Note: this is the actual game thread. Please post in-game actions here.

It didn't take a genius to see the prisoners were planning something.

Tremblay and Darek had several flex-cuffs. They secured the prisoners' hands and feet so they weren't going anywhere.

There was an explosion from out on the road. Explosives and munitions started cooking off in one of the burning vehicles.

At the market, Hawke was doing as well as could be expected. The prisoners there didn't seem to be plotting anything and were resigned to their fates, and their hands and feet were secured at any rate. Two wounded prisoners were added to his caseload.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:10, Thu 03 Apr 2014.

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 1):

Slinging his CAR-15, Tyler said to Kel and Taras, "uh, we could really use another vehicle to help transport the prisoners. Unless you want to use the Challenger?"

Meanwhile, Andrews made it out the other side of the culvert.

The woods were empty-seeming, deserted. He heard an explosion behind and above him, as munitions stored in one of the vehicles caught fire and exploded.

Andy and Mac returned to the Iltis. It was undisturbed where they had parked it.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:47, Fri 04 Apr 2014.

Mac got into the Iltis and started it up.

"Back to the others, then?" he asked.

"I can go get a Hummer..."

Indirectly she is watching the prisoners, to see if they are looking anywhere in anticipation or somesuch.

Andrew's spent a couple of minutes listening to the cars cook off on the road and looking for movement in the forest before returning to the others.

"I am happy to watch this lot."

Any volunteers to get the humvee?

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg # 7):

"Why don't Koldan and I drive Kel over so she can pick the humvee up? We'll kind of have to take the long way around, as things are a-poppin on 248 street."

He indicated the Challenger parked behind the Cougar.

Tremblay stood up, through the driver's hatch of the V-100.

"To be clear, it's a captured Humvee at the market on the corner of 56 ave and 248 St. Mine is halfway in a fucking septic tank a couple blocks down 56 Ave."

"And it sure would be nice to recover it."

"Sure, I still got my deposit on that thing. It would also be nice to get everyone together. Hawke is still back at the market along with Wayne, Droz, the wounded and a whack of prisoners.

"God knows when the Reaction Force will arrive, but someone's still fucking up long-range comms. Those are digital signals, so I'm guessing it's not the local gang-bangers. The Soviets have electronics warfare teams that can jam those signals, if they had the right gear in place. But look at this..."

He hefted the radio captured along with the sniper and his team of mercenaries. "It's a SINCGARs set. Digital. US Army issue. Not the kind of thing you'd expect bikers or their hired guns to carry."

In reply to Keith Michael Tremblay (msg # 11):

Tyler looked at the radio.

"I dunno, it's not the firs one I've seen these clowns or their goons use.

"The HAs cultivated some pretty high-level sources within what's left of the US Army logistical and supply chain. As things start to go even further to hell down in the US, whoever has control over stockpiles of weapons, supplies, vehicles and munitions is moving it out the door as fast as they can. Make hay while the sun shines,

"It's a big part of why we were trying to infiltrate the smuggling supply chain, with no controls they could move any kind of heavy weapons across the line with no problem. These Kevlar helmets and vests are all PASGT standard, as are the LBEs. Weapons are kind of a mix, but I see it's mainly M16A2s and other US weapons. Not a good sign."

He looked over at Kelsey. "Well, Sergeant, want to take a ride with Koldan and me to grab that captured Humvee? I guess we're having everyone RV at the market?"

Speaking of elsewhere, not much was happening at the marketplace. The prisoners were being no trouble, and the friendly wounded (Sheeler and Belanger) were responding postively to treatment. Prisoners included the mercs that surrendered earlier in the fight, the tank driver, and a couple mercs wounded but not killed outright in the 76mm cannister attack. (However, the latter were in bad shape and would likely die very soon without a higher level of medical attention than the parking lot of a marketplace.)

Andy and Mac made it back to the Itlis safely. No one was around, their vehicle was undisturbed where they left it.

She examines the Sincgars and it's settings.

"Great, that is probably the source of our jamming as well.  US gear, I need to think out counters on that.  You all make sure that it gets back to HQ that it is likely the source of the Jamming is the US or HA with US.  Secure all the radios, and let's do some listening in."

She shoulders her C8, then downslings it while she fiddles with the radios.

"Sure boys, lets go get it.  Coming Tremblay?"

"Yup," Andy said, "let's roll."

The pair headed for the RV.

"Can we not just march them up the road, back to the market place ?"

He held his rifle at the ready as he watched the prisoners.

In reply to Thomas Matthew Andrews (msg # 17):

As a timely reminder as to why this wasn't possible, more explosions were heard fron where the vehicles were burning on the road. Presumably, more explosive munitions were cooking off. Marching the prisoners up that road would not end well.

Mac and Andy pulled out onto 248 St. Looking north, they could see smoke and heard secondary explosions from burning vehicles. It seemed the main body of the team was just to the south of the blockage, to get to the market it was clear a detour would be needed.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:42, Fri 11 Apr 2014.

Mac drives the Iltis in a quick detour around the smoke & burning vehicles to rejoin the others.

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg # 15):

As he got into the Charger, Tremblay replied to Kel, "you bet, Sergeant. Tyler, great to see you again."

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

Slinging his AKSU-74, Koldan climbed in the passenger side door.

"Oh yes, is like reunion time. Unfortunately, do not know if cover is blown with bad guys. Was just about to meet cross-border connection for arms dealing. Is being US Army supply sergeant."

"Damn great to see you all, too. I just hope weeks of undercover work ain't gonna go down the drain."

He started the Challenger up, then put the automatic transmission in Rear gear and backed out onto 248 St. They pulled out onto the road, where he spotted the Iltis down by the intersection with 54th Ave.

"Hey, Sergeant. There's the Iltis, probably Mac and Andy. Want me to honk? Not sure if I have their frequency."
This message was last updated by the GM at 02:25, Wed 16 Apr 2014.

At the V-100 and Cougar, they waited for Kel and Tremblay to bring back additional transport for the prisoners.

Hawke and those at the shattered remains of the market marked time in the warm late afternoon, waiting for the rest of the team and/or the reaction force to arrive.

Andy and Mac pulled onto 248 st. They found the way north blocked by smoke, fire and now secondary explosions. Tyler's red Dodge Challenger pulled up, and inside were Tyler, Koldan, Kel and Tremblay. Tyler was driving and honked the horn to get their attention. They pulled up beside one another and Tyler rolled down the window.

"Hey, road's blocked up ahead. Why don't ya'all follow us while we take the long way around? We need another transport to take some prisoners out. Or do you think you can fit a couple prisoners in back of that there jeep?"

Andy and Mac agreed to follow the Charger back up to the market.

The streets were deserted. If people lived in the area, the sheer amount of fighting had frightened everyone off. They picked up the captured Humvee, checked in on Hawke and then Hotel detachment, and returned.

After about ten minutes, everyone was back at the market. The fire on 248n St still raged, and secondaries were now very common. None of the wounded had died, and they had prisoners in vehicles and behind the market. Everyone was starting to come down off the adrenaline rush of combat.

It was unclear where the relief element was. They had said they were coming from New West about 20 minutes earlier, and should have been there by now. They were just starting to be overdue.

Overall, there were seven unwounded prisoners, some were obviously bikers, others were mercs, a few were somewhat higher quality. There were also six wounded prisoners, one of which was the sniper "Brownstone", perhaps the most HVT they'd found in quite a while. No one was talking.

The team vehicles consisted of the Couger, the Iltis, a captured unarmed Humvee and captured V-100, plus a captured T-54 tank with broken optics (gunsight and periscopes). Their own Humvess was stuck in a septic tank down the way. They collected had numerous small arms from the bodies of the dead and while disarming the prisoners, plus some heavier weapons like 2x M249 SAWs and an M240 GPMG, M2HB (with possible bullet damage), 2x AT-4 rockets and both an M16A2/M203 and AK74/GP-53, including an M21 sniper rifle.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:27, Tue 22 Apr 2014.

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 24):

Getting out of the Charger, Tyler slung his CAR-15 around his shoulder. He was limping.

"Shit. I caught a thigh wound when I was behind that log. We were pinned down but I thought we could hold out until ya'all arrived. But that asshole started shooting through the log! Must have slowed the round down or else that cal-50 round woulda taken my leg clear off. Damn, startin' to hurt, now adrenaline's wearing off. Shit, burns like hellfire!"

Tyler hobbled off to where Hawke was tending to the wounded friendlies and prisoners.

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 24):

Walking over to the Cougar, Wayne asked, "hey, Hawke had an idea. You want me to drive the tank to where the Humvee's stuck? We could get started on pulling 'er out while we're waiting.

"Kel, you think you can help me out?"

The wounded prisoners were starting to moan.

Belanger and Droz were now conscious, but under the effects of morphine didn't have much to say.

Thomas walked over to the captured humvee and checked out the weapons mount. He was looking to see if it would take the M2 or the M240.

"If you need a hand getting the humvee out of the ground give me a shout."

He returns to the V-100 and retrieves the M2 and ammunition cans and sets about mounting what ever MG would fit the mount.

The pintle mount on the Humvee will accept any crew-served weapon from SAW to GPMG, HMG (M2HB) or even TOW II.

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 27):

Hawke did more patient maintenance.

"Yup, this is going to hurt for a while.  I only have so much morphine."

He sees Hope walking towards him, his leg covered in blood.

"You got perforated, too?"  Since Hope is walking towards him, he left his 'aid station' in place and got ready for him.

Slicing Hope's pants leg open, Hawke examined the wound.

"that is a great idea, make sure it has a chain and hooks, should be fast to hook on a pintle and pull it out."

