In reply to Keith Michael Tremblay (msg #170):

"Of course! I'll bring the beer, too."

Kelsey stops what she is doing and suddenly calls out "Did I hear something about Bar-B-Que?"

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg #172):

"Yep, I had Mac fire up the grill with charcoal while you all were farting around at the main gate."

Belanger had been there as well, and it was obvious he was joking.

"When I was running around downtown, I managed to procure some steaks from Shepherd (of the Undergrounders) who says he got them from the Free Market a few days ago. So even if the HAs are selling guns there and operating as a mercenary clearing-house, the market itself is still important for commerce."

"The steaks are in the 'fridge in Sergeant Fox's quarters."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:24, Fri 14 May 2010.

Kelsey doesn't take any offense

"Boss, you have my vote as coolest guy or whatever you need.  No shit, steaks?" She licks her lips and her mind drifts a moment before snapping in with a reality, looking skeptical "Cow Steaks?"

A Marine, huh? That's great we have a great amphibious assault planned if you are up to!

Taras introduced himself as Staff Sargent of the RCMP or "Mounties". Previously he was a Senior Lt. Combat Engineer in the Soviet Army. Upon his arrival to the University of British Columbia he was "recruited" by the local Police force. His skill helped to improved the perimeter defenses. Donation of weaponry also helped to win the confidence of the Vacouverites. It was the arrival of the team from the DRI that throw him in a more actived endevour. The precipitated rush out of scene of Lt. Jagelis gave Taras some extra protagonism. Especially in the planning of missions but he was still committed to the RCMP and not the Canadian Forces.

Haaaaa! Beef! Now, that's a real treat for our new friends!

Kelsey ignores the amphibious assault comment.  She'd been training for it along with everyone else, and it might just work best if need, but that doesn't mean she wants to talk about it in favor of... "Oh hell yes, boss.  I don't think I have put my teeth into real honest beef for ages."  She thinks about that for a moment, blushes slightly and shrugs "What's uniform for that?  Or am I getting a chance to see if I have anything civilian to wear that ain't undies?"

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg #176):

"Yes, real dead cow!"

Belanger sketched a bow.

"You're off duty, wear what you like. The half-dozen or so attached personnel are also in our building, they're invited too. You can probably borrow civilian clothing from them."

"Ah, I think I have somthing that might fit you. Just some cargo shorts and a shirt, it'll look a little punkish with your combat boots, but frankly that's already your style!"

Rachel grinned at Kelsey.

"I'm looking forward to this, too."

"No problem!"

"I have some civvie clothes, too. It's been a while, but I might as well drag 'em out, eh?"

Seth grinned at the prospect of a BBQ.  This was definitely a place to bring his family and once the operation planned for tomorrow was completed he would have to find out how that could be organised.

"Well as long as it's ok to have a drink before an op," added Seth into the discussion about the BBQ, "I've got a keg of alcoholic cider I can bring along if anyone doesn't fancy a beer."

He didn't have any civilian clothes however but if he left his webbing behind and didn't wear his combat jacket he'd look a little less military.  Not much but a little!  It would be a strange sensation to not be armed however - he'd kept at least a pistol with him for the last six months or so and that was the biggest reason to bring his family to UBC!

While hanging around the gate with a coffee in hand Seth also took the opportunity to introduce himself properly to Kelsey, Rachel and Taras.  He'd met them briefly when Lt. Commander Clarke-Sullivan had brought him into the middle of Taras' meeting but he had only been introduced briefly that time.  He offered them a strong handshake and a smile of greeting to each of them.  From his demeanour he seemed to be pleased to be part of the DRI but was finding the difference to a combat military unit slightly disconcerting.  He also didn't seem to find the fact that Taras was a former enemy at all an issue.

Fox had been excited by the prospect of a steak as soon as Belanger had brought them over.  He didn't let it show though.  He kept his standard, stoic demeanor while the others chattered.  Sure it would be great to relax and not be forced to act military.  But he had been in full-on military mode for too long now, and now acting civvie was uncomfortable.

He'd go to the barbeque, and he'd enjoy himself.  But he wasn't about to let his guard down, not yet.

Andy switched into his civvies to join the others at the grill, he looked over at Seth and said, "My room's in there, if you'd rather civvies check through my stuff, you're welcome to anything that fits."

"Later we need to catch up," he continued, "it sounds like you've had an eventful time."

"Thanks," Seth said to Andy.  "I'll take you up on that if you don't mind."

He didn't borrow much though, just a T-shirt and a sweater.  That combined with his CF issue combat trousers would do.

Taras got the term "alcoholic" quite promptly but his mental dictionary was short of "ciders". After some enquire he was happy to understand:

Sdr, sdr...Good, very good...I wouldn't mind to have a few "desant" beers...But I guess that would be politically...incorrect! I'd settle for some local brew instead...




