In reply to Robert A. Conklin (msg #11):

Taras handed the radio handset over to Rob.

"Gunnery Sergeant, you may indeed feel free to communicate yourself. I do not wish for there to be any miscommunication."

"As for our goals, those are up to Sergeant Fox, who is Officer Commanding for this mission. Our specific orders were to recce the route and neutralise any opposition we find. We may request clarification from headquarters at UBC if needed."

"Personally? I would really like possession of that recoilless rifle. It is a fine weapon, assuming there is ammunition for it. It would be very helpful in the future."
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:37, Mon 09 Aug 2010.

Fox looks at everyone nodding "Personally I think trying a diplomatic approach will fail, so I saw we hit em hard and fast, take the recoiless and continue our mission. "

In reply to helbent4 (msg #13):

Rob picks up the mic to the vehicle radio.

"Hotel six this is Romeo... umm recon. Over. Rob waited for a response then continued

"Hotel six, this is your rodeo but there are a few holes in your plan that I can see.

First we are leaving the northern escape route intact and unguarded. That is also the route to possible nearby reinforcement.
Second is that damn Recoilless. I can prolly take the gunner out of the picture and make it damn near a suicide mission to re-man it but if they move that technical there isn't much I can do but try to drop the drivers or disable the vehicle. Both of which will be dicey at best. Best way to un-ass the technical is to get the 25 Mike Mike to pepper the engine.
Third, we have to consider that in order to ask for a surrender we are going to have to get well within range of that recoiless. They have flat ground and a decent view distance to the north, east and south. West is partly blocked by the curve of the road. There is plenty of cover and overgrowth for the guys on foot to scurry into only to regroup later.

I think they are going to just pull out again once they catch wind of us again. You could dismount and idle up fairly close if ya'll stuck to the side streets if all their using for detection is a keen ear. But I'm guessing they had spotters about that warned them last time.

If we can only hit them from 3 sides I'd usually say to mine the hell out of the only route we aren't blocking but more on that in a minute.

All in all our best bet is to just destroy or capture the recoilless and then keep on keeping on after that. That will take a serious bite out of their firepower if they decide to re-man their positions once we are gone. If we can get them to surrender great but I'm guessing they are going to just take their toys and leave the playground if we don't hit them with surprise and speed.
Let me take the gunner out once everyone is staged and ready nearby. Once the the gunner is down everyone rush in and take the position and see what we get. Don't pursue the guys on foot. Just do all we can to disable the technical and capture the recoilless. If we can get a few to question great but limit our exposure to return fire by stepping up the threat we pose and  their confusion with each step.

Time table to follow.
I get into a good location to observe the intersection.
Team move into their staging areas and get eyes on target.
I kick it off by taking out the recoiless operator/loader.
As soon as I give the word that it's kicked off the west and south teams rush the position getting some 25 mike mike rounds on the technical ASAP.
We capture the position and any personnel and equipment we can.
the eastern position stays out of the initial rush to minimize the crossfire and have a stand-by force if needed."

I am sure this won't fly but as a backup to this plan I can lay a controlled minefield to the north just in case the technical can scram that direction. I would have to leave a 3 man team to man the clackers and provide area security there though. They could detonate and hopefully disable the technical at that point if all else fails. Over."

Rob unkeys the mic and waits a moment before turning to Taras with a grin. That should get some of the civvie's ears to smoken'.

In reply to Robert A. Conklin (msg #15):

Andy looked at Fox. "Well, Bob, sounds good to me! Conklin has his head on straight, all right.

"Give the word!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:28, Wed 11 Aug 2010.

Fox smiles "The word is given, lets get that recoiless and head on with out mission."

In reply to Robert A. Conklin (msg #15):

Taras' reply was that as a combat engineer, a controlled minefield would be child's play. He had a wide range of demolitions gear, including various land mines and directional mines, available in his UAZ.

"I will be able to get sanction to use these devices, do not fear."

From looking at the map and trying to understand Gunny Conklin's plan via radio transmissions Seth had a few concerns that the plan would lead to crossing fields of fire.  Gunny Conklin had looked at the ground more extensively than they had however and Fox and McRae trusted Conklin's judgement so Seth decided that he would as well.  Everyone had seemed very competent so far in the DRI unit and Conklin was no exception.

He double checked his RPK and prepared to do his bit.

"Do you really think we have time to lay these mines out?  So the main goal is to get the recoiless rifle & take/don't take prisoners?"

In reply to Keith Michael Tremblay (msg #20):

"We could set up the mines, if it's just some command-detonated Claymores. I don't think we can do anything else given it's a paved road."

"I think we do take prisoners if we can. We're supposed to be restoring order here, we're not operating behind the lines or nothin' like that."

Rachel repeated the input over the secure channel so Taras and Rob would be in the loops.

"Sergeant Fox, I suggest we let Gunny Conklin and Taras come up with a plan. They're on-scene and have the best view, literally."