Once Andrew's confirmed the M2 would fit on the captured Humvee he set about getting it mounted. Once in the cradle he undertook a function check and tried to astatine if the bullet hit had effected the operation of the heavy machine gun.

He then set the second ammunition box in place and checked the ring mount still functioned as it should. Once he was satisfied the Humvee and new weapon was ready for operation he took over watching the prisoners.

If he got a chance he would take Tremblay and check out the second abandoned vehicle that was park further back from the Humvee on the same street.

Tyler was really limping now and collapsed in the long grass by the impromptu aid station.

"Jesus, yeah, fuck. It's killing me, not literally."

He let Hawke examine the wound and dress it. It wasn't a serious wound. He was so lucky the bullet merely sliced along his upper epidermal layer, splitting it open, but not penetrating more than a cm into his thigh muscle. Tyler had serious scarring on his legs. "I don't think I'll need morphine. Stings, is all. They had me hooked on that shit in the VA hospital in Seattle. Got hit by an IED in Iran, first year of the war. Spent the next year in rehab, waiting to get nuked. Decided to light outta there, just in time. Joined my dad on his boat, and here I am."

In reply to Thomas Matthew Andrews (msg # 32):

The M2HB seemed to be quite functional, although the charging handle was damaged and half shot off and the action was sticking a little.

Droz trotted over to the shot-up remains of Belanger's Land Rover. She pulled out the 2 LAW rockets that were in the cargo area. Never know when you might need them!
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:40, Thu 24 Apr 2014.

"I think Droz, Koldan and maybe Mac and Andy got the prisoners under control. We sure got a lot of 'em!"


After making sure the prisoners were being adequately guarded by Koldan and Pvt. Droz, Tremblay and Andrews headed west down 56 Ave to examine the other vehicle. It was a late 80's model Volvo station wagon. They keys were in the ignition.

Andrews can make a Vision Check to pick up additional details.

Wayne climbed up on the tank's front glacis and peered into the driver's hatch.

"Looks like Andrews and Tremblay are taking off to check something out.

"You know, Darek used to drive one of these. I think he'd be a great help, if Taras will let him go. Engineering's my thing, the actual physics of getting the Humvee out are no problem, but it would help to have a qualified driver to handle the machinery, know what I mean?"

In reply to Tyler Gabriel Hope (msg # 33):

Wounded, but of newly regained consciousness, Conklin gave a weak wave to Tremblay.

"Don't... take on a tank...  by yourself. Do not recommend it, no sir. Damn, still can't hear too well. Hope my hearing recovers."

"Yeah, looks more like a LAC not a puncture.  I could suture it here, but if we do it in a hospital, I'll be happier.  Besides, they may have a stapler, which, while not pretty, holds ok, and there is a plastic surgeon at Royal Columbian and probably one at University Pavillions.  Pretty's not the issue, reducing scar tissue is the thing.  More scar tissue means that not-stretchy is pulling on not-stretchy, and that will cause small problems in the long run."

Hawke covered the laceration with a dressing and pulled it tight, reducing the ooze of blood.

"This bleeds through, let me know.  If you're coming to the elephant with us, then I'll suture you there.  I think we can get clean there.  Probably do you first, in case the surgery on the elephant doesn't go well, and I get stomped to death."
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:26, Thu 24 Apr 2014.

Following SOP for a trapped car Andrew's opens the door using it as a barrier. Once they had cleared the car of any threats he radios through explaining they had another ride if it was needed.

Then with Tremblay's help he give the car a thorough search.

Thomas Matthew Andrews rolled 12 using 2d20, keeping the lowest dice only with rolls of 12,20.

"Good call.  Hey Darek!  Can Taras spare you for a little tank driving lesson?"

She starts a visual inspection, and makes sure they have the recovery gear they will need.  As well as the fuel level.  Most mechanics know the basics of driving pretty much everything, but she was only a part timer in that field.

Attention all call signs! We are going to regroup by the market at the cross road. We will wait for the reinforcements to evacuate wounded and prisoners. For now we'll make a convoy with all the vehicles we have. Every vehicle gets a driver and a commander and any extra member of the team will be an escort.Report to me when ready!   
This message was last edited by the player at 06:40, Sun 27 Apr 2014.

Abbot stays behind to help watch over the prisoners.  He organizes them into line formation, prone on the ground 2 meters apart and head to toe to help prevent them from talking to each other.  He stations himself nearest to friendly forces and over watches the prisoners so that if he has to fire on one of them, rounds will impact down the road away from the store.

Wayne climbed back into the Cougar. He slid into the driver's seat.

"Ok, boss. Ready to go!

In reply to Thomas Matthew Andrews (msg # 39):

The car was abandoned, but had several plastic jugs cans of alcohol fuel in the rear cargo area. Probably 100L in 4x 20L plastic fuel jerrycans.

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 44):

Tremblay started loading fuel cans in the back of the captured Humvee.

"Sweet! Looks great. All right, let's head back. If we don't have time to recover my Humvee, we can at least pull the M240 off the pintle mount on top, and the rest of my food and gear."

In reply to Keith Michael Tremblay (msg # 45):

"Right you are. Should be able to get the Humvee out either with another vehicle or a pulley system."

He grabbed a couple of the fuel cans and helped load them into the back.

Darek, we have a grim job to do. There are plenty of dead people around too. We need to move the bodies for identification and proper burial. We spent plenty of ammo so I guess we can arrange the back of the Cougar for that..

Being said that, the Staff Sargent went to re arrraange the cargo space. Most of the remaining shells were moved to the turret or just being neatly piled up. There was more room after the huge directional mine was left emplaced somewhere north of the street. Not much for the ride but dead bodies were not comfort creatures anymore.

The Ukrainian felt a pang of guilt. Driving down to the current location he had witnessed the carnage resulting from the use of canister ammunition. The RPG team was also found dead and the second shot on the T-54 surely sent somebody to the Gates of Saint Peter. A bloody dead count.

Oh well, lets get on with it...

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg # 47):

The team assembled at the SE corner of 56 Ave and 248 St. There were some more pops from down south, as rounds cooked off in the burning vehicles, but only the odd explosion.

There were several bodies lying around. Weapons and ammunition were policed up, but the corpses were left where they fell.

It had only been a half-hour since the start of the fight, maybe 15-20 minutes ago people had been trying to keel each other. The sun was quite low on the western horizon, almost dipping below the trees already.

After piling up the bodies with the help of the team Taras will recover the directional mine and order to radio again the relief column for SITREP.

Thomas stood near the prisoners cradling his rifle in his arms. He was happy to do this duty until someone else decided they needed him somewhere else.

He watched the light flickering through the top of the trees as the last of the sun started to dip below the horizon.

It's getting late, boys. If those guys are a no show we'll be leaving on our own soon. Just be ready for it.

After Taras collected the MON-50 mine, Darek and Wayne assisted with the retrieval of the bodies and their placing in body bags. It seemed that was one item the authorities definitely saw fit to stockpile in mass quantities at UBC before the war. All told there were some seventeen enemy dead, including three of the tank crew (the driver, loader and commander). A few too many to all fit inside the Cougar, and they only had 10 body bags to start with.

The sun dipped below the treeline, although there was still almost an hour's worth of sunlight left. Kel continued trying on the radio. It seemed no one was on the net, all the operating channels were being jammed. An ominous development.

"Boss, want me to grab the M240G off my poor ol' Humvee? Got a tripod for it and everything."

Tremblay looked relieved to not be humping around the Carl Gustav ammunition.

Kelsey secured the M21 and both it's scopes, spends some time with the radios including the master set on the cougar with the full antenna up.

She will approach Taras privately.

"Taras, I can't get any comms at all.  The jamming is worse than ever.  And those mercs still look like the cat that ate the canary.  I feel like we are sitting in a trap waiting on it to close."

She eyes those men.

"Those bastards are allied with the Angels, I have no issue with being rough with them."

Kel's hatred of men that would treat women as lesser creatures is not hidden, and a few might even know where it comes from.

Taras listened carefully to the words of the team members.

Very well. Listen up, everybody! We are going to get out of here. We need to form a convoy. We are taking the prisoners and wounded with us. We'll need that 2-40 for the humvee.

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg # 55):

Kelsey nods, relieved.

"I'm ready.  Pick it up on the way out?"

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg # 55):

"If we are not taking the tank I can permanently disable it with this, but it does seem a shame."

He holds out a M14 thermite grenade.

We are going to take the tank with us. It will lead the convoy and breach any obstacle. Is a good insurance too with that dushka on top. The humvee and V-100 will go after. The I want the Iltis with me at the back. If we run into an ambush we will return maximum fire back. Without stopping if possible. We are going back to Fort Langley.

"Right you are. Do you want me to keep driving the Iltis?" said Mac. "Or do you need help with the wounded?"

"About the prisoners.  They should be split up among the vehicles so that they can't talk to each other. Or gagged, if space is short. That second group especially."

After an initial moment of hesitation Staff Sargent in command Taras V. Shevchenko gathered the troops and laid out the convoy column composition.

Okay, at the front weèll have the tank. Darek will be the driver and Koldan the gunner. Inside the turret we will fit the wounded. The radio call sign will be "KING".

Next is the V-100 with Abbot and Tremblay. You'll take some prisoners with you. Your call sign is "QUEEN".

Kel, you'll be in the humvee with Andrews and Hawke. Take some prisoners too. Your call sign remains "BISHOP".

Mac and Andy. You'll be with the Iltis. Just you, guys. Call sign is ROOK.

Since Darek will be driving the tank Tyler will be my loader. I can take one or two wounded in the back. My call sign is KNIGHT. And I cover your butts.

