Belanger looked from Keith to Seth as they walked over.

"Friend of yours?"

Seth left his rifle in Belanger's Land Rover as requested and adjusted the green beret on his head.  He looked profoundly uncomfortable to be wearing it and it made him look slightly odd as his longer than regulation hair was normally tied back out of the way in his Keffiyeh.

I'm going to need to get a haircut if I'm going to have to wear this bloody thing, he thought to himself!  Adjusting to a more peacetime role was going to pose some issues for Seth - he was a combat soldier through and through but he would have to change.  If that was only the price of peace then it was one that he was more than happy to pay!

He walked over towards Keith and replied to Belanger's question.  "Yes, he was under my command for about the last six months on the recce patrol from Kamloops down to here and I also served with him for a while before that.  He's a good solid man who you can rely on and if he's looking for a job you should definitely recruit him.  His parents were living in Vancouver the last he knew of them and so when we arrived in the city I helped my family settle in in North Vancouver while he went off searching for his family."

He stopped for a second and looked Belanger in the eye.  "Put it this way Mr. Belanger.  I'd trust McRae, Fox and MacDonald with my life if need be and I'd put Tremblay in the same category.  As the old saying goes we've eaten a lot of the same dirt together."

He smiled faintly at his own joke before continuing across to the gate to find out why his friend was at UBC.

In reply to Seth Joseph Delaney (msg #147):

"Your buddy's a jarhead, huh? Nice, good soldiers, those yank Marines. I see he's made himself at home, obviously, he's got a good head on his shoulders. Let's go see what he wants."

They walked over to the bunker. Belanger noted Tremblay's rank and offered his hand.

"Sergeant Tremblay? I'm Alain Belanger, Provost, in charge of university security Seth here. Sergeant Delaney, tells me that you're an old friend of his, as well as "Mac? (Pvt. Chris MacDonald). We're pleased to see you."
This message was last edited by the player at 07:01, Wed 12 May 2010.

Keith focused a little closer when he saw the old red & black car followed by a police car.  "Damn!  Still doing motor vehicle stops after the apocolypse.  God, I love this country!"

As he sees the land rover pull up and two men get out, he notices one of the men as his friend Seth as he puts down the coffee cup and appraoches towards the pair of me.  "Holy Shit!  My boy Seth!  What the hell are you doing here soldier?"

Tremblay took his attention away from Seth and addressed the Belanger fellow politely.  "Nince to meet you Mr. Belanger.  I guess Seth and that no good jarhead MacDonald filled you in already?  Can't be too bad, don't have any bullet or stab wounds in me, yet.  Affirmative sir, me and Seth, or Sgt. Delaney, there go back a little ways.  Being that you're so pleased to see me, what have you got going on over here?  I actually came looking for my folks and my brother and sister.  Hell, I guess some work would be nice at some point?  Can't see you taking anyone in your community here without them being able to contribute.  How am I doing so far Mr. Belanger?

You're looking good Seth!  Glad to see you made it here."

In reply to Keith Michael Tremblay (msg #149):

"Hey, Kelsey, let me out!"

Interested in what was going on, Rachel let herself out of the Cougar and walked over to the RCMP cruiser and started talking with the driver.

The coffee was pre-war instant, with real cream and honey. It was probably the best brew he'd had in a while, as most coffee packs in the MREs and IMPs had disappeared by now. One of the militia took the mug when Keith emptied it.

"Refill, or are you done?"

Keith saw the Cougar's passenger door open, and a good-looking Asian woman in RCMP patrol uniform (yellow-banded police hat, black yellow-striped pants, dark blue Goretex windbreaker bilingually marked RCMP/GRC) got out. She walked over to the parked Ford Crown Victoria, and the driver rolled down the window. Looking at him, she and the other Mountie behind the wheel chatted.

In reply to Keith Michael Tremblay (msg #150):

Belanger grinned. "About fifty-fifty.

