Major von Fischer gained some additional information from the prisoner.

The MAJOR wanted to know, was he a GOOD plumber? How good?

[GM] According to this guy, he was the best. Of course, wouldn't anyone say that, given his situation and the conditions in 2003. :)

Pipefitter was where he actually started his career. Yes, he can weld and do some small engine work too. He said he had been pulling guard duty as punishment for stealing food...

He does seem to be smart, however. Certainly above average in intelligence. Other characterizations : 5'9", 250#. Flabby, and wheezes when walking for more than 30-40 meters. He does appear to have a quickness of step, however. When one of the dogs came at him, he hopped out of the way, and dodged the snapping mouth of one of the larger critters that came to check him out.

The prisoner listens to all that is said. He asks if anyone knows Petey Slade. And how he's doing. Petey could vouch for him, he says...

===================

MAJ von Fischer's Elves have been busy. Here is a summary of their recent activities.

[GM] Wiz has really been battered around by different requests. He has delegated the workload fairly effectively, netting him an increase of skill to Leadership - 2. Congrats!

Plans for a canal thru camp were cancelled due to the elevation above the river.

A still for production of wood alcohol was completed. Wood has been gathered, covering operation until 07 MAY 2003. Output for first day of operation was 5 liters. (Normal).

Wiz was given a request for smoke grenades, and 40mm smoke rounds for the M79/M203 weapons. Wiz is being assisted by SGT Berger, who was a Chemistry teacher before the war. It is simpler to make smoke grenades than it is to make the 40mm rounds. A day or perhaps 2 are needed to complete the smoke grenades. It might be longer for the 40mm rounds, how long is not known at this time.

The design for smoke grenades is 100% completed, 90% of the parts are on hand, and all that is really needed is more time to work on them.

Design for the 40mm smoke rounds is 10% completed. 50% of the parts are on hand. Some of the time/effort expended with the grenades will pay off in making the 40mm rounds. Berger suggested saving the expended casings from any 40mm rounds used, so that there will be something to work with.

Also, he and MS Whittaker have been hashing out ideas for a windmill to supply/supplement electrical current for the camp. Brooke will be the lead on this project, with assistance from Jack Booker, an electrical specialist. Planning is 75% completed, and 50% of the needed parts have been located. The windmill will generate DC current (aka batteries). A DC to AC converter will be required to run appliances, most lights, etc. Booker is working up one. It might be a good idea to scrounge for one. Power substations might have some stuff useful in constructing one.

Brooke has also been tasked with assessing the roads / infrastructure in the area. This project has not been started. Another area of interest for RISC was the vulnerability of the area to natural disasters. Flooding had been a problem over the past several years. Severe flooding occurred in the area in 1972(Agnes), 1978, 1996, and Winter 2002-2003. Currently, the river is abnormally high. This is due to the destruction of several dams further north on the Susquehanna. The conditions have existed since Winter 2002-2003, and will continue to perhaps June or July, when the heat has a chance to work on the excess ground water.

The flip side of the heightened river conditions is that the river now forms a better barrier between the mutineers in Sunbury/Northumberland, and the 3/103 troops here in Lewisburg. The locals relate that at times, one could walk across the river without getting your bellybutton wet. That certainly is not the case now. LT CDR Everett has been taking some rudimentary data from the river. Being a Navy man, he would be interested in such things...

Doc has primarily been concerned with treating those in the camp. That keeps him very busy. He's also the XO of RISC. That also keeps him busy. His main concern lately has been prevention/detection of disease in the camp as well as the AO. So far nothing has turned up, but as near as Vicksburg (the next little town 4 miles away on RT 45) the plague had wiped everyone out. And Doc and Wiz remember what they saw in Port Trevorton, and points north on RT 15, before joining the 3/103....

Sean has been assigned to investigate the political/economic scene in the AO. RISC needs to know what is up in this area.

SSG Sherman has been working toward outfitting RISC for mobile operations. This includes finding survival gear, field toolkits, and so on. When asked, LT CDR EVERETT, the Armory Officer and Motorpool Officer is somewhat less than helpful. No extra weapons will be allocated to RISC. Sherman passes this on to MAJ FISCHER, who passes it up the line to COL STRYFE. STRYFE has not been available for several hours, now...