At the beginning of the march we are going to do what we call castling. This is a move in the game of chess involving a player's king and either of the player's original rooks.  Castling is an important goal in the opening, because it serves two valuable purposes: it moves the king, or in our case the T-54, into a safer position and it moves the rook or the Iltis to a more active position as a recce element. More exposed but more agile.

Prepare your vehicles and crew and report when youère ready!
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:13, Sat 03 May 2014.

Mac nodded and hurried off to the Iltis.

In reply to Christopher Little Hawk MacDonald (msg # 62):

Kelsey nods in reply
"Give me five to set the radios, and we need to stop by our old Hummer and either take or reset the radios to get them off my net.  We move to all Sincgars on this move, I don't like being compromised and digital is going to be more reliable in this jamming storm."

Very well. Just hurry up a bit. Night is coming soon. We are not far but we need to get going soon.

Taras returned to the Cougar to find a map of the area. Fort Langley wasn't too far away but it was a little bit tricky to get back. The route was part streets and part highway.

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

Kelsey will double time to make sure that only secure radios are on the net, reset to a new setting, and that everyone has at least one available.

Andy joined Mac in the Iltis.

Abbot accompanied her back to the HMMWV.  He kept watch while she played with the radios. He grabbed his pack and extra can of linked 5.56 ammo to take back to the V-100.

On the way back, Abbot said to Champlain.

"I'm not sure why we're leaving this thing behind, Sergeant. It's a better ride than half of the crap we picked up today.  That tank can yank it out in about 30 seconds.

Taras went back to the Cougar. After checking with Wayne about the status of the vehicle, the Staff Sargent crunched some numbers. The external C-6 GPMG was still unused with a full box of ammo with 100 rounds. The co-ax had seen some use but there was plenty of supply and a fresh belt was quickly fed.

The main gun shells remaining were 12 HESH-T, 7 canister, 5 of smoke, 2 HE and 3 illuminating rounds. Reorganizing the inventory, the Ukrainian moved to the back the smoke and illuminating rounds as well as half of the HESH shells. Also at the back the big directional mine and the thermobaric rocket shared space.

His individual combat load was still intact. The AKs-74U seating in front of the lifchik, the hand grenades firmly pinned and the RCMP issue Smith & Wesson as sidearm. Once all the items were inspected he took some time to introduce his new partner to the internal workings of the turret as well as the different types of ammo shells that needed recognition: The round nosed HESH or "Squash" with their characteristic black warhead, the less blunt high explosive rounds and finally the short and stubby yet deadly canister shells.

Yeah, you are my loader but I need you to man the machine gun up there.

Thomas moved his gear to the new Humvee and grabbed the two AT-4 anti tank weapons as well. He had no anti-tank rounds for the Carl Gustav left and only one HEDP so the additional options would be welcome.

Thomas put the launchers at arms length after checking they had the HEDP 502 (High Explosive Dual Purpose) warhead and not some exotic AST (Anti Structure Tandem-warheads) or HP (High Penetration) rounds.

The sun sank lower as they prepared to move on convoy back to the fort. Kel was able to switch the digital sets to alternate frequencies and that helped with local reception. But the longer range net was still being stepped on by someone who knew what they were doing.

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg # 68):



"Loader? What about my car?"

He gestured at the '69 Challenger his father had somehow come into possession of during the raid on the Stickmen in Stanley Park.

"Dude, I can't leave it here! It'll get ripped off for sure! As well, anyone connected to the Angels find it they'll put me with you."

Taking the initiative, Tremblay took his C7A1 and a radio to set up a 1-man security OP about 50m down 56 Ave.

"Kel, I'm just going to keep an eye on the road to the west, in the direction of the Angels' club house. Just so no one comes at us while we're getting our shit wired tight."

Nice ride. Perhaps we should go on a fucking picnic with it and leave here the stinky Cougar, eh! We are in the middle of a war against the Hell's Angels and that pretty thing won't last two seconds in a fucking shootout. You have five minutes to hide it somewhere. We have to take the prisoners and the wounded out of here ASAP. We don't have a relief column and its getting dark. Tomorrow at first light we'll come back here to recover the humvee and your amazing ride...If we still alive. That is.

Tyler laughed.

"Well now, if you ask nice and promise to put out, I might let you have a ride in 'er one day. At least let me get to second base?

"I don't know about you, but I will, personally, never die, so that's not an issue.

"Or, I can just drive it. Not to be a dick but I'm not really part of this dog-and-pony show, I showed up because you fellers needed some help. It's part of OP I'm on, not some kind of frivolous luxury. Essential, you might say."
This message was last updated by the GM at 21:07, Thu 15 May 2014.

Belanger perked up as they were loading him into the Humnvee. Weakly, he lifted his head and croaked,

"You... were part of my OP. Leave... the damn... car. We'll get you another. Promise."

Tyler sighed.

"All right. Can't blame me for trying."

In reply to Tyler Gabriel Hope (msg # 76):

Kelsey switches out as fast as possible and signals.
"Knight, this is Bishop, ready."

Roger , Bishop. Other units report for duty!

Corporal Abbot climbed into the V-100 and tossed his pack in to the seat next to the driver. He stashed the extra belted 5.56mm ammo under the seat and fastened his C9 into the weapons rack between the seats.

<blue>"Hey Tremblay.  If you have anything left in the truck, you better go get it.  It's going to stay here overnight at least."<blue>

Abbot carefully checked out the back of the V to make sure that there were no tools or other items that could be used by the prisoners to try to escape. If any are found, he removes them and tosses them or puts them in external storage.

<radio>KNIGHT, this is QUEEN. We can roll in about 5 minutes. Ready to load prisoners in the meantime. Over</radio>

In reply to Stanley Alistair Abbot (msg # 79):

He thought for a moment.

"Yeah, I got a lot of gear, plus food. Mind giving me a ride over? I can't pack it on foot."
This message was last updated by the GM at 06:30, Fri 09 May 2014.

Tremblay and Kel took the captured Humvee to go strip the bogged vehicle of the M240, the radios and other supplies. They they covered it up with cut branches and greenery on the camo netting to camouflage its presence. They would be back tomorrow, probably at night someone scavenging the battlefield would miss it unless they were doing a detailed search or had intimate knowledge there wasn't usually a bush there.

Following on the Challenger, Tyler drove a ways past, then turned off 56 Ave to see if he could hide the Cougar in a garage or probably just in some trees or bushes, again, piling branches and greenery on top. He came sauntering back towards where Kel and Tremblay were parked.

Back at the market, they began marshalling the remaining vehicles. It was clear they wouldn't be able to fit nearly twenty dead, plus wounded and prisoners in the vehicles without severely crowding them.

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 81):

Darek climbed down from the deck of the tank. He looked at the bodies laying on the pavement, and half out the rear of the Cougar.

"Boss," he said to Taras, "we can stack the rest of the dead guys on the rear deck of the tank. Should be room, keep them on with bungy cords?"

He indicated the rear deck of the T-54.

A winded and excited Koldan ran up to Taras.

"Taras! Tyler and I... we set up an OP 1 hundred metres west down 56 Ave to make sure the Angels didn't come while we were getting set up! Something's coming down the road... sounded like an elephant! Maybe 500m down 56 Ave. West. Coming this way.

"Tyler said we can't use the radio because it's not secure, so he sent me as a runner."

He (redundantly) pointed west down the road, in the direction of the noise.

"An elephant?" said Mac, pricking up his ears from where he was helping with the bodies.

"Shall I go check what's going on?"

"You do that," Andy said, "I'll get the fifty calibre ready."

He went to the back of the Iltis and pulled out the big rifle. He rested it on the roll bar of the truck and waited to see if Jumbo was in town.

Head off then, towards the OP down 56 Avenue, eyes and ears peeled...

For the love of God...

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 81):

Thomas was busy helping with the wounded and working out how they could use the vehicles to their best advantage when the call went out that more company was on its way. He grabbed his the launcher and the two AT-4's and moved to a spot where he had a clear view of the road.

Kelsey finishes her camo job and gets the 240 mounted up on the ring of the captured HMMWV, gets a radio online with it as well.

"This is Bishop 1, radio test."

She looked over to Tremblay "Unless you are an expert machine gunner, you drive this critter Keith."

The Iltis rolled westward as Koldan hopped aboard in the rear. "Might as well catch ride back, yes?"

It was difficult to make out details while moving, but it was clear that indeed, an elephant was walking down the road towards them, about 300m away. Probably more than one, but walking single file so it was difficult to tell. There was some kind of green covering, though, and someone was riding it.

They pulled up to where Tyler was waiting at the OP. He was 50m down the road.

Meanwhile, Tyler showed up at the stranded Humvee, and caught a ride in the captured Humvee with Kel and Tremblay. They quickly arrived back at the intersection where the vehicles were being marshalled.

OOC: Andy and Mac can make Vision checks to determine more detail using the Barrett's Unertl x10 scope and the spotting scope, respectively.

For now, you are 100m west of the intersection. I'll try and correct the map to show positions.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:07, Tue 13 May 2014.

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 90):

Gripping his CAR-15 in one hand and binoculars in the other, Tyler was lying behind a hedge that gave him concealment from the west (but not cover).

"Over here!" He put down his CAR-15 and waved them over. "What the hell? Is that our elephant from the fort?"

Kelsey will get Tremblay up on the m2 and switch to the optics (night) on the m21.

"Here is hoping they are friendlies with that lot!"

She'll try keying a radio to last frequency and initiate contact.

"This is Bishop, any friendlies?"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:11, Tue 13 May 2014.

