Auxilary MP Vehicles

[natehale1971]

I've been thinking of the Auxiliary Morrow Project vehicles... instead of military vehicles, i wasn't just thinking of civilian vehicles such as 4x4 ATVs, snowmobiles and the like.

But converted SUVs and other off-road vehicles that have fusion power plants. I had this idea for the Council for/of Tomorrow who used fusion powered SUVs for the PMC security detachments that protected their own bunkers and emergency retreats.

I had also thought of a few of these industrialists having their own versions of the vehicles used to transport the president, the armored limo called 'the beast', and armored Cadillac Escalade SUVs.

The biggest reason i was thinking of the Morrow Project using these kinds of vehicle is this... Some of the Specialty teams need to present a definite non-threatening and non-military look. And these kind of SUVs are perfect for this, because they appear non-threatening... but also have the look of authority (because they've been used so much by law enforcement & other governmental agencies).

What about it? Is there a place for fusion powered civilian vehicles in the Project as well as the CoT? They're be less expensive than military vehicles, and easier to make (even with armoring & converting them over).

[kato13]

My stage II recon teams use a majority of civilian vehicles. Stage I are 10 x 4 man teams with no vehicles (that are shuttled at night via two helicopters) per region.

These two stages of teams are tasked with nearly pure recon (attempt for zero interaction) before the majority of the teams are awakened. They supplement the information gathered by long range RPVs (who along with meteorological teams are among the first teams that wake) in order to gather information so Prime can decide what order to deploy the majority of resources.

Given I don't want Morrow assets to be revealed during this time, civilian vehicles make a lot of sense.

[dragoon500ly]

If you are going to have a security patrol running around a base, then you would want vehicles that blend into the local background, and you would want them to look as disreputable as possible. I feel that outside of an urban environment, SUVs don't fit that bill. For all the hype about them being "sports utility", most SUVs have poor off-road perfromance, and restricting your patrols to roads would leave a lot of ground uncovered. A battered pickup, complete with rust stains, bondo, mud and maybe carrying a collection of battered tools and a ladder, would tend to be more "back ground noise", especially if the crew matched the appearance. Most people tend to look for obvious security, a grounds keeper, running a mower would almost pass unnoticed.

[natehale1971]

If you are going to have a security patrol running around a base, then you would want vehicles that blend into the local background, and you would want them to look as disreputable as possible. I feel that outside of an urban environment, SUVs don't fit that bill. For all the hype about them being "sports utility", most SUVs have poor off-road perfromance, and restricting your patrols to roads would leave a lot of ground uncovered. A battered pickup, complete with rust stains, bondo, mud and maybe carrying a collection of battered tools and a ladder, would tend to be more "back ground noise", especially if the crew matched the appearance. Most people tend to look for obvious security, a grounds keeper, running a mower would almost pass unnoticed.

Having grounds keepers as security works perfectly during pre-TEOTWAWKI for the project. and would be something they'd definately be doing. I was talking about post-TEOTWAWKI Event. Having equipment used by the Council of/for Tomorrow and their PMC security available for the Project's specialty teams to present as much of a non-threatening appearance as possible, but also having some kind of authority by their appearance.

Dodge Durangos and other Dodge trucks have been used by most of the military & law enforcement when it comes to auxiliary support vehicles for decades... so they might be a good model to use for that.

[dragoon500ly]

The more I sit here thinking about this...

It all depends on the footprint that you want to leave. If the intent is to conceal the location, then the vehicles have to match the local conditions. My concern with obvivious security vehicles, is that you are simply marking the target for the next bunch of raiders that come through. And that would be the prime consideration when selecting vehicles.

That also means that using fusion-powered may cause more harm than good, if you have KFS/Krell or some other group that knows about the project, then you're just paiting a target on the vehicle. Multi-fuel engine would be your safest choice.

[natehale1971]

The more I sit here thinking about this...

It all depends on the footprint that you want to leave. If the intent is to conceal the location, then the vehicles have to match the local conditions. My concern with obvivious security vehicles, is that you are simply marking the target for the next bunch of raiders that come through. And that would be the prime consideration when selecting vehicles.

That also means that using fusion-powered may cause more harm than good, if you have KFS/Krell or some other group that knows about the project, then you're just paiting a target on the vehicle. Multi-fuel engine would be your safest choice.

That's true... But the low-impact i'm talking of is dealing with actual Project activities/duties under the project banner. Like Medical or Psychological Operations teams. Civilian Vehicles are more approachable than Military ones. It's easier to open up to a guy (or girl) who drives up in an SUV instead of an APC or military style jeep.

Having Doctors and Counselors going around with light vehicles & armed escorts wouldn't be as threatening as heavy armored vehicles...

[dragoon500ly]

Ahhh, now I see where you are going.

If you're wanting to run things low impact, I'd suggest a Dodge/Ford/Chevy crew cab 4x4, maybe with a camper shell on the back. As far as a SUV, I'd tend more to a Land Rover style vehicle i.e. one better suited for cargo hauling then some Yuppie POS. That also opens up the fusion question.

If you are looking to be non-threatening, multi-fuel may still be a better choice from a blending in point of view. Team pulls up to a local, dressed in civilian clothes and inquires about the possibility of trading for fuel. Offering some of the contents of the trade pack or medical treatment in exchange...If you don't want to use multi-fuel, then electric, with two or more of the vehicles fitted with a fusion generator for recharging?

Hmmmm, a team that has been pried out of their resistweave, denied thier errr big turret, and forced to interact with the locals in a give-and-take.....I can think of at least three people who will be at a complete loss!!! :D

[natehale1971]

Ahhh, now I see where you are going.

If you're wanting to run things low impact, I'd suggest a Dodge/Ford/Chevy crew cab 4x4, maybe with a camper shell on the back. As far as a SUV, I'd tend more to a Land Rover style vehicle i.e. one better suited for cargo hauling then some Yuppie POS. That also opens up the fusion question.

If you are looking to be non-threatening, multi-fuel may still be a better choice from a blending in point of view. Team pulls up to a local, dressed in civilian clothes and inquires about the possibility of trading for fuel. Offering some of the contents of the trade pack or medical treatment in exchange...If you don't want to use multi-fuel, then electric, with two or more of the vehicles fitted with a fusion generator for recharging?

Hmmmm, a team that has been pried out of their resistweave, denied thier errr big turret, and forced to interact with the locals in a give-and-take.....I can think of at least three people who will be at a complete loss!!! :D

Yup.. exactly my point. The multi-fuel vehicle would be perfect for first contact/advanced recon type teams proposed by Kato. they'd allow for minimal high impact and avoid suspicion in the original timeframe of the project.

I was thinking of Hybrid type vehicles with a multi-fuel as it's primary (or at least appear as it's primary) form of energy production.

the low-impact teams would have people wearing the less imposing uniforms (ie the work khakis, either a button-up shirt or polo shirt), giving them an official look while not being overly intimidating. Of course they'd have resistweave ponchos/jackets to put on if they needed them, along with the possibility of 'bulletproof' underwear.