The small unit met at the outside door and formed up. Jagelis deployed them in a horse-shoe around the end of the wharf, covering the land sector in all directions.

On-ship, the crew were in the process of winching out the LAV, having attached it via steel cable to the forward cargo crane.

Kelsey stopped them for the moment, then resumed covered the approaching white SUV.

The Russian UAZ remained parked a ways away, near the western shipyard entrance.

It was a GMC Suburban in RCMP Supervisor markings. Passing behind the buildings, it pulled out at the end of the dock and flashed it's roof lights.



The could see the driver was a large Indian (that is, SE Asian) man in his 40's dressed in RCMP regular-duty uniform, wearing a blue turban and with a large mustache and neatly-trimmed beard. Sitting beside him was a red-haired man in camouflage fatigues, and there were a couple more men sitting in back, including what looked to be the fisherman they met earlier. No one was waving rifles or got out.

The Suburban stopped and the driver had some words with his passengers.

Cutting the engine and stepping out to stand beside the truck, he introduced himself.

"I am Sergeant Khandola, 185th Provost Company (RCMP), UBC Detachment. I am pleased to make your acquaintance!"
[Edit: added and corrected a few details for Sgt. Khandola.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:46, Mon 28 Jan 2008.

"Lee, you're up," Ben murrmured into the radio inspite of the fact that she was less than a dozen yards away.
Why raise your voice if you don't have to were his thoughts. Although squatting in cover behind some of the debris the place seemed to be choked with, he tried to look as unimposing as he could. It certainly wouldn't do to anger the locals or instigate a firefight if it could be avoided.

With the approach of armed strangers, Andy underwent an imperceptable transformation from quiet, unassuming young man, to a dispassionate- almost mechanical- killer of men.

From cover, he sighted on the driver of the SUV, ignoring the as yet unverified RCMP officer who'd just stepped out into the open. With the driver dead at the wheel, the others in the vehicle would become sitting ducks. If it came to that. Andy didn't want to kill anyone- not really. But, that was his job sometimes, and he was rather good at it. If these folks did anything to endanger his comrades, he would extinguish the threat.

He spoke in low, cool tones to the Lietenant, whose nervousness was apparent.

"I've got the SUV driver, Lt.

A quick glance at the docks brought Taras some memories. This very same ship, a few months ago has been his passport to a new life. He also found some confidence and anxiously interrupted Khandola's thoughts.

Sargent, this is the very same boat that brought me here from the island! Maybe the same Captain is there too! An old, gentle, pipe smoking fellow. He may remember me as well...

The cold stare of the Sargent appeared to warm a bit after this. The slightly wobbling hull appeared to be full of activity on the deck. Some crew members were hoisting a crane and arranging wires and chains.

Taras could see what he thought was the captain on the Church's bridge.

The old rust-bucket was in about the same shape as when it brought him down from Bella Coola months ago. After all, it was hard to see how it could get any worse and still remain float! There was another female soldier manning a GPMG on the side facing them, although its barrel was not pointed in the SUV's direction.

Sgt. Khandola noted McRae in the bushes off the to side, aiming at him. He raised an eyebrow, putting his hand on the mic that was clipped to his patrol vest and murmuring something into it.

He then adressed Lee in his deep musical voice, noting her (brevet) rank. "Sergeant, kindly ask to have that man stand down immediately. It would be deeply regrettable all around if an incident were to occur. Especially for your mission!" He chuckled.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:05, Sun 27 Jan 2008.

In Fox's eyes wearing any uniform no longer meant with full certainly that people were your friends or not. He looks over at Lee and gives her some added confidence and encouragement, "Go on. If they are not legit we got you well backed here."