Price of Freedom: Chapter 1: Oakland Bridge is falling down

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max_vale
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Price of Freedom: Chapter 1: Oakland Bridge is falling down

#1 Post by max_vale »

Approximately 11:32 AM, Friday, May 1st, 1987; Imperial Court Apartments; Oakland, California


The past few months have seen a massive and completely unexpected change in the world's situation. The Soviets had told the world a few months back that they had a working 'Star Wars' nuclear missile defense system and then demanded the surrender of most of the Western powers immediately.

Most had thought it ludicrous bravado but soon the Soviets were launching full scale invasions into Western Europe and utilizing a handful of Strategic nukes to hit a few sites in Europe to shock the world into realizing that they were serious. President Murphy of the United States, authorized a limited retaliatory strike in response and when the Soviets neutralized it with their shield, the entire world froze in panic and disbelief.

Instead of launching the all out, nation destroying nuclear response; the Soviets instead re-iterated their demand to surrender and this time, President Murphy agreed; as did most of Europe and Canada. England refused to surrender and they suffered a massive nuclear strike in response. China, Japan and South Korea formed an alliance and declared themselves neutral while the Soviets made ready to begin landing military forces in the United States begining on May Day; to ensure things are ready for the 'transition' to Soviet control.

In Oakland, California; a combination of masses of people fleeing for the hills; looting and pillaging and military forces deciding to stay and fight as the flights are inbound to major airports carrying large numbers of Soviet troops is all taking place. Half-a-dozen people who have decided to become resistance fighters gather in the apartment of Saul Silverman; a Sergeant First Class (SFC) in the National Guard; and noted mercenary.

These 6 include:

Police SGT Deacon 'Deac' Hays, who as been friends with Saul since serving in his platoon in Vietnam almost 20 years ago and Rafael "Raffy" Cabrera; a streetwise, gang member who Deac has mentored and who Hays picked up on his drive over in his 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass; which he had to park on the street across from the apartments due to the insanity of smashed cars; looted and tossed out equipment and just crazy traffic that is blocking most of the roads in the area. Cabrera went along with Hays partly because he likes the idea of fighting the Soviets; but mostly because the trip brings him near the area of the city where the Street gang known as the the 'Dead Heads' operates and Raffy wants revenge on them for killing his older brother and putting him in the hospital as well….

Both Hays and Cabrera are surprised to see a pair of women there; one of whom each of them know. Deacon knows FBI Agent Lisa Accardo; who has driven her small Ford Escort Hatchback and managed to maneuver into the tight, walled and gated parkling lot of the Apartment by showing her FBI badge to the extremely nervous and obviously armed guard/attendant in his locked little house. Lisa has brought along her roommate, a nurse by the name of Jennifer 'Jenny' Ling, who also happened to be the nurse who stumbled upon a wounded and bleeding Raffy Cabrera and saw to it that he was patched up and survived his shooting while also never telling the cops about his gang affiliation….

Finally, Billy Barstowe who is a neighbor of Saul's; had arrived back at the apartments early that morning after driving out to the Sacramento area to a cabin where his Dad is holing up and retrieving some supplies and weapons in his Ford F-150 pickup truck and deciding to come back to Oakland to see if he can drum up a resistance group with his neighbor Saul….which looks like it is already begining to happen….

Saul thinks that taking this group to the Oakland Army Base, near the Bay Bridge is probably the first thing they should do, as he feels that Colonal Echmenedy, his Commanding Officer, isn't likely to follow the surrender order and fellow soldiers and military weapons and equipment are to be found there. Saul looks up to see the others looking at him….

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Re: Price of Freedom: Chapter 1: Oakland Bridge is falling d

#2 Post by Dram »

Saul- Lisa, Billy did you guys have problems getting here? We must get to the Army base in Oakland. [Colonal Echmenedy will help us get supplies we may need. He looks to Lisa and Billy for a response.
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Re: Price of Freedom: Chapter 1: Oakland Bridge is falling d

#3 Post by Nuke66 »

Raffy is taken aback a bit. "You wanna go there? Are you f*ckin' kidding me, we need to get the hell outta town, not toward a strategic target."

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Re: Price of Freedom: Chapter 1: Oakland Bridge is falling d

#4 Post by FantasyChic »

Lisa takes a few moments, but responds in turn "We can't just leave and expect everything to be all right, we need a specific target and the army base seems as good an option as any right now. I imagine the chaos going on will make it somewhat easier to get inside."
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Re: Price of Freedom: Chapter 1: Oakland Bridge is falling d

#5 Post by Dogma »

"Just calm down Raffy." says Deacon from his spot against the wall by the window. "Saul's right. If we're going to make a stand against these commie bastards and expect to survive we need the right equipment. Military stuff."

