breath to see what happens next.  The radio waves are almost completely dead.  It's spooky.  I wonder if this means there is a lot of talking going on off the radio?"

"Well," Andy replied, "let's hope we give them something big to talk about when we take the Stickmen down."

Alain commented, "outstanding job, Andy. Thanks for the intel, we'll discuss where to go next."

"I also think people are waiting for someone to make a move. If we take the Stickmen down cleanly, that will prompt a lot of people to re-examine their loyalties and allegiances."

"For now, let's try and get some rest. Brandie's is under surveillance, we have someone listening on the radio, too."

He looked tired, although generally satisfied with the day's events. "Commander, let's talk a little about some of the ideas Sergeant Shevchenko has about reorganising a reconstruction force, and an intelligence unit."

Taras joined a briefing that moved into a conversation that lasted for a long time over tea and light snacks. The lay out of the reconstruction brigade proposed by the ukrainian was exposed briefly and followed by further questions and answers. Shevchenko exposed his plan based mostly in his experience as a military Engineer. As an enlighted member of the nomenklatura of the Red Army Corps of Officers, Taras also commented over his previous times back in the Soviet Union when his unit was hastily assembled and packed in large transports planes. Most of the military hardware was dispatched from several different military depots using the extensive railways and finally made the journey to the Far East region ready to make the jump to Alaska and Canada.

As a concientious Officer, Shevchenko had try to gather as much as he could reading material about the area of deployment. Mostly travelling accounts and history books spanning from the earlier times of Peter the Great and Vitus Bering all the way to Great Patriotic War and the clash between the North Pacific Forces of US and Canada against the empire of Japan in the inhospitable chain of the Aleutian Islands.

There were amazing feats of engineering achieved in that obscured chapter of the second worldwide conflict.The Alaska Highway, 2237 km long, was completed in seven months during 1942:


In the same year, the US forces were able to build up in Adak Island, in the heart of the Aleutians an airfield to start operations against the japanese out of a barren land and ended up with 6,000 troops as veterans of such an incredible war effort. Adak Naval Air Station continued to be a military base during the Cold War but was designated a Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) site in 1995 and closed in March 1997. Weeks later it would be occupied by foreign troops.The airport was the farthest west for the entire United States at 176.64W and represented an strategic outpost as Adak's airport is one of the largest and most sophisticated airports in the Aleutian Islands. Built by the U.S. Navy for Naval air transport, the airport represented a world-class facility consisting of a 7,800-foot (2,400 m) runway and a 7,600-foot (2,300 m) runway, equipped with an Instrument Landing System and glideslope which facilitate Instrument Flight Rules landings. Adak had scheduled jet service provided by Alaska Airlines. A reduced fleet of B-737 was promptly impounded by "Aeroflot" as well as a solitary B-727 from "Reeve Aleutian Airways". Most of the P3C Orion were destroyed during the combined Spetsnaz and Morskoy spetsnazovets assault.





Taras made some comments about his brief stay in the Aleutians and how his unit was part of an ambitious operation of overtaking the Trans-Alaska Pipeline: 800.302 miles (1,287.961 km) of 48-inch (122 cm) pipe that convey oil from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to Valdez, Alaska when the 62nd MRD was re assigned to the occupation of the Queen Charlotte Islands as a springboard for setting foot in the canadian mainland.



That ended up much of the travelling story behind the man. The trek from Continents was certainly being exposed under the perspective of what humankind is able to achieve in engineering terms under extreme weather and circumstances. War economy certainly yielded a good deal of future in the economy of remote lands and the bening surroundings of the Lower Mainland paired with the lack of full frontal conventional enemies shouldn't be a major problem to land a Brigade size unit.

The evening became night...

Alain smiled as he sipped his tea,

"I guess you haven't heard the news then, eh?"

"The Russians in Alaska surrendered. They are either dead, or allied with the US military. The war is over there, now."

He chuckled. "So, the Soviet invasion was quite the feat. Many people said it couldn't be done. Amazing, considering you were fighting in Iran, Europe, and China. The "jump" across the Bering took everyone by surprise. Just another example of the incompetence of the US military, I figured."