However, EVERETT does indicate the following vehicles which are now assigned to RISC: (all have a tankfull of fuel appropriate to their engine)

Medical HUMVEE (Doc's)
M88 Armor Recovery Vehicle.
Chevy Blazer.
GMC 6 TON Dumptruck.

========================

LT1 Jackson took command of the camp from 1400 to 1600 hours on 03 MAY 03. There were no attacks, raids, or any other unusual incidents. It did not appear that this was some sort of "test", or even punishment. At most, it was a good opportunity to get a look at the admin side of running a BTN, albeit one of only 150 men. Plus it was a chance to meet some of the many people Wiz hadn't intereacted with yet.

Some people noticed that the COL and the other senior officers were nowhere to be found for this period of time. It didn't take long for Wiz to realize that he was the only other officer in camp. That alone might be why he was put in charge for the afternoon. Apparently the COL and the SR Officers were having some sort of meeting. And the other new guy, LT1 Jones, was apparently away from camp on a mission. Yep, Wiz was the only guy with tin on his shoulders in this place.

Wiz interacted some more with SGT Berger, who was also the BTN clerk, and SGM Royce, the BTN Senior NCO or "Top". Both men were different. Berger was an ex-Chemistry teacher. Royce was from the Canadian Army, although his accent was comically like Scotty from Star Trek. Both men cursed as though it was poetry. Berger seemed highly intelligent. Royce seemed hungover. Berger was in his mid to late 30's, Royce was pushing 60, Wiz bet.

While different, both men each had their own way of getting things done. Berger pushed admin things thru by brute force, by weasling, and by other skills learned in the business world. Royce relied on intimidation, but a good-natured sort of intimidation. Both were likeable.

Finally, the COL emerged from his tent right on time, found Wiz, saluted, asked for a report, and relieved him of command of the BTN. He even added a "Well done, son..." as he pivoted on his heel. As for the reasons for this assignment, Wiz asked the COL if he may ask why he was so assigned, and the COL replied, "No, you may not."

Later...
Von Fischer made a request of Wiz.

"LT Jackson, from you I want a rundown of the current state of affairs of all equipment currently in the unit, as well as an assessment of our current manufacturing capabilities with particular emphasis on how they can be improved and where in the area we can go to get the equipment to improve them.

Wiz reported on the vehicles. Most are in average condition. Considering the numbers of people in the camp, you really could stand to have more vehicles, especially 4x4's and/or vehicles with larger cargo capacity. And then spares for them, things like batteries, tires, oil (good luck!), and so on.

As a side note, someone mentioned that the Mennonites and some of the Amish that are permitted to use tractors, make metal-tyred, spoked wheels for their vehicles. They rip the hell out of the roads around here.

Wiz had a word with the Mennonites and asked them politely to avoid using the roads when possible, in order to minimize the wear and tear. His request was well-received.

Wiz continued his report to the MAJOR.

The unit has several radios -- The main piece for the camp is a clunky home-built job made by CPL Wu. It looks like something out of a Frankenstein movie. Many frequencies aren't compatible with MIL radios, but this clunker has WAY better range than the MIL sets the 3/103 owns. Also there are 2- PRC 77(5km as backpack/25km as vehicle mounted), 2- PRC 68(2 km walkie talkie). Additionally, each of the HUMVEEs(1-Medical, 1- TOW ATGM, 1-M60 MG) has another PRC 77.

Sean Cunningham has recently related to someone where another improvised "Ham" radio might be found.

LT CDR Everett is the Armory officer, and was kindof tight with his toys that go pop and boom in the night. Reloading capabilities are limited to the following calibers: 30-06 rifle cartridges, and 12 guage shotgun shells. Brass, primers, bullets are all in short supply. So reloading supplies would be nice.

Berger has been working part time on making black powder. He has a nice little stockpile for his Civil War -era M1841 6 lbr. (3.67" bore). He has several rounds of grapeshot and solid shot, and is working up some explosive shells. He is spread awful thin recently, and they will have to wait.