The police officer moves the curtain aside slightly and peers down to the street. "Things are getting crazy out there and the roads are getting clogged up. We can try driving to the base. I got my Cutlass, but I don't think it will hold all of us. Rest of us can load up in Billy's truck. See how far we get. Probably end up having to walk at some point."

"Saul, what you got for food in this place? We best pack what we can before we go."

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Re: Price of Freedom: Chapter 1: Oakland Bridge is falling d

#6 Post by Monsieur Rose »

Jenny looks around the room and hopes she made the right decision coming here with Lisa. This Saul guy looks the part and the Cop looks competent and familiar. She is surprised to see Raffy here, and in much better condition. The biggest shock comes from the man in the corner, who she hasn't seen for years.

"Billy, what are you doing here? I didn't know you were in Oakland. How's your music going?"

She turns to the larger group and introduces herself:
"Hey. I'm Jenny, Lisa's roommate and a registered nurse. I don't know what you all have planned, but if we are going to do this we will need medical supplies."

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Re: Price of Freedom: Chapter 1: Oakland Bridge is falling d

#7 Post by Scott308 »

Billy Barstowe

I had no problems getting here, Saul. I was driving pretty early in the morning so that might have had something to do with it, but most traffic was heading out of town. Not a bad idea. We'll be much better off holing up in the woods somewhere, make it harder for the Russkies to find us.

He smiles when he replies to Jenny. Yeah, I'm doin' all right, I guess. I had a couple songs that got some spin in bars and made me a few bucks, but nothing major. Laughing, he shakes his head. I actually was asked to be in Metallica after they kicked Mustaine out, but I turned them down. Without the best musician in the band anymore, I figured they'd go nowhere. Instead, they headline arenas and tour the world. I'm happy if there are 50 people willing to pay the cover at the bar when I play. Guess it doesn't matter much anymore. But it would have been nice to travel the world, making kids go crazy when they hear my music.
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Re: Price of Freedom: Chapter 1: Oakland Bridge is falling d

#8 Post by Nuke66 »

Raffy comments. "We sure as hell ain't gonna survive a direct fight, we need to resort to guerrilla tactics. That means supplies and lots of them, but going to the base to get them still doesn't seem like the brightest idea."

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Re: Price of Freedom: Chapter 1: Oakland Bridge is falling d

#9 Post by Dogma »

"So where else do you know of where we can get our hands on the weapons and supplies we need?" replies Deacon to Raffy. "And I mean real weapons, not that gang banger stuff you're used too."

"While were on the subject of supplies, Lisa, where's the best place we get medical supplies?"

Max, is there a hospital or clinic somewhere along the way to the base? Heck, even a CVS is better than nothing :)

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Re: Price of Freedom: Chapter 1: Oakland Bridge is falling d

#10 Post by Dram »

Saul- Shakes his head as the others talk about what they should do. As I said people we need to get to the military base. They have all the supplies we need. Weapons,ammo and medical possibly even vehicles. If anyone has a place where we can find these things in one spot I am all for it.
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Re: Price of Freedom: Chapter 1: Oakland Bridge is falling d

#11 Post by Scott308 »

Billy Barstowe

The problem with going to a military base, is that it will likely be full of military personnel who are not going to let us walk in and take guns and supplies. If there is no longer a military presence, I would doubt anything we'd be able to use would still be there. But, I'm willing to go if that is what we decide.
Sometimes this summer I will most likely be participating in another 24 hour game of Dungeons & Dragons as part of Extra Life. This organization uses gaming to help raise money to donate to children's hospitals. I'm raising money for Marshfield Children's Hospital in Marshfield, WI, and all money I raise will go to that hospital. All donations are tax-deductible. Please take a moment to check out my donation page below. Thank you.

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Re: Price of Freedom: Chapter 1: Oakland Bridge is falling d

#12 Post by Dram »

OCC- Are the mountains in the direction of the base?
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Re: Price of Freedom: Chapter 1: Oakland Bridge is falling d

#13 Post by Monsieur Rose »

Jenny speaks up. "The best place for meds is any hospital nearby. The base would have plenty, as would the University Hospitals."

"It seems like we all came here to Saul's for a reason. I'm good with whatever he suggests."