Fox looks to Zhang "Alright, lets hear what they have to say."
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:46, Sun 15 Aug 2010.

In reply to Robert Duncan Fox (msg #23):

Rob looks at listens intently to the radio as he looks over his map. Once he understands that it's up to himself and Taras to form the plan he gets a bit more serious with his map. He can be heard talking lightly to himself and sometimes even disagreeing with some unseen person. After a few mins he motions for Taras to key up the radio for him.

"This should be fairly straight forward but bare with me. OK, there will be two assaulting forces, one from the east and one from the south. Romeo will act as a blocking force to the west and a small detatchment will man the mines to the north on Boundary.

 Hotel and Lima will split up at Marine way and Byrne road. Hotel will head up Byrne road and catch Marine drive and  take it to Patterson Avenue. From there will idle their way to Roseberry Avenue and stage behind the last buildings before Marine way. Keep it sneaky like once your past Patterson since the possible HA hang out I reported isn't much further down the road.

Lima will head south on Byrne and catch North Fraser Way and take it to Glenlyon parkway and then get sneak too. Idle up to Fraserwood court and stage there. Both teams will wait at their staging areas until the greenlight is given. I will be on overwatch near Lima team and will observe and report.

Romeo will take up their blocking position just east of Kinrose street and Marine way incase the target scrams west on us.

The keys to this is to get to our staging areas without being seen or heard. Setting off the assualt with surprise and superior fire and capturing that vehicle ASAP.   I will be on overwatch before Hotel and Lima enter the AO and will keep you advised as you head in.

Once all are at their staging area I will attempt to un-ass the technical and provide some confusion to the mix. As soon as I know the recoilless is unmanned I will give the green light for the assault. Priority is the recoilless. Dissuade anyone and everyone from any fool ideas of manning that damn thing. I will provide suppression and support as best I can from my position but as soon as it is safe to do so, pepper that technical's engine with the twenty-five mike mike so we are sure it's dead in the water. Capture who and what you can but don't chase them into cover. Once the area is secure, Romeo can meet up with us and we all exfil north on Boundary to pick up our mining team."

Rob paused for a moment to glance up at Taras to see if he had any glaring objections so far. Seeing none, he continued.

"That's plan A. If everything goes right it'll work and we might get a recoilless out of the deal. Plan B is where Murphy fucks everything up and the technical goes the only way readily available to it. North. Boundary road is a shallow valley with wooded lots  and residential on each side. It's fairly straight but once they head that way there are few exits. The demo team will be setting up AP mines on each side of the road facing in and south to crisscross the roadway. Once the target gets under that foot bridge they detonate the AP Mines. If the target somehow gets past us at Marine way then this is our last ditched chance to disable it. Downside is that the recoilless is likely to be damaged or destroyed and they have possible reinforcements to their north. So lets do our best to stick to plan A.

If Plan B does go down, Myself or Fox will call it. Hotel will follow the target up Boundary and attempt to recover the recoilless while Lima provides cover from North of Boundary and South East Marine. Romeo will pick me up and we will meet up at the blast area to exfil as planned. Pay special attention to the South East Marine Drive area. There are 2 suspected HA hang-Outs there. If the demo team fails then we abort mission, Form up at the demo team and exfil. I Don't want them leading us to their buddies.

If the shit really hits the fan the fall back is Byrne and Marine way for Hotel and Lima and Myself. Romeo  and the Demo team will fall back to their original position.

Rob again tries to gauge any negative reactions on the part of Taras or the ERT commander.

"Any questions?"

Rob adds after a short pause.



Hotel's and Lima's route.


Romeo's route.


Gunny's position.


Demo teams position.

Keith will raise his hand for a question, "We're going to be buttoned up until we get to the target or are we going to de-bus before we get there?  And, the Hell's Angel post is where to where we'll be staging are approach from?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:29, Mon 16 Aug 2010.

In reply to Keith Michael Tremblay (msg #25):

"Good question. Not that I done a lot of mechanised infantry stuff, but when we trained with APCs like Grizzlies we would always attack dismounted so it never came up."

Although a Ranger, Chris was the LAV's gunner and had taken some training courses at CFB Wainright and of course practiced with (and on) yank National Guard and Airborne Rangers down in Yakima WA on a regular basis.

"I would say we travel to the staging point unbuttoned."

"After we start our attack, we'll button-up until we get to the 150m mark, then stop and dismount. We'll stay at that range and provide covering fire without worrying about hitting our own units a cross-fire. Once the guys in the intersection are down, we can have one unit move up while the others support."

As a rule, Chris was a quiet guy, but when he spoke he usually had something important to say.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:40, Mon 16 Aug 2010.

Looking at the map, Rachel frowned.

