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21:06, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

A Long Road to Paradise II.

Posted by Project DirectorFor group 0
Project Director
GM, 63 posts
Mon 16 May 2016
at 07:53
  • msg #1

A Long Road to Paradise II

"When the sun no longer shines, when the stars
drop from the sky and the mountains are blown
away, when camels great with young are left
untended and the wild beasts come together,
when the seas are set on fire and men's souls are
reunited, when... the record of men's deeds are
laid open, and Heavan is stripped bare, when Hell
burns fiercely and Paradise approaches; then
each soul shall understand what it has done."

-The Qu'aran
81st Surah

The cold underground chamber waited a hundred and fifty years, dark and oxygenless. Near one end sat six high-tech coffins, glass frosted by temperatures within the hovered far below freezing. Another far larger shape squatted unseen nearby.

Suddenly, relays began clicking as the computer received the long-awaited ELF recall code signal. red lights began flickering to life on the control panel.  First one, then another, then a dozen. One by one the red lights turned green. Red emergency lights came on, reflecting off the rough concrete walls and smooth floor with a dim reddish glow. The inert gas filling the room was sucked out, replaced by oxygenated atmosphere. Batteries were charged. The magnetic bottle in the Ranger's power cell was powered up and the fusion reaction initiated.

The computer lacked a CRT screen, not even a monochrome one. Instead, it possessed a primitive analogue display where idiot lights, dials and displays conveyed a bare minimum of information. Thre was a clicking as the computer read out an alphanumeric code that was backlit for visibility:


RECALL    CODE
AUTHENTICATION
A U 1 6 8 B B 3 D 0 0 9 R 4 1

  CURRENT DATE 02 02 2141


Then it shut down.

All at once the freeze chambers lit up from within. Microwaves warmed flesh. Drugs were injected into veins. Pneumatic arms delivered CPR to start hearts beating again. Soon, the sleepers awoke, confused and disoriented as the lids to their cryotubes hissed and opened to the cold air.

They were alive!

You awake as your tubes open, clad only in your underwear. IV tubes stick out of your arms. Pads trailing wires are stuck to your scalp, torso and limbs. The room is dimly lit but still, the light hurts your eyes.

Around your neck is the MPID card that will unlock the locked drawers at the base of the tubes that hold your clothing and weapons.

WAKEUP PROCEDURE:

  1. Get fully dressed.
  2. Verify bolthole integrity with visual inspection.
  3. Determine cause of wakeup via analogue console display. If wakeup was initiated by breach or structural failure, initiate immediate evacuation and defensive protocol.
  4. RTO and/or TL verifies recall code is authentic via display.
  5. If recall code is authentic, Team Leader deploys periscope to raise antenna.
  6. RTO contacts Prime, Regional or Group command while TL surveys outside area.
  7. After receiving instructions from command via radio, team undergoes post-wakeup medical examination, equips personal gear, cleans and loads their personal weapons, inspects the team equipment, loads and preps vehicle for exit.
  8. TL may elect to have one or more team members exit via personnel exit to provide cover for vehicle exit and inspect door for exterior blockage.
  9. Controls for main vehicle door and hydraulic rams are activated.
  10. Any and all remaining team members mount up vehicle.
  11. Vehicle exits bolthole.

FINAL NOTES:
  • Nominal time period between wakeup and full team deployment is around 2 hours. This leisurely pace is predicated on the fact that after years of dormancy the team will not be able to function at peak efficiency if pushed too hard, too soon. If they waited that long they can wait a little longer and make sure they are really ready to go.
  • If the TL deems it necessary he or she can order the team to arm up immediately, but as team weapons are coated in oil to preserve them a cleaning is recommended first.
  • Authentication was via daycodes cross-referenced in code books (CEOIs) carried by the team RTO.

This message was last edited by the GM at 00:07, Tue 17 May 2016.
James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire
player, 32 posts
RECON K-44
Contact Specialist
Mon 16 May 2016
at 12:26
  • msg #2

A Long Road to Paradise II

Jimmy MacGuire (Who answers variably and amiably to "Jim" "Jimmy" "Jerry" "Mac" and even at times "Hey you" of "Fatass") slowly sits up and shivers as he smacks his tongue inside his mouth audibly, before gingerly slipping to the floor and opening his locker.

"Anyone find the mouse that was sleeping in my mouth?"  He grimaces slightly then chuckles.  "Cause I can still taste his wee little arse!"  Jimmy could be rude and crude at times, and waking up after cold sleep was apparently no exception.

