Andy shrugged himself into his bunny suit and rearranged his armour and weapons. He looked over at Chris and said, "Are we good to go?"

C3A1 Parker-Hale (10x Unertl telescopic sight, ELCAN Black Cat night vision optics, bipod) + 6 Spare mags
Browning HP-35 $150 w/ 3 full mags 9mm P

WP Grenade (2x)
C13 Fragmentation Grenades (6x)
HC Smoke Grenades (2x)
.5km hand radio (Motorola)
Bunny Suit and mask

Personal medkit
10x Image Intensifier Binoculars/Laser Rangefinders w/ tripod
IR Goggles
Nomex Flyer's Gloves
Magnetic Compass
Flashlight (IR attachment)
Multi-tool
NBC gear
This message was last edited by the player at 13:32, Tue 31 May 2011.

A thumbs up to Fox "You know it brother."



"Confirmed, no hot spots.  Alpha ready to roll."

She doesn't stop scanning though and mutters under her breath  "Good thing this thing can swim"





Alpha-One.
Commander BTR-70, seated in turret gunner/commander seat, scanning route on thermals.
14.5mm KPVT heavy machine gun, turret.  Thermals on.  500 - 14.5x114 belt fed.  no round chambered, safety on.
7.62mm PKT machine gun, turret coax.  2000 - 7.62x39 belt fed.  no round chambered, safe on.
C-8 Carbine - 6 spare Mags (5.56 NATO)
(rifle racked near her position, magazine loaded, no round chambered, spare mags in web gear)
6 C-13 Frag Grenades
2 Smoke grenades (Green/white)  (All grenades attached to webgear)
Kevlar helmet stowed with pack, commo headset on.

Bundled up in his bunny-suit beside him, Chris checked to make sure the spotting scope and his rifle were secured. He then examined Andy's gear and body armour, letting the sniper do the same.

"Too easy, let's do it!"

"Outstanding," Andy replied, "radio the Major and find out where he wants us."

C3A1 Parker-Hale (10x Unertl telescopic sight, ELCAN Black Cat night vision optics, bipod) + 6 Spare mags
Browning HP-35 $150 w/ 3 full mags 9mm P

WP Grenade (2x)
C13 Fragmentation Grenades (6x)
HC Smoke Grenades (2x)
.5km hand radio (Motorola)
Bunny Suit and mask

Personal medkit
10x Image Intensifier Binoculars/Laser Rangefinders w/ tripod
IR Goggles
Nomex Flyer's Gloves
Magnetic Compass
Flashlight (IR attachment)
Multi-tool
NBC gear

In reply to Andrew Montgomery McRae (msg #31):

"We'll be here in the troop compartment of the LAV while he'll be in the turret in the commander's position, while we're on the move.

"You, me, Delaney and Fox are the vehicle dismounts under the Major, we'll be covering Bezhov directly when we stop at the refinery."



Rifleman Chris MacDonald
Lima 15

FN + 4 Magazines
Hi-Power + 2 Magazines
4 C13 Fragmentation Grenades
2 M8A4 Smoke Grenades (Orange, White)
Paramedic Medical Kit

As the ground element of the mission started their engines and moved North towards the derelict Imperial Oil Company (Ioco.) the maritime element embarked once again in the zodiac. Still clad in the protective suits the crew was happy to find calmer waters at the very end of the Burrard Inlet. The stability of the platform was paramount to obtain results in the fire support role. The haunting presence of the fishing boats obliged the burly Ukrainian to keep an extra eye for any possible threat. After all, using fishing boats for other purpose was not so uncommon in the Soviet Navy:



Under the coveralls Taras gave instructions to the pilot to sail towards the middle of the bay in a parallel route with the advance of the armored element.


