Andy and Elliot in the XR311 passed by some foot traffic in the vicinity of Maryville Project. Seeing the Project vehicle the pedestrians (Amerinds and a few Rebels by the looks of them) waved as they passed. This was a normal reaction and indicative of the Project's good standing among the people in the area.

Going north they did pass an ancient semi-trailer rig pulling a flatbed loaded with ancient trees, destined for the local lumber mill in Maryville. It had rubber tyres (a luxury and likely a Project gift) and black smoke shot out it the exhaust. Likely it burned alcohol as the nearest known oil deposit in the state was a hundred and twenty km south of Seattle in Tenino. There were several passengers who'd hitched a ride on the flatbed's load of lumber, despite the danger. The driver in the cab of the rig honked his airhorn as they passed by and the huddled passengers also waved.

They travelled north for a couple hours on the Open Road. Outside of Maryville they saw no signs of life or game tracks despite their cautious pace of 30 km/h. There were tracks from medium-sized vehicles, also heading north, likely the Commando Scout and tow truck that preceded them. They were not ambushed on the trip up.

At the old pier in Bellingham, the sun was setting.

The detached part of the team that was there enjoyed a home-cooked meal of fresh-caught salmon and forest greens, plus vegetables from the small truck garden in a plot of land cleared from the forest. Courtesy of Kellie Monroe.

An old fishing dinghy that Captain Kim recognised as belonging to Michael Monroe hove into view. It was being rowed by Stanley and Barb. Kellie explained, "those metal freaks sunk our fishing boat. Because it had a "demon" engine in it! Just a steam engine, of course. Come spring we'll try and raise it, or at least salvage the motor and propeller."

Meanwhile, the XR311 had come about 60km and had just under 30 to go. They were out of radio range from Maryville Outpost, although they could still hear the commercial broadcast of looped music and information on the broadcast transmitter. If Maryville wished to contact them they might hear it due to the power of the transmitter (intervening terrain permitting) but if they tried to reply odds were their signal wouldn't reach Maryville in return.

A light rain slowed and stopped as the sun began to set, but it just got cooler. Normally, in unpacified territory the top gun was manned, and at this point it would be a good idea for Andy to stand-to on the top gun.

The vehicle's AN/PRC-70 radio was tuned to the correct channel. After a while they heard,
"Kilo Zulu 4 this is Mike Romeo 3-1. Do you copy? Over." The encryption was engage both ways but if they liked they could authenticate as well using a day-code as provided in their CEOIs.

PD's Note: The authentication code is an alphanumeric string. If you wish to authenticate just make something up!
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:19, Mon 10 Apr 2017.

Between breaks and meals, Lina caught up with Tim. She leaned in close and spoke softly.

In reply to Mahalina Rae Powell (msg # 499):

Tim nodded along, but then shook his head at the last statement. Turning back to Kellie he asks. "If you know the last camp of the armoured horsemen we could go an have a look for you. They seem to be causing a lot of trouble around these parts."
-

In reply to Tim Charles White (msg # 500):

She pointed up the path.

"They were up in the woods, digging in the mounds in the trees. They said they found an old school. I think they were mainly interested in ancient history. They wanted to burn all modern knowledge, well, modern before the War."

It would seem the dig site at the former Western Washington University campus at Bellingham was the site of their camp. This would tally with what they'd seen.

Hearing of the news of the Monroe boat, Capt'n Kim first is in shock then anger.... then  an unnerving calm.

" I am starting to believe in Karma again.  Mrs. Monroe, since joining these people I have less time to go out with my father in our boat. Me and my father have fished up here a couple of times off the Orcas. So... letting the idea come to you first, do you think your husband mind fishing with a old man until spring? "
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:27, Thu 06 Apr 2017.

In reply to Captain Ly Cong Kim (msg # 502):

Kellie looked thunderstruck by the generosity of his offer. She looked like she was about to cry!

"You... you'd help us out like that? At least until we got our boat back on the surface? I... I can't tell you how much this means to us! Thank you so much!

"Before the metal jerks came, we were planning on a "big hunt" just before spring. With your help I think we could still do that. Again, God bless and thank you."

