19 April, 2001
2230 Hours

Eventually, the discussion wound down. It had been a long day and there would be more to do over the next week to prepare for upcoming operations.

At the arranged time, Kelsey waited for contact from her radio operator friend among the Trolls. Soon, the call came, and identities were authenticated for form's sake. She knew Todd personally, of course, but she needed to know he hadn't been compromised or was acting under duress.

Quickly, she told him what she needed to know, passing on the list of questions from Taras, Seth and Rob. He took notes, vowing to answer the next day.

"Kel, I have to go now. One thing you should know, I kind of sounded Wright out about making a deal with UBC when we were drinking, earlier. He said he wasn't ruling that out, but that they would have to make a hell of a lot of a better deal than the Angels. Then he started cursing them out as being "fucking eggheads", so maybe a go-between might be a good idea."

Todd was really pressed for time at that point, so he quickly signed off.

"Wow! That's totally cool, Todd! I'll let my superiors know about this, I'm sure they'll want to know. Thanks!"

Exited, Kelsey took down the information, then signed off when Todd did. She called Clarke-Sullivan (the unit's leader) to appraise them of the news. After, they could bring it up in the morning briefing at 0800.

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg #2):

Phone ringing just as she was heading to bed, Clarke-Sullivan answered to find Kelsey on the line. "Kel, what's the word from your friend?"

Upon hearing the news she answered, "that's interesting to hear. I'll bring it up with Belanger and Taras in the morning. Thanks, have a good night, Kel."

Taras in his sleep was dreaming about wandering in a vast library. He was searching for a book. He knew the book's title because it was tattooed on the shoulder of a lover.
He turned corner after corner, following a winding path through the stacks, until he was utterly lost. Shelves loomed above him in the fading light. It was cold now. Finally, he came to a halt for a rest. The side of the books on the shelf beside him are soaked in blood.

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #4):

0800 Hours, clear and sunny
UBC, Ritsumeiken House
Briefing Room

While the centre of the federal government in the lower mainland and a former educational institution, UBC was now still very much an agricultural community. The work force was up with dawn, some to the fields, some to work parties on campus, many forming salvage parties to fan out into the city. Most of the militia and RCMP auxiliaries went outside the perimeter into the urban areas that were under consolidation.

UBC was within a secure "inner perimeter". The government's control was expanding slowly outwards into the adjoining neighborhoods, including downtown. It had not yet reached into the suburbs, like the massive Metrotown mall where they suspected a heavily armed band was operating as highwaymen on Kingsway, a major artery through the city. Still, thanks to the team there was a secure corridor past the blast area to New West along Marine Way.

After some exercise, breakfast and a hot shower, the team was ready for their morning meeting.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:55, Sat 11 Dec 2010.

After a morning jog, Rachel had a quick meeting with Inspector Khandola, the RCMP commander at UBC. After, she attended the meeting in her normal service uniform, instead of the ERT coveralls she'd donned for the mission the day before. For some reason she seemed a little subdued.

Clarke-Sullivan had own meeting with Belanger and Kwan, the community leaders, regarding the information that Kelsey had gained the previous night from her contact. After a quicker meeting with Kelsey to go over some administrative matters, Lieut. Cmdr. Clarke-Sullivan was ready to proceed with the briefing. She didn't look pleased.

"We're proceeding with plans for an amphibious operation in six days time, with a reconnaissance in three days time. Inspector Khandola has instructed Corporal Lee to put together an undercover operation to buy weapons from the free market on Annacis Island. Specifically mortars. I'm trying to see if we can get that 60mm mortar back that Lieutenant Jagelis took with him when he transferred out, no promises.

"Let me come to the point: it's come to our attention that Basil might want to deal. If this is the case, our civilian leaders want us to pursue this as our main option. That doesn't change our other options if we don't tip our hand. Kelsey?"