Looking through their scopes, they could see an elephant about 200m down the road. This one had some kind of green covering. It took a moment to realise that it appeared to be covered with panels of some kind, US woodland green camo pattern, possibly Kevlar vests formed into a set of crude "barding" style armour on the head and flanks. Over that was draped camo netting, and there was a platform on the back. Riding the platform and sitting on the back of the neck were several soldiers kitted in US army BDUs, webbing, armed with M16A2s and an M249 firing over the head. There was at least one whip antenna sprouting from the small platform, indicating a radio set.

Behind that was another elephant and possibly more, although as they were travelling "Indian file" it was hard to tell total numbers of beasts. As well, they were silhouetted by the fading twilight of the sun setting to the west. (Although night vision would help it would still be hampered looking into the sunset.)

There was the audible roar of a diesel engine to the north, indicating a large vehicle (probably an APC) was moving around somewhere between them and the Trans-Canada freeway.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:41, Sat 17 May 2014.

Andrews had found a depression next to the road on the right hand side that must have been for drainage as his bum was now wet. It afforded him good cover, exposing just his head and the launcher and the long grass gave good camouflage. He watched along the road through the Carl Gustav's optical 3×; laser rangefinder; image intensification system.

The round in the Carl Gustav's was an high explosive air-burst munition, his very last. As the minutes ticked by he got a reading from the range finder on what he thought was the best point to fire.

Watching along the road
Sitting in a drainage ditch on the right-hand side of the road

Carl Gustav M3 Recoilless Rifle [1/1 84mm FFV441 HE]

Mac had the spotter scope to his eye.

"Nope... these are other elephants. Kitted out for war, too. US Army cammo."

"Rook to Knight," Andy said as he risked the radio, "I have one elephant plus an unidentified number of others heading toward us. Jumbos are armoured and carrying armed men in a howdah. We hear at least one APC engine in the north. Permission to engage elephants?"

He raised the Barrett and drew a line of sight on the elephant's head. From reading Orwell's "Shooting an Elephant", he knew how badly these things could go. He also knew that the best location for his shot would be a band about six inches wide running around the elephant's head and centred on the eyes.

From here the sweet spot would be just above the trunk and between the eyes or he could be a bastard and shatter one of the rear knees and send a pain-crazed elephant into it's companions.

He really hoped that Knight had other plans...

"I don't want to hurt elephants!" declared Mac. "Hadn't we better find out who these folk are, if they're friendly, first?"

Ok, everybody. Lets take it easy now. Lets find out who they are and what they are up to.

Kelsey listens to the transmissions, shakes her head.

"Well, I think we might have a lead on a vet for elephants, at least."

"Want I go ask them who they are? And if they have a veterinarian available?" asked Mac.

"Are those elephants really worth dying for?" Andy replied, "We've just been fighting guys dressed like this so standing up and asking seems like a way of getting shot to me. They have radios, see if Kel can get them on an open channel or some shit like that."

He kept his aim, knee, he had decided, let the opposition see that war elephants are as dangerous to you as they are to the enemy.

He held the shot and waited.

I'll take care of that. Darek, drive up towards them. Nice and slow. We'll have a chat.

Taras unfurled the worn out Canadian flag wrapped around the antenna of the Cougar. He was tired, thristy and hungry. The lastt thing out he wanted to do is to start another shooting war. He had his wounded people. Prisoners to bargain for. Above all, the will to go home and rest.

The big .50 was loaded and ready to fire. Corporal Abbot had found some oil in the V that smoothed out the action a bit, but it still wasn't 100%.

The failing light made it hard to see the approaching pachyderms, even a quarter of a mile away.  He dropped down into the turret and retrieved a pair of AN/PVS-504 NVGs from the protective pouch strapped to the side of his field pack. He quickly readied them, having them available for when the he could no longer see well enough.

The Cougar fired up it's engine and made ready to pull out. Abbot thumbed the transmit button on his radio.

<radio>"Queen to all elements.  We're guns up and ready.  Be careful out there. Over."</radio>

"You got it! Rolling."

He started 'er up and put the old girl in gear. She began rolling forward, away from the parked Humvee, V-100 and T-54.

In reply to Stanley Alistair Abbot (msg # 103):

The Ma-deuce's field of fire was restricted somewhat by the Cougar and Iltis to the west on 56 Ave.

About 100m in front of the Iltis (Mac and Andy) and the OP where Tyler and Koldan waited, another elephant with armour and MG-equipped howdah pulled out and stood beside the first. They stopped, and soldiers dismounted from them, as well falling out from behind them. About a fire team was deployed on either side of the road, with rifles and some support weapons (a SAW and M203). They appeared to be dressed in US Army BDUs.

With a start, Abbot realised he heard a vehicle moving somewhere to the north, about 500m up 248 St. Nothing was in sight, though.

Kelsey looked over the scene from her carbine, night scope enabled.

"Mon tabarnac jva te décalisser la yeule, calice!"  She swears, colorfully, in her native tongue, as it dawns on her that these are US troops, and they prisoners and people they had captured were as well.  She just hoped that they had been fed misinformation on exactly who her group is.  She tunes her spare radio to the common NATO frequency during the war and starts to broadcast.

"This is Sergeant Champlain of the Royal Two Two Regiment, Canadian Forces.  I am attached to Royal Canadian Police out of Vancouver and we operate under the authority of the real Canadian national government.  If you can hear this, please advise."

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg # 106):

There was no response to the open broadcast. Either this unknown force hadn't or couldn't pick her up, or decided not to respond.

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 105):

{radio}"Knight, this is Queen.  Be advised, there is an unknown vehicle to our north on Two-forty-eighth. About half a kilometer away, possibly heavy. Request anti-armor team to cover that sector and another team member here."[radio]

Abbot turned the turret to cover the north until he knew that some else was watching.  He donned his NVG's to compensate for the failing light.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:19, Thu 22 May 2014.

Very well, Queen. Dispatch the bazooka team to cover that flank.

[radio]"Queen to Knight.  Update on incoming vehicle.  I hear tracks.  APC of some kind. Over"[radio]

Andrew's places the launcher next to him as he uses his binoculars to look North along the road to where the tracked vehicle has been identified as being.

Looking north using binoculars.

The noise continued to the north but as of yet, nothing showed on 248 st.

West down 56th Ave, the two elephants stood blocking both lanes. Looking through the various optics, they could see there were 2 SAWs pointed in their direction from the howdahs (1 each), plus an M203 grenade launcher on each side of the road, with at least 2 LAWs trained on the Cougar (1 on each side of the road).

A man stepped from between the elephants. Like the others he looked like an American soldier in full battle-rattle. He also had a white cloth tied to the muzzle of his M16, which he held up in front of himself.

Kelsey looks down the night scope of the M-21.
"Looks like someone wants to parley."

She radios as she shifts position for better aim.
"White Flag!"

Thomas lowered his binoculars and got the two AT-4's in fireable condition before resting them again the drain bank. He then raised his field glasses again and continued to scan down the road for the heavy mover.

To the west down 56 ave, the flag-bearer proceeded to about 100m range and stopped, waiting.

Looking north, Andrews, Kel and Abbot could see a boxy tracked APC pull up to the intersection about 500m away.

OOC: All 3 of the latter can make rolls to determine further information.

Once he had the AT-4's primed and ready he looked down the highway again. This time he could make out the APC waiting at another intersection.

Thomas Matthew Andrews rolled 3 using 2d20, keeping the lowest dice only with rolls of 19,3. Observation roll

Kelsey scanned the area with the night scope of her m21, keeping her primary shooting eye closed and doing overwatch with her other, in case of a flare.

08:33, Today: Kelsey Sarah Champlain rolled 5 using 2d20, keeping the lowest dice only with rolls of 5,13. Observation, stat at 10.

Andrews keyed the microphone on his radio as he ducked down into the drainage ditch;

"All CALL-SIGNS, THIS IS BISHOP 4 SITREP, WAIT.
"BISHOP 4, SITREP, GRID 0983 1443, POSSIBLE ENEMY SQUAD ON POSITION"
"BISHOP 4, GRID 0983 1443, 1 TIMES ENEMY APC"
"BISHOP 4, TARGETS ARE STATIONARY AND NOT ENGAGING MY POSITION"
"BISHOP 4, HOLDING FIRM, GRID 0983 1431, PERMISSION TO ENGAGE ENEMY ARMOUR IF FIRED UPON, OVER"

He peeked over the top of the ditch as he waited for a reply.

Looking through the scope, Kel could see it was a US or Canadian M113, a "track". The track had an ACAV-style cupola mounting some kind of MG. The short stubby barrel looked a little odd. Probably not a Ma-Deuce or M60/M240.

Ahoy! This is Sargent Shevchenko with the RCMP. We represent the Government Forces. We have wounded people that we need to evacuate. We also need a veterinarian that knows about elephants!

The man called back, "I'm Sergeant Prescott, US Army. We're up here looking for marauders based on reports of deserts working as mercenaries.

"Maybe we can help each other out. We happen to know of a veterinarian who knows about elephants. Also, we have medics that can help look at your wounded, even evacuate them.

"First, are you holding any Americans?"

Sargent Prescott! Nice to meet you!

We are in the same business, then. We just fought a battle against a gang of mercenaries. Yes, we will need your help. Looks like we have american prisoners, yes. My convoy was about to leave for Fort Langley but I wouldn't mind some help if you have a medic with you.

Kelsey radios to Taras.

"Knight, this is Bishop.  Ask him if they are jamming our radio signals."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:39, Wed 28 May 2014.

Are you guys jamming the radio signals?

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg # 124):

"No, It's happening to us, too! We thought it was maybe you guys?"

The man and Taras were separated by 100 metres, a little far to be having a conversation.

