In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg #25):

Thinking about it, Kelsey knew that a fixed location with good equipment on high ground was a wise idea. Before the war the government had monitoring equipment on the high ground in Burnaby by the massive Metrotown Mall complex. There was a complex array of antennas and receivers on top of Metrotower 2 (where CSIS's west coast HQ was headquartered).

To an extent, this situation was also a lot like France in WWII. Allied and Resistance radio networks used low-power radio sets, moving frequently to avoid detection. In response, German signals units relied on mobile vans to pinpoint the faint signals, with two or more units working together to triangulate. That might be of help here now, tracking elusive weak signals emitted from within the concrete canyons, bouncing off the many concrete and steel structures.

In reply to helbent4 (msg #26):

>"OK, I want to get a listening post up on the harbor centre, and get out with the command vehicle and roam and monitor there.  Between the two I should be able to triangulate the source of the transmission."

"Okay, time to put a plan together."

Lee went up to the whiteboard and the city map.

"After we get the word Cyrus is at Brandie's, we deploy a snatch team somewhere along his return route. Our reconnaissance of the West End has given us some good infiltration and exfiltration routes."

She made some marks on the whiteboard.

"After talking with Taras, let's go with the intersection of Jervis/Melville and West Pender. It's kind of a 5-way, but the west side of the intersection has a good look down Pender and it's a good bottleneck. Cyrus and friends will be travelling west along Pender towards Jervis."

She made a couple more.

"The bomb will go off just before the intersection of Pender and Jervis, knocking Cyrus and his posse over."

"We'll have a lookout element of 2 at Bute and Pender, 2 more to "backstop" at the NW corner of Jervis and Pender. Taras, at the SW corner of the intersection where he has a good view of the area, and the LAV out of sight a short way away at the corner of West Hastings with 2 crew and a 3-person snatch team armed with Tasers, CS gas and stun grenades. Additional transport will be 2 SUVs in a parkade in the block between Hastings and Pender."

"I figure 12 people at most, for this operation. Backup will be the ERT waiting at the north end of the Burrard St. Bridge (although that's a little ways away, we don't want to flood the area with troops) and there will be the signals teams at Harbour Centre and the mobile van that's going to be in the West End, tracking down the radio signals we've been hearing."

Next came a list of events.

1. Infiltration: when Cyrus goes to Brandis, we come north across the Burrard St. Bridge to the West End.

2. Everyone settles in for the night, Taras prepares a concussion charge near Jervis and Pender, lookouts and backstop get into position.

3. When the lookouts at Bute see Cyrus coming down Pender, alert everyone. Cyrus passes the lookouts at Bute and is in the "box". When they approach the intersection of Jervis, Taras triggers the concussion charge, Cyrus and his party goes down.

4. That's the signal for everyone to move in. The lookouts seal off the block at Bute, the backstoppers seal off the block at Jervis. The LAV moves in and the snatch team apprehends Cyrus and his posse.

5. We load up, and go home."

The plan looked like this:

http://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?...004738584952276db740

"We're a safe distance from the Park and from Brandie's. The terrain favours us, and we have surprise. Last, we are more mobile than Cyrus and his buddies."
Rachel looked at Tyler and Rob. "We'd like to have you along, but I think you're best heading back to Deadman's Island. After we're done, we move into the Park in force. You have your objectives down?"
This message was last edited by the player at 09:33, Mon 14 Sept 2009.

"Okay, we got one unit to take Cyrus, another radio van to track the signals. Tyler and Rob need to take off, and we'll be arranging for evacuation of their people when we start the operation."

"Speaking of that, our forces will be converging on the Park from the West end and over the Lion's Gate Bridge. There will be a small unit in reserve that can be amphibiously inserted almost anywhere in the park to support either ground force or the force moving out of Deadman's Island."

"Anything else?"

He looked at Kelsey, "would you mind making up the call-signs for tonight?"
This message was last edited by the player at 09:38, Mon 14 Sept 2009.