It was obvious she was talking about hunting whales. The big ones. This was something that really only the "Whale Worshippers" (as they were called by outsiders) specialised in. It was rumoured they used some kind of magic to track and summon the beasts; really, it was just knowledge learned from the Amerinds and a willingness to hunt out where others feared to sail and risk doom at the hands (flukes?) of the massive cetaceans. Although mainly Christian, the "Fisher People" (as they called themselves) still saw the whale hunt as a spiritual event that not just gave them sustenance but brought them closer to the Divine. After all, was not Jesus the "fisher of men" and many of his disciples fishermen?

Elliot lightly smacks Andy on the leg. "I hear our target on the radio."

El waits for a moment when there is no radio chatter and his vehicle's position is above most obstructions before keying the mic.

"Romeo 3-1 from Kilo Zulu 4. We are inbound to your pos on assignment from base. Please authenticate if necessary and advise RV point."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:43, Fri 07 Apr 2017.

Capt'n Kim puts his hand on her shoulder in comfort  "Mamm... In occasions like these when us fishermen put the flag up (distress flag). Its the very least we can do, but in the case of these 'Metal Heads'... an open attack on our way of  live and friends, and a threat to the loggers and Gypsy Truckers.... We'll have 'Metal Heads out of here and your son back soon."
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:33, Sat 08 Apr 2017.

Looking down at their driver, Andy nods and smiles.  "Excellent.  Hopefully the rest of their day has been as uneventful as ours."

Lina picked up a staticky transmission over the relay from the Ranger to her PRC-68. Somebody was trying to contact Kim's team.

"Tim, I've got some radio traffic on Project frequencies.  Possible friendlies inbound. They're calling for Kim's team.  Want me to confirm?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:20, Mon 10 Apr 2017.

In reply to Mahalina Rae Powell (msg # 507):

"Right, yes go a head and confirm. I will go let the others know." Tim goes and lets everyone that friendlies are going to be joining them and to keep and eye out for them.

After Elliot transmits his authentication code Daniel replied (per normal protocol) with the correct counter-sign.

"Kilo Zulu-4 from Romeo 3-1. I authenticate Hotel India Eight Five Seven Niner Whiskey."

This authentication checked out with the day-code. With this being a scrambled channel it wasn't possible, or at least likely, that someone could break in and pose as a legitimate station unless they had a captured PRC-70 with the proper encryption setting. But the verbal authentication using a pregenerated daily alphanumeric code would make spoofing difficult indeed!

"Be advised the Romeo Victor point is Grid Novermber Alpha Three Zero One Six. Please advise your Echo Tango Alpha. Over."

PD Note: it was Daniel in Windigo calling the new unit and the new unit responding.

This message was last edited by the GM at 05:35, Mon 10 Apr 2017.

Andy is on the machine gun, his head above the XR311's canopy and out-of-sight from the Autonav unit. From the driver's seat Elliot checks his gauges and keys the mic. "Romeo 3-1 from Kilo Zulu 4. Acknowledge grid point November Alpha Three Zero One Six. Our inbound Echo Tango Alpha is sixty minutes. Over."

El can hear Andy's voice from above say, "Good."

El says, "I wonder why they stopped. If their mission was to run out and run back, why are they sitting still?" he says, loud enough for Andy to hear.

Capt'n Kim pops up  "Give them a heads up about the METAL heads"

In reply to Elliot Charles Pendergrass (msg # 510):

Daniel replied, "Roger that, Kilo Zulu. See you in sixty Mikes. Romeo 3-1 out."

While the Ranger (Mike Romeo 3-2) did not have its long-range antenna deployed, Windigo did and was automatically relaying signals through the radio net so that Tim and Lena could hear as well.

As El navigates the XR311 over the gravel road, Andy realizes that he would be better off sitting beside the driver than getting bounced around above.

"Hey El, can you stop for a sec?"  Andy secures the .50 cal and then buckles himself into the passenger's seat.

"A bit rough up there on these roads. And I thought I might keep track of the radio and AutoNav so you can concentrate on driving."

Once they are again underway, he sighs as he thinks.  "Good question about their delay.  They haven't indicated that they are in trouble.  But we both know that no plan ever survives unchanged."

