Game Log - Week 30

September 26, Wednesday;

The group, officially known as ACRO “Atlantic Community Research Organization” had received notification from the deputy finance minister to attend a meeting in Fredericton, in regards to their funding. While most projects were getting cut without any review, as part of the budget downsizing, a few were potentially valuable enough to be investigated.  Key members of the group packed up Yvan’s van and Kellyanna’s truck for the road trip. The presentation went very well.

On the way home an EMP caused by a high altitude nuclear explosion over the Eastern USA hit. ( see notes on effects of EMP ) Most cars on the highway came to a halt, a few crashed. Kellyanna’s former ambulance, having no computerized systems, was able to be restarted. But Yvan’s van being a newish model was out of action. So the group stripped down the van for everything they could use. Stranded motorists nearby watched in puzzlement and poked at their non functioning cell phones.

The group, now tightly stuffed into Kellyanna’s truck, took back roads home to the camp. They wanted to avoid the expected disaster site of the city. A wise choice because the EMP had started many fires, especially at industrial parks, and the fire departments had next to no working trucks. Although taking back roads added several hours to the trip, they arrived safely just before sunset.     

At the camp, people had been trying to repair the generator and take inventory of what had been damaged by the EMP. Although preparations for this event had been made, no one was mentally ready for it.  Spare parts for the electrical system of the diesel fueled generator were safely stored in the basement, but it took several hours to get the power back up. Only then could a full damage assessment be made.

Major Stone advised a heightened level of security and that most of the lights should be left off. He did not seriously expect an attack on the camp right away, but it was better to be safe than dead.

Once the road trip crew was home, a full group meeting was held.

September 27, Thursday

Kateri takes charge of building three gates, and tire traps, to cover the roads into the camp. There is talk of putting up guard posts, but Stone does not think it very practical to spend man power on them. Better to observe the area from the roof top of the main building.  

Marco and Mary spend the day getting a new short wave radio working. Of course there is not much to hear on the radio, aside from scattered amateur operators asking for info about what happened.  

Farmer Brown reminds people that the crops need to be harvested. Although he is all for alternative agriculture, he wants to get the tractor working again, so he and Scott spend most of the day working on it.

September 28, Friday

A recon team, MayLin and Zaka on bicycles, is sent into the nearby town of Sackville. They report that things are quiet and the damage not very serious in town. However on the way home, they are ambushed. Zaka is killed and MayLin injured.

After Doc performs surgery on her, a strike team is sent out looking for the bandits. They find Zaka’s body and one other victim, but the bandits are gone. Ranger Bob predicts they will use the spot again as an ambush site, but it’s hard to know exactly when.