"You mind closing it up a little here, Champ? Hard to keep yelling like this!"

He was a Sergeant so it wasn't that hard. But still, hardly neighborly.

Taras approached him.

One more thing. There is an armoured vehicle coming towards us. We don't know who they are. Any of your friends? Looks like one of those boxy M-113.

The man nodded, keeping his weapon pointed away. He wore Staff Sergeant rank on his Woodland BDUs. He was clean-shaved, his kit seemed in good order.

"That's one of ours, an Air Force M113 armed with an M134 mingun. We were told marauders were operating in this area and we were coming to flush 'em out. Can't blame a girl for protecting herself.

"Speak for yourself, not too many Mounties I know of ride around in an armored car! Or speak like s Russkie. Must have been a surge in hiring.

"As for the jamming, my unit is the 1st Alternative Cavalry Regiment, 47th Infantry Division. HQ says that the jamming is coming from north of Vancouver, in the mountains. We also got word that there might be some kind of Soviet push over on the island, starting this morning, so maybe it's them?

"At any rate, we're here because we've been helping the survivor community down in Aldergrove. There's a veterinarian there who used to work at the Vancouver game farm and has experience with elephants. We're heading there now, and if you have any American marauders we can take them off your hands (less paperwork for you). In return, we can have our medic take a look at your wounded."

With no reply coming through his radio Andrew's drew a bead on the APC and got a range reading through the optic sight.

Drainage ditch, side of highway
Bishop 4
Watching APC

M3 Carl Gustav AT Launcher 84mm [1/1 HEDP]

In reply to Thomas Matthew Andrews (msg # 128):

From the V-100, Tremblay called over to Kel,

"Sergeant Champlain, Andrew is on the radio. He's asking for permission to engage is fired upon."
This message was last updated by the GM at 04:16, Fri 30 May 2014.

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 129):

"Negative, hold your fire.  We are negotiating."

Very well. Yeah, I used to be an Officer in the Soviet Army. Now the RCMP is offering me a better paid job if you like. We are conducting a special mission with special equipment. We were looking for that veterinarian when we came across the bandits and we gave them a good beating. Just hold a moment, please.

Taras reached for the radio set.

Attention all. We just came across an US Army unit. They are offering help. The incoming APC is with them. Stand down. I repeat stand down.

After the radio message, the Ukrainian continued his chat with the American.

Regarding the communications jamming, I believe that the Red Army is the only player around with that capability. Is not good news. I don't know much in detail as I was a Combat Engineer Officer but this sounds like a "barrage jamming". Usually the prelude to a large ground offensive. Signal support units are attached at Division level inside the Combined Arms Army. There shouldn't be that many Soviets troops but then again, what do I know! I've been working with the Canadian Government for almost a year now, away from the front lines. In any case we should head over Fort Langley together and sort everything out. My commander is currently wounded and need to be evacuated ASAP!

Andrews safeties the rocket launcher and places it against the wall of the drainage ditch. He keys his radio to acknowledge he had received the message and waits.

While Taras spoke on the radio, Sergeant Prescott waved forward a radio operator who instructed the M113 to pull back.

He then replied to the offer to head to Fort Langley, "sorry, Sergeant. We gotta head back south. We were lookin' for marauders at the request of the town of Aldergrove, on account we didn't know any of you folks were in the area. Heck, last we heard, the Canadian government was over on Vancouver Island?

"We're under orders to withdraw if we come into contact with Canadian forces or police. The regimental HQ is down in Blaine, just across the border at the Peace Arch crossing. We're authorised to offer a reward for any American deserters captured on Canadian soil. $2000 each in gold. We are also very interested in getting ahold of a guy who goes by the alias "Mr. Brownstone". Renegade sniper. Wanted for murder of military and civilian personnel. Tats all on his face? Dead or alive, $10,000 in fuel or ammunition. You seen him around?"

The description (height, weight, facial and other tattoos matched the man in their custody. However, as he'd not spoken in the short time he'd been under their control it was not clear what his name was.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:58, Sat 31 May 2014.

In reply to Sgt. Prescott. (msg # 133):

After a moment, Andrews, Kel and Abbot observed the M113 with the cupola-mounted M134 belch blue smoke from its exhaust and back up around the corner to the west.

Oh, you are most welcome to come with us to the Fort! After all we are in this fight together. Yes, the Government was in the Island but spreading now. Our unit is in charge of recce and bringing Canadian Law and Order back to the people. Decissions regarding the prisoners is up to my superiors, of course. I'm just a Sargent here. In any case is good that you are supporting the fight against the bandits. we should coordinate the effort. It is in our best interest to secure the border.

The sight of the elephants in full warrior attire was something nothing sort of amazing.

There is also the issue of a possible Soviet offensive that would be of most interest for us to be able to handle...together. We can shere INTEL. I'd happy to talk about it. Maybe if the comms are down you can send a messenger to your HQ. We really need your medical help and that won't go without reward. What do you think?

The Sergeant seemed to be getting a little impatient, but tried not to show it.

"Again, I can't come with you. We have orders to return. Our own comms are degraded at the moment or else I'd see if it was permissible to accompany you. We can have our medic take a look, in fact, I'll call him now. Yes, I imagine my CO will be pleased as punch if you were to send someone with us or hop on down yourself. Blaine's a small town, you won't miss us.

"Look, Sergeant, I hate to be rude but it's getting late. Do you have these prisoners or not?"

Prisoners under Canadian custody. Not a chance to release them. But we will visit you for sure. There is always the possibility of extradite from your Government.For now, they will bother you no more. We can really use your medic though for a quick patch up! We are also in a hurry to come back.

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg # 137):

The Sergeant paused for a moment, looking hard at Taras.

"OK. Fine. Where is your headquarters? We can send someone tomorrow, I figure they can work something out."

He instructed the radioman to summon their medic. In the mean time, Taras observed his opposing number. For some reason, he felt the other man was uneasy for some unstated reason. Like he had something in his mind, and wanted to leave as soon as possible.

A US army medic began moving forward in response to the summoning of medical attention.

Very well. Fort Langley is a historic site. Everybody around knows about it. Thank you for your help.

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg # 140):

"Uh huh, no problem. I don't know where it is. It's probably on the map."

He looked worriedly at the gathering shadows. Sunset took a lot longer at Canadian latitudes then it did south of the border, but they had about twenty minutes of light left before it was truly dark.

"Shit, we gotta get moving. We're gonna be moving in darkness as it is, and it'll take us about an hour to make the border as it is. Damn.

"Colby, belay those instructions. Get back to the animals, we gotta get moving. Sergeant Shevchenko, I hate to reneg on my offer of medical assistance but we really need to be moving. Please accept my apologies. I'll ask the LT to send a patrol up to Ft. Langley in the morning to discuss the disposition of your prisoners. Good luck and take care."

He offered to shake hands, before leaving.

In reply to Sgt. Prescott (msg # 141):

The US army medic, Colby, nodded at stopped when ordered to, instead double-timing back to his unit. Prescott and his RATELO also looked like they were ready to split. Almost eager.

Taras had the definite impression that Sgt. Prescott was hiding something. He also appeared impatient to get moving, although it was unclear to the Ukrainian if the two issues were related. In any case the time was up. After shaking the hand of the American he gave the orders to keep the convoy rolling.

KING move forward. QUEEN follows. BISHOP you're next. ROOK stand by for orders.

Rook copies, waiting, Andy replied.

Andrew's packs up the AT-4s and the Carl Gustav. He moves back across the road to the market car park and loads them into the transport.

"Bishop Copies, follow Queen."

Kelsey wonders idly what had been going on in the meeting, and with it breaking up.
She looks around at the dimming light, then back towards where their reinforcements should be, trying unconsciously to strain her ears for them.

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg # 143):

[radio]"Copy that KNIGHT. Preparing to move.", Abbot replied over the team net.

"Sgt Tremblay, let's get ready to go. We're going back to Fort Langley."

He double checked the .50, just to make sure and tugged the NVGs down over his eyes.

"If there is a drink to be found there, the first round is on me."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:26, Thu 05 June 2014.

Tremblay grinned as he mounted up the V-100.

"Hey man, your ride is with me here in the Vee! I'll drive if you run the gun? As for the drink, Semper fi do or die!"
This message was last updated by the GM at 05:58, Fri 06 June 2014.

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg # 146):

The Americans moved off into the twilight, still somewhat visible to the naked eye (and quite visible to light intensifying equipment). The soldiers mounted up and the two elephants began withdrawing west. They could also hear the M113/M134 to their north on 248 st withdrawing westwards.

Within a few minutes they were loaded up and moving. There were too many enemy dead to bother with so they were stacked inside the market, to be policed up and identified (if possible) in the morning.

The tank and the Iltis moved forward in an "inchworm" style of bounding overwatch. They moved north and soon arrived at the Trans-Canada. Unfortunately, 248 st crossed above the freeway on an overpass, there were no on or offramps. Just a steep embankment down into the cut, with stands of trees on either side.

Around this point the radio jamming began to taper off a little, then cease.

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 149):

The Iltis and T-54 were at the overpass. The tank's spotlight was on, illuminating the bridge and the cut below in a brilliant glare. Koldan held onto the spade grip and peered down into the shadowed cut.

"Darek, think you can make it down?"

In reply to Koldan Arkadyevitch Dzhamgerchinov (msg # 150):

Darek grabbed his AK-74SU and climbed out onto the bow of the tank. Slinging the auto-carbine he held onto the tank's gunbarrel and, leaning over the lip of the dropoff shone his hand torch down the slope. "It's a 30-degree slope. Some vegetation. Maybe 35. Sure, I think I can make it. Let's wait until the others catch up."