RIB/Maritime Detachment (Bravo)

Staff Sgt. Shevchenko  Bravo 1
AKS-74U (30/30) +4 mags
S&W 5946 (15/15)
RGO handgrenades x6
HC smoke x6
AK bayonet


Pvt. Sheeler  Bravo 14 FN C1A1 (20/20) +4 mags.
Pvt. Droz Bravo 15 Sterling C1 (34/34) +2 mags.
Const. Chau  Bravo 16 HK MP-5A2 (30/30) +4mags
Const. Bajorek  Bravo 17 Remington 870P (7/7) +1 box (25 shells).
Troy DeFazio (Comms) Bravo 18 Sterling C1 (34/34) +2 mags

Collective weapons:
- Mk-19: 48 HEDP +1 mag.
- Carl Gustav Mk. 3: 7 HEAT, 4 ILLUM.
- PKM: (100/100) 7,62x54R +1 mag

In the darkness the armed Zodiac motored out into the middle of the inlet. From there, they were able to provide relay to the downtown and UBC. Upon a somewhat closer visual inspection the two moored fishing boats seemed to be riding low in the water but were still secured to the wooden wharves. Driving rain and wind-driven waves lashed the zodiac, the moored fishing boats and the shore but it was a lot more sheltered here than in the open waters of the Straits and western Burrard Inlet.

On-shore, the 2 vehicle column traveled along Ioco Road, driving by night-vision alone in the blackness. The way seemed clear enough, and there were no heat signatures in the abandoned houses and buildings lining the shoreline road. The heavy vehicles simply rolled over wind-blown debris like leaves, branches, roof-tiles, twisted rain gutters, really anything that could be blown or ripped off a tree or structure, nailed down or not.

According to the fragmentary information they had from the now-dead scavenger, the warhead had landed in what used to be the south side of the refinery, relatively close to the waterfront.

0530:

The vehicles made it to the edge of the refinery complex safely to their dismount point. On the water, about 100m from shore, Taras could see both vehicles where they waited.

The tropical storm that had the city in its pre-dawn grip seemed to be letting up a little, although that could be wishful thinking after the last few days. Likely, they were looking for a crater in the soft earth. Slamming into the ground from orbit there was no chance the device was intact, but many components would still remain, including fragments of the Plutonium "pit", electronics, and so on.

http://goo.gl/maps/ETsx

In reply to helbent4 (msg #34):

When they arrived their dismount point Nic checked the surrounding area with the LAV's FLIR. Again, no hot-spot, nothing.
"OK, seems like we are alone," he said to himself.
"All right gentelem, here we go. Prepare to dismount. Rally point 10 meters to the right, old house ruin.
Sequence: At first Fox than Delaney. After them Mc Rae and MacDonald, then Mahanandi. Mr Bezhov you will come with me.
At the rally point all around position.
Mr. Tremblay, you will cover us. Main firing direction ahead 11 to 2 o'clock.
When everything is save, we will move on.
Disembark o my command."

Then Nic turns to the radio.

"This is Lima-6, prepare to dismount.
Alpha, you will cover our advance. Main firing direction 10 to 1 o'clock."

Major Nic v. Stahl Lima-6
at the FOB / command post
HP-35 + 2 Mag
C8A1 + 5 Mag
3 fragmentation granades
1 smoke grenade (white)
bayonet

OOC: I don't know if it makes sense with the directions but it sounds good.

"Roger Lima Six, Wilco.  Give me a Mike or two to position."

Kelsey has the BTR driver Maneuver them into a good firing position for that arc with as much hull cover as they can find, but leaving the turret free.  She has the rest of the crew try to peek as best as they can, as well, full circle of vehicle.  She will want her vehicle backed into the hull cover so they can drive straight out in emergency.  Escape path according to the plan.  She glances worriedly once or twice at the rad meter as they get settled in.
When they are positioned she radios "Lima 6, Alpha is in position."



Alpha-One.
Commander BTR-70, seated in turret gunner/commander seat, scanning assigned arc.
14.5mm KPVT heavy machine gun, turret.  Thermals on.  500 - 14.5x114 belt fed.  no round chambered, safety on.
7.62mm PKT machine gun, turret coax.  2000 - 7.62x39 belt fed.  no round chambered, safe on.
C-8 Carbine - 6 spare Mags (5.56 NATO)
(rifle racked near her position, magazine loaded, no round chambered, spare mags in web gear)
6 C-13 Frag Grenades
2 Smoke grenades (Green/white)  (All grenades attached to webgear)
Kevlar helmet stowed with pack, commo headset on.


