The centre of gravity of the Billy Goats turns around the Control Tower. This provides an outstanding observatory post and alert centre from where reaction forces are dispatched if intruders are detected on the island. To take this Command and Control facility is imperative. Since we do not have an Air Assualt capability to quickly take them out and we have to rely instead on slower moving mechanized forces we have to make a surgical removal using long range, precise artillery. Here is where Capt. Bezhov and his SA-8 Air Defense combat vehicle will make an impact. The starting point will be the destruction of the Control Tower with those missiles that apppeared to be able to be targeted with radar and and electro-optic system. Upon consultation, Capt. Bezhov feels confident about this task.

Taras already thought of many other ways to destroy the Control Tower but only through sheer application of seriously precise and powerful firepower couyld be achieved.

Then we will conduct a river crossing, my military specialty in the Red Army as a Combat Engineer, the purpose will be to move combat power in the fporm of a re-inforced mechanized platoon consisting in:

- 1 LAV III with crew and 6 troopers.
- 1 BMP-2 with crew and 6 troopers.
- 1 BTR-70 with crew and 8 troopers.
- 1 "technical" in the form of a SUV with a .50 cal HMG and a crew of at least four.
- 1 "technical" in the form of a SUV with a Mk-19 and a crew of at least four.
- 2 ATV's with a crew of 2 each.

This will be followed by Comat Service Support and a follow-up force in the shape of a full company of Military Police made up fo RCMP and militia that will be tasked primarily as a reserve force during the mech. assault and then as a consolidation force once the take over the airport is complete.

While most of the audience was taking mental and/or written notes, Shevchenko moved to explain on to the fire support:

I'm counting with the formation of an artillery battery under the command of Capt. Bezhov and composed by the SA-8, two Cougars armed with 76 mm guns that are currently in the North Shore militia hands and our 60 mm mortar. In PacWar style, I'd rather mass the artillery firepower and put it under the main effort rather the divide it piecemeal. Seems like the Cougars are not mobile but that does not matter much as long as they can shoot.

A lot of logistical effort would be required but Taras was a pragnatic man and knew well what could be achieved or at least expected with the contribution of professionals of the arms and enough political back up.

If this arty capacity can not be completed as such we can count with going shopping to the Hell's Angels island and get a couple of mortar tubes or whatever we can get. As I said this will be a combined arms operation and as such will be conducted.

Before I run into more detail about the crossing here are some facts to matter to understand this operation:

We rely on SURPRISE, the enemy will not be expecting such an effort. When they do, it will be too late for them. We will build a deception plan as well as not to give out our location of crossing with false preps, fires, etc. I must encourage SECURITY and respect noise, cammouglage and concealment at all times. I'm expecting a decent weather to conduct the crossing. This will be done by snorkeling and ferry. More on that later on. We may be do that in low light conditions as well.

Extensive preparations will be conducted including heavy reconnoissance, maskirovka and detailed rehearsals for tyhe units to fully understand the plan. We will be flexible with contingencies but I'd like discipline and stick to the plan. Again, I come from a heavily disciplinarian background and this type of operation is demanding enough to require certain rigidity and observance of the rules.

There will be traffic control. From the University to the Indian Reserve and from there to the river crossing shores and beyond. This will be conducted by RCMP and militia especially trained. The units taking part in the operation will be organized through command and control cells.

Finally SPEED. It is of the most importance to cross the river quickly, assemble the force and prepare the assault quickly, without losing command.

Before I go more into the detailed phases of the operation I will like to make sure that our Commander Belanger feels confident with this plan and we can count with the approval and support of the other representatives of the forces that will be required in the operation: Members of the Canadian Forces, RCMP, militia, ex Soviet combatants, survivalists, etc.

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #22):

Belanger had impressed the team with his distaste for the Billy Goats and their emnity for the Faculty he protected. They weren't the worst bunch of criminals and indeed some of the mutual hostility between the Billy Goats and the Faculty was to an extent mutual, but they were still deserters and he wouldn't be unhappy if they were all thrown in jail.

"One thing, Taras. I've seen the two Piranhas MacArthur had mounted on flatbeds to protect his train up on the North Shore.