With your rig up and running, there are two stills now operating in camp, stinking the place to high heaven. The specifics on Wiz's model are:
The Still weighs 700 KG, and uses 30 KG of wood to yield 5 liters of alcohol per day.

As a recap, the fermentation process takes 3 days start to end. Now that you are set up, it will be continuous so long as you supply the wood. One man could cut and ready the necessary wood in about 2.5 hours. The amount of wood that you had stockpiled, 120 KG, which will cover operation until 07 MAY 03, or until the process is interrupted. A third still really couldn't hurt. The boosted output would be worth the effort.

All sorts of tools -- carpentry, mechanical, electrical, etc. are in short supply. Mostly whatever the PCs or the Amish brought to the camp is all that there is.

Medical supplies certainly could be augmented, but that's really Doc's field.

In grilling the locals, there doesn't seem to be alot of industry currently happening in Central PA. Things were slow before the war, and it only got worse. There are some rumors / leads that might be worth checking out. Differing amounts of info are there for different places. Again, no guarantees on the validity.

Leer is a company specializing in truck caps and campers. It is located in Milton.

Warshow is a textile company in Milton. Very close to ACF.

International paper is a large stinky (still!) paper plant in Lewisburg. Near Evangelical Hospital, just off RT 15. Shut down for about 3 years.

American Cable is a wire cable (think suspension bridges) manufacturer in Lewisburg. They also did some electronics parts contracts during the war. Shut down for a year or more.

PP&L is a huge power company in PA. Plants in Hughsville and Shamokin Dam have been offline for 18 months or so.

ACF is a railroad car manufacturing plant in Milton. It actually produced THE first railroad car back in the 1800's! It was nearly out of work until the war. The war picked up business there for awhile, but then it fell off a few years ago.

Comfort-Rite is a furniture company in Milton & Lewisburg. They made expensive stuff before the war, then went back to utilitarian stuff as the conflict dragged on. They were quite large at one time.

Wood Mode is a cabinetry factory in Kramer. RT 522 east of Selinsgrove.

Ritz Craft is a modular home builder in Mifflinburg RT 45 and Middleburg RT 522. Large facilities. Offline since about 2000.

Textron is a textile factory in Sunbury. Smelly(still!). Probably in enemy hands if it is functional.

There also was another US Govt. Armory in Sunbury. Certainly in enemy hands.

As the area is mostly small towns and agricultural, there are probably some farms in the area! (Smart assed GM) The 3/103 camp maintains an agri area west of the town, and they've traded with some farmers from Mifflinburg. The town in between, Vicksburg, was the scene of a Plague not long ago, so traffic thru there has been infrequent.

There's most certainly more out there -- some functional, maybe, others not. This is just what people told Wiz when he got to know people during your tour as CO.

Fischer also requested Wiz's recommendations regarding a training program to start turning out fledgeling mechanics. Nothing too technical - just the basics.

There's no shortage of things to fix. While you're at it, some machinists to build needed parts, and make new tools would probably be good, too.

Finally, I'd like you to put your head together with Ms. Whittacker and brainstorm some ideas for basic mechanical items that might improve the standard of living in the Central Pennsylvania area -- water driven mills, basic composting equipment, anything that might help."

Wiz was proud to say he had brainstormed a windmill electric generator project with Whittaker and Booker. It just needs some time to be completed.

Composting is being done by the Amish. They waste nothing. The river is too far below the level of the camp to divert into a canal, but, a mill riverside might work.

As for the satellite uplink, you have done alot over the last few days. You checked the uplink out, and probably could set it up with Von Fischer's computer, but with everything else, you've just not had time to monkey with it much.

MAJ von Fischer wished he could comply with all of the requests RISC received, but that was not a realistic wish. He sent out the following memo.

FROM: MAJ. ERIC VON FISCHER
TO: MAJ. RYAN TAYLOR
CC: Records

SUBJECT: EQUIPMENT REQUISISTION

The materials you requested - HE smoke grenades, 40 mm grenades, and night vision equipment, are not currently available. Production of HE smoke grenades should commence within 72 hours. Production of 40mm grenades is currently hampered by a lack of parts - any expended casings for 40mm smoke rounds that you could return would be helpful. It is doubtful that it will be possible to manufacture night vision equipment with materials currently available, although it may be possible to cobble together some from broken equipment. As RISC expands operations into the civilian areas surrounding the camp it may be possible to locate functioning and/or salvageable equipment, particularly civilian items such as Bushnell monoculars.