OCC:  Shhh... we know what we are doing.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:40, Tue 14 June 2011.

In reply to Nicolaus von Stahl (msg #35):

Taking control of the Kodiak's turret weapons systems, Tremblay performed a 360 degree check with the thermal sights. He then concentrated uphill at the 11-12 o'clock position, where they believed the warhead was located. There was a lot of blackness due to the heavy precipitation, which was efficiently carrying away the heat from the structures and undergrowth. If someone was out there, they would show up without a problem due to the contrast.

"No targets spotted, sir!"

He was quite glad to be inside the armoured turret, protected from the environment, but if need be he could open the Commander's hatch and use the pintle-mounted MG. Tremblay would be going for the 25mm first, then the co-ax MG.


Sgt. Keith Tremblay
Lima 17

Scoped FNC: 6 Spare Magazines
Colt M1911A1: 2 Spare Magazines
x4 M67 Fragmentation Grenades
x1 AN/M8 HC Smoke, White
x1 M7A3, CS Gas

In LAV III turret Gunner's position, orienting turret northwards to cover dismounts.

In reply to Nicolaus von Stahl (msg #35):

In his NBC suit, Fox thumped down the rear ramp into the rain, stumbling a little on the slippery mud as the wind hit him from the west. Regaining his feet he turned to Seth to make sure he was following, then set off to the ruined building, fighting the wind.

"In position! I got north arc!"


Sgt. Robert Fox
Lima 18

C7A1 (30/30) with C79 Optical Sight/Starlight Scope + 6x 5.56mmN Magazines ammo pouches
M203 40mm Grenade Launcher (1 HE) + 10x 40mm HE, 2x 40mm HEDP, 4x 40mm Parachute Flares (Red), 4x 40mm HC Smoke.
9mm Browning Hi-Power leg holster + 2x 9mmP Magazines webbing
4x C13 Frag Grenades ammo pouches
2x M9 HC Smoke Grenades webbing (Green, Red)

10m to west of LAV at guard house ruin.
Providing area security, looking north
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:25, Wed 15 June 2011.

In reply to Robert Duncan Fox (msg #38):

"I got your six!"

Delaney followed his partner, Fox. As he realised that anyone that showed up would probably take the route in they did, coming from the east, he set up his RPK to cover that arc.

He rested the LMG's bipod around the corner of the tumbled-down cinder-block guard house, covering the eastern sector.

"Covering eastern arc!"


Sgt. Seth Delaney
Lima 14

RPK with brass catcher (75/75 rnd drum) - held
 - 1x 75 rnd drum in pouch
 - 8x 40 rnd mags in chest harness
HP-35 Pistol (13/13 rnd mag) - in holster
 - 2x 13 rnd mag - in webbing pistol mag pouch
C13 Fragmentation Grenade x2
M18 Smoke Grenade x2

10m west of LAV, covering east.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:26, Wed 15 June 2011.

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg #36):

The BTR's Geiger counters registered no unusual levels of radiation, which was good and not completely unexpected at this distance from the suspected warhead. To find the location of the warhead's crater would require using a more sensitive hand-held meter, which was in the process of happening.

As this was a parking lot, there wasn't much in the way of terrain to hide the vehicle behind. One option was to go downslope a ways but the turret weapons couldn't depress enough to engage targets uphill. Instead, the driver drove up to get between the ruined guard houses. The BTR was high enough for the turret to clear the small building beside it and cover the uphill slope while remaining hull down. The BTR was pointed east, the direction they came in.

The driver, Tanase, poked his head out, using his NVGs to scan the road they had taken in, to the east. Petrovitch, the gunner, covered up-slope (north), peering into his sights. Putsep, the assistant commander, opened one of the rear roof hatches and watched to the west, reasoning that the area downslope to the south was in clear view of Taras' maritime element on the water and not in need of direct observation. Kelsey's commander's seat was positioned to look east (along the line of travel) but she could turn to observe any direction desired (as long as the turret didn't block her.