"They're not the fire-support Cougars (with the 76mm Scorpion turrets) but the APC Grizzly versions (with the cal-fifty/M1919 MG paired in the LVT-7 turret). Both hulls are stripped of engines, transmissions, suspension, wheels, etc. but we could have them running in a matter of days. It's straightforward mechanical work at this point, and we can double or even triple shift the mechanics for this."

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #22):

Attending Provost Belanger (militia and security commander) was the leader of the UBC community, Angela Kwan, the newly-defected Cpt. Bezhov, and the local commander of police, Inspector Kahndola. (Khandola was technically Belanger's superiour, but tended to go along with the Provost's recommendations.)

Bezhov and Belanger looked delighted with the outline. This was somewhat of an unusual application for Bezhov's beloved 98K33M3 OSA system ("SA-8 Gecko") but as of late there had been few chances to put it to use, due to the lack of high-performance jet aircraft. He was just glad to put his weapons to use, even if in an unconventional role as ground-attack!

Khandola seemed neutral, although this kind of military operation was beyond his training and experience he too wanted the Billy Goats brought to justice.

Kwan looked somewhat disturbed, not unexpected for a former professor of Political Science confronted dead-on with the effecting of policy by other means.

"Taras, I know we have had our problems with the Billy Goats. They refuse to negotiate with us until now because we're just civilians to them, but is there any way you can reopen negotiations with them on our behalf? Or would that compromise our, ah, security?"

Belanger pointed out, "Angela, as Taras said, we are going to ask for their surrender, first. If we can negotiate something first, great. But this is a needed strategic target. As the hydrology people point out, YVR is on a reclaimed island and is below sea level. If the river level gets much higher the dikes may fail and then the airport floods, making is worthless and possibly costing many lives."

He concluded:

"Time is of the essence."

The council of war was about to start the debate and Taras thought that the civilian casualties issue would be brought up and could compromise the strictly military nature of his planned assault.

Certainly...certainly... He interrupted as to trying to make his point:

There will be casualties if the targeting of the tower goes accordingly. This is a small price to pay. A control tower blasting out of the sky after being hit by a Mach 2 rocket will certainly send a clear message for the rest to surrender. I don't believe they will still have stomach to put up a fight. If they do, the sight of our mechanized platoon dashing towards should still work. The last word will still up to them....

Shevchenko also recognized his mistake about the hulls on the North Shore. He wouldn't get his artillery as he wished:

Belanger, seems that I was mistaken about the guns. Chances are we will need to use our contacts with the Hell's Angels, Andy and Tyler. Perhaps we should consider to send them to Annacis Island and get at least a couple of mortar tubes and enough ammo to provide support for the assault.

 He let his mind drift over the points of the mission and had to frown at the missle attack, Umm, on targeting the airport tower, dont mind doing the bad guys there, but there is alot of electronics packed inside the tower and comm gear, are we willing to give that up?, have to wonder if getting a team inside the tower might not be better?.

Kelsey taps her pencil eraser idly against her notepad while frowning.

"I can chip in with the repairs... I'm good especially at working on the vehicle electronics and fire control, but I can help with mechanical.  I also suggest that my team get listening posts set up and monitor what we can of traffic"

Fox had attended the meeting grudgingly.  It might be his job and duty to be there, but he didn't have to enjoy it.  He halfway listened to Shevchenko and Belanger, and gave Hope and Champlain a little more more attention when they spoke up.

He waited until there was a break with no one speaking then, and voiced in "Sgt. Shevchenko, as I understand your plan and your emphasis on the Billy Goats noticing the destruction of the tower, am I to understand that this will be a daylight operation?"

Hoping for a response in the negative, but preparing for an afirmative, Fox was already trying to think of the most respectful way that he could voice disagreement.  An airport runway is a long way to drive with no cover, especially after a gigantic knock-on-the-door, we're-on-our-way-in like an explosion in the tower, he thought privately.

Meanwhile...

Weeks earlier in Squamish, Seth said goodbye to George Clark. "Good luck, man. Find my cousin, my aunt's worried about her. Take care of yourself, eh?"