He looks around a moment to make sure the rest of the team is waking, and the bolt hole seems normal, then he goes about the business of getting dressed.  Him dressing is a mercy for some, for skinny was something Jimmy was rarely accused of, not that the Project or the military every let him get actually fat, but he tended to carry a few extra pounds.. blame it on his genetics if you will.

After dressing in his green MP coverall and pushing his feet into his boots he slips into his webgear and does a quick check on his weapons before holstering them and picking up his pack and personal box and heading over to the table to sit down... his eyes drifting over to the computer console and brows shooting up.

"Fuck.. does that thing really say 2141?  Hope that was the only malfunction that beastie made."

He looks back to his team mates as they join him, and around the vault again, as if to confirm all is intact.  He shakes his head and starts the process of oiling his weapons and making certain they are ready to perform.  Jimmy had picked loadout #2 (M16A1 w/ 203) as compact and utilitarian.  He didn't trust regular grenades much, too much chance of a drop or fumble.

Jimmy makes quick work of his firearms cleaning, he'd picked the M16 out of familiarity and utility, being a US Army vet, and in this lethargic sortof groggy state that helps.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:07, Tue 17 May 2016.
Alice Maura McCloud
player, 9 posts
RECON K-44
Driver/Medic
Mon 16 May 2016
at 21:18
  • msg #3

Re: A Long Road to Paradise II

James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire:
Jimmy makes quick work of his firearms cleaning, he'd picked the M16 out of familiarity and utility, being a US Army vet, and in this lethargic sortof groggy state that helps.


Alice lies there and shiver, oh mother that is so cold. No you idiots she thinks you did not explain the effects accurately.
Okay well if I am awake that means I have survived.
"Would some one please put the coffee on and send out for some bagels" she calls out.
"Mean time I deserve another 30 minutes of lie in"

Tim Charles White
player, 10 posts
RECON K-44
TL/Gunner
Mon 16 May 2016
at 21:51
  • msg #4

A Long Road to Paradise II


Blinking was painful and so was swallowing. Tim took a minute or two to realise where he was and what was going on and then he started removing the various tubes and cords attached to his body. Squinting against the light it took him a couple of tries to get his card in the slot and to get his drawers open. After getting dressed he holstered his automatic, waiting until more pressing concerns were dealt with to clean it.

Tim looks at the readout that Jimmy had pointed out as he made his way to the console display to see what was going on. As he cracked open the code card he says "All right lets get this show on the road. I will authenticate the wake up code anyone who does not have a task right now can begin on their personal gear and don a combat load-out."

Looking over the jumble of letters and numbers on the card versus the read out on the screen he taps the card a couple of times on the screen as he speaks. "Looks authentic so we are a go. I will deploy the periscope now and Mahalina you should be good for making contact with command."

-
Project Director
GM, 67 posts
Tue 17 May 2016
at 00:15
  • msg #5

A Long Road to Paradise II

In reply to Tim Charles White (msg # 4):

The day-code was authentic. (When Mahalina checked her CEOI, she concurred.) Tell-tales indicated that the wakeup cycle was initiated by reception of a recall code. Further, all systems seemed to be in the green. Bolthole integrity wasn't breached, power was on. Atmosphere was obviously safe, all boltholes were initiating their revival cycle and all six were in the green.

The computer had also initiated power up of the Ranger's fusion-electric power plant. A several-million volt current was shunted from the bolthole's fusion cell to the Ranger via a thick black umbilical cable. Assuming it hadn't come loose or malfunctioned, this would have powered up the magnetic containment bottle and initiated thermonuclear fusion.

There was no thick layer of grey dust in the bolthole, although the walls and ceiling were made of rough, unfinished concrete. Evacuation of the inert gasses and the flooding of the chamber by breathable oxygen as part of the wakeup cycle had seen to that.
Robert 'Bobby' Michael Kastelein
NPC, 1 post
RECON K-44
Driver/Comms/Tech
Tue 17 May 2016
at 00:15
  • msg #6

A Long Road to Paradise II

In reply to Tim Charles White (msg # 4):

Sighing, Bobby sat up.

"Christ. I feel rode hard and put away wet. Yeah, probably the date counter is wrong. Piece of crap."

Sliding awkwardly out he held onto the side of the tube to maintain his balance. Dressing quickly in his BDUs, boots,and beret. He threw on his pistol belt, charged his Hi-power, safetied and then holstered it.