Eric von Fischer, MAJ. USARMY
CO RISC

========================

Soon after this, MAJ. von Fischer looks up SSG Sherman.

"Sergeant, I wanted to take a few minutes to talk to you about your job in RISC, and get your input as well.

"I have three jobs in mind for you. The first is operational security. When RISC teams go out into the field - and I expect some of us will be going out any day - I need you to make sure that they go out with the best chance of coming back alive that you can give them. Check their equipment out before they leave, go over fallback sites and evacuation routes in case they run into trouble, if they take a radio make certain that someone on the team knows how to use it. Anything and everything that you can think of that will improve the team's chances. Right now we're pretty small, but I expect that as we bring in more people this job will get larger and larger. Since most of the people we bring in will probably be civilians, it will also get more and more difficult."

"Second, I'd like you to start coming up with a militia training program for the locals. Nothing fancy to start with - just basic weapon familiarity, small unit tactics, teamwork, and confidence building. Eventually RISC is going to start moving out into the communities and, I hope, taking some instructors with them to teach the locals. One of the things that they need to know is how to protect themselves. Once you get the program up and running, we can start training up the local militias to a higher quality and looking for potential leaders to undergo more advanced training. We'll also start recruiting some of the best and brightest to form a security element for RISC, and you're tapped to head that up if we get it off the ground. You might want to talk to SGT Berger - he was a teacher before things went to heck, and he might be able to give you advice on planning a curriculum."

"The third job I have for you is strictly private - between you and me. It concerns Sean Cunningham. I don't know if you have worked with Mr. Cunningham in the past, but I've gotten some disturbing reports about him. He could be a valuable asset to RISC, but right now he drinks too much and he smokes too much and he does too many drugs for me to be able to trust him. He's also a loner, and RISC isn't an outfit for loners."

"I need you to either straighten Cunningham out or to tell me that he's beyond straightening. I know that your background is with the civil and military police, and I realize that you may have strong opinions on substance abuse. But you need to know that I need Cunningham - he has skills that are hard to find. I'm giving you a free hand to handle this situation - you can go as easy or as hard on him as you feel you need to just as long as we don't lose him. Just keep me apprised of the situation and do let me know if you plan anything particularly severe."

[Sherman]
As von Fischer outlines the specific tasks, Sherman listens intently. Although sure he is not the right man for the job, he suspects that just might be the case for everyone involved in RISC including the Major. Still RISC sounds like it could actually do some good and Sherman doesn't want to let anyone down.

"Major I will do my best. As for Mr Cunningham I'll keep a close eye on him and keep you informed of my findings."

Sherman is troubled by what the Major has says about Cunningham... sounds like he could be a problem.

[Fischer]
"Good. Let me know how it goes. Also I'd like a preliminary proposal for a militia training program within a week."

When he was dismissed, Sherman wasted no time in getting started. After several hours, he had sketched out the basics for at least part of his assignment.

Develope/Implement Basic Training Course.

The Basic Training Course will:

1 - Provide Basic firearms skills.
2 - Instruction on teamwork and confidence building activites.

The Aim of the Basic Training Course is to:

1 - Create a militia cadre for defensive purposes in local communities.

The Basic Training Course runs for five consecutive days. Preferably Monday to Friday. Each day will have an eight hour duration. Divided into four two hour sessions. These sessions would include basic firearms familiarity, firearms safety, firearms maitenance/cleaning, the last days of the Basic Training Course would be spent on the rifle range in live firing exercises. Each day would also include sessions on the obstacle/confidence course. All participants would be expected to adhere to basic military discipline.

*It is expected that those that undertake the Basic Training Course will have little or no military experience.

*The one week duration of the course is because those that undertake it will all be partime militia only.

Course numbers will be from 10 to 15 participants. Optimum number, ten.

*Due to limited resources larger courses are unavailiable at this time.