"Holy crap, the radio interference is gone!"

She starts transmitting, leaving time for replies.

"This is Bishop, This is Bishop, we have wounded, over?"

Very well, seems like the interference is over. I'm waiting for everybody to get to the highway and work our way up. ROOK get up first and cover the convoy.

It would take the best driving skills to get over the ramp. The presence of the powerhuse T-54 was reassuring in case anybody needed a push...

"ROOK copies," Andy replied.

He turned the Iltis toward the slope and set it in lowest gear. He revved the engine and attempted the climb.

The V-100 slowed to a stop as the column neared the embankment. The tank halted at the side of the road and turned toward the hill.

[vehicle intercom]"Keep going to the other side, Tremblay.  Let's set up some security to cover that flank."

Tremblay looked up and nodded. "Yeah. Good idea. Moving."

He drove the V-100 around the tank and the Iltis. Across the overpass, 248 st. fed back into the grid of farm roads, although this area was mainly wooded. Stopping at the far end they could easily keep an eye on 248 st. north and the northbound lanes of the Trans-Canada.

In reply to Andrew Montgomery McRae (msg # 154):

The nimble little jeep started to nose down the steep, brush-covered slope. Almost at once they began to slide due to the muddy soil deposited by the recent rains that had caused much of the flooding along the Fraser river.

http://goo.gl/maps/G194s

OOC: May as well get another Drive check to avoid a crackup at the bottom of the slope.

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 157):

Andy lined the little jeep up so it was facing directly down the slope and then engaged the four wheel drive and ensured that the free-wheel hubs were engaged. He locked up all the differentials and then selected the low-gear second as it was the best to use of potentially muddy slopes. He made sure his feet were off the pedals to ensure he didn't go instinctively messing with the clutch and then let the handbrake go.

As the Iltis inched down the slope he monitored its progress, gently applying a touch of the brakes if it wenttoo fast and using his steering and a tiny bit of acceleration if he felt the tires lose traction and if any sliding started he steered into the direction of the slide to keep the vehicle straight. He was careful to use short taps of the brakes if he needed them at all to avoid cadence locking if it was extremely slippery he would keep brake use to a minimum.

Slowly the vehicle crawled down the slope.

Kelsey motions non drivers.

"Dismount and cover!"

She gets the M21 and deploys in a position to cover as the vehicles make their way.

Thomas dismounts from the Humvee and finds some cover as he deploys the Carl Gustav to cover the approaches along the road. Once in position he loads the rocket launcher and waits, with failing light he was not sure how effective he could be.

By the skin of his teeth, Andy brought the nimble little Iltis down the slope. Getting to the bottom he managed to not roll it!

People dismount to cover the different approaches: south, and both directions on the divided highway. (The V-100 was covering north.)

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 161):

In the tank, Darek tried his hand next. He eased the beast over the top lip of the slope. With a small amount of slipping and sliding they made it to the bottom without flipping over. The steel tracks churned vegetation and mud in its wake, and struck sparks as it clawed its way onto the roadbed.

"OK, I am down. Safely, I think?"

"Nice work, Andy," said Mac, and jumped out to maintain overwatch.

"Close," Andy said, "damn, close. I'll take the other sector."

Andy drew his rifle and set up watch to cover the other vehicles' descent.

Finally, a reply from the relief column came back.

"Biship from Whiskey Nine. We read you Lima Charlie. A bit of a minor miracle, eh?

"Be advised, we are bogged down on MSR Tango Charlie Hotel at ASR Golf 1. Our lead vehicle was hit by an IED about twenty mikes ago. There are a couple casualties, no Kilo India Alphas. We are just finishing clearing the area now. what's your location? Over."

It seemed the relief column had been ambushed as it was en route to them. This explained their unexpected tardiness. This also put their position about 5.5km back up the Trans-Canada, at the Glover Rd. Overpass. More to the point, Glover Rd led straight to Ft. Langley, although the actual off-ramp was at Highway 10, about 1.5 km further down. The IED was obviously a newly placed one, because the team had been right through that area and not encountered any ambush.

The sound of relief is obvious in her voice.  "Good to hear from you Whisky nine, This is Bishop One.  Advise we have about two zero prisoners and that India Echo Delta is new, repeat that IED is new.  Our Element is getting on Tango Charlie Hotel, the Highway at Two Four Eight street.  Standby please."<pink>

She looks up to the tank, then pulls up and jogs to it.  <pink>"Taras!  Want to have them meet us at Langley?"  She will update him on what she just got over the radio, and see what he thinks, relay where the relief column is at and that they had a (new) IED.

"Might have been meant for us on a return trip, not sure."

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg # 166):

Seeing that they were next, Tremblay started positioning the V-100 to where they could manoeuvre down the slope at the far end of the 248 St overpass. "Hold on! Might want to button up in case we roll."

He transmitted on the team channel, "we're goin' down now." There was a bit of slipping and sliding but they made it to the bottom of the slope without losing control. Tremblay easily powered through the bushes in the ditch, then they were on the Trans-Canada. "We're down. But we're in the westbound lanes, opposite you. The highway's divided here with trees and everything, it's impossible to cross at this point."

"Copy that.  Gimme a sec." Abbot slipped downinto the hull and strapped in behind Tremblay.  "Start your move."




Abbot took his place in the turret again.

"Sgt Tremblay, Head to the the west side of the overpass. Let's find a good spot on set up security."

[team net]"Knight, Queen.  We're setting up an OP to cover the western approach on the highway. When you're ready, we'll parallel the column until we find a crossover point. Over"

In reply to Stanley Alistair Abbot (msg # 168):

"Roger that. Moving.

The V-100 moved a little ways. The overpass was behind them, wooded embankment were both to the right and left.

Yeah, Kel. Tell them that we'll meet at the Fort.

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg # 170):

"Whisky Niner, This is Bishop one.  Advise that Knight one wishes to meet at Fort Langley.  Repeat Fort Langley.  We have Hotel, hotel is wounded but alive for now.  Copy?  Look out for Unfriendlies."

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg # 171):

"Bishop from Whiskey Miner, roger that. Have good copy. Will Romeo Victor at the fort. Over."

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 172):

"Good copy Romeo, Bishop is over or out."

The Humvee made it down the slope easily. Then it was the Cougar's turn. This would be a little more difficult due to the armoured vehicle's greater weight and top-heavy nature. Again, a little slipping and sliding, with judicious use of brakes and steering, they made it down in one piece.

They were all down in one piece. This was a good thing, as the sun had gone down completely and there was nothing more than a fading glow on the western horizon behind the trees.

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 174):

Sticking his head up out of the turret, Tyler asked Taras, "so.... boss, are we moving now? Let's get this show on the road! We got a post-holocaust fort to get to, and everything!"

Kelsey calls the dismounts back into their posts, hands NVGs to the driver.  She detaches her own nvgs, keeping a look out.

"I need a few of us without Night sight just in case."

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg # 176):

Thomas unloads the Carl Gustav and returns to the Humvee. Taking the slope slowly in the half light darkness he keeps an eye out along the highway.

Very well. Off we go. On to the Fort!

Mac jumps back into the Iltis.

Andy returned to the Iltis and followed the rag tag convoy down the road.

In reply to Andrew Montgomery McRae (msg # 180):

In reply to Christopher Little Hawk MacDonald (msg # 179):

Hawke goes with the patients.

The convoy set out on the darkened highway, retracing their route of earlier that afternoon. A ways back there was a break in the trees on the median separating the eastbound and westbound lanes. A bullet-riddled and rusting sign stated this was an emergency vehicle turn-around. The V-100 crossed over and rejoined the column.

Within the quarter hour, they were at the Highway 10 turn-off. This was the offramp that would lead them north back to Fort Langley and the native reserve on McMillan Island. The location of the reported IED was still about a kilometre west (where the direct road to Ft. Langley passed over the freeway).

In the lead, Mac and Andy had two choices. They could sweep the offramp and see if whoever left the other IED had booby-trapped the closer exit as well, just take the off-ramp without checking, or send the tank and hope it would withstand any blast. Three, there were three choices.

"This is Rook to all stations," Andy said when they neared the turn-off, "we intend to stop here and check the area for IEDs."

He slowed down and said to Mac, "We'll wit for a reply and then check the place out."

In reply to Andrew Montgomery McRae (msg # 183):

"Roger that, you want some cover?"

"All right... probably for the best," said Mac, preparing to get out of the vehicle when told.

He didn't care much for search for IEDs, but it sure beat finding them by setting them off!

Kelsey will have her crew dismount except the driver and provide cover.

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg # 186):

With dismounts providing 360 degree surveillance, Mac and Andy began checking the approaches to the cloverleaf. The column was in the eastbound lane, and could therefore access the on-ramps and off-ramps on that side easiest. That would require using the overpass. Or, they could cross the median to check the on and offramps on the northern side of the freeway.

Vision wasn't much of an issue, as everyone had functioning NVGs and both Kel and Andy had Starlight scopes.

OOC: At least I think Andy has a starlight scope? But everyone has NODs. So you can check the on/offramps on the close side of the freeway, then the overpass, or check the median and then the on/offramp on the far side.

Andy started looking around for anything suspicious, hoping that if there were any IEDs in place that they were booby trapped rather than command detonated. Command detonation could make his day very, very messy.

In reply to Andrew Montgomery McRae (msg # 188):

Most of the area was clear, which was a relief.

But Andy did find an improvised anti-vehicle mine at the south end of the Highway 10 overpasss. It was a 122mm artillery shell, high-explosive. It was under a heap of trash (plastic milk bottles, wood scraps, black garbage bags) beside the road set to detonate if a tripwire was passed on the road.