After the small convoy followed the rail line south, they arrived in West Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay). His family were found quarters, and Seth found work with Rod MacArthur down in North Vancouver, across the water from downtown Vancouver and Stanley Park. He was hired, along with other former CF personnel (and the odd ex-Soviet and US soldier) as part of the train's security team for its regular runs to Squamish and back. His knowledge of the way north along the rail line was invaluable to Rod, as the train had been secretly contracted to make a dangerous run all the way to Lillooet, farther than it'd gone before. The train's "yard" in North Van was based in the rail tunnels underneath the Lonsdale Quay shopping complex, with shops, quarters, warehousing and access to a nearby rail loop to allow them to shunt cars around (including 2 mounted with Grizzly APC hulls) and get turned around.

The militia, police and other volunteers from the trainyard in "North Van" and the fishing village by the BC Ferries terminal at Horseshoe Bay in "West Van" had agreed to help the government enclave in UBC clear Stanley Park. This would also secure the Lion's Gate bridge from the hands of a psychotic street gang and reestablish contact between West Van, North Van and Vancouver itself. A small unit of Soviet deserters (including 2 APCs) acting as mercenaries formed the core of the West Van Police and militia, while Rod's train security force (including Seth and other veterans) formed the core of the North Van civilian volunteers (there was no longer a North Van RCMP detachment and no militia). North and West Van always cooperated extensively before. This time (for example) North Van helped West Van by completely rebuilding the Soviet mercenaries' broken-down BTR-70 to become a riot-control vehicle complete with water cannon, "people catcher" and side plating.

In the past week they made the contracted run up to Lillooet and back with little problem, picking up a groups of Soviet deserters, along with their large 6-wheeled SA-6 "Gecko" anti-aircraft missile vehicle. They were fleeing the remnants of the loyalist Soviet garrison in Bella Coola. Shepherding them was a small unit led by Lt. Jagelis, who informed Seth there was a government intelligence unit operating out at UBC, and they were looking for experienced personnel (CF and RCMP preferred, but also others). Jagelis didn't hang around West Van, it was clear he had other things to do elsewhere and didn't have time to chat. Where or what he wouldn't say, all need-to-know.

The previous night, Seth helped the combined police, militia and volunteer forces from North and West Van secure and clear the park with no friendly casualties and a few wounded Stickmen. Without their leader, Cyrus, the gang had folded easily.

The next day, Seth made his way by ATV south over the newly-secured Lion's Gate, through the downtown, across to Kitsilano and finally west towards UBC. It was obvious this part of Vancouver was coming back to life. There were people on the streets going about their business, yards and parks were being cultivated, stalled vehicles being cleared from the choked streets and boulevards. He'd made sure he had the proper permits to go about armed, and a map to tell him where to go.

A militia patrol intercepted Seth and after checking his paperwork for his weaponry, directed him to the closer of the two entrances to UBC. It was a checkpoint in a double perimeter fence, with two mutually-supporting bunkers behind a series of concrete road barriers that forced approaching vehicles to slow down and form a single file. There were ample signs warning people that UBC was federal land and firearms were not permitted. (Technically still a part of the military, Seth was exempted.)

Once through the checkpoint he passed through both deep forest and cultivated lands on the university grounds, then arrived at the group of campus building and checked in at the RCMP detachment. After stowing his gear and all weapons except his sidearm, he made a report to the DRI's commander, Lt. Cdr. Clarke-Sullivan. Determining he wanted to join the DRI unit pending orders from the RMR in Kamloops or 39 Brigade HQ on the Island, she invited him along to the team briefing.

When he arrived, Seth realised that he recognised Andy and Fox as fellow "Pats" (members of the PPCLI) and had worked and fought alongside Mac (Chris MacDonald) in the Rocky Mountain Rangers up around Lillooet and Prince George. The recognition was mutual, of course!

Lt. Cdr. Clarke-Sullivan entered, leading a man in CF combats.

"Hello, everyone. Angela, Alain, Inspector Khandola."

She nodded hello to the rest of the personnel present.

"Sorry I'm so late. I have a new person here, Sergeant Seth Delaney, he's been with the PPCLI and now the RMR. Lately with Rod MacArthur's train security team in North Van."