Like everyone who was outside, the NBC bunny suit made observation in the stormy darkness all that more difficult.

http://tinyurl.com/3j5z773


Note on the BTR: the BTR has no night vision or thermal sights equipped. The driver has NVGs, as does Kelsey (vehicle commander). Also, the vehicle weapons (KPVT and PKMT) are loaded, per the threat level. The BTR is parking facing east between the guard houses, protected from fire from the north or south but not east-west.

Taras couldn't help but notice a big industrial site located right next to the refinery. Six massive blocks punctuated by large chimneys raising to the sky. This complex didn't appeared to be connected to the Imperial Oil Company yet it was so close. The electric park located right behind gave a hint that this could be an electric power plant of steam or gas turbines type. A protruding pier was located right in front.

Seems like we will need to get a little bit closer to the shore if we want to be of any help. If trouble start from the building we may need to disembark and act as a reserve force. The best that we can do is cover their left flank from here.



RIB/Maritime Detachment (Bravo)

Staff Sgt. Shevchenko  Bravo 1
AKS-74U (30/30) +4 mags
S&W 5946 (15/15)
RGO handgrenades x6
HC smoke x6
AK bayonet


Pvt. Sheeler  Bravo 14 FN C1A1 (20/20) +4 mags.
Pvt. Droz Bravo 15 Sterling C1 (34/34) +2 mags.
Const. Chau  Bravo 16 HK MP-5A2 (30/30) +4mags
Const. Bajorek  Bravo 17 Remington 870P (7/7) +1 box (25 shells).
Troy DeFazio (Comms) Bravo 18 Sterling C1 (34/34) +2 mags

Collective weapons:
- Mk-19: 48 HEDP +1 mag.
- Carl Gustav Mk. 3: 7 HEAT, 4 ILLUM.
- PKM: (100/100) 7,62x54R +1 mag

"Perfection Tanase."  She says softly in the air, off coms.  She loosely grips the toggles for the coax, well aware it is 'hot', Slowly scanning her arc, while trying to remain aware of all else.  "I think a bear might be able to sneak up on us, steal our rations, and slip away, with us none the wiser till we want a bite to eat."


Alpha-One.
Commander BTR-70, seated in turret gunner/commander seat,  Bunny Suited, popped out of hatch, scanning West with NVG.
14.5mm KPVT heavy machine gun, turret.  Thermals on.  500 - 14.5x114 belt fed.  no round chambered, safety on.
7.62mm PKT machine gun, turret coax.  2000 - 7.62x39 belt fed.  no round chambered, safe on.
C-8 Carbine - 6 spare Mags (5.56 NATO)
(rifle racked near her position, magazine loaded, no round chambered, spare mags in web gear)
6 C-13 Frag Grenades
2 Smoke grenades (Green/white)  (All grenades attached to webgear)
Kevlar helmet stowed with pack, commo headset on.


OOC:  Love the map Tony!

Upon Taras instructions the zodiac was reposiotioned closer to the shore at a slanted angle from the left towards the refinery/ Now they were near the thermo-electric power plant wharf:

Ok, folks. lets identify some targets here...Seems like there is a large building or storage in front of the main pier. Right behind there is a small one that looks like an office with a big parking lot. The rest is clear cut and up hill tank farm. Take reference for distance and zero the weapons in case we need to fire. If this is the case I will shoot the PKM and the tracers will tell you.

The crew was ready for action. Constable Bajorek was manning the zodiac, at that time standing still but ready to move. Private Sheeler dropped the FN rifle and started to swing the Mk-19 towards the selected targets. Private Droz and Constable Chau paired up nicely to serve the Carl Gustav as a shooter and reloader. They were conscious about the powerful backblast of the weapon before deploying it. Finally Taras appointed Troy, his comms man, as assistant gunner as well. He would be laying next to him ensuring a correct feed of the belted machine gun. The ukrainian had disposed of the metal box to avoid excessive rattling and prepared a belt with a total count of 100 rounds one in every 5 rounds was a green typed T-46 tracer. Typical of Soviet machine guns, the PKM was feeding from the right and ejecting its spent cases via an ejection port on the left side, contrary to the right side ejection port seen in most Western machine guns.

