In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg # 156):

He snapped his fingers. "Yes! I have the NATO STANAG infrared sights. I had thermal but it broke a while ago."
This message was last updated by the GM at 09:37, Sat 23 Jan 2016.

Very well. We may need to do some surveillance.

The small convoy (Humvee, Cougar, Iltis) transited the partially washed-out River Road without too much difficulty as it had been thoroughly scouted the day before.

Once they turned south on highway 13 , crossing the Trans-Canada, it was smooth going into the town of Aldergrove. If anyone lived there, they might be able to locate a veterinarian, Sheila Ford, from the Vancouver Game Farm that lived there before the war and still might live somewhere around there. They'd gotten her name and address from a previous visit to the Game Farm.

1445 LIMA

Just shy of 1500 they approached the crossroads of Highway 13 and 1A. Aldergrove was just east of the intersection. It seemed clear there was some kind of militia outpost or roadblock set up there at the eastern part of the intersection, controlling the area. To get to Aldergrove they would need to go through it or find a way around.

All around them were abandoned farms, deciduous trees and overgrown hedges lining the roads and untended fields. The roads themselves were clear of old vehicles and the closer they got to the intersection it was clear someone was maintaining the roads at least minimally.

Unfurling the Canadian Flag from the antenna Taras made sure that the signal was sent...

Your attention please... Lets meet the locals. What else can go wrong? We need to make friends after all!

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg # 160):

On the intercom, Wayne asked, "Sergeant, should Knight and Rook stop while we send Bishop forward?"

March forward! All elements!

"Should I prepare to meet with locals sergeant?"

Yes, of course. We are here to show the flag and offer our support to the local communities.

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg # 164):

The vehicles proceeded south towards the roadblock, which was on their left. Signage indicated that they were on Highway 13 and if they continued on the Aldergrove-Bellingham highway they would soon hit the Aldergrove/Linden Border Crossing. If they turned right at the upcoming intersection they would be going west along Fraser Highway into Langley town centre (not to be confused with Fort Langley on the Fraser River to the north) while left of course was the way into the pre-war farming community of Aldergrove.

Vehicles (stripped wrecks) had been dragged across the intersection to create a choke point for all westward traffic. In front were other stripped wrecks placed to slow down approaching traffic and create lanes. There was a movable swing-up barrier at the actual entry point, a yellow pole with a STOP sign in the middle. It looked like there was a second swing-up barrier behind that one and the inside holding area was flanked by sandbagged bunkers. A Canadian flag hung from a flagpole above the right-hand bunker.

As the convoy approached to within 100m, they could see that there were six militia manning the checkpoint. Two young men were dressed in civvies, one carrying a Winchester rifle and the other armed with a Remington pump-action shotgun. Two were middle-aged men in Canadian army combats armed with antique FNs, one man in US-patterned Woodland cammies with a double-barreled shotgun and pistol. The last was a female RCMP officer in uniform and vest, armed with a standard 9mm sidearm.

Signs by the checkpoint announced that beyond that point anyone admitted would need to be disarmed and submit to a search for contraband, per the Emergency Measures and National Defence Act. (This would be expected as the federal government had declared war and invoked the War Measures Act. Canada had no provision for Martial Law as such, but in case the federal government ceased to function, under the "National Survival" provision of the ND Act command of local federal police forces like the RCMP and the military would devolve to provincial or municipal control, which were given a wide range of powers under the EM Act. )

Hmmm.... didn't know we have a detachment here! It will be interesting to have a chat with this folks.

Taras motioned to keep moving.

Kel, you're in charge of contacting them. See what the lady in armor has to say...

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg # 166):

As the Humvee approached at the head of the column, the militia seemed to be glad to see them.

The Mountie began speaking into her hand radio, probably reporting their presence. Kel could see a police cruiser (a 90's model Chevy Caprice) parked in behind the barricade, as well as a GMC pickup truck. She was obviously in command, and at her direction the militia at the roadblock got into position, unsure what they were seeing.

One of the men in old CF fatigues approached. He was older, middle aged. Probably former Militia or Reg Force. He waved them down.

"Hey! Are you guys from the government?"

Thomas moves the Carl Gustav slightly so he can get a better look out the window of the humvee. It looks relativity intact and civilised in comparison to the other villages he had been through in the last few months.

Well it looked like he was not going to be needed in the interim so he continued to enjoy the comfort of the humvee.

In the Iltis, Mac sat back and watched the proceedings with interest. You never knew with roadblocks - bandits or 'proper' government forces... sometimes there wasn't much difference (except perhaps in the backup they could call upon).

Hello! We are a special Task Force from the Government in charge of reconstruction of the country! It's very good to see you, folks!

Taras tried his best to appear friendly and forthcoming to the roadblock people.

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

They seemed to take this news well, breaking into smiles. The Mountie finished her call, stepped forward and said, "I am Constable LaMarche. do you have ID or something? To prove this? We've had deserters and others trying to pass themselves off as being from the government."

Enchante Madame! I'm Staff Sargent Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko with the RCMP of the University of British Columbia. Here is my ID.

Taras displayed his ID knowing that his uniform may not be a convincing item in the middle of a war. He prefers to wear it as a badge of authority itself as well as being on duty.

