As Fox walks through the sub he can't but help get a slight sense of anxiety. After this was the enemy. Fox greets the captain with a respectful salute. "Sgt Fox, captain a pleasure" He extends his hand to the captain. Then listens to what McRae has to say.

"There's a lot more boats out there than I expected," commented Seth.  "We need to find out whether those boats are part of the New West community or whether they are independent.  Some might well be merchants travelling up and down the river or coast and they will have a lot of intel, even if they don't realise it.  Once Fox and McRae have finished with the sub Captain we should go back to the New West Mayor or Harding and see what they can tell us about them."

He glanced again at the Royal City Star.

"In particular I want to know who owns the paddlewheeler with a Vulcan on it?  If we've got some twenty mil rounds for a Vulcan then they could be a good option to recruit or hire if they're independent."

In reply to Seth Joseph Delaney (msg #300):

Looking in the direction Kelsey had gone, Rachel looked back at Seth. "Good idea, we need to know what kinds of vessels there are out there, and who owns them. I get the idea they're independently owned, but that could be wrong."

"I don't recall seeing any 20mm shells in the UBC armoury. They could probably make some at the Uni, or even over on the Island."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:49, Fri 30 July 2010.

Aboard the K-141 Kursk: Sgt (Brevet WO) Fox, Master McRae

"You are very thoughtful, Master Sniper. Our primary needs are taken care of for the moment. We shall contact you if we have other needs, yes? Like social ones. I certainly would like to talk to some of my countrymen who are working with you. I cannot make any promises but I think that if we are not going back to the Rodina, then we must find a new home. But not all my crew will be happy working for a new master!"

He thought for a second.

"We are somewhat low on medicines. Our ship's doctor can discuss some kind of trade for supplies?"

---

Front Street Chandlers: Kelsey

Todd hugged her back, then let go. "Man, it's good to see you, Kel! I'm working signals on the island, now. I don't like that Basil, the Old Man, is talking to the Hells Angels about defending the island against the government, to remain "independent". It's fucked up. He's not a bad guy, Basil, but he's not seeing the whole picture."

Todd was looking pretty good, certainly better fed and kept than the desperate days when they were fighting up in the Yukon. Or later, after the last fateful battle in the Fraser Valley to the east of Vancouver when the Soviets were finally broken and retreated north.

"If you want, I could stay where I am at YVR. Feed you information and intelligence. Basil's paranoid about government infiltrators but he trusts me and I work with the radios. Shouldn't be too hard."
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:52, Sat 31 July 2010.

"I'm glad to see you looking so well, fatter than I last recall, so your boss can't be too bad.  If you want to feed me intel, that's great, but what we want is for you guys to join us, fuck all those damn bikers, they always hated anyone that put rules of any sort on them.  I don't want you to risk yourself, but what I want more than anything is to end this without a fight... independent isn't an option, this is Canada, damnit."  She looks earnest when she is talking, and even caring  "We've all had enough fighting, now it's time to put it back together, ok Todd?  Sure, work the inside, but with the idea in mind that we are working to help both sides.  Make sense?  Those HA's just want their own way, like children."

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg #303):

"The Hells... Bad news, and they're home-grown too! Most of them, at least.

"They're talking pretty big. They got some real scary hired guns, offering to help us out with guns and ammunition, too. They offered to patch over the Bridge Trolls, make us a chapter, and I think Basil's seriously considering it, as are many of the guys."

He pretended to look at some nylon ropes and floats.

"The Trolls... I don't think most of them can see too far in the future. They're too lazy to plant crops or do their own trading, all they do is charge the fees and then I go and make trades for them at the Free Market on Annacis Island."

Todd looked concerned. "This one guy they had with them a couple days ago... he was one scary dude. Not a biker, some kind of ex-soldier, even the bikers looked scared of him. Mercenary. He said he was a sniper and his name was Brownstone. His entire face was one freakin' tattoo! He looked scary, like I said. He seemed to intimidate Basil, which I didn't think was possible."