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Re: Price of Freedom: Chapter 1: Oakland Bridge is falling d

#14 Post by FantasyChic »

"We're dealing with a War pretty much here. We're going to have to do things outside of our norms. I for one don't want to break into an army base, but if it's for the betterment of my country, I'll do whatever is necessary. If you don't agree, the door is right over there."
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Re: Price of Freedom: Chapter 1: Oakland Bridge is falling d

#15 Post by Nuke66 »

"Woman, we are outside our norms, I get it, our country has just been invaded and worse. All I'm sayin' is that we are gonna be nothin' but targets in a deuce-and-a-half or a hummer. Hell, we're better off in a couple of pick-ups and a Geo Metro." Raffy starts. "I agree we could use some stuff, Meds, MREs, Tools, Guns and ammo, we just gotta stay under the radar, inconspicuous for you highbrow folks."

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Re: Price of Freedom: Chapter 1: Oakland Bridge is falling d

#16 Post by FantasyChic »

Lisa walks up to Raffy, right in his face "That's Lisa to you. Or Miss Accardo if I'm feeling particularly bitchy. We have to work together so watch the tongue or I'll watch it for you when I rip it out of your mouth. Do we understand each other? she asks. Her tone is not violent, but the threat still has hints of venom in it.
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Re: Price of Freedom: Chapter 1: Oakland Bridge is falling d

#17 Post by Dogma »

"Alright people. Stow that shit and save it for the Russians." barks Deacon. "The longer we wait around here debating what to do, the more dangerous it's going to get out there. You folks can sit around and talk 'til your faces are blue. Me? I'm heading to the base. Anyone want to go with me, we're leaving in 10 minutes. So pack your gear and move your rear."

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Re: Price of Freedom: Chapter 1: Oakland Bridge is falling d

#18 Post by max_vale »

Approximately Noon (12:00 PM), Friday, May 1st, 1987; Imperial Court Apartments; Oakland, California


The group of nascent freedom fighters meet each other and discuss their next steps; sometimes with some heat; it's eventually decided to head to the Oakland Army Base; down on the waterfront. Saul gathers his gear in a Duffle Bag and they head down to the outdoor fenced in parking lot next to the Apartment building where Billy's truck and Lisa's small car are located and right outside of which is parked Deacon's big car. As they get down there; trouble immediately confronts them....

Several cars have had their windshields and/or windows smashed; including Lisa's Ford Escort Hatchback and several others are actually on fire. Luckily, it would appear that Billy's truck hasn't been touched yet and at this angle, the group can't tell about Deacon's Oldsmobile Cutlass. The cause of the destruction is obvious; a dozen gang members; all young men of various ethnicities*; are in the parking lot or right outside of it; all of them armed with either pistols, switchblades or molotov cocktails** and they seem to be engaging in a binge of destruction for no apparent reason....other than perhaps the fact that their unnaturally bright and/or bloodshot eyes would suggest they're all hopped up on at least 1 and perhaps several illegal substances...

The dozen young men all have shaved heads, except for a mohawk strip of hair down the center and all are wearing leather or jean jackets with the sleeves cut off and filthy jean pants and combat boots; all with the same emblem on the back; a mohawked skull with fangs and the name "DEAD HEADS" in black lettering underneath the picture. The armed parking attendant was half-hanging out of his booth; blood dripping from several wounds and from his unnaturally stiff posture, he was most likely deceased. His .38 revolver was still hanging in his fingers; apparently having done him little good. A woman was sniffling in the corner with ripped clothes and bruises on her face and a look in her eyes that she had perhaps just experienced something arguable worse than death and an old couple were huddled against a car on their knees with a couple of Dead Heads maniacally laughing and insulting them from a few feet away.

As the group came forward; the various gang members slowly became aware of them and they all turned to face the group; a moment of tense silence suddenly cutting through the air***....


*Picture the 'Warriors' from the 1979 movie of the same name; except none of them are remotely 'good' and more like Ajax from the film. Note: These are the same 'Dead Heads' that killed Raffy's brother and nearly him as well just a few weeks ago

**Deacon, Saul and Lisa would be able to rapidly ascertain that there are 5 gang members with pistols (3 revolvers, 2 with semi-automatic pistols); 5 with Switchblades and 2 with Molotov cocktails....and chains wrapped around their waists...

**Everyone has a pistol in a pocket, holster, etc. they can quickly draw and Saul also has his Uzi in his bag, but it will take a turn to draw it out from there if he so chooses.

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Re: Price of Freedom: Chapter 1: Oakland Bridge is falling d

#19 Post by Dram »

Saul quickly searches for a place to take cover. IF this is going to be a fight take out the Molotov's first then the pistols. Saul pulls his Uzi from his Duffel bag.
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Re: Price of Freedom: Chapter 1: Oakland Bridge is falling d

#20 Post by Nuke66 »

"F#ckin' A this is gonna be a fight." Raffy says as he moves to cover as he draws his pistol. He waits a bit for the others to get ready as he selects a target, picking out the leader, before he aims carefully and squeezing off his first shot.

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