"Before the war, the University was designated as a "recovery node", where in case of earthquake or other natural disaster, or nuclear war, this would be where relief efforts could be based. It's federal land, there's an RCMP detachment, power plant and hospital, even bunkers left over from WWII. As you know, the war went on for months before the nuclear attacks, which in themselves weren't the classic WWIII "spasm", so some advance preparations were made."

Belanger helped himself to a mug of coffee, and looked at the Militia and Mounties manning the gate. They took the hint and moved a few steps off, giving them some relative privacy.

"Many government records are stored here for safekeeping, including evacuation lists and, ah, casualties. Plus, we've started a survey on the city population, names and current addresses. So we might have some information for you, but it could take a day or so. It's on computer, but a lot of newer data is still being uploaded.

"Let me know their names and Social Insurance Numbers if you know them, I'll see what I can do.

"The University itself is kind of the hub of our operations, for now. The nearby neighborhoods are patrolled and are safe to live in. We have a hospital and school on-campus, plus technical services and fuel production. We will be expanding services as we secure the rest of the city.

"However, while Vancouver itself is getting back on track, there are problems out in the suburbs. Burnaby was nuked and there are reports of gang activity. New West (New Westminster) seems to be functioning as an independent municipality, and there is a Soviet nuclear submarine docked there, Delta III-class. A gang called the Billy Goats occupy the international airport. There is a Free Market on Annacis Island (in the Fraser River) run by the Hells Angels, they say you can get anything there, including American tanks, and hire mercenaries.

"Obviously, we don't want military-grade weapons and heavily-armed mercenaries floating around the city causing trouble.

"That said, while you wait for word on your family, why not work with us? The University has a militia, and the federal government has an intelligence and reconnaissance unit based here.

He motioned towards Seth.

"Seth and Mac are part of this unit. As well, we have Americans working for us: a Marine Gunnery Sergeant and a paratrooper. Or, the militia needs experienced personnel. Either way, you'd be based here on campus.

"If not, we'll find quarters for you in the city, after we get your information and give you a ration card."

Belanger was wearing a khaki utility vest over a faded short-sleeved shirt. Keith noticed he had faded tattoos on his biceps and his right forearm. One bicep had twin parachutes over a maple leaf, the forearm was an elaborate one with roses over some kind of insignia, and a motto in French. At some point Seth had noticed this as well, and knew Belanger had once been part of the French-speaking Van Doos and a commando in the Airborne Regiment. (Seth could read French, and the motto was "Death Before Dishonour".)
This message was last edited by the player at 22:50, Wed 12 May 2010.

Seth made a point of shaking Keith's hand warmly when he saw his friend again.  They had seen each other quite recently as part of the park raid but Seth already felt like a lot had happened since then.

"Good to see you," he said to Keith as he scrounged his own mug of coffee, "but I guess that means that you've not had any luck finding out what's happened to your folks?  Sorry about that.  As Mr. Belanger here said they might be able to help you with the records they have here."

He took a sip of coffee.

"If you're at a loose end then you'd do a lot worse than joining up with this DRI unit here.  As well as Mac there's a couple of other guys I used to serve with in the PPCLI and there's some others who seem to know their shit.  The guys I know certainly seem to rate them and it all seems to be a good relaxed approach to things.  The only slightly weird thing is that there's a Russian guy running the military side of things.  Well he's a Ukrainian really and he seems to be on the level like those Estonians we got to know in Squamish so that shouldn't phase you.  I'm certainly happy with it."

He took a larger gulp of his coffee.

"If nothing else," he continued with a grin, "they've got hot showers, a canteen, electricity and, if you're lucky, I might be able to get RMR HQ to make if official so you get paid as well!"

He smiled at his own little joke.

In reply to Seth Joseph Delaney (msg #154):

"DRI is short for "Department of Reconnaissance and Investigation. It's a joint Canadian Forces and RCMP organisation. The RCMP are technically military as well, but of course the focus is on stabilising the country and returning Canada to civilian rule," explained Belanger.