The man with her was immediately recognised by several people as either a personal friend or at least a fellow soldier.

Clarke-Sullivan made herself a cup of tea.

Seth was still getting used to Vancouver.  The city seemed to be recovering from the War and was for more of a civilised place than Seth had been used to in recent years.  He was glad that he had persuaded Patrick to travel all the way from Pemberton to here - it looked like a much safer place for his ex wife Karen to bring up their kids.

They even checked firearms permits here!  That had freaked him out to some degree and he was conscious that his ATV and trailer must look like some kind of isolationist nutter's pet gun collection!

<img src="http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/1200/sethb.jpg"align="left">Seth himself looked like a soldier fresh out of combat.  Though he appeared to be relatively clean and had a well kept and freshly trimmed beard, his head was wrapped in a green patterned Keffiyeh and his uniform looked to be worn in several places.  He was wearing multiple unit insignia, having both PPCLI and RM RANG flashes stitched above his Sergeant stripes.

At present he was wearing CA standard issue webbing with a holstered HP-35 pistol on his right hip and three STANAG magazine pouches around his waist, indicating that he was someone who liked to carry a lot of ammo at all times, though his rifle had obviously been left somewhere else.

Seth is a fairly big man, standing a little over six feet in height with a hefty but athletic build.  When he gets chatting he has a friendly smile and likes to share a laugh and a joke with his comrades.

His brief interview with Lt. Cdr. Clarke-Sullivan had gone well.  He had told her the story of his recce patrol from Kamloops down Highway 99 via Pemberton and his winter stay in Squamish.  He had reported what he knew of Soviet defectors threatening Pemberton and how the Coastal Salish were both in control of Squamish and friendly to travellers along the road.  He had also told Clarke-Sullivan what he knew of the state of Highway 99 and how the railway was a much better option for much travel, even if it was in a truck along the track.

Seth had also explained that he had been working for Rod MacArthur most recently and had met Lt. Jagelis, who had told him of the DRI unit based at UBC.  He'd also recounted his involvement in the operation at the park the previous night where he had joined the combined police, militia and volunteer forces from North and West Vancouver.  He hadn't even fired a round as threatening people had been sufficient in the area of the park he had been deployed.  In fact most of what he'd done had been rounding up non combatants who were pitiful rather than dangerous.

Lt. Cdr. Clarke-Sullivan had seemed very interested in his report and his request to be able to contact RMR HQ in Kamloops if that was at all possible.  Rod MacArthur had told him that the DRI unit had long distance comms gear that would allow him to report into RMR HQ for the first time in about six months.  They probably thought that all four members of his patrol were dead!  Only Phil Matthews had been unlucky however.

After his interview Lt. Cdr. Clarke-Sullivan had been keen for him to attend a briefing that was going on and though Seth had initially been a little apprehensive about butting into someone else's operation he had followed her lead and he was glad that he had.  He had glanced around the room, quickly recognising three people in the room.  Two other members of the PPCLI, Andy McRae and Robert Fox, and another member of the RMR in Chris "Mac" MacDonald.

He smiled a friendly smile at the three men he recognised and offered his hand in greeting to each of them.  His handshake was as it had always been, strong and firm, but there would be time for an extended catch up later on.  He was conscious at the moment that he had interrupted someone else's briefing and, if Lt. Cdr. Clarke-Sullivan was proven to be correct, he could be joining this unit for the moment until the RMR decided on what else they wanted him to do.

Seth stood to attention and saluted the group of men who seemed to be leading the briefing, unsure exactly who was in charge.

"Sergeant Seth Delaney, Sir," he said with his deep voice, a slight touch of an Alberta accent apparent to those who studied such things.  "Formally of 3rd Battalion PPCLI but currently serving with the RMR."

He then took the nearest available seat and attempted to work out what this briefing was about.

Taras nodded to Andrea Clarke and welcomed the new arrival quickly indicating him to take a seat.