Tyler nodded and grinned. "Yeah, it'll be good to see my dad again, get things ready. It'll be even better to get back into action! I guess if everything goes well, we'll see ya'all at the stadium where the Stickmen civvies are located."

"Uh-huh. Well good luck then. See you later, and we'll see those boats to take our people off."

Most excellent, Rachel!

The plan previously concocted was exposed throughout and was elaborated in an unorthodox mix of Canadian Law Enforcement and Soviet military principles of war. Preparedness, initiative and surprise, capability to achieve the mission, coordination, concentration and the primary concern of the security and safety of the members of the team was taking into consideration.

This new approach to planning of combined operations also translated in other contingency plans kept in the folders just in case...

Now I would like to recommend to get ready all the individual equipment that will be needed. In 2 hours will prepare the vehicle fleet and will conduct some drills with the selected militia. Kelsey, you will provide the call signs and coordination with the radio relay in Harbour Centre as well as the reserve force and HQ here in UBC. If there is no further questions so far this briefing is finished.

Inspector Khandola nodded in approval.

"I would like to add, for clarity's sake, that these individuals are considered armed and dangerous. Cyrus is considered a high-value captive, but you are allowed to defend yourselves."

"Simply put, he and his men are to be given the opportunity to surrender, but if they resist you are authorised to use deadly force. As well, under the current military rules of engagement if someone refuses to stop when ordered deadly force may also be used."

He didn't look comfortable about this, but still looked resolved.

"If you want, you may take a couple 4-wheel ATVs on a trailer for pursuit. That might be a good idea if Cyrus isn't knocked down or stunned, and give you more options than deadly force if he runs."
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:16, Tue 15 Sept 2009.

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #32):

"Good luck, Taras, everyone. I'm afraid I'm needed here to help organise our forces for the Park-clearing operation later tonight, whenever Cyrus is in the bag."

Thinking about Khndola's offer, Rachel accepted.

"Having a couple ATVs can't hurt. They're perfect for pursuit, especially for guys on mountain bikes."

"For personnel assignments, Taras is in commnad of the overall operation. Sergeant Fox will command the LAV, I'll head the snatch team, Master McRae and MacDonald will be the lookouts. Tyler? Rob? The evacuation won't take place until after we're done, still time to get involved if you want, we can have you home in time to get your own people together."

Command element: Taras / Kelsey
LAV-III: Fox + Militia driver
Snatch team: Lee + 2 RCMP
Lookouts: Andy and Mac
Backstop: 2 Militia
Security/ATV "chasers": 2 Militia

"So, that's 13 personnel. We have the LAV, 2 SUVs and 2 ATVs on a trailer."

Tyler considered the offer to accompany the team and looked like he thought it was a good idea.

"You know what? I think I'll take you up on that. I wouldn't mind taking part in this little shin-dig. Sergeant Fox has a driver for the LAV and he'll be the commander/gunner, but he could use a dedicated gunner. Unless you think I could be better used elsewhere?"

He looked interested and excited. This promised to be a different experience than the bloodbath in Chinatown. He was used to that kind of do=or-die situation, and looked forward to seeing how the skills and mindset he'd been taught and absorbed as an airborne soldier would apply to these circumstances.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:02, Tue 15 Sept 2009.

Rob smiled.

"Okay kid, you go on, I'll make sure things are ship-shape at home."

"I can't do too many of these late-nights anyways! We''l be packed and ready to leave when you get back to the island."

He slapped Tyler on the shoulder. "Have fun, Ty!"

In reply to Alain Belanger (msg #29):

"Right.  I guess I am on patrol.  Here are the call signs:

Command element:  Echo.
Snatch Element:  Romeo.
Assualt Elements:  Golf.  Victor.  Charlie.  Uniform.

Various parts of the elements are as follows:
Commander.  11
Commo.  2
xo  3


So if you are the commander of the whole shebang, you are Echo-one one
Commo for the Snatch element, Romeo two.
Xo of Snatch team 3, Charlie 3.

Any other codes needed?