Until the previous night's raid on the Park, Seth and Keith were part of Rod MacArthur's train security force, based on the North Shore. Keith and Seth were released by Rod once the operation to clear and secure the Park and the Lion's Gate bridge were complete. As part of the security team for Rod's train(s) they had "enjoyed" a shower twice a week and uncomfortable cots in the barracks (formerly the Lonsday Quay shopping area).

While he was up there in North and West Van, Keith had checked out his parent's house in the exclusive British Properties. He found it deserted, so without many options he had decided to check out the government enclave at UBC.

Seth smiled at the phrase civilian rule and pointed to the green beret on his head.

"They made me wear this," he said with a grin.  "We must be getting civilised again!"

Kelsey pulled the car over with a groan, and made nice.  Laughing a little and blushing when she realized the joke "You know, it was kinda worth it to feel sortof civilized, like a bit of speeding is worth the time of the Red n Black, eh?"





She looks up ahead, less than a block away and frowns, leaning out and nodding to the HMMWV and meetings at the gate "What's going on with that Humvee and all.. hey, isn't that the new guy?"  She knits her brows a moment "Looks like a US Ten-Twenty five.. or do I see a winch on that bad boy?"    She makes a bit of a low whistle, appreciating the HMMWV.



Kelsey laughs and gets out to let her out, damn two doors.  She is average height for a female, and looks rather fresh-faced.  She's wearing a Canned Scot uniform, kilt, top, and glengary, with Corporal rank markings.  She straightens her kilt and moves to follow Lee with a bit of a smirk, the Cougar idling behind them.  "Comon Rachael, let me keep up, huh?"



The French Canadian in the kilt catches up and then hangs back, grinning a bit, her broad cheeks slightly flushed, she answers a few questions from Lee's colleages, just a bit of the conversation travels to Keith and company, Kelsey laughing... "Aye aye, regimental is the only way to wear it!"

With what looks like company coming from a couple of different places, Keith smiles and nods to the militiaman and tells him, "I think I can stand another cup of that Joe you got there.  Much obliged!"


Keith accepted another hot cup of coffee from one of the militiaman guards as he turns his attention back to Belanger.  "I would be a fool not to accept your help Mr. Belanger.  I have their personal info written down in one of my bags.  Shouldn't take me too long to dig it up but, I'll be grateful for whatever help you can give me even if it takes a few days to find.

Looks nice and safe around here.  Almost like a civilized city again.  Wish I could same for the States, which is another reason why I'm up in these parts besides looking for my folks Mr. Belanger.  Wow, Russian Oskar's and Hell's Angels operating around here?  Makes things sound very interesting.  Place to sleep every night, ration cards for hot meals, and you don't want military grade weapons running around the city?  How can I be assured that my gear that I've brought here on my own won't be stolen?  You seem to be a man of honor judging by the 'Tatt's' you have on your arms Mr. Belanger.  Seeing that Seth here has joined on with you, I'd settle for a firm handshake and rely on our honors to assure there won't be anything funny.  I don't know how else to put it.  I guess working for MilGov made me like this.

To be honest with you, I haven't done a whole lot of reconaissance work but, when I was with the 3rd Marine Division in the Gulf, I did a lot of patrolling against marauders and stuff like that.  Not any of that Force Recon stuff, those nuts were out there!  Yet I digress.  I could stand to do some honest work again and for actual pay and food?  You've got my attention a little bit more now Mr. Belanger.  I'm sure we can come to some kind of terms."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:32, Thu 13 May 2010.

"Unfortunately Seth, I haven't had much luck at all!  I was hoping to find some luck coming here so, hopefully I can get some information I need.  Shit, after my last employer, I don't see how I can do much worse.  I did get the chance to get some munitions and a couple of items that could go a long way.  Man, a hot shower sounds so god damned good Sergeant Seth!  And you got a Russian running military Ops in these parts?  This is worth waiting a couple of days to see."

 Sliding behind the wheel of the car, he shrugs as he takes it back to the garage to store it out of any weather. He can guess that what ever was going on wasnt his to interfer with.

 Making a last minute check that everything looked ok on the car, he locks the doors and heads on back to the barracks to see if he had any messages from his dad or friends today.

