Hmm, some of the things I read here remind me of snippets from Things no longer allowed involving shipgirls. Any reason for that?
Yes there is and to quote:
Both writers have been in that particular scene over the years...
Before the evacuation order, before the revelation that they aren't on their earth the City of Brockton Bay was a declining city with many looking to leave or how to reclaim their city, the only issue they have is that PRT Central Headquarters has left PRT ENE out hanging to dry against the city full of gangs and such many are more on how to leave the city.
When the Tinker's device activated everything went haywire thus everyone went back to using runners and landlines in an attempt to keep communications up, then when everyone can see the skies again they are treated to the sight of unknown aircraft flying overhead and the odd Air Force Jets or two flying by at high speed.
Then the revelation that the entire city of Brockton Bay was quite literally transported to another earth and they are surrounded by the forces of the State of Massachusetts not the state of New Hampshire, add to the fact that the US Military is also manning the cordon keeping them blockaded thus while the gangs are busy consolidating, the BBPD, BBFD, City Hall and various other groups meet up at the last place they expected, the Dockyards.
The Docks place might be a place of crumbling infrastructure, and as some might call it a place of unemployment, but the fact is that the Dockyards are the only place suited to move Heavy Cargo, yes you need an escort of armed BBPD or PRT Officers or Private Security, but the fact is as the only place you can receive and send heavy cargo the place is quite well off in terms of building condition.
The dockyards might not be able to fight off the big hitting gangs like the ABB and the E88 but they still kick the Merchants around enough that they stay away from the docks, and that is mostly due Lord's Port decline and destruction to the Boat Graveyard that killed the main source of income for the docks.
But some of those Cargo vessels weren't all Civilians, some were carrying military cargo for overseas sales, and the US Federal Government looked the other way when the Dockworkers salvage the cargo inside as recovered salvage and ignored all the armored cars, infantry small arms, infantry webbing kit and some heavy duty weapons being salvaged.
The Dockworkers wasn't the only one but they were the ones that managed to get all the heavier equipment thus the City gangs are known to have a poletera of M16A1s, Colt M1911A1s, some M3 Grease Guns and US Infantry webbing from the Foreign Military Sales cargo that was on those ships, and those are spread all over the gangs.
But the Dockworkers got most of the good stuff and it wasn't some cheap stuff that would've been considered outdated, but the more modern equipment that the US military was using at the time thus if one comes to the Dockyard they will see it protected by Dockyard Security, and not the usual mall cop with a 9mm or 45 in a uniform with a duty belt.
But even with all that firepower they don't actively fight the gangs, the ones they do are Merchants that tend to trespass and was kicked out quite easily, in Lung's case they just pay tribute in the form of Fresh Fish from the Fishing Fleet still operating out in the bay, which Lung actually insisted on paying to compensate for the fuel they use for some reason.
But for all things the E88 stood for they aren't willing to fight the Dockworkers besides trying to get them to only hire 'whites only' and that causes them to butt heads but the E88 aren't willing to escalate as the Dockworkers territory is near the ABB and Lung does not like his supply of fish being disturbed as the last time it happened.
The sight that Mayor Roy Christner was two Cadillac Gage Ranger with yellow emergency lights and marked as security providing the entrance to the dockyard security the guards looked like Military Policemen in an active warzone which he couldn't help agree, PASGT Helmets with Riot Visors and Vests, AR-15s and Mossberg 500s on hand.
They looked ready to fight off anyone trying to make a mess, and that doesn't include the BBPD Officers joining them also with their PASGT Vests and long guns, this meeting is too important, in fact it could be say a strike here would cripple the city in the long run as every department head in City Hall is now at the Docks with the Chief of Police himself.
Thus it is not surprising to see a couple of Dockworkers up in the highest vantage points with Sniper Rifles and Hunting Rifles doing sniper and counter sniper roles, as the amount of firepower might look staggering, Roy knows that they haven't even scratch the top of the barrel in terms of equipment they managed to salvage.
The meeting room they are using is the ones where the shipping companies used to meet in thus it has the facilities to handle everyone, and with some upgrades they have counter surveillance in place thus preventing people from eavesdropping in their conversation.
"How do we do this?" Roy asked the Chief of Police, an old gruff man who've been policing long before the age of Parahumans, the guy believed that the PRT isn't hard enough on the gangs and believed that the Head office of the PRT likes to make their employees fight with one hand tied behind their backs. "I mean if we try to evacuate like what the State and Federal Government said the gangs might use this to sow chaos and mayhem."
"Since we are lucky in that Police Radios are in tune with the State Police frequency, I suggest we make a quick exodus like moses." The Police Chief replied in his gruff tone. "Only we post Armed Guards and every manpower available to evacuate, I know we have lots of Buses and the Dockworkers have many surplus Military Trucks, we can use them."
"How many people are in this city and how many vehicles can we use?" The head of Public Transport asked, as he knew how many of the cities' vehicles are available. "Because if we must we use our work vehicles as part of the exodus."
"Enough for two trips." Danny Hebert piped up from his spot, as head of hiring for the Dockworkers and the public spokesperson for the Dockyards Union, he earned this spot as they are using his facilities. "Most of the Military Trucks we have are actually the cargo and troop versions so we could pile people and their personal items in them to evacuate."
"Might just work." The Fire Chief mused, he's younger than the Chief of Police but he has experience especially in Cape fires. "If we have First Responders and the PRT as the last ones to evacuate it might just work."
"Roy." The Police Chief called out. "We will need the PRT in this one, I suggest you talk to Piggot on how we should do it as we will need the PRT out in force for this one."
"Agreed." Danny nodded. "The Dockworkers would mostly help in evacuating but we can't be everywhere at all times playing security."
"Your Commandos and Rangers would be most helpful in playing Rapid Reaction with our SWAT Teams, Danny." The Police Chief replied. "Being the roving security force will keep the gang's head down hopefully." Then he gave Danny the look. "Cause I know you have more than you show in public." The Police Chief said with a knowing grin.
"Right, using the armored cars we have as a roving security force and Rapid Reaction." Danny nodded back making a note to talk to the head of security for this.
"Now the question is how do we announce this." The head of Public Works asked.
At that everyone suddenly turns and looks at the Chief of Police who noticed the looks.
"What?" He asked.
With that everyone started discussing everything from evacuation sites, how many people can they cram to each bus and truck and how many people would be using personal vehicles, thus as everyone started to plan on how to leave the city and let the US Government deal with this madness.