Mr. Tyler, I applaud and commend your decision. I don't think that we will need to use the firepower of the LAV on this mission. I do believe that we will require the expertise and skills of a veteran soldier like you for the capture of our targets. Mr Tyler already demonstrated a good deal of courage and is people like you that the Government needs at this point. I'll be more than glad to include you in the snatch team.

Taras paused and looked at Robert Conklin:

Your help will be much needed coordinating your people in the Park. There is no doubt about it. Thank you for your cooperation. Please, before you part lets make sure that we have a radio link with you.

Then turned to Kelsey:

Good job on the call signs. We will produce a list with everybody involved in the operation and their call sign to aviod mistakes. I have to say that coordination is of the most importance.

Final words went to Clarke:

The capture of Cyrus and his bodyguards is just the beginning. We will need a reception comittee to be ready here at UBC as soon as we arrived so we can hand out the prisoners and proceed with the next step and move to Stanley Park. Based on the INTEL provided by the people at North Shore I provide them with the instructions to proceed to the assault of the North side of the bridge and how execute the breach of the obstacles and link with us in the main compound. So they are ready to support our effort at our command.

"Good idea, Tyler can help with the snatch. You've got your ATV, you can be one of the mounted element. Looks like a plan!"

She thought for a second.

"We need a catchy name for this operation. Hmm.... how about "OP SCREWDRIVER". Capturing Cyrus is the Vodka, and taking the park will be the orange juice? Something like that. A metaphor. I don't know where I'm going with this."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:22, Thu 17 Sept 2009.

Belanger laughed.

"Sure! Works for me. OP SCREWDRIVER. Why not?"

"We'll have a cell at the detachment waiting, plus the containment facility that's set up at Thunderbird stadium for the rest of his goons."

"OK," Andy said, "when's Go time?"

Go time? Well, we can count with setting up positions before midnight. I wouldn't expect something to happen earlier. In any case there is plenty to do before of that...

Taras took his notebook with the scratches of the impending operation.

All the people involved in tonight's mission will be going to downtown to see the area of operations in situ. It will be a quick look. Fast enough not to call too much attention but enough to become familiar with it. After that we'll be back to UBC and prepare all the collective and personal items needed. We will select an appropiate location around similar to the ambush site in downtown and we will practice the snatch. No live fire! But this will help to get a better job done.

He could sense some surprise to his last words and he felt obliged to say something else:

This is no longer the war we were used to fight. Now we have the legal, moral authority and enough material means to win the battle. We are superior and it would be really a shame if we do not take advantage of all the resources that we have. It was barely impossible to train for a mission while we were at war within conventional armies. The ability to re-enact the play and fine tunning the orchestra for tonight's concert will help to save lives, increase morale and overall efectiveness.

Lessons learnt. The Chinatown incident still too fresh in the ukrainian's mind. Hasty operations were dangerous business. This time the fruits of intel in depth of the enemy, modus operandi, terrain and exploit superior tactics and firepower would be harvested together and will pay off. "What you reap is what you sow"(Galatians 6:7).

We'll prepare a couple of civilian SUV's to move into downtown as soon as we get out of here. Commander, with your permission...

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #43):

"I am wondering what we can do to mask this flurry of activity.  I'll be monitoring the airways, but we may have to be prepared to interrupt the courriers that the angels tend to rely on."

Shevchenko was interested by the last comment:

This is very important, indeed. Regarding comms there are a few options that we have. We will monitoring the air waves for sure. This will give us an insight on what the Hell's Angels are up too. I believe we do have plenty of time to get out of downtown once Cyrus is captured. The bikers will be late to arrive and I don't see a clear initial reaction from them. The Stickmen don't seem to be high priority or interest for them. The follow on operation on the Park will be another issue but that's why we came up with the idea of the mobile clinic: To keep a good number of them away from the area of operations.

It was a nice sunny day, still a little cool in the shadows.

The team got together to do a little personal recce of the area beforehand. As well, the radio "HAZMAT" van would accompany them both to preserve the routine image and to see if they could triangulate with the comms station on Harbour Centre and determine where the rogue signals were coming from in the West End.