"If you didn't know, I can see why the truth was kept from the "loyal" 62nd Motor Rifle Division, lest they also get the idea to "go over" to the Americans, or us."

Clarke knew this was true, there had been verified reports from Alaska that Russian units were surrendering on favourable terms. Some individuals were disarmed and a few tried for war crimes, but most units were left intact.

Ah! the infamous "News from Juneau" strike again!

Taras smiled with a broad grin a made himself confortable in the armchair. It was going to be an interesting piece of conversation. He took a cigarette out of his pocket and stroke it against the sphere of his watch for a tight compression of the contents. A flaming Zippo happened to run out of gas but the faithfull matches came to the rescue.

Mr. Belanger, you must understand that much of the Soviet Army doctrine was based on lessons from the textbooks of the Great Patriotic War. Nothing really different with the Alaska case! The "Thousand Mile War" as you call it in your books was certainly dusted off and put into consideration.Not that Alain would be unaware of, but the ukrainian wanted to reflect the value of the operation and its origins.

The invasion of Alaska was very important for the Stavka. They knew that will open a secondary front that will spear into the American continent forcing to commit numerous troops to stop this advance. That was back in 1997. He gestured with his arms as throwing a harpoon to an imaginary whale across the room.

Then there was the strategic targets in the Aleutians like Adak. Anchorage and other facilities that operated anti-ballistic missiles and deployed long range bombers were put out of commission. Taras probably misunderstood the fact that the F-15 were above all air defence combat jets or it was just simply the after effect of soviet propaganda. Ellendorf AB never got the chance to field B-52s or any other bomber for that matter.

That was back then when Anchorage was taken and the First and Second US arctic Brigades had to retreat to Fort Greely. This push made possible to land the 113th and 147th Motorized Rifle Divisions and march over Fairbanks and mopping up the outposts of the 47th Infantry Division by Spetznaz troops. Bloody fighting I heared... Being the door left wide open, Soviet 14th, 41st and 114th Motorized Rifle Divisions landed in the Alexander Archipelago and captured Juneau. Legend says that General Karpinsky was carrying a seven million rubles check in his pocket for the Alaska Governor! This pretty much forced the Canadians to bring back from Europe their 1st Infantry Brigade. In reality, the stabilisation of the front in Norway that year was what really brought the 1st Infantry Brigade back home.62nd and 120th Motorized Rifle Divisions were landed on the coast of British Columbia, including me. So far so good but...

Shevchenko was able to remember all of this information as the sweep over the North Pacific became a great morale booster for the NorPac Command. The move went truly surprising and effective as it was practized with maximum surprise and speed.

The problem is that Stavka never took seriously the Alaskan front. It was to become a diversionary front after all. The forces committed over such an stretched front were difficult to replenish and quickly lost combat capability as well as stomach for fighting that far away from home. Most of them were 2nd category with a 3/4 of personnel only. Something very, very similar to the case of the japanese troops in the Aleutians during WW2 after naval blockade was imposed.

This caused the Red Army serious problems. During the spring of 1998, Anchorage was surrounded by 10th Infantry Division (Mountain) and 2nd Infantry Brigade (Arctic Recon) (Alaska National Guard). The 147th Motor Rifle Division was driven out. Soon after the US arctic troops were moving West to cut the lines across the Bering Straight. This brought the mobilization of the 122nd Guards Motorized Rifle Division that was in Germany! In June the US troops were moved back from the Bering. Taras gesticulated again like in a tai-chi exercise to note how the archipelago forces were pushed towards the East.

By the end of the year, it was Christmas, the fighting around Juneau was terrible. Soviet 14th and 41st Motorized Rifle Division took heavy losses but the 2nd Brigade, even though were supported by locals, didn't have enough power to retake the city against two Divisions. It was a bloody stalemate. That's went the commanders, during the truce for the Holidays, decided to stop fighting. The soviet troops put their weapons down as they just wanted peace. They knew that reinforcements or evacuation will never arrive from the Rodina as the air and naval forces were already decimated. It was a strange result but Juneau became a well known no-man-land where the american were running the show but leaving alone our troops. For such reason, neither the US forces will move out of the capital or the Red Army will try to invade the city. Those were the "infamous news from Juneau". Everybody was able to leave if they wanted. Some loyals escaped to Northern BC to join the 62nd but most of them they preferred to stay in Juneau and wait for the war to end. The russian presence through History in all of Alaska could be felt everywhere. In Juneau there was even a russian store selling Matrioshkas and even samovars. They were happy to be there without fighting the americans.