"Anyways, how can I get ahold of you?" He got out some paper, ready to exchange frequency and times for transmissions, and a code.

She pats her front cargo pocket and winks, then grins "You got it, chief."

She sighs and turns to examine something idly herself, her voice low, and a bit grave  "This may be the West, but sooner or later there will be more than volunteer stragglers out here to clean this up.  There will be far more people that want their lives and liberties back, then thugs that want to take them away.  Talk some sense into your boss, Toddy, or things will head to a real bad end for his people, and we don't want that for anyone.  As far as that sniper goes, that needs to be dealt with, so give me what you can.. but for your people.. it might be best you slip a few things in, or mention he might want to talk.  We are few now, but soon enough, we will be mighty."

She tosses down what she was looking at and looks directly again.

"Honestly, do you think those murdering, raping bastards would give you guys anything without a hefty price?  Has anyone even considered what it might be?  Be careful who you deal with, for by it you will be judged.
She bites her lower lip
"Ugh, maybe not such a good idea.. but let me tell you this.. the river is set to flood it's worst for probably a century, and all that gear you guys are sitting on in those towers will be lost, and probably you all too.  You need to get out of there, and our strings on you are a lot more civilized than others, Toddy"

"Then we need to show your men what Canada has to offer as a place of residence," Andy said, "if you wish we could arrange some social events, initially here with the Russians we already work with and, if we can find them, Canadians of Russian descent. Eventually, if you wanted it, we could invite people over to the UBC for social occasions. All of that of course needs to be under your control."

Andy continued, "The contacts I've given you to liaise with at the UBC can also arrange trade for medical supplies. I'm sure that your doctors and facilities are as good if not better than anything we have to offer, but should you want it, our hospital is at your disposal."

In reply to Andrew Montgomery McRae (msg #306):

"We have a small sick bay but nothing elaborate. The hospital here is well-equipped, but medicines are expensive! They must come from America. We will be glad to communicate with your professionals on every level, including cultural. Any possible integration of my crew will have to be conducted with a measure of... delicacy."

A steward poked his head out the floor hatch from the running bridge below them, placed an ornate silver tray with tea service and some small covered bowls on the deck. He then climbed up, while someone lifted up an antique samovar, which he also lifted up. He brought the samovar over and a fragrant smell wafted towards them. Wordlessly he then retrieved the tea service and brought it over. There were herring and black bread as well as a little sugar milk. There were even what looked like home-made chocolates.

"Ah, would you gentlemen care for some tea and refreshments? Canadians prefer their tea with sugar and milk, yes?" He himself requested a cup for himself in Russian, and the rating (who looked barely old enough to shave) silently poured one for him.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:51, Sat 31 July 2010.

"Tea would be lovely," Andy said, "yes, personally I like my tea like I like my women, luke warm and a little bit sweet. Milk and sugar would be wonderful if you have it. I understand your reluctance over handling social events which is why everything would need to be passed by you to authorise them. You are responsible for your crew and I wouldn't want to do anything that compromised what you considered to be in their best interests."

In reply to Andrew Montgomery McRae (msg #308):

The steward poured tea into a china cup for Andy, then handed it to him.

"We keep to ourselves here, mostly. I do not believe the locals fear us, but I wish to keep misunderstandings to a minimum. While we do not prohibit all contact it is discouraged. Still, there have been some... liaisons between local women and our crew. Any infractions my crew have committed are handled by the local authorities, I keep my hands off. Things in your courts work much fairer than they do, or did, at home. There were a couple arrests at first but soon everyone understood we were not here to push people around and we respect the local laws."

"We'll worry about shells later," replied Seth to Rachel.  "For the moment please dig out a notepad and something to write with."

Once she had done so Seth started to dictate the names of the vessels he could see, giving as much of a description as he could with each one, baring in mind that he wasn't a nautical man!