Taras was seen approaching the newcomers with a more than tipsy walk. His right hand clutching an almost depleted bottle of certain popular beverage in the USSR...

He was also singing something that could be translated as:

Once at the summer, at the dawn, I looked in a neighboring garden and saw that
A swarthy girl, a Moldavian girl, is gathering vine there.
I am blushing, I am turning white and I want to say
"Let's meet the summer dawns on the bank of a river!"

A green maple is bushy, its leafs are carved,
I am in love and I am embarrassed before you.
The maple is green, the maple is bushy,
Very bushy, carved!

And the swarthy girl, a Moldavian girl, answered to guy:
"We are gathering our Moldavian partisan detachment.
Now partisans left dear home early.
A way to partisans in a thick forest waits you!"

And the swarthy girl, a Moldavian girl, went in a forest on a small path
And I decided that it is a pity that she didn't call me with her.
I often thought about the swarthy girl, a Moldavian girl, at the nights
And suddenly I met her in a partisan detachment!


Not drunk yet but obviously showing a welcoming attitude to the congregation, Taras introduce himself...

Belanger smiled and replied, "fantastic! Glad to have you aboard."

"Don't worry, your personal property is safe." He peered into the Humvee and looked thoughtful as he scratches his beard.

"Technically, we can consider most of this as US Armed Forces property under your personal responsibility because legally you'd be operating as a lawful US soldier under Canadian command. Like you did with the Rocky Mountain Rangers, Seth and Mac's unit. It'll have to be inventoried, of course, but that's about it."

Keith had heard that West Van had hired some ex-Soviets to form part of their defence force. That was near where he and Seth had stayed for a couple weeks at the trainyard under the shopping centre at Lonsdale Quay in North Van. They had all participated in securing the park, and if former enemies weren't disarmed, there didn't seem to be a good reason for his balls to get busted as an American Marine! Still, there were certainly going to be strings attached.

He started back to the Land Rover, motioning Seth to follow.

"Let's get back to your billet. It's supper time, there should still be a hot meal available."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:44, Thu 13 May 2010.

Finishing the mug and handing it back, Keith started the Humvee and brought it inside the perimeter.

After Rachel and Kelsey got back in, Tyler pulled out. Keith followed, and the Land Rover with Seth and Belanger brought up the rear. SW Marine Drive was a wide 4-lane boulevard that was marked as a disaster response route.

They passed a sign on the median:


And another along the side:




After an 8km drive that travelled partly along a cliff above the ocean as well as through thick forest. They passed the TRIUMF Meson Facility turnoff, where the forest gave out to lawns and landscaping that had been converted to agriculture.

The campus itself had both modern and older buildings. It was completely intact, there was no evidence of looting, vandalism or other destruction. More people were seen walking along the sidewalks and cycling in the streets, and everyone turned to wave (mostly at the Cougar) as they passed.

There were also several totem poles at different locations:




They stopped at the billet, which was a large, low concrete and wood 2-story residence building in a quasi-Japanese style called "Ritsumieken House".




In the parking lot across the street (at the UBC Services Building) was a Canadian Forces LAV III Kodiak, freshly-painted, a dark blue Suburban, a Russian UAZ-469 and an OD Green Jeep Wrangler.




Also parked there was a Soviet SA-8 Gecko SAM vehicle. A half-dozen unarmed Soviet soldiers and an equal number of armed Militia and Mounties checked the mammoth 6-wheel vehicle out. Keith had seen the vehicle before, as he'd helped it and it's crew defect when he and Seth worked as security on Rod MacArthur's train.

Following the Cougar, Keith pulled up in front of the building (there was no lot). A little ways down the sidewalk, another Mountie approached them, accompanied by a Soviet artillery officer and a Soviet Naval Infantry sergeant (black beret, jumpsuit, dark-blue-stiped telnyashka). Kelsey and Rachel got out, as did Tyler.

Keith was introduced to the short squat Naval Infantryman as Bulat, who he had heard was working as a security contractor with the city police and militia in West Van. Senior Sergeant Bulat Ismailovitch Shailin commanded a squad of troops, as well as a BMP-2 and a BTR-70. Captain Vitaly M. Bezhov he knew from Rod's train, of course.