This would prevent traffic from exiting the freeway and heading south, towards the HA's club house nearby. They could, however, safely transit the area by exiting the freeway and heading north towards Ft. Langley.

Andy reported the IED to Command, "This is Rook to all stations. Have identified an IED on the exit south. We can travel safely by taking the north exit and heading to Fort Langley. Do we leave the IED or should I attempt to neutralise it with the Barrett after everyone had safely exited the Freeway?"

"Best not to leave it," said Mac. "Even if we all know about it, someone else might come by who doesn't. Or an animal, even."

Roger that. I'll take a look myself. Clear the area and stay at least 100 meters away. How does it look like that bomb?

It's a 122mm shell rigged to a tripwire.

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg # 192):

Wayne looked up at Taras in the turret.

"Taras, I have a lot of experience with EOD. Let me come with you."

"Want me to pop it from range with the big sniper rifle?"

I'll take care of that one. There is lots of junk around and the explosion will cause great damage. From now on everybody in radio silence. These things can be triggered by radio. Wayne, just stand by and wait for my signal if I need you. Everybody watch out for snipers!

Taras got from his backpack a multi tool issued to the combat engineers units and started the long walk.

It's a 122mm shell rigged to a tripwire.

That kind of ammunition he knew well. Soviet divisional artillery was assigned to manoeuvre regiments in Regimental Artillery Groups or RAGs and as divisional troops or DAGs. A RAG was normally three batteries, each of six pieces, to each motor rifle and tank regiment. DAGs were mostly equipped with 152 mm pieces, but the DAG of a motor rifle division, like the ones operating in British Columbia included a D-30 battalion. The MT-LB was its prime mover in the arty units. These weapons were generously supplied with tons of 122 mm rounds of various types but mostly High Explosive.

Upon arrival the Sargent found easy, through the Soviet GRAU lettering system to identify the shell: A 122mm, Soviet, Model OF-462N, Filler TNT, that could produce an average side fragment of 8 grams, with an initial velocity of 3,000 fps, producing an average casualty range of approximately 83 feet. The truth of the matter is that Taras could identify the year of manufacturing by reading the last two numbers and before the letter "K". It was older than him!

Older soviet howitzer shells tend to go off not in the high killing pattern of the modern NATO ammunition where the casing disintegrates in thousands of evenly dispersed shrapnel. The elderly round will most likely go kaboom in large chunks of unpredictable jagged metal complicating the survival of the soft skinned vehicles. This was caused by the combined action of the ancient forge used and the TNT going senile. In any case still, a deadly combination.

At a quick glance he noticed that the RGM-2 PD fuze was gone. Two wires sticking out of the cone.

OK, time to work!

Andy made sure he was well clear of any blast zone and then started looking for any snipers of hidden observers.

In reply to Andrew Montgomery McRae (msg # 197):

Kelsey sweeps with her night vision scope, looking for anyone that is watching this.

Mkaaayyy, mkaaayyy....Here we go. One important thing is to check this set up backwards. Yes, backwards. I need to find what is located at the end of that wire. That evil switch could make the shell go off. It was a boobytrap. Funny thing! Spelled backwards read: P A R T Y B O O B. What the hell! As long as it's not me going tits up on this one!

Taras V. Shevchenko worked his way around the ammunition trying to locate the direction where the wires went. He did so at a safe distance as tripping wires were usually mined by Combat Engineers in the Soviet Army to prevent the removal by their enemy counterpart.

There was no one around.

It would have been difficult to shoot out the device from a safe range, as it was screened behind garbage piled against a wooden fence. Instead, Taras' methodical examination and pace was having good effect.

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg # 196):

Wayne assembled his tool kit. And hoped he wouldn't be called upon to assist.

With no night vision Thomas was blind. He stayed on watch for anything and relied on his hearing to identify anything out of the ordinary.

An IED has five components: a switch or activator, an initiator or fuse, container, charge  or explosive, and a power source. Taras located the last as being a motorcycle battery. Hell Angels again?  Maybe it was a calling card of sorts. Starting from there was the right choice. Without power the IED was harmless. Once this was done, the Sargent was able to remove the wiring. No daisy chain thank goodness.

Ok folks. It's over. We can continue!

Everyone mounted up, and they continued in the growing darkness of early evening. A few stars were now visible as twilight faded but there was still a glow remaining behind the western end north shore mountains.

Passing through the farmland and woodlands to the north of the freeway, they entered the deserted streets of Ft. Langley township. The fort was intact but the buildings were dark. The vehicle gate at the staff parking lot was closed.

Back in the same seat Andrew's kept and eye out for anything else as futile as it seemed. It had been a long time since he had the luxury of being driven around or even taking a ride in a car so he savored not having to walk.

He has spent a couple of months on his feet when his sub had been destroyed trying to make his way to what was left of civilization.

Andrew's did not pick up on the unsettling sign of the Fort being dark he did not realize that the place may have power.

Andy pulled up as part of the convoy and looked at the fort. It was quiet, too damn quite...

Images of Beau Geste swam into his mind with the eerily deserted desert fort filled with the dead.

He got on the radio and said, "Rook to Knight, do you want us to go over the wall and check it out?"

"There was a generator... but did Old Willie have fuel for it?" said Mac, who was listening hard for sounds of the elephants.

"I'll go take a look if you like."

"Where the hell is everyone?"

There might not be people in the Fort, but there were other folks nearby if not too close.  Kelsey started scanning around with the NVGs, knowing that any light source would show up like a beacon with those.

Take a look at it, Rook. In any case we need a place to stay for the night!

"OK, Mac," Andy said, "you take a look and I'll cover you."

[radio]"Knight. Queen. Shouldn't the relief column have returned by now. Has anyone heard from them since they RBD'd?"

Taking his rifle, Mac dismounts and heads for the compound. He'll try the gate first, and if that's locked he'll climb over the fence.

Kelsey turns her scope in the direction she would expect the relief column to be in.

"This is a lot of odd, Dismounts... fan out."

She herself moves smartly away at a reasonable clip, seeking cover or signs of life.

This is strange. We are going to prepare things a bit before we move in. Vehicle leaders come to my position.

Taras was thinking about send a team over while the rest will provide cover from different angles in case the place turned out to be....haunted.

Kelsey sends the people in her vehicle to fan out and get in positions, she meets Taras.

"What do you think, Taras?  No sign of the other column, no sign of anyone else.  I wonder if they might be together, maybe somewhere else?  I suppose we could radio them?"

Sure thing. Try with the radio. If nothing comes up...we'll plan a careful approach to the Fort.

Getting out of the Humvee Thomas covers his assigned sector until called upon.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:51, Tue 15 July 2014.

Kelsey jogs back to the HMMWV and broadcasts, searching for a reply from the Relief, fort... anyone.

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg # 214):

[radio]"Queen copies."

[ICS}"Tremblay, Droz. Something is going on at the Fort. I have to run back and talk to Sergeant Shevchenko. Be ready for anything. I'll be back in a minute."

Abbot dropped down from the turret and grabbed his C9. He dismounted and quickly hustled back to the Cougar and reported to Taras.

"So what's the story.  I take it that this is not normal for Fort Langley?"

In reply to Stanley Alistair Abbot (msg # 219):

Both Droz and Tremblay signalled they understood Abbot.

Meanwhile, Kel got an immediate response. The relief column had gotten a vehicle bogged down in one of the deep farmland ditches alongside Glover Rd. They decided to recover it instead of abandoning it. They were on the move and would arrive at the RV point in less than ten mikes.

Kelsey relays that the other column is on the way.

"Taras, our relief column will be here in 10, if you want to wait on them?  Should we send someone to guide them in?"

Very well. We will wait for them. Is just 10 minutes.

While they waited, Mac tried the gates and found them unlocked. Night fell and there were no lights visible in the fort, the adjoining town and the surrounding farmland and woodlands.

Soon, a little ahead of schedule, some motors were heard. Four vehicles came into view from the direction of Glover Road. There was an RCMP police car, a LAV III (probably "Lavin' Spoonful"), an ambulance and an RCMP van (formerly a Sheriff's Dept. prisoner transport vehicle). Kel received a call from the relief column confirming they were in sight of the RV point.

Mac slips into the compound and starts looking around cautiously.

Andy covered Mac with his Parker Hale.

Tyler nudged Taras.

"Hey, I think Mac and Andy are going in."

Technically speaking they did not jump the gun, as the instruction was to wait for the relief column. Now that they were here, it was time to go in. If Taras might want a more coordinated effort he's have to issue some instructions although the scout-sniper team was capable enough to do the job on their own.

Their boots crumched softly on the gravel path that led inside the gate. Inside the fort compound was darkness.

In front at the highest point of the compound was the rear of the white company house. There were no lights on the ground or upper stories. They couldn't see the rear door due to a small greenhouse.

Off to the left was an extensive vegetable garden. The ground sloped down and away. What had been an open area between the wooden buildings up against the palisade on both sides had several larger greenhouses set up.

https://www.google.com/maps/ms...pn=0.003188,0.005402

Kelsey will go to meet the vehicles, asking about the doctor.  She wants to get the boss medical attention ASAP.  That sniper dude.. he can wait.

Mac sneaks over to the company house and tries the door.

In reply to Christopher Little Hawk MacDonald (msg # 229):

The rear door of the company house was reached via a wheelchair ramp. When Mac tried the door, he found it open.

Over on Mary Road, Kel saw the headlights of the convoy approaching. The lead car flashed its headlights.

https://www.google.com/maps/ms...pn=0.003367,0.006185
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:16, Thu 17 July 2014.

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 230):

Rachel was driving the lead car.