"I see what you mean, Keith. We know there is an occupied house about 600m away to the west-northwest. Shouldn't be a problem for our LCC (Last Cover and Concealment) as long as we keep it quiet."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:29, Mon 16 Aug 2010.

Keith looks over at Zhang, "I may be trying to stretch us too thin but, what about engaging those H.A. ass-hats while the other attack goes on?  Maybe we set up and give them the impression that we're going somewhere else, drop a team off, and see if they'll engage us or at least scope us out.  They come close enough, we engage them.  Worse case scenario, we get some eyes on 'em and see what they're about or how far they're willing to go."

"Am I to get this right that we are now proposing a major action, assaulting the Hell's Angels, doubling back to a checkpoint we weren't planning on using this route?  Are we picking a fight?  I assure you, that if we do, we will have plenty.  I think since we have a choice we should instead withdraw and truly plan this."

Keith puts up his hand in a non-threatening manner and says to Sarah, "It was just a suggestion ma'am.  I agree we'll have plenty to worry about and we should stick with the original objective.  I was just offering an alternate view.  I assure you, since we're here now, we should take some sort of action."

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg #29):

Over the radio, Rob clarified he saw motorcycles, but no actual HA markings of any kinds on anyone. No patches or symbols.

"We don't know they're HAs, so let's not jump to any conclusions.

"I think if we wait, it could be days or probably weeks before we get around to them, if ever.

"In the mean time, we can't pretend we've done our duty and secured the route. Innocent people could continue to get robbed, killed, raped. Some fights we hav to pick."

It was clear that failure to carry out their duty weighed on her considerably, as well as the potential cost in human lives if they walked away.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:26, Mon 16 Aug 2010.

"Well, I don't like sitting by and watching people be murdered, raped, robbed whatever...We must take action. If we do nothing they will only become more of a problem later. No, I still say we hit em and hit em hard."

"In that case.. I say we take that big rifle, and not hesitate to ice anyone in our way.  I don't like not trying to negotiate.  Maybe we can ask around here and get an idea of who they are before we decide to paint the road red with their blood."

She grimaces, as if that image comes to her, and the pleasant Comms NCO pats her C-8 and her smile turns bitter and her look distant "If that's what is called for, let's make an example.  No fucking mercy.  Killing is getting old, but if it prevents more down the road, I say we do it the right way.  It'll send a message to folks out there.  Lima Fuckin Charlie."

Keith smiles and gives Kelsey a smile.  "Startin' to like the way your thinkin' ma'am!"

She shrugs a little, smiles more genuinely, or at least nicely.  "I was from here, before the war.  This is my town, and they can't have it.  I'll take it back if I have to make friends with all the folks I was fighting to kick out all the damn yanks that think they can do as they please.  No offense intended.  They've had their way long enough."

She looks sheepishly in Rachel's direction, her hand trembles on her rifle, maybe a shot of adrenaline that has had no place to go.  Maybe anger.

"Course.. we have to depend on folks like Rachel here to give us direction, and listen.  Us old war dogs know how to fight, how to win, but not how to do it as police instead of an act of war.  We've shown the HA's before that if soldiers step in, their folks just die."

She looks away again, at her rifle.  The same rifle that killed two HA's in a scarce few seconds with no thoughts of mercy from the one who held it.

"Let's show everyone what we think of roadblocks, word will get around fast."

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg #33):

She cracked a smile. "Taking trophies to show how serious we are... definitely out. But remember the ROEs, we are to take prisoners when we can."

"At any rate, for their safety I'm advising the news van to hang back about a kilometer. I'll call them by radio to let them know its safe to approach."

"Any other questions?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:29, Wed 18 Aug 2010.

April 19, 2001
1035 Hours
Sunny, no wind.

While the various elements were briefed on the plan, the CBC news team found a place to hide. At Rachel's suggestion, one of the militia was stationed with them as a guard.

Rob moved into position without incident, the LAV moved into its forward position without encountering anyone, as did the jeep.

As the BTR was moved into its blocking position, Arif reported some radio traffic over unsecure channels, likely the roadblock's radio net.

"There's a lookout called "OP West". He says he hears an engine but its gone now. He's not going to investigate."

Taras led the mining party (himself and two ERT guards) to the footbridge and placed the munitions, radioing that they were ready.

From his hide in the upper floor of the abandoned warehouse's offices, Rob had a good view of the intersection over a cleared lot that was slowly going back to being wooded. Fortunately, the saplings were only a couple years old and were only starting to get their leaves, so line of sight was good.

He observed that the technical actually had a crew of 3. The gunner had a loader who was asleep in the bed of the truck, and a driver (not visible before) lying across the front seat. He also counted nine others at the position, armed with US/Canadian weapons mostly wearing US BDUs, with a couple Canadian combats in there somewhere. The "radioman" who talked to the western OP was sitting half-seen in one of the half-collapsed bunkers on a plank bench.

Again, there were no gang signs, patches or tags visible.