Regrettably we do not have neither the capability or means to prepare an air assault. The bridges are certainly tempting but they are certainly a most dangerous avenue of approach. They are choke-points. If our limited intel over the enemy is correct, it appears that the Billy Goats may have a substantial military background. To have a stopped column in a bridge will spell disaster. Secondly, we are planning to move a large amount of weight over a structure that may or may not be ready to support it. My study of the Lion's Gate Bridge concluded that there was a pre-war limit of 15 tons for road traffic. That's well below the 17 tons+ of a combat weight of the LAV III. It is a risk that will not escape the eye of a Combat Engineer...


Pride inflated him in his last line but nightmares about bogged down armored columns trapped and easily slaughtered came to mind in a rapid flash: The Salang Pass, Vedeno, Urus-Martan and in Southern Germany...

This operation is not just a simple raid. The idea is to take over the airport. There is a mechanized platoon to be moved together with its combat support and consolidation troops together with all the logistics involved. The only place where we can launch the bridgehead with surprise is the Musqueam Reserve. The distance to cover is respectable, even for a mechanized force but the advance can be covered by darkness and or smoke. We are also planning to obtain a larger picture of what they really have in there before the assault.

Seth studied the man who appeared to be leading the briefing, attempting to work out his accent and his rank, if any, from the insignia on his uniform.  Lt. Cdr. Clarke-Sullivan had breezed into the briefing without feeling the need to apologise so Seth guessed that she outranked the man however.

The mission seemed to involve taking over the airport and it sounded like a fairly major engagement was planned.  Seth had no idea who the Billy Goats were however so a degree of confusion was apparent on his face.  He would need to catch up sharply however, particularly if they asked him to join their forces.

Seth was a professional soldier by training and inclination and he'd felt a little out of the loop over the last few months in Squamish.  He was keen to get back into the swing of military life now that his kids were as safe as he could make them so he was keen to join this operation if they would have him.  Particularly as there were some good people already here.  It was a small world in many respects!

He raised his hand, indicating that he had a question to ask and spoke when there was a gap in the briefing.  "Sir," even if the man giving the briefing wasn't an officer it never paid to be too cautious, "sorry to interrupt but who are the Billy Goats?"

In reply to Seth Joseph Delaney (msg #34):

Mac brightened as he recognised Seth. The men had met last year in the Rocky Mountain Rangers.

"Seth, ya bastard! Er, sorry. I mean, Sergeant Delaney. Great to see you, man! How's the wife, I mean ex, and kids?"

He explained the odd name.

"The Billy Goats are a gang located at the airport. It's our objective. They're called that because they use the bridges over the North Arm of the Fraser to intercept river traffic and charge a toll."

Mac was looking good, he'd put on weight since Seth last saw him as an anti-Soviet partisan, now dressed in CF combats and a green beret. He was also growing his hair a little long for the military. He also wore a beard, which was allowed in the CF since a Sikh officer had designed a gas mask that could be worn with all facial hair.

In reply to Seth Joseph Delaney (msg #32):

Andrea put Seth at ease.

"At east, Sergeant."

"Staff Sergeant Shevchenko, Taras, is in charge of the briefing. He's in charge of planning this upcoming operation. My background is more in intelligence gathering, not operational planning."

In reply to Tyler Gabriel Hope (msg #27):

"I believe I can speak for the Faculty leadership on the salvage potential of the control tower."

He took a pointer and tapped it on a photograph of the terminal buildings.

"The main control tower was built in 1996, but there is still an old control tower dating back to 1967. We believe that most of the electronic equipment in the new tower was rendered non-operational by several EMPs in late 1997, including the exo-atmospheric burst over North America and localised EMP from the multiple strikes in the eastern part of the city over the oil storage tanks and Chevron refinery in Burnaby, and the Ioco refinery."

"The old tower is still intact, the radars and displays were not removed. If the new tower is badly damaged, we can still try and make the old tower operational."

"Either way, losing the new tower is considered acceptable to secure the airport. Of course, we would prefer to capture the control tower intact, but it's hard to see how we can do that without some kind of risky commando operation. Although, to be sure, we have enough commando personnel to form a suitable team."

He clarified Taras' answer about darkness. "Tyler, it is possible that we could do this after dark. Armies operated at night all the time before the invention of night-vision gear! God knows the CF didn't have a lot in the way of night-vision until the mid-90's. We should bear in mind we did complete the operation to clear Stanley Park from the Stickmen at night, although a group of trained military personnel with APCs and presumably heavy weapons is a different proposition! We do have a limited number of night-vision devices, including that on the LAV. Smoke is also an option, because the Billy Goats may well have night-vision of their own."