"Kel! Not surprised to see you here. You have some casualties, friendly and prisoners? Where do you want the vehicles?"

Kelsey smiles wide at the friendly face.

"Pull them over this way so you can pull back out, we have some bullshit going on, the locals are missing.  Stay frosty."

Kelsey indicates pull-offs that make tactical sense.

"Belanger is hurt bad, someone was really after us.  We rescued Hotel from a company of irregulars that even had a tank... "  she indicates the tank they brought with them  "Looks like it's the Yanks backing them, the whole mess smells to be honest.. too much spooky shit to be coincidence."

Mac slips inside the house, listening intently. If someone's asleep in here, there ought to be some noise.

In reply to Christopher Little Hawk MacDonald (msg # 233):

Andy waited outside while Mac swept the ground floor of the company house. It was clear. There was nothing out of place, although it looked like there was an uneaten meal on the table (set for 1). There was a narrow set up wooden stairs leading up.

Outside, Rachel helped Kel transfer the wounded (Belanger, Sheeler and Conklin) to the ambulance, with the prisoners (wounded and non-wounded) were transferred into the police van and police car.

Mac paused at the foot of the stairs listening. A natural desire to call up warred with his inherent stealthy nature, and he held his peace for now.

In reply to Christopher Little Hawk MacDonald (msg # 235):

Mac heard a low moaning from the top of the stairs, which was hidden by a landing and 90-degree turn.

Mac heads up. Moaning is not good. He'd been hoping for snores!

In reply to helbent4 (msg # 234):

As the patients are being moved, Hawke gave a verbal report on each patient as they are transferred to the next vehicle.

The ones that were still conscious he told "I'll be over to check on you as soon as we get our task done."

Andy had waited outside for long enough. As the silence stretched out, he entered the house to back his partner up.

Andrew's escorted the prisoners in his ride over to their new transport. He then returned to the Humvee and waited for additional orders, standing near the passenger door.

In reply to Thomas Matthew Andrews (msg # 240):

Kelsey waves to Andrews.

"Stay frosty, keep a look out.  Don't make yourself a target, I still do not like this."

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg # 241):

Once the wounded were turned over to the ambulance crew, Hawke raided the ambulance to replace his consumables, and returned to his assigned team.

"Back in service, all restocked and ready to go," he reported.

Hawke (Bishop-3)
L119A1 (30/30 + 6 spare mags)
M203A1 (1/1 40mm fragmentation)
Pistol in vest w/magazines
First aid kit on back
Helmet on

In reply to Andrew Montgomery McRae (msg # 239):

With Andy covering him, Mac moved to to the top of the stairs.

Lying there was Old Willy, the fort's unofficial caretaker. He was lying on his back, feet towards the top of the stairs, moaning softly. Blood had streamed from his nose, matting his beard, and his left eye was deeply bruised.

"Call in the alert, Andy," Mac called down. "Willie has been attacked."

Laying his rifle to one side, he pulled on a pair of gloves and went into 'medic mode' kneeling beside Willie.

"Hello, Willie, it's Mac. Can you hear me? What happened?"

He started to check the man out for anything more serious than a thump to the face.

>Rook to all stations," Andy reported, "we have Willie and he's hurt bad."

Kelsey nods to the transmission.

"Ok, I want a perimeter from my foot team, right now."

He didn't seem to have other wounds. There was a bruise forming on his arm but there was no way to tell how long it was.

Inside, Willie moaned. "Oww. My face! What happened? Where am I? Last thing I remember was checking on the elephants, feeding the livestock. Thens making dinner as the sun was going down. That's it." He touched his cheek, then screamed and arched his back. He went limp, unconscious or in a faint.

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg # 246):

The perimeter was quickly set up, but the rest of the fort compound hadn't been cleared.

Hmmm. Broken cheekbone, probably. Hope he's not concussed. Mac began to treat the injuries, one corner of his mind worrying about the elephants.

Ok. We are moving inside the Fort now. We are taking over the place.

The team swept the fort.

It was deserted. On first glance, there was no obvious looting or damage.

But the elephants were missing.

"Looks like those American's came and took more then just pictures."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:44, Fri 25 July 2014.

In reply to Thomas Matthew Andrews (msg # 252):

Tremblay shone his flashlight at the ground. "Yeah, but did they leave some footprints?"

In reply to Keith Michael Tremblay (msg # 253):

Andrew's keys his radio and advises that they have a set of prints in the soft ground.

Andrews determined there were US style boot prints leading out the gate,  Although that didn't Necessarily mean anything. It did look like some had led the elephants away. Nothing else seemed looted or destroyed.

Inside, Mac treated Old Willie's swollen smashed face. He had just fainted from the pain,  but his earlier spell of unconsciousness and memory loss was not good at all.

Mac gets Old Willie into his bed and made as comfortable as possible. It's likely he has a concussion so he will need to be monitored for a while. Mac will fret about the elephants, of whom he had got quite fond, later...

In reply to Christopher Little Hawk MacDonald (msg # 256):

Old Willie soon regained consciousness when smelling salts were applied. He definitely had symptoms of a concussion.

"Uhhhh... man, my face is killing me. It's... all... kind of blurry. I don't remember what happened at all."

"Not to worry, Willie, just lie still. You have a concussion, so I don't want to use too many painkillers, but we'll see what we can do to make it easier. Can you remember anything at all?" said Mac, trying to sound soothing.

Kelsey sets up positions and a perimeter as it becomes obvious that there is no immediate threat, pulling as much as she can into defensive positions and setting up using the fort itself as best as possible, leaving the setup of the field hospital for others, for now.

"Looks like the situation is under control, for now.  And now we know why the Americans were all antsy after we mentioned Fort Langley, eh?  Caught their hand in the cookie jar we did."

She checks things, stops by Hawke, and Rachel.  "When can we send the wounded back to the hospital.  And what are we going to do with the prisoners now?"

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg # 259):

"I loaded them, and identified prisoners to the medics for transport."

"What's up?  Everything OK?"

"Putting two and two together it looks like the Yanks came here to steal elephants."

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg # 261):

Finishing up on the radio, Rachel got out of the car.

"I just got in contact with HQ. Details are spotty, but it sounds like the Soviet loyalists on the Island launched a major offensive. That explains the jamming.

"Are we staying here tonight, or leaving? Personally, I prefer to hit the road."

I see the americans were up to no good. I think we should stay here for the night. Lets sort out the wounded and prisoners, start a watch and contact headquarters t the University. This is an internationl situation that needs clearance from above.

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg # 263):

"Taras is in command at the moment, unless someone is ranking and up to it."  She didn't know Bellanger's condition at the moment, but she had second guessed Taras in the past and learned that his tactics were very efficient and sound.  She gave an apologetic smile to Rachael, hoping she understood.

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg # 264):

When asked, Belanger indicated that while he was in pain he wasn't likely to die. In short, he would let Taras make the decision.

A few of the wounded prisoners weren't likely to make it through the night, two who were grievously injured had already slipped away but it would have taken a miracle and considerable medical resources to save their lives, anyways.

With the increased Soviet activity, the DRI HQ at UBC and on the Island are in an increased state of agitation. Clarke has no immediate instructions, as the battle area appears to be up-island, nothing the team can realistically affect. Support for their current operation will be limited, though.

"If you need to maintain your position then I support your call. Moving out at night and getting ambushed would be a disaster. Sounds like Belanger and Sheeler aren't going to die. Quite a little Safari you've had!

"Overall, an American incursion is a serious deal. It's all that more important to reassert our authority in communities in the Valley. It's still better than people starting to look to the HAs for some kind of stability, but not much."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:52, Mon 18 Aug 2014.

Kelsey nods, turns to Taras.

"Orders, then?"

Westay here for the night. In the morning we get the prisoners and wounded evacuated. We go back to recover the vehicles.

Abbot grabbed Tremblay and returned to the V-100.  They helped Pvt Droz transfer the prisoners to the Mounties and get the vehicle locked down for the night.

Andrews helped with the transfer of the prisoners and then waited for his assignment for the night on the perimeter. If he had a few hours he took the opportunity for some rest before he was up on the line.

Mac will stay with Old Willie, watching over him.

We will rest for the night and tomorrow we'll be back to recover the humvee. We are going to be very busy planning our next move. Seems like the american renegades are a threat and we have to deal with that.

Rachel looked at the paddy wagon and police cruiser, where the prisoners were being kept.

"What about these clowns? I'll look for a small building to shove them in to hold them, I guess."

Yeah, we need to get rid of them as soon as possible. We need to get fit again to start the next fight!

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg # 274):

"If you want to send the LAV back with me, I can transport the prisoners tonight."

She looked around. "It would be hard, but not impossible, to secure them here. But I'd rather have them "in cells" ASAP. Either in New West or UBC."

"In cells" was the Canadian equivalent to "in the lockup".

Yes, I think is a good idea. I will need support and direction from Headquarters to take the next fight. I'd like to help you with us!

"Stay here, then? OK."

I mean to take the prisoners away tonight but come back in the morning.

"Oh yeah! Great idea. We'll put them all in cells at UBC. Might as well have them nice and close to HQ.

"I'll borrow the LAV tonight because it's got the thermal, try and send it back tomorrow.
"Want me to take your wounded out as well? Belanger and Sheeler."

She got everyone ready to move out and transport the prisoners to cells.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:34, Wed 20 Aug 2014.

Excellent.We aare going to set up camp here for a while....Is  the  best Forward Operations Base to use  against those elephant bandits!

"Fine, let's load up Belanger and Sheeler as well. I'll send what reinforcements I can from UBC. Take care, have a good night."

She smiled at Kel and gave a wave, knowing that any other signs of affection would be improper.