In reply to Seth Joseph Delaney (msg #310):

"That's a great idea! Here, this is much easier."

She handed him the videocamera she'd been using to document the areas they'd seen.

In reply to Zhang Rachel Lee (msg #311):

"You're much better with that!" replied Seth, handing the video camera back to Rachel.

He then took out his own notepad, leafed through it till he found a clean page and then started making his own notes with a stub of a pencil.

"We can cross check them later," he added by way of explanation.

In reply to Seth Joseph Delaney (msg #312):

Rachel nodded, being circumspect with the video cameral.

At this point, the media team was also filming everything from the waterfront to the sub and the casino paddlewheeler. In fact, Tricia was doing some dockside interviews with river fishers, riverside longshoremen, casino customers, and traders.

Andy picked up the cup and sipped his tea appreciatively, "Ah, that is a fine brew, Captain, my compliments to its creator," he inclined his head to the orderly and smiled at him.

He put the cup back on the saucer carefully and returned his attention to the Captain, "So, Captain, hopefully this conversation heralds the beginning of a fruitful and mutually beneficial relationship. Before we conclude, is there anything you would like to discuss that we have not already covered?"

In reply to Andrew Montgomery McRae (msg #314):

"I believe we have covered all the topics. If I wish to contact you, does the Mayor have the correct frequencies and radio protocols?"

The Captain addressed Sgt. Fox, "would you like some tea as well?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:15, Mon 02 Aug 2010.

"Sure, I understand the cost and I understand who these people are. The problem is, Basil doesn't. Like the saying goes, "lay down with dogs and you get fleas.". I'm just disappointed they chose the wrong people to talk to. I'd much rather they talk to you than the bikers, but people think they can play them off against you. I keep saying we need to face reality about the future but no one wants to listen."

Todd sounded pretty discouraged at the prospect of a negotiated settlement. Nevertheless he took down Kel's contact information.

"Thanks for the warning about the river. We have a lot of innocent people, families, living on the island. Just shows that time is running out."

In reply to helbent4 (msg #316):

"Acutally yes some tea would be great. He says nodding. "So captain, can we count on your help in taking back Canada from these thugs?"

In reply to Robert Duncan Fox (msg #317):

The Captain nodded aprovingly at Fox coming to the point.

"Yes, I think that is a fair request. We will concentrating on making repairs and so on but with your help and a working drydock that will progress much quicker."

Meanwhile, the rating poured tea for Fox as well.

"We will contact you later this week, perhaps send a liaison to your headquarters. Would you like us to contact you at UBC or in Dunvan on Vancouver Island?"

It wasn't too surprising that Captain Astapkovitch knew both about their base at UBC and the provisional provincial capital on Vancouver Island at Duncan. As commander of a nuclear submarine his strategic vision was once global in scope. Further, as a sailor he would think nothing of crossing several kilometers of open ocean, presumably in a rubber raft, to get to Vancouver Island and their main HQ.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:32, Tue 03 Aug 2010.

"Whatever you can do, buddy.  Be in touch, kay?"

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg #319):

"I will. Also, I'll try and call tomorrow. Great to see you Kel, hope we can work together some time soon!"

He brightened. "Hey, I got married! Rebecca, great girl. We should do dinner some time, eh?"

In reply to helbent4 (msg #320):

She widens her eyes in surprise a moment, then smiles genuinely.  "Oh, she finally cornered you, huh?  Yes, I haven't seen her in some time either, no fair completely monopolizing her."   Actually, she had known the couple for years, Rebecca mostly from photos originally, but as the unit got closer prior to the war, families and friends met.  "So you came back for her, good for you.  I hope she remembers me."

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg #321):

"She did and she does. Okay, take off now, eh?"

With a final word of goodbye Kelsey left the old store (which had once been an antique shop, and decades before that a marine supply store).
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:42, Tue 03 Aug 2010.

In reply to helbent4 (msg #322):

Kelsey slips out of the store and into another, and another.. gathering batteries.