"Most important is advanced intelligence about the objective, although time is of the essence. As well, this will restrict out options regarding re-opening negotiations. They might listen to military personnel instead of civilians from the Faculty, but then again they might not, and that could compromise the element  of surprise."

Alain thought for a second.

"Taras, it may seem a little sneaky, but what about re-opening negotiations with the Billy Goats while going ahead at the same time with planning to secure YVR? They may not suspect a strike as long as we are talking, and it gives us more options if negotiations fail. Who knows, negotiations might succeed!"
This message was last edited by the player at 09:08, Tue 20 Apr 2010.

The Scottish dressed Corporal sits up, dropping her glengary on the tabletop.
"If it could be operational, then let's salvage it.  I am pretty sure if it isn't fried, then I can get it going again."
She smooths her kilt, thinking a moment, then nods.
"If they have already turned down parley, I don't see why we can wave something in their face while our other hand takes what we need.  They wanted to play gruff, won't see the writing on the wall.  Their loss.""

She leans back in her chair and her eyes float around the room, stopping on Mac and winking once.

Andy smiled at Seth and muttered a quick, "Catch you later", before returning his concentration to the briefing.

Once he had a chance to speak he said, "I'm glad to hear that the Air Control Tower doesn't contain the electronics we need, that being the case I'm happy to see it blaste dby artillery. I have several reservations about the mission as it stands however, not objections but things we are going to have to cover. The first is that we'll need a detailed covert observation and survey of the channel you intend to use for the water borne assault as well as finding suitable points for entering and leaving the water. I'm also concerned about the open ground the armour needs to cover, darkness and smoke are great ideas but just one anti-armour weapon and some night vision gear and we're screwed."

Any paused for a moment, "I'd suggest a demonstration toward the bridge which is supported by mocked up armour, this would lessen the chances of them being able to depoly such weapons against us. Also, even though I'm suggesting refinements to the military plan, I'd agree a negotiated solution would be ideal. The Billy Goats aren't aware of the findings of our Hydrothingy people, maybe if we share them that, perhaps we can encourage their co-operation."

Fox looked right at McRae and said "I disagree.  Letting them know that they'll soon be knee-deep and surrounded would only back them into a corner.  You never know what a man will do when he gets like that."

He brought his attention back around to Shevchenko.  "Staff Sergeant, I know who don't have a site picked for your crossing yet, but it's bound to take some time and make some noise.  Call me a pessimist, but I'd prefer something besides artillery as a distraction or cover to an op like this.  Maybe a simple bluff attack on the opposite side, to draw out the defenses?  A sniper team with some explosives might do the trick..."

Very well...

Negotiations should be conducted, of course. Regrettably I don't have the time or skill myself. Planning of the operation will take all of my time. If a negotiation team can be formed and put to work, and I believe our civilian counterparts will be more useful, we can better concentrate on our affairs.

If everybody is OK with the proposed operation I'm willing to move forward as we speak and start task organizing the elements.

 He had listened to those who spoke with the training they had learned the hard way and nods to most of what was said.

 All right, so we need to at least get a agreement to be able to use the comm gear on the airport and if possible to open up the place for aircraft?, why not try and make a deal?, sometimes a carrot will do more good then waving a stick at them.  If a deal can be struck where they can get some stuff they dont have now, maybe a trade off?. We know we can kick their ass without to much effort but the cost may be high. Just my thoughts commander.

Kelsey looks back and forth between the people talking, her brows knitting, waiting her turn... but eventually simply blurting out instead when it seemed to her things were a little far.

"Have we even sent a serious negotiation party to parlay with these folks?  Aren't they just displaced soldiers, much like the rest of us?  Are we sure a show of force to possible citizens is what we really want to do?"

Her gaze sweeps the room, then she shrugs slightly.

"I am sure if we are spoiling for a fight, we can find one, but why ask for one if we haven't tried another way?  I can ask around, maybe find someone that knows someone, maybe get us a face to face.  I mean.. until not long ago, we were all just fighting to survive, they might just see our side if we explain it?"