Arriving at the chosen intersection they saw it was a suitable area for their purposes. Taras' and Kelsey's position a few floors up in a skyscraper at the corner of Jervis/Melville and West Pender would give them a clear view of the intersection. Just a few dozen metres down was the choke point around a crashed semi that Cyrus's group would have to squeeze through. They could also see the corner down the block at Jervis and West Hastings where the LAV would wait, as well as the parkade where the ATV-mounted chasers would be, and across from them would be the backstop team. The only element not in sight would be Andy and Mac as lookouts at Pender and Bute.

Maintaining the security and safety of the operation was paramount. The brief visit to the area of operations gave enough situational awareness to all the members of the team. Suitable locations were chosen and upon nightfall and darkness the familiarity with the scene was a positive factor to weigh.

Taras insisted to find a suitable intersection in UBC grounds to rehearse the operation. Basic skills will be revisited: Individual camouflage in urban environment, movement in pairs, selection of targets and snatch, practise noise, light and litter discipline, arresting suspects, convoy driving and specially the communications aspect would be worked hard.

It was a sort of a symphonic movement were all the elements would be playing its own tune but at the same time they will have to follow the canon, bring harmony together. Basically, respecting the leitmotiv of tonight's theme the talented performers will be conducting a concerto that demanded at the same time a solid orchestra and personal virtuoso.

Dynamite will work best. Plastic explosive will be too much. I'll be using a 250 grams charge which is usually the common training charge that we use in training courses in shallow pits. No fragmentation, pure concussion wave.

Taras was giving some introduction to his playing part. Selection of a suitable explosive charge was paramount for the success of the mission. Too few and the beginning would become a dangerous situation. Too much and they will end up with a "road kill".

As a back up...just in case something fails. I'll be using handgrenades with impact fuze. These were developped after the experiences in Afghanistan with time delay grenades running down the rocks. We called them the "mountain grenades" in the Soviet Army. Impact fuzes will guarantee surprise due to the reaction time. These grenades also have a time delay fuze if the impact one fails to function.

Taras produced one of the grenades from his pocket to show to the team:


This message was last edited by the GM at 09:18, Thu 24 Sept 2009.

Right after the briefing it was time for everybody to start collecting the personal items that would be brought into the battle. Taras decided the fatigues over the more conventional uniform. It was a matter of trying not to be too obvious in a territory, Downtown, where everything and everybody remained mostly in the uncharted waters of the twilight wars.

The high end hiking boots were a radical departure in foot wear to the traditional soviet gear or the business attire black polished shoes RCMP standard. Agility, protection and stealth would be requirements of a mission and the Meindl were a solid response. A Colonel's salary worth...Thought Taras.



The duty belt holding a quick extraction Smith & Wesson would come in handy. It was a night mission and the tritium sights were a clear advantage. More punch with a 9 mm Pb. round and double the capacity over the the Makarov. The duty belt also gave the advantage of carrying extra equipment in the form of handcuffs, pepper spray, flashlight and the radio handset.

Over the cammo shirt he wore the assault vest. This item was nothing but a RPK gunner lifchik. The extra pockets for grenades will be perfect housing for the dual fuzed grenades.


In his hands was resting one of the most visually exciting members of the Kalashnikov Avtomat family. This was largely due to its noticeable abbreviated 8,2 inch barrel , chopped down handguards and simplistic, triangular and sidefolding stock. It was certainly designed to be carried more than shot and that was barely one year after the ubiquitous AK-74 entered production. The addition of a 45 round RPK-74 magazine locked into it indicated a willingness to fight in the urban jungle where speed and firepower was the best ally. Taras checked the unique sight, a departure from the bigger brother -74. It was greatly simplified from a sliding tangent to a L-shaped flip sight with two settings. The cirillic character "P" was chosen for a more than optimistic 200 meters battlesight setting.

The civilian type backpack was already prepared over the table. It contained the tools of the trade. Wire spool, detonators, the already prepared 250 grams dynamite charge and a minituare version of your local hardware store. There was enough space to carry the NVG but little else. It was heavy but the design allowed for easy transport resting over heavy padded shoulder straps.