Bajorek! If we get shot at get the zodiac behind the wharf of the power plant. The rest please be generous and throw some smoke. Once we get there we can set a defensive position. There is a road that goes with the refinery and we can link up with the ground element.

Once the team was ready Taras radioed the leader:

Lima-6, Lima-6...this is Bravo-2. We are in position and ready to provide support. Please confirm that you see me. Over.

The slow revving power-pack of the RIB offered a single source of heat enough to be discriminated over the water. Being localized meant that the commander could have a better tactical picture and know where the fire support would be coming. Also it facilitated relocation orders or even the choice for a disembarkment site.




RIB/Maritime Detachment (Bravo)

Staff Sgt. Shevchenko  Bravo 1
Manning the PKM with a 100 round belt
AKS-74U (30/30) +4 mags slung at his back
S&W 5946 (15/15)
RGO handgrenades x6
HC smoke x6
AK bayonet


Pvt. Sheeler manning the Mk-19.
Pvt. Droz at the CG.
Const. Chau by the CG.
Const. Bajorek manning the zodiac.
Troy DeFazio (Comms) assistant gunner for Taras.

Indeed, the building complex to the west of the refinery seemed to be a power station of some kind, due to the chimney stacks and the power lines leading into it and then up the hillside. Using the spotlight on the zodiac just possible to read a rusted sign that said "Burrard Thermal Power Station - Please Keep Out" on the wharf.

Anyone approaching from the west would have a difficult time. It was thick forest there with a few older burned patches, and a road that snaked down the steep hillside back and forth along the hydro cut to the power station. Pretty much all of the important directions were covered (east, west, north) and the one that wasn't, south, would be a little hard to sneak up using.

Andy and Mac completed the deployment. Now it was time for Bezhov to dismount and do his thing.

Bezhov slung his auto-carbine and switched on his Geiger counter. He calibrated it and checked it out. He called out to Major von Stahl, voice muffled by his NBC mask, "Major, the equipment is working! I shall commence my survey! Although really I'm just going to look for the big crater."

He carefully waved the wand around, seeking the level of radiation. Meter clicking quietly, Bezhov adjusted his night-vision goggles and started trudging west, across the hillside under the pipelines and towards the dark administration building.

"I'm not close enough yet to pick anything up. There's little radiological contamination here. I'll go sideways across the hill, to find some contaminated runoff from higher up, then start up from there."

Geiger counters were not exactly like radio direction finders; they simply got more active the closer you were to the source of contamination. Two detectors working in tandem could more accurately map the boundaries of a source of contamination or even locate a source in a grid search, but they didn't have access to such sensitive gear.


Kapitan Bezhov
Lima 2

AKSU (30/30) + 6 Magazines
2 C13 Grenades
4x Flares, 1 Smoke Grenade (Red).

SE corner of the refinery. Moving West, Checking for radiation.

Major von Stahl gave his assent over the radio to Kelsey's report. As well, he looked out and saw the Zodiac and further confirmed he had Taras in view to his southwest.

Overhead it should have been getting lighter as they approached dawn but the rain and clouds was still too thick to permit any light.

Map Link:

http://tinyurl.com/3n6ldvx
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:51, Wed 22 June 2011.

Halfway across the hillside, Bezhov stopped about 100m or so away. He waved the Geiger counter's probe around, bent over to examine something low to the ground more closely, then straightened up and waved for attention.

He wasn't too clear with NATO radio procedure so he just transmitted in plain English. "I've got something! Runoff in a culvert that is contaminated. I'm going to follow it up the hillside, see where it's draining from."

Bezhov started walking up the hillside, checking the culvert and the sides.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:52, Wed 22 June 2011.

The crew of the Little Potemkin received the news over the radio with enthusiasm. Being the supporting element and pretty much stranded over the water away from the ground team in protective posture was not a very pleasant situation.

Lima 6...Lima 6...This is Bravo 2. We can provide illumination for Lima 2 if needed. Over.