The reality of war was most of the time stranger than fiction. The sheer isolation and demanding climate conditions made the North Pacific an unconventional front.

Everybody knows that the situation in Alaska is quite difficult for the Soviets but they still holding over much territory only to be used as a bargain for the future. Stalin was able to stay out of the war for most of the time only to jump in at the very last moment and get a landgrab with the Kuriles. In the Kremlin they know that they cannot afford to bring the war too close to home and that's why there are so many troops stationed in a wide arc from the Aleutians all the way to British Columbia. The idea behind the invasion of the Queen Charlotte Islands was to made an "aircraft carrier" out of them and be able to launch attacks over the mainland and Vancouver Island and worked well. As you can see our leaders don't give a damn about the value of the life of our soldiers. But they really know how to get a good bargaining chip while invading the North Pacific. Eventually, everything will be sacrificed. The war will come to an end and the Soviet Union will return the land occupied as a token for something, like the seven million dollars that Alexander II got for its personal pleasure, while our people..

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #66):

"... get jack shit. Except for May Day parades in the Kremlin and statues commemorating the second Great Patriotic War." Belanger finished for him.

"If the reports from Alaska are correct, then this complicates things, considerably. Maybe even a rebirth of the "White Russians". If more forces can be enticed to defect to the US and Canada."

"That is something to think about, how Alaska was once settled by Russia, and could be considered territory to be "liberated". Except of course the real value was as a bargaining chip. Not just, say, parts of Germany for Alaska, the Yukon and BC, but concessions due to the oilfields, refineries and pipelines. Not to mention fishing grounds, if what we're hearing about drought on the prairies and the US Midwest are true."

He yawned. "Well, it's been a busy day, I think I'm going to finish my tea and turn in."

Lee responded with a yawn of her own.

"I'm bushed, too. Time to hit the hay, eh?"

She got up, started gathering her stuff.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:39, Wed 29 July 2009.

"I'd offer to escort you back to quarters, Rachel, but we're all staying in this same building."

He grinned, stood up and then stretched.

"See you all in the morning. Good work, today. Especially you, Andy."

Kelsey stifles a yawn of her own, eyeing Sgt Fox a moment, then winking at Racheal.

"Chivalry is truly dead."  She stands "I'll walk you home, Racheal"

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg #70):

Rachel stopped for a moment, picked up her hat, then met Kelsey's eyes.

"Sure, I'd like that."

In a reflexive mood, the ex-Lieutenant left the building. It was dark and the short walk towards his room lasted for only a few minutes. The campus was obviously deserted but a stench of skunk seemd to permeate the atmosphere. Closing the door carefully Taras threw himself in bed in a pensative stare towards the immaculate ceiling. Like in a projection screen, many memories triggered by the previous conversation with Alain Belanger started dancing before his eyes.

Well, well...Seems like sleeping will not be easy tonight... He went over this drill many times before: After combat, during long travels, upon bad news from friends, etc.

At the feet of the bed frame was a hastily assembled TV and VCR set. A charcoal "Toshiba" recorder was rigged with standard cable to an elderly "Emerson". A double pile of VHS tapes resting against the starboard side. Late '80s and early '90s flicks were predominant but there was also a half collection of classics that Sgt. Shevchenko probably rescued from some looted backyard. Thieves were not very fond of "classics" films or recordings and the grateful ukrainian was able to enjoy his spare time with some oddities.

Back home there were numerous action movies that highlighted the heroics of the Great Patriotic War, all time favourites of yesterday. One thing that awoke the curiosity in Taras was the chance to see lesser known films from the West. Other than "The Battle of Britain" for instance.

