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?"