Desant = Soviet/Russian Airborne Troops.

"Roger Wilco on that, boss.  We'll keep you on, I guess!"  She gives Belanger a thumbs up before turning to Rachel.



"Ok, I'll meet you in your room.  Awesome."  She grins wide at Lee "Thanks Rachael"



"I am sure you will look cute in them Chris"  An open honest smile with that comment.



Kelsey moves to take a handshake as well, which Seth might find disturbingly firm for a woman's grip.  This girl definately worked out.  She was a professional soldier before the war though.
"Kelsey.  Welcome aboard."

She will stay and talk to Seth, but once Rachel leaves she follows to go borrow some clothes from her.  "Think you have something that will look good on me Rachel?

Keith will make his way around to all of the people standing at the checkpoint and saying their greetings and hello's.  He introduce's himself to whoever will listen with a firm handshake and a pleasant disposition.

He takes the time to address Taras when they are introduced.  "You know a little something about the Marines huh?"

Yes, in Sevastopol, not far from where I was born there is a great deal of Naval Infantry, we call them Morskaya Pekhota. We do not have an independent military branch like the Marine Corps, they are just a part of the Navy. I believe the Marines have an East and West Coast large presence but in the USSR only a brigade size of Naval Infantry is asigned to each fleet. Not too many troops compared the the Marine Corps. 



I remember watching some exercises. In the Black Sea at least they have lots of hovercrafts for landings, lots of PT-76s too...I'm a big fan of ships being from a port city like Odessa as you can imagine. The Naval Infantry are using large landing ships that I found out were made in Poland. They can carry up to 25 APCs.

"Ropucha" class:



We are preparing some contingency plans to deal with the Billy Goats at the airport. As you can see is located in an island and some Marine expertise will be always more than welcome. American Marines are very well trained and motivated troops!

 Hearing about the bar-b-q going on later tonight he smiles at the idea of fresh meat from a grill. He cleans up and finds his civ clothes. He pause's at the question in his mind should he take a weapon?, with a sigh he finish's dressing with no pistol but does bring his wide belt buckle with the small push dagger set into the buckle.

 >>>to the Bar-B-Q

BBQ parties were not so uncommon in the UBC grounds. This was certainly the beginning of the outdoor season. So far the whole place seemed to be well kept under the watchful eye of the appointed authorities and the disciplinary rule of the RCMP. As a repository of the previous "intelligentsia" of the city the University area standards were well above other more troublesome quarters like Chinatown, etc. Since the arrival of T.V. Shevchenko it would improve even more the status. The Boss Alain knew well how to keep the morale of his people.

Just a piece of advice folks! Taras couldn't repress a little joke. Due to the shortage of edge weapons caused by the war everybody is invited to bring their own cutlery!

The wonderful smell of the roasting meat was filling the air mixed with the balmy sea breeze of the Pacific Coast in springtime.




RCMP Staff Sgt. Taras V. Shevchenko
Approaching surroundings of BBQ key terrain
AK-47 bayonet at low ready

Kelsey leans over to Rachel sotto voce, well almost "Was that a Russian joke?"

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #187):

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #187):

"That's an affirmative on locations on two coasts.  Always ready to go and always motivated!"

The US Marines are very present in the "History of the Red Army", a mandatory subject in military school, from the very begining. During the Civil War in Russia, in the Far East, there were 10,000 marines supporting the Whites. They occupied Vladivostok with the Japanese but eventually...Anyways! We cross paths again! I hope this time things will be different.

Taras took out a pack of cigarettes from the breast pocket:

Care for a smoke?

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg #190):

Rachel kept her face neutral but she could tell she was amused at Taras' comment and Kelsey's reply.

"Kinda. I plan on bringing a Bowie knife!"

Keith puts his hand up to Taras in a non-threatening manner, "No thank you, don't smoke.  Mandatory class on us huh?  Well, on behalf of the United States Marine Corps, thank you sir!  It is our pleasure to be a part of your reading & history!"

1800 Hours

The BBQ was a considerable hit.

Store-bought sauce was a thing of the past, so the Agriculture students traded for some ingredients to make it from scratch. The beer was excellent micro-brewery fare, as one employee from the Molsons' brewery was still living in town, and was making beer for trade.

It was a little cool out that evening, but like true Canadians they would have tended the barbeque in a blizzard.

Lt. Cdr. Clarke-Sullivan approved of the patrol order for the next day. She also said she would attend personally to moving Seth's family to a more secure area in the UBC perimeter.

Belanger mentioned to Keith that the only heavy weapons they had before the team arrived were donated by Taras when he arrived, namely an RPG-7 and PKM GPMG, each with copious amounts of ammunition. In turn, they had trusted the former Soviet assault engineer with planning and deploying their defensive perimeter, including overseeing bunker emplacements (both overt and covert) and erecting the double perimeter fencing.