El nods. "You got that right. I mean, I hope they aren't in a whole lot of trouble, because we aren't much of a rescue party." He glances at Andy and jerks his thumb toward the back. "This bitty MPV isn't a tow truck or a cargo vehicle or an APC."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:40, Mon 24 Apr 2017.

At the seashore in Bellingham, the fishing skiff rowed in and tied off. The Monroe family got to work in hauling out and preparing the day's catch. Kellie updated her husband on their son's earlier disappearance. As well, his likely presence with the odd metal-armoured folk that had camped in the woods nearby for weeks, digging into the ruins of some forgotten school.

Although it was still overcast it stopped raining. The path of the Open Road was reasonably smooth or at least clear of obstruction, and well-marked as it wound through the thick woods. There were a few places that required fording but the larger rivers were crossed by wood bridges. This wasn't surprising to either Elliot or Andy as road crews under Project supervision had repaired and maintained such structures for quite a distance from Seattle as a way of keeping on friendly terms with allied Truckers.

It grew dark as the XR311 neared the pre-war city of Bellingham. They hadn't seen any ruins or artifacts for quite a while. The trees on either side of the former Interstate had simply swallowed everything up save for the odd jagged concrete stump of an overpass. Any vehicles were long gone, rusted away and swallowed by the earth and forest.

PD Note: Andy and Elliot may make Observation checks. They are both at -10 as they are "buttoned up" inside the vehicle. Is the XR311 travelling with headlights on?

Elliot drives the MPV down the open road, with Andy next to him. It's dark and it's tough to navigate the unfamiliar route, so his attention is on the road.

In reply to Project Director (msg # 515):

Jenna glanced at Daniel. "Mind if I lend a hand?" If there is no objection she will set her shottie within easy reach and lend a hand cleaning the day's catch.

In reply to Jenna 'Tallfeather' Bartram (msg # 517):

With the help of Jenna and anyone else, the family all pitched in to help with the catch. There was a moment of sorrow when it was revealed that one son had run away, but there was work to do.

The approaching XR311 was still 30m minutes (15km) out when they received a SITREP from the Ranger that was part of the element they were sent to meet. It was sent by the RTO for RECON KR-P44.

PD Note: see "Radio Traffic" Thread

Sitting in the passenger seat, Andy scans the surrounding area.  When the message comes across about the hostiles, he tenses up slightly.

"If there's a band of marauders looking for trouble, we may not want to get surprised.  Can you stop for a second and I will see if there are a couple pairs of PeeVee 5's in here.  Weaver said we were light loaded but hopefully we have some standard gear."

Andy will look quickly for the night vision headsets for El and himself.

OOC: Do we have the standard 2 pair of AN/PVS-5 on board?

Andy Maxwell Flasch rolled 49 using 1d100 with rolls of 49.  Observation roll. (Skill = 55% {65-10})

This message was last edited by the player at 21:27, Fri 28 Apr 2017.

"Roger that," El says, his brow furrowed over the news.

He and Andy have a brief discussion about the most defensible place to stop the vehicle. If it becomes necessary for Andy to exit the vehicle to secure the night vision goggles Elliot will exit also and perform guard duty, with the MAC in hand and ready to go.

Once they have the goggles the XR continues on, with headlights off.

South of Bellingham

The XR311 vehicle had a standard basic vehicle load, just not the full team camp load. They also had their own personal kits including ALICE style rucksacks.

El brought the XR311 to a stop so that Andy could break out the pair of vehicle-issue AN/PRC-5 NVGs. The NVGs were stored in the equipment lockers located behind the front seats.

After the brief pause they switched on the goggles and started rolling again. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a horse and rider bolted from the dark forest on the right hand side, trying to desperately cross the path ahead of them about 5m away. A crash seemed imminent!

PD Note: El can make a Driving check to avoid hitting the horse and rider!
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:41, Thu 27 Apr 2017.

((OOC: Elliot rolled a 37 on his DRIVE roll, easily making the number needed for success))

El brings the XR-311 to an abrupt halt. "What the hell?" he grunts- then, in a low tone to Andy, "Seems like he's running. Watch the trees where he came out."

Elliot keeps both hands on the wheel and a foot ready to hit the accelerator.