Tom gabs the launcher and moves out with the others. He covers his sector as they move forward along the road. He will periodontally use his own binoculars when they stop.

In reply to Thomas Matthew Andrews (msg # 45):

Tremblay exited behind Andrews. Keeping his C7A1 at low-ready he slung both cases of spare Carl Gustav ammunition (2x each of HE and HEDP) over his shoulders. He was somewhat burdened by the weight but it was good to have a selection of ammunition available for the launcher.

Sgt. Keith Tremblay
Bishop-2

C7A1 + 4 mags
2x 84mm HEDP
2x 84mm HE

Exiting Humvee, following Andrews

Kel will foot scout out partway, then radio for the HMMWV to catch up once they find a good spot for it to hull down, remount, and prepare to move past the helocopter.

"This is Bishop-1, we continue normal advance.  Bishop moves."

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg # 47):

"Understood. We have backtracked, and are ten minutes behind schedule at this point. If you see a threat, investigate, and  we can adjust. Advise if this will take extended time or cause further delay."

In about ten minutes, Taras called back and notified Bishop that Knight was back on track. While they waited for the Cougar to make it's way to an overwatch position north of the freeway, the dismounts covered about a half-klick. When Knight radioed to notify Bishop they were in position north of APRIL, the Humvee bounded forward to pick up the dismounts.

They proceeded down the freeway towards the intersection at APRIL. Along the way, they investigated the helo. It was a Mil Mi-17 in Soviet markings, it looked like it had taken ground fire and then performed an emergency landing on the freeway. The wreck was about five klicks from the massive comms station at Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Aldergrove. Judging from the weathering and graffiti tags the helo could well have been shot down during some kind of Soviet airborne or commando raid years ago, before CFS Aldergrove was abandoned. There were no bodies in the abandoned ship (which was still basically landed intact) and it was stripped of all engine parts, electronics, weapons or other salvage.

Presently, they were 2.5km from the intersection at APRIL.

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 49):

"Bishop, this is Knight.

"Have arrived at overwatch position at APRIL.

"Area is clear. No recent habitation, but there are signs of military activity in the past.

"Please proceed at leisure.

"As well, be aware HOTEL is operating south of us on on 248st. They are going to set up an OP at 248 and 56 Ave. 56 Ave is approximately 5 kilometres east of the Hotel Alpha compound, so am expecting threat from that direction."

https://maps.google.com/maps/m...spn=0.06574,0.110378

Kelsey radioed as the rolled ahead "Roger Knight.  Rook this is Bishop, let us know when you are no longer effective and we will do a hop, that's a nice spot you got there"

Andy returned to the jeep and said, "Bishop, this is Rook. We are good to go. Make your hop when ready."

In reply to Andrew Montgomery McRae (msg # 52):

Hawke turned the wheel of the vehicle and moved slowly towards the chopper, among the trees.

"Knight is in position, so keep moving and keep your eyes open guys.  Foot folks get ready to dismount on a moment's notice if there is time."

She keys the radio "Bishop moves to knight.  Rook Follows.  Time to Castle!"

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg # 54):

Bishop and Rook inchwormed their way past the grounded wreck of the helo. After a kilometre or so of this they came into sight of APRIL, the overpass and offramp that led to Highway 13.

When they got close to the offramp, Taras radioed, "this is Knight. I see you approaching down Highway 1. We are to the November, so we are on your right. The approach is clear. Exit Highway 1 and proceed south. We will RV once you are on highway 13. Understood?"

Sure enough, they could see the top of the Cougar's turret. The light combat vehicle was parked hull-down behind some kind of hillock or outcropping. (Actually, it was the rear of a small berm or rise where "VISIT FORT LANGLEY" was written to be seen coming west down the highway.) The 76mm gun could be seen poking out over the top. Branches and brush had been cut and woven into the camo net on the turret to break up the silhouette a little.

Kelsey radioed back in a very clear and cheerful tone.

"Roger that Knight.  Bishop, roll hot!  Rook, follow our path, Knight is on overwatch."

Kelsey holds onto her rifle as she directs the HMMWV to speed up and take a more direct route as the meet up with the Cougar.

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg # 56):

Hawke follows orders and speeds up.

Abbot watched his assigned sector as the vehicle approached the rendezvous point.

-------------------

OOC - things have gotten quiet lately.  Is everything ok guys?

In reply to Stanley Alistair Abbot (msg # 58):

The three vehicles RVd at the overpass where highway 13 crossed over Highway 1, the Trans-Canada. Their next bound was to the abandoned Vancouver Game Farm to pick up instruments that would allow them to operate on the injured elephant.

They started on their next bound. That would take them a kilometre south to the game farm.

Taras dismounted the Cougar, Russalka in tow, and signalled for a quick huddle.

"Our first bound will be south down highway 13 to the Game Farm. Same as before with Bishop in front, except Knight will join with Rook and provide rolling overwatch. After the Game Farm we can proceed to the comms station and check it out, as per Belanger's request.

"Belanger, for his part, is setting up an OP on the most direct route between here and the HA clubhouse."

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg # 60):

The dog was happy to get down and mark some trees. She sniffed around, excitedly barked once at a bird, then sat at Taras' feet. For an abandoned pet found in a flood zone weeks before, she'd filled out. It was clear she was trained and intelligent.

In reply to Russalka (msg # 61):

"If there are any questions I trust you'll bring them up. I do have a question for you, what is the situation with the helicopter you came across? Can you supply further details?"

"It looked like an emergency landing, probably back from the beginning of the war.  Though the airframe looked fairly intact, it was obvious it has not flown in a long time, and is even collecting graffiti."

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg # 63):

"That is making sense. Perhaps it has something to do with the nearby military installation, the one Belanger wants us to do a visual check on after we have visited the game farm. Thank you.

"OK. It seems we are almost at our destination. So far we have not spotted any bikers, or anyone else, although we know they are probably in the area. Remain vigilant, of course. Bishop will be remaining the lead element. Rook and Knight will follow, in rolling overwatch. Any questions?"

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg # 64):

Tremblay had dismounted and did not join the pow-wow. Instead, he kept a watch on the local area, rifle at low-ready, eyes scanning.

"None, ok, Bishop takes the lead, let's roll!"

"Roger that," Andy replied, "Rook ready to go."

As the humvee rolled out, Abbot made sure his weapon was ready for action.  He smoothed out the belt of ammo loaded into his M240 and focused his attention to his assigned sector.

The vehicles moved out from the intersection south down Highway 13.

It was clear at one point there was an Army presence controlling the intersection, although American or Canadian it was hard to tell. Bunkers were built covering the offramp south, but they were half-collapsing. Some had small trees growing out of them or were overgrown, indicating they had been abandoned for years.

A little ways down the road was a makeshift parking lot, where it looks like about twenty abandoned cars and trucks had been towed from the highway were parked, then stripped. This explained the lack of such vehicles left where they could block the road or be used as cover. Grass grew up around the hulks, most of which had their hoods (or bonnets) open, exposing empty engine compartments. There was no obvious threat there, and not wasting further time they proceeded south to the Game Farm.

OOC: I rolled for observation and it's clear there's no one hiding in among the abandoned vehicles. As well, the whole area is undeveloped farmland and/or forest.

The game farm complex was about a kilometre down the road on the left, just short of Canadian Forces Station Aldergrove, the communications station. It took a few minutes to traverse the wooded lane. Soon, they were pulling up in front of the game farm's wide empty parking lots. A cluster of low buildings lay in between the parking lots and the animal pens.