In reply to Tyler Gabriel Hope (msg #42):

Fixing herself a cup of tea, Kwan (the political scientist) answered,

"Our priority is to strip YVR of all electronics to restore communications in the city.

"Second is to prevent them from charging a toll on or otherwise restricting river traffic, which is illegal and undesirable however you look at it. (If you build a road on your property you can charge a toll, you can't take over a federal or provincial road and charge a toll.)

"Third is to reopen the airport, although we don't have much need for that as air traffic is minimal if not nonexistent, and if the river gets much higher there's a danger the dikes that keep YVR from flooding will fail. (The airport is on an island called Sea Island that's been mostly "reclaimed" from the mouth of the Fraser river, most is under sea level.) We might have better luck reopening Boundary Bay or Langley International Airport.

"We don't have a problem with negotiations, and bribery is not out of the question. We can also offer amnesty of some kind. Evacuation to higher ground for everyone at YVR, certainly. In the past we think they haven't wanted to deal because of some... misunderstandings... when we came over to salvage in the past. There were no fatalities, thank God. Plus, they tend to look down upon us as being civilians."

"But no, they've refused to open negotiations with us in the past.

"Getting a little more off-topic, we found the remains of a convoy in Stanley Park that had been ambushed and looted by the Stickmen. From the presence of a large quantity of aviation fuel (now in our hands) and other materials we surmise this convoy had been from YVR, intending to head across the park to Lion's Gate and make it to West Van, but they never made it. Now of course we're not giving back the fuel and supplies, but they might be happy to know their friends were avenged. If indeed these were friends and not outcasts of some kind from YVR."

"Getting back on topic, our success against the Stickmen certainly gives us a lot of creditability in negotiations. As well, if we can contact New Westminster, the biggest community upstream from VYR, and get them on our side, then they will be pressured from both sides."

Tyler had seen the US Army HEMTT tanker parked by Cyrus' HQ, along with a moving van. It didn't take a lot to make the connection to a certain '67 Mercury Cougar that had been parked there as well. The government got the tanker and the van full of supplies, but Ed had gotten the Cougar as a kind of consolation prize, which was better than a kick in the ass with a frozen boot!
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:37, Tue 20 Apr 2010.

Seth listened to the discussions going on around him, trying to figure out the initial details that he'd missed.

Every so often his attention turned back to Taras.  Up until a few months ago he wouldn't ever have thought that he'd be sitting with a bunch of other Canadian and US soldiers listening to a Soviet soldier give a briefing.  Times had changed fundamentally though since the end of the war and that had been brought home to him by his stay in Squamish over the winter.  While there he'd met a former Yefreytor (the equivalent of a Trained Private in the CF) from the Soviet Army called Kristjan Viereck who spoke good English.  Kristjan was actually Estonian and he had explained to Seth that all members of the Soviet forces weren't actually dedicated Russians or Communists.

This had been quite an important turning point for Seth because up to that point he'd looked at all members of the Soviet forces as a single entity.  Meeting some former Soviet soldiers in Kristjan and his friends had brought home to Seth that the war was essentially over now and that people were just people now.

That meant that when he looked at Taras he didn't see a former enemy but rather the operational commander of this unit.  Though from listening to Taras speak he realised that he was a thorough man who preferred to be organised and ready for the direct action response rather than labouring with the softly softly approach.  That sounded very Russian to Seth!

Waiting for a lull in the discussion Seth then added his own thoughts and questions.

"Do you have any idea on the numbers of these Billy Goats?  You've said that they're ex CF and US soldiers but how many of them are there?  Also how much are they charging in tolls?  Is it a profitable business for them?  Lastly how are they feeding themselves?  Are they trading with anyone for food?"

He glanced around the room at some of the others he had recognised when he had first walked in.

"It sounds to me like you need to put these guys under observation for a while to gather some intel.  You've got several people here who could set up a obs point at night so that we could do a count of faces and armament for a day at least.  Even if you've got the tech guys repairing armoured vehicles at the same time it might be best to get some guys to gather intel while that's going on."