(I am assuming he sends a runner if he cannot be heard over the rain, the BTR Engine.  Verbal makes sense in this situation, maybe he went over in person to relay the order)

"Warrant for this mission, sir.  But I answer to anything with sugar attached."
She looks over where her arc and vision is, and calls on the vehicle com to her driver "Tanase, nudge us up a bit so we don't have obstructions, just in case.  We are covering the back door now.""

She calls to von Stahl (mr steel?) "Holding the back door open commander, proceed."



Alpha-One.
Commander BTR-70, seated in turret gunner/commander seat,  Bunny Suited, popped out of hatch, scanning East and around 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.

This message was last edited by the player at 19:05, Thu 30 June 2011.

Roger Lima 6, this is Bravo 2, out.

In his peculiar voice Taras acknowledged the Commander.



RIB/Maritime Detachment (Bravo)

Staff Sgt. Shevchenko  Bravo 1
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.

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

Fox splashed over to von Stahl, who was over at the BTR giving instructions to Kelsey. The wind and rain was still driving down, and it was difficult to keep his feet in the bunny suit.

"Sir, if we follow the LAV and stumble 200m up that bloody hill in a freakin' hurricane, dressed in full NBC gear... it's going to be a real "Gong Show". That is, a potential disaster. Let's ride up, at least part of the way, sir? That way we won't lose anyone due to foot or leg injury, we won't be wiped out, er, totally exhausted. Maybe I got a bit soft, eh?"

When he was in training, working out daily, he could have made that slog without complaint. After years of war he'd only recently gotten back into working out and eating full meals. He might be able to do it again, but seriously didn't feel like doing it this horrible morning.


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.

By BTR
Talking to Maj. von Stahl

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #54):

Smiling under his mask, von Stahl clicked his radio on and transmitted in reply, "Alpha Six out."

He spoke up to Kelsey, his voice muffled, "ya, sorry, Warrant! You're in charge here, keep the backdoor safe."

"Sergeant Fox, yes, I see. We won't be much use running up the hill in the dark following the LAV. Have the men mount up. We will travel north in the LAV 200m. Then deploy."

The Major then made sure that everyone was loaded up, then climbed in the rear ramp after them and up into the commander's seat.

Raising his mask in the NBC filtered vehicle he said, "okay Rachel, take us up the hill."


Major Nic v. Stahl Lima-6

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

By BTR, talking to Kelsey and Sgt. Fox.
Mounting up to advance North up the hill.

In reply to Nicolaus von Stahl (msg #56):

Getting the order to move, Rachel checked that the ramp was up by noting the tell-tale light was out.

"Here we go, kiddies! Hang onto something back there!"

The slope was not too bad but overgrown, plus there was the water and mud. The all-wheel drive would be tested and Rachel still wasn't an expert driver even if she did have some experience under her belt at this point. Not being shy she pointed the Kodiak's bow uphill and gave her the gas.

"Whoo-hoooo!"


Cpl. Rachel Lee
Lima 3

MP5A3 + 6 Magazines.
In LAV's driver seat, driving north

In reply to Nicolaus von Stahl (msg #56):

Tremblay snugged his face into the gunner's sight, using the thermal to check the forward arc, then left towards the admin buildings and petroleum storage tanks. Then checked out the wooded hillside to the right.

"So far, so good."


Sgt. Keith Tremblay
Lima 17

Scoped FNC: 6 Spare Magazines

Kodiak Gunner's seat, scanning line of travel.

Kelsey gives Nick a big 'thumbs up', then grips the combing on the hatch as the BTR roars and moves into it's new position.  "Count on us, commander, and we'll slam it shut or kick it open as need.  Tell Rae to give the Spoonful hell, it can take it."  The garish pink lettering on the side of the LAV might be hard to see right now, but otherwise it is hard to miss the name stenciled on the war horse.  "Lovin' Spoonful"



Kelsey grins to herself as she hears the LAV's engine roar even over this downpour and nods to herself  "There ya go Rae, give er hell."


Alpha-One.
Currently talking with Nic, then movement into a new position with a better vantage and mobility.
Commander BTR-70, seated in turret gunner/commander seat,  Bunny Suited, popped out of hatch, scanning West and around with NVG.
14.5mm KPVT heavy machine gun, turret.  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.

Andy crouched down in cover and readied his rifle. He looked around, his vision limited by the lenses of his gas mask and the poor visibility of the day. He covered his scetor and said, "Mac, you see anything?"