Groping in the darkness while looking for a warhead with a yield of 550-750 KT wasn't a walk in a park. Taras realized that providing overhead illumination of the area being searched could greatly speed up the process. He wasn't too worry about losing discretion. The roaring presence of the armored vehicles echoing across the end of the Burrard inlet would probably announced their presence a while ago.

Unknown the technical details for the ukrainian the FFV545 rounds carried in the zodiac were illuminating starshells, that could be fired up to 2,300 m maximum range, but with an effective envelope of 300 to 2,100 m. Suspended by parachute, they will burn for 30 seconds while producing 650,000 candela, providing a 400 to 500 m diameter area of illumination.



Taras was more familiar with the use of illumination rounds from mortars as standard practice of the Red Army but he was confident that this measure would help his friend Bezhov but was obviously consulting the misssion commander on this issue.


RIB/Maritime Detachment (Bravo)

Staff Sgt. Shevchenko  Bravo 1
Suggesting fireworks
AKS-74U (30/30) +4 mags slung at his back
S&W 5946 (15/15)
RGO handgrenades x6
HC smoke x6
AK bayonet


Pvt. Sheeler manning the Mk-19.
Pvt. Droz at the CG.
Const. Chau by the CG.
Const. Bajorek manning the zodiac.
Troy DeFazio (Comms) assistant gunner for Taras.

Kelsey smirks a moment in her position and remarks off air.  "Well, that'll make em wonder what we are up to.  Mmmmmm.  Means we'd have to finish here for sure, though.  Might draw folks to here and get em sick too.   Crap."  She toggles her radio on  "This is Alpha One, Lima Six I advise against.  Might attract folks to get sick."

Gotta think about the human element.  Most of these people are not the enemy.  Then again, Kelsey is a local.

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg #49):

Bezhov's voice came in a little clearer, with less echo.

"Yes! I am fine, here, I have a hand light, it is better than the goggles. I have taken off my mask, to see better.

"I confirm there is no contamination in the air, just the ground water. It does stink of petroleum! Phew! But I'll keep the illumination in mind."

It was obvious he had taken off his mask in order to be able to see better. They could also see that he wasn't using the night goggles but a powerful hand-light.

A brilliant white beam lanced out, sweeping the area around Bezhov. He was slowly moving north, towards some bushes and storage tanks that would block him from view.




Kapitan Bezhov
Lima 2

AKSU (30/30) + 6 Magazines
2 C13 Grenades
4x Flares, 1 Smoke Grenade (Red).

Moving North, checking runoff with Geiger counter and looking for a medium sized crater using powerful hand-light.

"Bravo Two, this is Lima Six. I concur, no illumination just yet.

"Break."

"Lima Two, you are getting out of sight. Hold your position to let us displace to cover you. Do you understand?"

He called (verbally) over to Kelsey in the BTR.

"Master Corporal! The LAV and dismounts are going to advance north to cover Bezhov better. You stay here with Alpha, continue to cover East-South-West (all except 10-1 o'clock).

"The rest of you, follow me, we're advancing 200m north behind the LAV.

"Sergeant Fox, have Alpha drive 200m straight north along the right side of this pipeline, keep us hull down from fire to the west (left). Nice and slow, so we can follow!"

He organised the 4-man dismount element into a line following the LAV north, him first, then Delaney, Fox, McRae and Mac following.


Major Nic v. Stahl Lima-6

HP-35 + 2 Mag
C8A1 + 5 Mag
3 fragmentation granades
1 smoke grenade (white)
bayonet

Behind LAV III
Advancing North

In reply to Nicolaus von Stahl (msg #51):



After a second, Bezhov replied, "ah yes, I understand. I think I am getting close, if these readings are correct. I will have a rest here for a moment, then continue when you are in position."

Bezhov halted, then found a spot to sit down for a bit of a rest. The heavy suit was hot and sweaty, even with the heavy rain and wind bearing down.


Kapitan Bezhov
Lima 2

AKSU (30/30) + 6 Magazines
2 C13 Grenades
4x Flares, 1 Smoke Grenade (Red).

Southern end, Central-West sector of the refinery.

Holding position, checking runoff with Geiger counter and looking for a medium sized crater using powerful hand-light.