"Hey Chief," he addressed Tim. "I'll inspect the Ranger. It's a little ahead of schedule but better to find out sooner rather than later if the power plant's started ok." He wandered over to the Ranger and pulled off the cover sheet, opened the driver's door.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:16, Tue 17 May 2016.
Tina Marie Lassiter
NPC, 1 post
RECON K-44
Scout/Demo
Tue 17 May 2016
at 00:20
  • msg #7

A Long Road to Paradise II

In reply to Robert 'Bobby' Michael Kastelein (msg # 6):

Tina dressed as well. Instead of her sidearm she grabbed a flashlight and began charging it by cranking the handle. There was an annoying whine from the flywheel inside.

"I'll do the visual inspection of the bolthole."

Proceeding to do just that she commented, "Looks intact and structurally sound. No evidence of moisture or significant damage. Some spiderwebbing the walls, ceiling and floor near the rear wall... Southeast corner, I guess, by the antenna attachment point. Could have been a nuke strike or even seismic activity."
James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire
player, 35 posts
RECON K-44
Contact Specialist
Tue 17 May 2016
at 01:47
  • msg #8

A Long Road to Paradise II

"Let me know if you need a hand with that radio set Mahalina.  Tina.. any sign of that damn mouse?"

He shook his head and got back to cleaning and inspecting his gear, looked like the 'Contact Man' was going to be one of the first ready for rock and roll, it makes him smirk.. just a moment.

He mutters under his breath, loud enough to be understood by most if they wish.

"Toujours Pret, motherfuckers." And with that, he had seated the bolt in his M16 and stood up.

He spoke up "Tina, me lass, I know we are in slow mode but us scouts should probably be the first ready to be hot.  Where are you at with your weapons?"

He wobbled a moment on his feet, grimaced.

"But don't stress yourself..."
Tina Marie Lassiter
NPC, 3 posts
RECON K-44
Scout/Demo
Tue 17 May 2016
at 01:54
  • msg #9

A Long Road to Paradise II

In reply to James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire (msg # 8):

She grinned back as she finished her inspection.

"Considering we ain't at the "get loaded for bear" part of the checklist, but we are at the "inspect the bolthole" step, I'm not stressed at all. You might want to relax there, cowboy. Doesn't look like anyone's gonna burst in here the next couple minutes.

"Me? I'm gonna have a drink, we all need to re-hydrate."

James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire
player, 36 posts
RECON K-44
Contact Specialist
Tue 17 May 2016
at 02:03
  • msg #10

A Long Road to Paradise II

"Ah right.  Let me get that for you..." Jimmy wobbled a little more and sat back down on the bench.  "Or might you be a dear and get that for me?"

He pulled out a harmonica, tried to get some spit going and shakes his head, tucking it back in a pocket.

"I will regale you all with a song, once I have spit again... I think that mouse pooped on my tongue while he was nesting..."  He rises again, much more stable.  "I have the water, lass."

Saying that, he checks stores and tries for some starting water for everyone.  If found he passes it on out.
Mahalina Rae Powell
player, 15 posts
RECON K-44
Comms/Tech
Tue 17 May 2016
at 02:07
  • msg #11

A Long Road to Paradise II

Lina woke slowly.  Her head hurt and her mouth was very dry. This was worse than the first time she got drunk.  Her older brother and his girlfriend let her drink all of the peppermint schnaps that she wanted.  The day after, she never wanted another drop of it.

She slotted her card and pushed up the canopy.  Lina slowly sat up removed the various electrodes stuck to her and pulled the IV.  A few drops of blood dribbled down her arm. She slid off of the bed and stood uneasily.  When she got her equilibrium, Lina pulled her gear out and got dressed. She left her her pack and carbine at the foot of tube. Lina slipped a magazine into the butt of her Browning and holstered it. She grabbed her web gear on, leaving the belt unbuckled. Good enough for now, she thought.

She went across the bolthole and climbed into the Ranger through the back doors as Bobby was in the front. She lifted the closest PRC-70 off it's mount on the bulkhead and a battery out of the charger.  She took it all over to the command console and assembled it. She screwed the antenna down into it's port and powered it on.  The test procedure she was taught showed her that it was working fine.

"I got it, Jimmy.  Just leave me alone for a few. And it's just Lina. How many times have I told you guys?", Lina replied, sounding a bit annoyed. Only her mother had called her Mahalina and it didn't sound right to her when others said it.