While the occupation of Alaska was taking place, on the other side of the World, a country: Poland, and a city: Warsaw, was taking the worst punishment ever known to man. News were few and far in between. In every soul seemed to permeate the fate of the capital of a country serving as a dual buffer zone. The heroism of the Polish people always paid the highest price. To pay a personal homage and conciliate himself, Shevchenko picked up a black and white carboard copy...

"Dangerous Moonlight" was the original British title for the wartime drama Suicide Squadron. Anton Walbrook plays a famed Polish composer who refuses to leave his homeland when the Nazis march in. His friends literally have to hoodwink him into leaving so that he will avoid extermination. Still anxious to avenge his countrymen, Walbrook joins a Polish air squadron headquartered in England...

That night, the sleepless Taras soothed his senses with the beauty of the music of "The Warsaw Concerto" and the glamour of Sally Gray upon the ruins of the city over the Vistula.


 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...&feature=related

Kelsey meets the gaze and nods, smiles, rises, taking a moment to  stretch. Soon walking Rachel slowly back to her room while talking, small talk, intent on her and little else.  She pauses though partway, asking if she wants a cup of tea or something, a little more conversation.

Andy walked back to his barracks with the others and spent some time on personal maintainence and hygene matters. Then, another day's work done, he went to bed.

Morning came fast. Springtime in Vancouver could be a blessing. The proximity of the Pacific Ocean could be felt in the fresh salty breeze. After the daily routine of toiletry and breakfast, the briefing was religiously followed. Chaired by the Lt. Cmdr. Clarke and Sgt. Shevchenko it was straight to the point:

Morning, Ladies and Gentlemen! Without much ado about yesterday operations will follow on with todays task: Our main concern for now is to increase our intelligence on our more direct targets: The Stickmen and the Hell's Angels. We need updated information from our mole about the current status of the people in Stanley Park. Kelsey? I believe you still handling the contact. We need also to get in touch with the survivalists for a closer look. We might as well connect with the Undergrounders to feel their pulse. I don't see a need to keep much pressure around Brandie's but I would like to keep Andy around. Yesterdays performance was fantastic! Congratulations!

The Sgt. threw a broad smile and a light clapping towards the infiltrated man. The nerves of steel needed to conduct such feat was remarkable.

I'm going to review RCMP patrol reports and also Block Watch programs to see the level of activity registrered throughout the city and shift men and vehicles wherever may needed most. A good watch of the radio spectrum must be kept at all times. I will suggest to Command to increase the level of personnel and means to that task if possible.

The eyes were on Kelsey. The eavesdropping program was giving tremendous leverage to the team. The potential increase would transform the trainees in a full fledge support unit and promotion would not be far away.

In other news, we have to keep on working on our contacts. Captain Bezhov arrived yesterday to North Vancouver with a vehicle and reduced crew from Bella Coola. He is willing to work with us. I'll be meeting him and together with Bulat we will increase our chances to have a positive impact in New Westminster with that stranded nuclear sub.

Taras was airing pretty much tasks for the team members without much detail. So far the layout for the day seemed to be focus on intel gathering and continuing the lines of duty previously set.

Training of the militia will continue as usual. Maintenance of vehicles and weaponry is a must. The current success of our operations is a great oportunity to report to HQ in the Island about any implement that we may need. I recommend to take a look at what's stored in the trailer of the LAV III. For future references we are looking at the possibility of an attack from the Stickmen and Emergency Response calls fron high risk targets as we got before. 

Taras sat on the edge of the table presiding the meeting room. He covered his eyes with his hand and swept his orange crop of hair backwards:

<Red>I didn't slept very well last night...anyways. I will consult with Ms. Kwan about the possibility to activate a climate report team to forecast the weather. Together with the information that we get from the biologist working along the Fraser river we should wide the scope of our intel. I'm trying to create, or better said, transform our job in a more especialize intel unit. It is time to start giving more field responsabilities to the new force and take for us a more dedicated scope rather than the crime fighting at street level. Our skills will still needed but in a more surgical way. Feel free to comment.<Red>