Not fun at all on the water. The heavy stormy seas prevented the landlubber crew from maintaining a decent stable platform from where to orientate their arcs of fire and fields of view. The lack of action and the cumbersome protective suits were also adding to the overall uncomfortable situation. Grand Admiral Shevchenko "The Great" at the helm of his "Little Potemkin" noticed how the morale of the sailors was slowly sinking and he tried to correct the bearings:

Lima 6...Lima 6...This is Bravo 2. We are having problems here to get steady on the water. I'm going to dock by the powerplant. I repeat, I'm going to dock by the power plant. Confirm reception. Over.

Steering the RIB towards the little platform brought some relief to the team. At least Taras was willing to be able to keep busy preparing a firebase on solid ground.





RIB/Maritime Detachment (Bravo)

Staff Sgt. Shevchenko  Bravo 1
Moving towards the Burrard Powerplant
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.

Mac had winced when the flare popped. Now he answered his voice and rueful tone muffled by the gear and weather, "Nothing so far. Nobody, dumb enough to stay out in this but us. Even the ducks got better sense than to move around in this mess. Don't suppose that anybody out here could miss us 'less they were three days dead or blind and deaf."

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

Heavy Body Armour (Lvl 2), Steel Helmet/Scrim/Goggles, CF OD Fatigues, Rain poncho, Gas Mask, Bunny Suit.

Road Map, Compass, Butt Pack, 2 Canteens, 1 IMP, 4 Hand-Flares, Flashlight, AN/PVS-5 NVGs, Binoculars.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:19, Sat 02 July 2011.

0546 Hours

While Bezhov waited, the dismounts (Mac, Master McRae, Fox, Delaney, Major von Stahl) loaded back into the LAV. With a roar of the diesel engine the Kodiak trundled up the muddy slope along a path beside the pipeline leading down to the Inlet.

Quickly, Kelsey had Tanase reverse the BTR into a position where it was hull-down to fire coming from the east. The bow was therefore pointing west but the turret reversed to fire over the rear deck, covering the route in from the east. Petrovitch, the gunner, reported that he had a mostly clear 360 degree arc of fire, although the nearby guard buildings did present a few blind spots.

Out on the water, the Zodiac docked on the pier that jutted into Burrard Inlet from the power station. The crew were vocally relieved to not be out on the bucking seas. Troy secured the large Zodiac with a couple lines and the rest of the crew collapsed on the platform that was otherwise crammed with machinery of some kind. It was clear this was no flimsy dock but some kind of permanent refueling station or gas terminal for the power plant.

http://tinyurl.com/44c2cr4

Some 45 long minutes after "official" dawn it was starting to get noticeably lighter, as the sun came up above the rain heavy clouds and from behind the mountains. Within about five or ten minutes it was practically light enough not to need NVGs or other light-intensifying gear. Also, the rain was slacking off to heavy showers and the wind died down somewhat. It wasn't a clear or perfect day by any means, but the worst of the storm seemed to have blown itself out.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:48, Wed 06 July 2011.

As he waited for the LAV to displace to its new covering position, Bezhov took more readings. He radioed von Stahl with his findings.

"Ah... this is Lima Two calling Lima Six."

He waited for the Major's reply to continue.

"Contamination is relatively light except the ground water. Suggest we stand down full NBC protection unless in dangerous proximity to the target. I think it's safe to take off your masks and open hatches, as long as the counters aren't giving off a reading."


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.

In the LAV, Nic climbed into the commander's seat and held on as they roared up the hillside. Rainwater dripped everywhere.

"Okay, I understand. Wait for us until my signal."

"All units, this is Lima Six. You can stand down protective measures. Just the masks for now, keep suits on. Lima Six, out."

He made sure the personnel in the rear of the APC understood that at least for now, they could take off their masks (if they still kept their bunny suits on).



Major Nic v. Stahl Lima-6

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

In LAV's commander's seat, moving uphill
Talking to Bezhov

Gratefully, Fox pulled off his mask and wiped the sweat from his face.

"Oh man, that's soooo much better!"

Shifting his grip on his C7A1/M203A1, he squinted up at the video display that showed the outside as seen from the gunsight. It was a salvaged CRT that someone at the university had rigged up as part of the Lavin' Spoonful's extensive refurbishment.

"Shoot, is it getting lighter out there? 'Bout time. Storm must be breaking."



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.

Inside LAV
Waiting to dismount

In reply to Robert Duncan Fox (msg #66):

Pulling back his hood, Delaney also removed his mask and sighed. His RPK SAW was propped securely between his knees.

"Yeah, daylight has definitely arrived."