She flipped through the laminated cards on a lanyard around her neck and confirmed the CEOI.  All of the codes were authentic and as expected.

"Hey, Tim! Radio is up!" Lina said loudly.  Tim was already herding the team and was distracted.

"The authentication codes for team activation are correct. I'm going to scan the freaks to see if anyone is out there. No transmissions until you give the word."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:17, Tue 17 May 2016.
Project Director
GM, 68 posts
Tue 17 May 2016
at 02:30
  • msg #12

A Long Road to Paradise II

In reply to James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire (msg # 10):

Going over to the OD Green wall locker marked "EMERGENCY SUPPLIES LOCKER #1", he opened it and found the dehydrated ration pack (camp stove and purification tablets included) and Large Medkit.

In the bottom half were several plastic jugs filled with water, lids capped with breakaway tabs to ensure they were not previously used. There were also several boxes of juice.
Tina Marie Lassiter
NPC, 4 posts
RECON K-44
Scout/Demo
Tue 17 May 2016
at 02:31
  • msg #13

A Long Road to Paradise II

In reply to James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire (msg # 10):

"Well thank you suh. Quite the gentleman. Just the thing for my parched throat."
She smiled again, flirting with Jimmy a little. An effect spoiled by a dry cough from a parched throat.
Tim Charles White
player, 11 posts
RECON K-44
TL/Gunner
Tue 17 May 2016
at 02:40
  • msg #14

A Long Road to Paradise II

In reply to Mahalina Rae Powell (msg # 11):

"Great Lina, let me know when you have command on the line." He moved the periscope down and began to scan the surrounding area while taking note of the readings being give by the sensors.

The date kept flashing into his train of thought as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing.
Project Director
GM, 69 posts
Tue 17 May 2016
at 02:57
  • msg #15

A Long Road to Paradise II

In reply to Tim Charles White (msg # 14):

The periscope was power-assisted to allow it to push through a metre or so of dirt.

When it broke through the surface, it showed that it was daytime. They were in a thick forest (not unexpected, most of this part of Washington outside the I-5 corridor was forest; logging was a major source of revenue). They were in shadow dut to the trees.

It was raining.
Tim Charles White
player, 12 posts
RECON K-44
TL/Gunner
Tue 17 May 2016
at 03:21
  • msg #16

A Long Road to Paradise II

In reply to Project Director (msg # 15):

Tim gave the periscope several 360 degree turns before taking his head away from the eye piece. "Listen up everyone. We are in somewhat dense forest and it is raining as expected. I saw no signs of human activity and all the sensors seem to indicate everything is O.K atmosphere wise outside of the bolt hole. So we are moving out in 120 mikes. I also need a volunteer to egress via the personnel exit to check we are going to be able to open the main doors. Once you have finished with your personal gear I want everyone to work up the ranger and load it. Any questions ? Alright lets get to it."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:43, Tue 17 May 2016.
Mahalina Rae Powell
player, 16 posts
RECON K-44
Comms/Tech
Tue 17 May 2016
at 03:27
  • msg #17

A Long Road to Paradise II

In reply to Tim Charles White (msg # 14):

"Copy that.  Breaking radio silence on your command.", Lina answered.  She consulted the laminated card on her lanyard and then set the radio to the appropriate frequency and crypto code.

She listened for a few moments.  Then she keyed the microphone twice and waited.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:54, Tue 17 May 2016.
Project Director
GM, 70 posts
Tue 17 May 2016
at 03:37
  • msg #18

A Long Road to Paradise II

In reply to Tim Charles White (msg # 16):

Once the periscope was raised it could measure the atmosphere for chemical, biological or radiological hazards. The first two were clear, which was not terribly unlikely. Without knowing their exact location it was impossible to know the natural background radiation for this area but nevertheless the count seemed quite low.

This was also to be expected. The whole point to freezing teams for up to five years post-war was to wait for any fallout to decay away due to a very short half-life. At this point isotopes with longer half-lives would probably be washed away or buried at this point. Even the rain didn't seem to be radioactive to any degree. It was probable that areas closer to the reactor at Hanford or the sub base at Bangor were still highly radioactive due to the extremely long half-lives of the isotopes stored there. Most cities would be safe by now as long as they were hit by nuclear airbursts.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:38, Tue 17 May 2016.
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