Subject: Observations
reported by Replay

The following material was discovered in the Institute's electronic archives and has much to do with the early stages of Strike Team Renegade's existance. Appropriate clearance is required.

E-dresses have been modified for security reasons. They are non-functional; hopefully they'll give the spambots a tummy-ache.

Replay

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From:Jet
Return path: <JLightfoot@mail.**ranch.com>
To: Buckaroo <Wallbreaker@banzai.**.edu>
Subject: Observations
Date: Sun, 10 Feb 1996 08:39:22 -0600

Didn't figure you were kidding when you profiled the teams for me, but if anything, youi've
understated again. Rode with Matrix and Longbow for a week each, observed Sobriquet from
range for the same. Highly competent, all, but limited. Sobriquet particularly impressed me; Ice
Queen nearly made me at least twice.

Longbow, however, struck me as positioned to do more if trained to it. They waded into things
eyes-open and got it done, but some of it could -- and should, methinks -- have been handled
differently. *That* could have been headed off by 2 words and $50 in the right place at the right
time; all the more so if the $50 had been one of the WCL bills.

Should be possible to put words and $$ in place in the future, if we have the right people on it.
Think about it, get back to me.

Jet

From: Buckaroo Banzai
Return path: <Wallbreaker@banzai.**.edu>
To: Jet Lightfoot <JLightfoot@mail.**ranch.com>
Subject: Re: Observations
Date: Sun, 10 Feb 1996 16:31:48 -0300

How do you propose funding it?

What personnel criteria do you have in mind? Were you thinking in terms of retraining
Longbow?

BB

From:Jet
Return path: <JLightfoot@mail.**ranch.com>
To: Buckaroo <Wallbreaker@banzai.**.edu>
Subject: Re: Re: Observations
Date: Sun, 10 Feb 1996 16:33:29 -0600

Main job I see is pre-emptive intervention. Stop things before you have to use firepower to do it.
Largely getting better intelligence to the local cops and keeping the civs out of trouble when it's
desperation that's pushing them to the wrong choices. Training's the biggest single budget item;
researching the local area's probably next on that list; ammo budget should be *lower* than
average, or it's not working out.

If we start with the right mix, that'll cut the training expense a lot, especially for a first team.
West Campus already has the facilities and available instructors to fill in gaps people will have.
I'm thinking ex-intelligence, ex-military, maybe ex-cops or DEA to start, with some computer
talent, at least one good driver who can handle high speed evasives, one or two comm
specialists, minimum one combat medic trained to my standard, fill out anything else we think
we need with people who pick up new skills easy.  Standard strike team stuff, with a *move first*
spin to it. I'd like Kilroy, for one; the boy's a blinkin' snooper mike by himself.  I was in on the
rebuild; I should know.

I'd be willing to make the first team a West Campus project and fund it from my discretionary for
the first couple years, or till we know how it's working. The local research issue should probably
come in under personnel choices too, though; it's lots easier to set up contacts (someplace
those $$ can do double duty) and recognize the out-of-ordinary when you know the zone to
begin with. Even if you're good at pattern recognition.

I also think the first go at this should be urban. Kinda lets Alaska out for the first spot, but it's too
hard to move people into rural areas on little notice, and too hard to start something like this up if
you can't count on at least a few sets of local eyes for help from the get-go.

Jet

From: Buckaroo Banzai
Return path: <Wallbreaker@banzai.**.edu>
To: Jet Lightfoot <JLightfoot@mail.**ranch.>
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Observations
Date: Mon, 11 Feb 1996 07:05:16 -0300

You've thought about it a lot. When can you have some hard numbers for staff meeting, and do
you have any other names in mind?

BB

From:Jet
Return path: <JLightfoot@mail.**ranch.>
To: Buckaroo <Wallbreaker@banzai.**.edu>
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Observations
Date: Mon, 11 Feb 1996 12:09:34 -0600

Yeah, I have. Wasn't hard with Indigo flying and me in the backseat; plenty of time to think on
the way in.

I'm coming back Thursday late -- *don't* wait up -- with a full workup. Hold ten minutes for me,
would you?

Jet

From: Buckaroo Banzai
Return path: <Wallbreaker@banzai.**.edu>
To: Jet Lightfoot <Jet@banzai.**.edu>
Subject: Staff Meeting
Date: Tues, 12 Feb 1996 01:58:22 -0300

Knowing Reno, I'll make that twenty.

BB