He checked his watch and snorted.

"Almost a friggin' hour past dawn. Man, that was some storm, eh?"



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

Riding in back of Lavin' Spoonful.
Also waiting to dismount.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:10, Wed 06 July 2011.

In reply to Seth Joseph Delaney (msg #67):

Taking advantage of the 8-wheel drive, Rachel gunned the powerful engine and powered uphill. She didn't want to get bogged down, but the hillside would be more dangerous if they stopped and started to slide backwards.

"I hope everyone is holding on back there!"

With a free hand she popped the driver's hatch so she didn't have to keep using the driver's periscope. She then raised the folding windscreen and set the wiper going. Her visibility was much improved as a result. Some water leaked down inside the LAV but nothing serious.


Cpl. Rachel Lee
Lima 3

MP5A3 + 6 Magazines.
In LAV's driver seat, driving north uphill
This message was last edited by the player at 10:11, Wed 06 July 2011.

Given the clear to remove her mask Kelsey does that and removes her gloves as well.  She tries to pay extra attention to the blind spots the buildings are causing, just in case.  She relays the unmask to her crew.  "Nice, from a flood to a mere downpour.  Is that sunshine coming?"


Alpha-One.
Commander BTR-70, seated in turret gunner/commander seat,  Bunny Suited, popped out of hatch, scanning West and around with NVG. Mask off, gloves off.
14.5mm KPVT heavy machine gun, turret.  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.

The maritime detachment members removed their masks as soon as the order came on the radio. The platform was slippery and wet but it offered some level of protection against the receding rain storm. Daylight was quickly approaching and the silhouettes of the vehicles appeared now visible in the barren hill of the tank farm. More noticeable was the LAV as it moved forwards in its climb. The fatigue of the crew was reflecting. Some isolated chuckle or throat clearing substituted conversation.



RIB/Maritime Detachment (Bravo)

Staff Sgt. Shevchenko  Bravo 1
At the Burrard Powerplant dock
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

This message was last edited by the GM at 07:46, Thu 07 July 2011.

Andy removed his respirator and kept up his watch.

The Lavin' Spoonful moved along an overgrown track up the hillside. The dismounts (Mac, Andy, Fox, Delaney commanded by von Stahl) went down the ramp and set a defensive perimeter. The LAV was pointed west, just to the right of a series of shoulder-high pipeline that made it hull down from fire to the west.

The Major set up the dismounts so that Fox and Delaney were covering North (uphill), Andy and Mac South down the downhill slope, and he himself would cover east while Tremblay and Lee in the LAV would cover Bezhov to the west. Lee raised the ramp and kept her head out the hatch, Tremblay kept looking through the thermal sight.

  /|
   |N
   |               Pipeline

                   | || |                            *             *
                   | || |                           *         *
                   | || |                            *
                   | || | x Fox                      *  *             *
                   | || |   x Delaney                *
                   | || |  __________                *    *
                   | || | /     _    |              *
 x Bezhov          | || ||  ---(_)=  |   x           *        FOREST    *
                   | || | \__________| von Stahl      *
                   | || |                            *     *
                   | || |                            *
                   | || |   x Andy                   *           *
                   | || | x Mac                     *
                   | || |                           *         *      *
                   | || |                            *
                   | || |                            *           *
                   | || |                           *

This process took another ten minutes. The weather got better as the storm started to rapidly break up. There still wasn't any direct sunlight but it was probably the sun would soon break through the clouds, if conditions continued to improve.

Further west, Bezhov started moving up the hill, looking for the impact area of the warhead. Kelsey in the BTR kept watch on the road in from the east, while Taras and company recovered on the narrow jetty by the power plant to the west.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:31, Wed 13 July 2011.

Seeing the LAV get into position, Bezhov checked in on the radio and continued on north. He was following the trail of contaminated runoff.

At a certain point he bypassed some storage tanks and a copse of woods, then doubled back a little. He put his hood back on, made sure his suit was sealed.

"I've found it. It's on the north edge of this bunch of trees. A crater, four-five metres across. Just inside the woods."

"Someone's been here! There is a small wheeled digging machine. With shovel. They have uncovered warhead. There are rubber, ah gloves, plastic sheeting, discarded radiological protection suits. No footprints because of rain. I'm going to take photographs, documenting scene. Recording radiation levels.

"It's safe about 20m out, more contamination closer in. Am putting on dosimeter."



Kapitan Bezhov
Lima 2

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

Investigating impact crater.
West-central area of refinery.