A single instructor will be required, excepting for live fire exercises when additional instructors will be required for range safety and supervision.

Initially the Course will be designed to be carried out using the facilities at the Lewisburg HQ of the 3/103rd. Participants will live on site and will be provided meals and accomodation.

*As resources become availiable instructors will be able to go into local communites and set up Basic Training Courses.

Consideration must be made for course participants. All who will be members of local communities who have many pressing needs. The least of which will be providing able bodied persons to undergo Militia training.

The Basic Training Program can also be enhanced with additional training programs. These could include small unit tactics, leadership skills and instructor courses.

*These additional training programs will be provided as resources become availiable.

SSGT John Sherman.

[Sherman] These are Shermans plans for his Basic Training course. Sherman will now look for a place where he can set up a rifle range and obstacle course. Looking at the map of Lewisburg could a rifle range be set south of the town. In the wedge shaped area to the left of the Brown Street running alongside the railroad. Shermans main concerns are safety, safety and safety. The ideal site would be safe and have some buildings that can be used as classrooms. Sherman will also set up an obstacle course. Which will include the usual walls to climb, tyres to run through, ropes to swing on and tunnels to crawl through. The course is not there to provide physical fitness but to provide opportunities to build teamwork and group problem solving. eg the wall that is about ten foot tall and most people would find impossible to scale, but if others where lifted to the top and then they pulled others over or the largest member of a group is put on a stretcher and then all the others have to carry them through the obstacles.

Develope/Implement Basic Training Course 4 HRS Outfit RISC 2HRS RISC HQ Duties 2 HRS Sleep 10HRS (*recuperating) Free Time 6 HRS

Outfit RISC - I gather that there is not to much to go around. Most RISC personnal will pretty much be supplying there own weapons and equipment. So Sherman will not bother to much in trying to take equipment which is no doubt needed more badly in other areas. Things are scarce and RISC personnal will be required to improvise. Also Sherman does not like the XO of the 103rd LCDR Everett that much. Ever since the remarks Everett made about Hannah when Sherman was first interrogated (Everetts comments may have been nescessary but Sherman does not see it that way. There are just things you don't say). Sherman would work with Everett but maybe not share a beer with him.

However he will try to obtain certain common items:

A basic load for each member in the RISC Team comprising - fatigues (boots, socks, gloves, poncho, undergarments etc), pack, combat webbing, knife, flashlight, half shelter, sleeping bag, parka, kevlar helmet, kevlar vest, personal medical kit, gas mask, survival kit (matches, magnifying glass, canteen etc) and one week MRE's.

Also a variety of civilian clothes for 'undercover' RISC operations.

Other 'luxury' items for the RISC store will include:

Engineer Demolitions Kit Basic Hand Tools Wheeled Vehicle Tools Excavating Tools Construction Tools Small Arms Tools Heavy Ordanance Tools Hand Held Radios Man Portable Radio Binoculars IR goggles/night vision devices Geiger counters/chemical sniffers Medical Supplies Tents (various sizes) General Equipment (jerry cans, chain, rope, padlocks etc)

RISC HQ Duties I will send some posts to Edmund and Chuck re converstions with them regarding the Sean Cunningham 'problem' and looking into the suitability of using Guiness and the other dogs roaming the camp.

Free Time Will be spent getting to know the area around the camp as well as getting to know the locals, like Mr James De La Croix. Sherman wants to put the feelers out on who's who and establish himself in the small community. He will not say much but will listen to what others have to say. He will not be unfriendly, simply business like and to the point. Sherman also has a great respect for the Amish folk. He regards them as hardworking and honest. Sherman will spend an hour or two ironing his clothes (using a heated rock?) and making sure his appearence is neat and tidy. Not to the point of spit and polish but SSGT John Sherman will always be well turned out. As for personal recreation. Making his own fishing equipment and looking for a good place to fish (how about from banks of St Anthonys Street Park). Dragging on old lounge chair down to the river bank, playing the Slim Whitman tape he brought form the PX and then getting the mess staff to cook up his dinner (giving the cooks a fish as well). Sherman will of course like to see Hannah and find out how she is doing. Spending time talking to her and listning to what she has been up to.

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