Rod's Train (1 of 2 identical steam engines):




http://tinyurl.com/5ubry6

Bulat's BMP was also parked across the street:




Tyler entered his assigned apartment (which he shared with Gunny Conklin), and there is a message from his father. He was off helping the rest of the American refugees get settled in. Tyler's friends from the 82nd had decided to join the UBC militia to help train them, but Ed was more focused on settling down.

Everyone talked for a short time on the sidewalk, meeting the new guy. Sergeant Robert Fox came over from where he and Lt. Commander Andrea Clarke-Sullivan (the unit commander) were looking over the Kodiak. Keith was introduced to RCMP Staff Sergeant Taras Shevchenko, the unit's second-in-command after Clarke-Sullivan. He hadn't seen Mac (Chris MacDonald), who he hadn't seen in over six months, since he and Seth left Kamloops. He also saw Master Sniper Andy McRae.

Rob had to bow out of the mission to Annacis Island and New West they next day, but Keith could be slotted in without a problem. Taras was staying to coordinate the logistics for the upcoming pacification of YVR, the airport.

After dinner in the billet (Belanger brought some steaks for the Barbeque on the patio in the quad behind the building) it was only coming up on 1900 but everyone was pretty tired.

"Rits House" from the air:

http://tinyurl.com/322pncd

Each billet was a ground-floor apartment with 3 private bedrooms and a storage room off a corridor that opened up onto a small kitchenette and living room. There was a door out onto a shaded terrace (one with a charcoal grill).
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:41, Thu 13 May 2010.

Keith nods in agreement.  "I'm taking your word for it Mr. Belanger since I tend to take the word of fellow soldiers.  You've done your time in service it appears to me so a man's words goes a long way with me sir until I get a dick in my back, if you'll excuse my evaluation.  I have an inventory sheet in the vehicle between the seats on a clipboard I believe you'll find mostly accurate.  You might be plus or minus on some items but, no great deviance you'll see.  I tend to get a little anal on my stuff since I've relied on it for years to get me and my men through many campaigns.  I'll be happy to share if it's needed too.

Now, I believe you mentioned supper and hot food?"

Keith turns to the man approaching and says, "And you are?"

Kelsey chuckles and waves to Taras herself "That's Taras, you can call him the Boss, he's our team leader."

In reply to Keith Michael Tremblay (msg #164):

When they arrived, Belanger took the offered inventory and pointedly didn't double-check it.

"Looks like Uncle Sam's weapons and munitions are in good hands."

Put this way, he was clearly signaling that Tremblay's gear would be considered property of an ally and not subject to confiscation without cause.

He raised his eyebrows as he read, but only said, "fine, fine. I'll square everything with Brigade and make sure the RMR doesn't want anything back. You have my word on that. Okay, thanks for your cooperation.

"Enjoy the steaks! They're in Sergeant Fox's billet refrigerator. Hot water's still on in the evening, but it's getting turned on in the morning. Power will be on at all hours, now."

The plan was to have a BBQ, get squared away in the evening, then leave in the morning.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:03, Fri 14 May 2010.

Keith smiles as he hears that the apparent drunken solldier is the team leader.  "Figures!  I guess I could've been totally out of line and said something bad about him.  And you are Ma'am?" Keith says turning to the woman (Champlain).

She grins and puts out a hand to Keith "Master Corporal Kelsey Champlain.  You can call me Kelsey.  I am over commo."  She's not exactly willowy, or up close, all that young.  Late 20's to mid 30's, very fit,   (Think kinda like starbuck in the new Battlestar Galactica)

In reply to Alain Belanger (msg #167):

"That's all I ask for Mr. Belanger.  Like I said, when it comes down to it, if you and your people here are going to let me work for you, I don't mind lending some of my gear to the cause.

I plan on getting settled in and then hitting that hot shower I've heard mentioned and then, some BBQ!  You'll be there as well Mr. Belanger?"