Once fully equipped, Shevchenko moved up and down and around the building to test the loadout for balance, noise and comfort.

Taras' personal weapon.

---

1545 Hours

After the look at the ambush site, the team left the built-up areas of the city and headed back to the UBC compound without incident.

It was still a warm pleasant Tuesday afternoon. The sky was clear, after the strong winds in the morning have driven off all cloud cover.

The radio intelligence van stayed in the downtown/West End to gather more signals information. So far, no one had been able to get a clear fix on them or listen in. The frequencies were in the VHF band consistent with commercial hand-held radios. They seemed to be coming from within a 5 square block area centred around Beach and Hornby on False Creek, still a fairly large footprint. Hopefully, they would be able to keep gathering data through the evening.

However, the van would pull back to the Harbour Centre outpost at dusk, both for safety's sake and to keep to the pattern established by earlier patrols.

As they headed back over the Burrard St. Bridge, Andy thought he saw someone observing them from one of the high-rise apartment buildings along Beach between the Granville and Burrard St. bridges. However, it was impossible to tell, and stopping on the bridge would put them completely in the open, so they continued back (in safety).

Once back at the Uni, the group gathered equipment and got kitted out.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:17, Tue 29 Sept 2009.

Lee got the team together once personal gear had been sorted out.

Rachel was wearing her dark navy ERT assault jumpsuit, balaclava Kevlar helmet and heavy assault vest. Personal weapons were her 9mm S&W and Remington 870 shotgun. She took a couple flash-bangs and a couple CS grenades, plus a couple spare magazines for the pistol. Loading 5 stunbags for the shotgun, she also took 20 buckshot-filled cartridges in case they were needed. These went into pouches on the vest and loops on the shotgun.

She also checked her personal tactical radio, flashlight and her NVGs; as this would be a night operation those would be important. Because of the possibility of tear gas, she made sure her gas mask was ready. She added her steel handcuffs, a collapsible baton, and a pouchful of flexible cuffs, plus extra for the people who'd be doing the apprehension. Topping that off was her Halligan tool and Nomex gloves. Again, most of this gear was attached to or stored on her vest or the cargo pockets of her dark navy jumpsuit.

She had the team gather at an intersection on campus, along with the LAV, a couple parked ATVs, and a small group of male and female volunteers both on and off bikes to play the part of Cyrus, his posse, and bystanders. They were just down from their assigned quarters at Ritsumikan House, and bordering the street was a strip on grass, one of the few lawns that hadn't been sectioned off and plowed under for food production.

"Okay, I think we should practice doing the snatch. It could be tricky, we have a few elements, like the LAV, two ATVs and a snatch team, and we've got to work out the kinks."

Stripping herself of much of her bulky gear for the mean time, she handed Tyler a bulky yellow and black pistol-shaped weapon.

"Tyler, you get a Taser, as does your partner. I'll have the third. We have enough reloaded amunition for you to take a few practice shots. So go ahead!"

"Eddie and Kamal were students here at UBC, on the wresting team. So they figure they can take a shot each. I figure you should practice firing at running targets."

"The rest of you, when the fun is over, this is what's going to happen when it goes down:

"We'll get a warning from Andy and the lookout element and the targets will quickly move into the ambush zone. There will be a BANG! That will be the signal for the ATVs and LAV to move out. The LAV blocks the road to the west, the team disembarks, while the ATVs flank on the north and south side of the intersection. We secure the prisoners, chase any runners, then re-mount and evacuate back to the UBC."

"Let's practice this over and over, we got a few hours before dinner. It's almost 1600 now, and if things are like usual Cyrus will probably head out around sunset, at 1900. I don't think we should move into place until after he passes, going to Brandie's. We grab him on the way back, which will probably be 0500 or so the next morning."

The young Mountie looked energised and enthusiastic. She finally felt more in her element after years of war and rural policing that crossed the line between combat and law enforcement. Briefly catching Kelsey's eye she grinned impishly, then moved along with getting people organised.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:15, Tue 29 Sept 2009.