0600

They were a little behind schedule, by about 15 minutes. Bezhov was about done. The rain had really slackened and the wind was still dying, but it could pick up again.

Everyone who takes off their mask in the refinery area notes a strong scent of petrochemicals. Even Taras notes a whiff when the wind shifts his way. Obviously, the storage tanks are slowly leaking fuel. It doesn't seem to be a hazard; there are no standing pools of oil or a rainbow sheen on the abundant groundwater. Mostly it's a reminder of how much fuel has sat here, going to waste. Most was probably unusable by now but still remained in bulk.

Over the radio, Bezhov read off his readings in Sieverts and started heading back to the LAV. The Major acknowledged Bezhov's transmission, moving the LAV and the dismounts up the hill a little further to maintain direct line of sight. He had the two pairs spread out a little so a catastrophic strike on the Kodiak couldn't take them out.

Mac and Andy couldn't see anything in their arc (south down the hill). Kelsey was getting along well with her crew. The driver and gunner didn't speak a lot of English but knew a little. She had to keep her instructions simple for them. The vehicle commander, Pütsep, knew a little more English and translated where necessary.

It was quiet at the BTR. Kelsey kept a 360 degree watch, but her attention was riveted to the east. It was faint, but she was sure she heard vehicles approaching, several, to the east. This would likely be a convoy of some sort approaching along the road they came in on. They were about 300m or so, and she thought she detected a plume of greyish smoke, possibly from one or more diesel engines.

"This is Alpha One, be advised all elements, I have several vehicles on the road east of our position.  I have one heavy, diesel engine, all about 300 meters out.  I have no visual except smoke, I have audio."   She instructs her crew on what she see as well, and has them keep their eyes peeled in other directions in case of a ground/foot element.


Alpha-One.
Commander BTR-70, seated in turret gunner/commander seat,  Bunny Suited, popped out of hatch, scanning West and around with NVG. Mask off, gloves off.  Scanning East with better optics.
14.5mm KPVT heavy machine gun, turret.  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.

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg #75):

The BTR's driver, already pointed in the opposite direction (west), poked his head out his hatch, to better keep watch in that direction. The assistant commander peered out the side periscopes in the rear passenger area, but reported to Kelsey he couldn't see much from inside, and could he dismount? The gunner trained the turret-mounted 14.5mm KPV-T and coaxial 7.62mm PKT on where Ioco road debouched from the forest into the parking lot, about 190m away.

In the commander's seat to the right of the turret, Kelsey realised that as the gun was trained to the rear, she could not direct the turret if she was buttoned up as her periscopes were directed to the sides and front. (Although she was okay where she was and although her head was out the hatch, not that exposed due to the vehicle already being hull-down.) Without a hatch of his own, the gunner would have to rely on her to direct him aside from his forward-facing gunsight and periscope.

From where they were on the jetty below and to the west, the marine element under Taras was not in a good location to observe eastwards. This included the parking lot or Ioco Road where it came out of the forest because of the acute angle and relative distance. If they were to put out on the now-calmer water they would have a better view of the visible parts of Ioco road and at least the side of the parking lot closest to the water.

Up on the hillside, the parking lot and Ioco Road were completely obscured by heavy forest. The LAV and dismounts could see Kelsey and the BTR below them, but could not see what they were seeing.

                           _________
         _______________  |         |
        / K _           | |  Guard  |
   <-- |   (G)--  BTR   | |  Shack  |        Ioco Rd. comes out of forest 190m -->
        \_D_____C_______| |         |
                          |_________|

K = Kelsey (out hatch, looking E, N.)
D = Driver (out hatch, looking W.
G = Gunner (in turret, facing E.)
C = Commander (inside passenger compartment, looking south)
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:53, Fri 15 July 2011.

Von Stahl looked through the ALCAN sight at the BTR below, then over at Bezhov, then up the hill, and finally to the forest to his immediate east.

"Alpha 1, understood. Assess their intentions and deal with any potential threats. Will continue to cover Lima 2. We are out of position to cover you, so withdraw to our position if needed or we will come to you."

"Bravo 2, assist Alpha 1 as necessary."

"Lima 2, return at once and load up."

"All units, go to condition Orange. No friendly units are reported in the area, but civilians are a possibility. Load and lock but wait for a command or direct threat to respond. Understood?"

The instruction, therefore, was to load a round in the chamber but keep personal weapons on safe. Vehicle armament (the 25mm, 14.5mm, etc.) was loaded and ready to go.


Major Nic v. Stahl Lima-6

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

Dismounted by LAV
Covering Bezhov, giving orders