Although a deserter from the Soviet Army myself, I am now the Law Enforcement authority for this recce mission. My team is part of a Canadian Forces detachment sent from the Island by the provisional government. So far we are having a good stretch. We've been kicking out Hell Angel's, white supremacists, american stragglers and other scum. Our intention is secure the border and show the flag. I see that you are keeping a tight ship around here!

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg # 172):

Wayne passed down Taras' ID. He explained, trying to be helpful, "in case you, ah, didn't know, there was an amnesty."

In reply to Wayne Lo (msg # 173):

The Constable looked at the documents, and badge. She looked a little dubious. "No. We didn't know that. We haven't heard anything since the nuclear attacks a few years ago. On one hand, it would be better if you had prewar ID. On the other, this looks pretty official and it's not like you would or even could do this if you were bandits."

She looked around the desolate intersection. At one time there was a Chevron and a Super Save Gas on different corners. There were remains of other buildings but they looked like they'd burned down and the rubble cleared. The barricade was topped with strands of barbed wire, the kind a farming community like this would have in abundance.

"Tell you what. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. Head on in to the new town hall. It's on the left, a couple blocks down. The old Legion hall. Ask for Mayor Rousseau, he'll know you're coming."

Thank you! I will provide you with the current frequency radio for the RCMP detachment to keep in touch. They will provide you updates. The government is trying to put back on line the phone system but still a limited thing. We will need your help to implement the reconstruction plan.

The Ukranian motioned the team to get ready to march towards the town and meet the Rousseau.

I'm looking forward to see you again. I wish you the best of luck. Thank you again for your help.

Corporal Abbot waved to the checkpoint guards as the HMMWV shifted into drive and pulled away.

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg # 175):

LaMarche shook her head when Taras offered the operating frequencies.

"We don't have any long range radios. EMP took a lot of 'em out, most of the rest were confiscated for official use elsewhere. There were a couple civilian sets but they broke down a couple years ago. We sent a couple people into Vancouver to see if there was any government remaining but one reported that City Hall was abandoned, the other we sent to UBC didn't come back.

"I see the CBC is broadcasting on AM and FM, we do have civilian radios and we'll listen in. We just haven't bothered having a radio set on, nothing to listen to and power's rationed because we only got a couple generators.

"Ask "Mayor" Rousseau about the Yanks that came up from down south through the border crossing. They offered to help us with the bikers out in Abbotsford, trade us some gear like radios and guns for food, but I couldn't tell if they were on the level. We couldn't keep them out if we wanted to, but we also didn't have any better options and we needed help."

She reminded them that they were ostensibly tracking a group of American soldiers mounted on elephants that had assaulted Old Willie yesterday at Ft. Langley, stealing the two elephants that were being sheltered there. As well, from the US government point of view the US Army units in Washington were renegades. Although considering the feds were unable to exert any control out here in what the Americans called the Pacific Northwest (that is, the Lower Mainland south of the border) being a "renegade" spanned the gamut from outright criminal (or "marauder" in American parlance) to simply backing the wrong faction in a political dispute that was serious, if remote.

As the barriers were lifted, they could see several horses tied up behind the RCMP Caprice. There was also the strong smell of manure, common to any farming community, but horse dung on the pavement indicated that horses or other mounts were now in common use.

We can supply radio equipment, no problem. Our aim is to enforce the new government guidelines to restore normal life. We've been fighting against bikers, the Hell's Angels as well as americans associated with them. We gave them a good beating recently. Apparently there is one of these units that use elephants and we are after them.

After a pause, Taras asked the lady:

I see you are an RCMP like me, were you in the Force before the war? We need to contact as much members as we can to bring back the ranks...

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg # 178):

Handing back his badge and documents she replied, "I joined up before the war, just got out of Depot (the RCMP training academy in Regina) before the bombs dropped in '97. Seems funny we got ex-Soviets in the Force now, but I guess things have been a little screwy.

"Radios would be great! As well, phones, if you're setting those up.

"This group of Yanks have been through twice before, starting about a month ago. They say they're on "marauder" patrol and the people around here like 'em for that but I don't think their coming into our territory whenever they like is a good thing. We've cautioned them about looting and their Lieutenant swears they're not, but... they got a lot of guns. If they were, it's not like we could do anything about it.

"Ok, barrier's up. Anything else?"

In reply to PC LaMarche (msg # 179):

With no response, they were waved through the barrier.

Aldergrove was a sleepy farm community before the war, and still was one now. On both sides of Fraser Highway were narrow bands of parks, behind the trees they could see houses. Difficult to tell if they were occupied or not.

Soon, they came to the "town hall". Aldergrove had no official mayoral office, as it had been a part of the larger Langley municipality. Instead, when the nuclear attacks caused the collapse of national, regional and municipal governments the local population converted Royal Canadian Legion Hall 265 into a town hall and Mayor's office.

The Legion hall was on the left. It was a solid 1-story concrete building with murals of planes, ships and other martial themes. A small plith flanked by a propeller and anchor was placed out front. An army Deuce and a half was parked in the lot to the left of the building, as well as an RCMP Bronco and three other pickup trucks and an SUV.

A motley group of militia in surplus camouflage (US and Canadian) waited for them there, as well as another pair of RCMP officers.

Let's meet the authorities, then. Looks like this place is been taken care of. Nothing like a good resemblance of old town lifestyle! It could be a great place to start the IRON program. Plus all the issues with the border...

Taras halted the convoy and offered the crew to dismount and meet the locals.