Dawid smiled, offering the man a cigarette and some wodka from his canteen.

"Sam, it is good to have men of your character helping the Polish people."

"I am Plutinowy (Sergeant) Dawid Waldus Piotrowski, serving in the Armija Krajina (Home Army) and answering to the Polish Government-in-Exile, which your Special Forces have assisted many times. So I know of you and appreciate the help you have given our homeland to remain free. I believe that Mister Clarence Milk is a "brother" of yours, also in your Special Forces, although he was assigned to advise some Solidarność partisans (civilian guerrillas). No matter, we Poles will accept the hand of any ally as long as they fight the Russian invaders and their Communist lackeys."

"Your fellow westerners here... I would hesitate to insult them by calling them something so lowly as mercenaries... let's say they have gained the cooperation of the owner and captain of this vessel, Adam Rataj, also known as "Old Adam". He is taking them as far as Warsaw, and they are in turn acting as security for the journey. They have heard that the Americans are leaving Europe and hope to travel back to Germany to catch another boat, as it were."

"I wouldn't blame you if this was your desire as well. Your own home must be devastated as well. I personally have to meet my Armija Krajina contact in Warsaw."

"However, we in the Armija Krajina and the Polish democratic government have stood by you and the Special Forces. I would ask you join me and the Armija Krajina and help in rebuilding our home."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:07, Sun 15 June 2008.

"Ethics..."

He pauses, taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly. He looks worn out but nevertheless, whenever he's on the bridge, he's surrounded by an aura of profound confidence.

"Yes, of course, Mr. Bayer*. Welcome aboard Mr. McCoy."

After reaching out to shake the American's left hand (Adam's right arm is still in a sling), he turns his one good, piercingly blue eye on Konrad and Anneka.

"I wish to leave Sandomierz first thing in the morning- it is a nest of vipers. I saw the wagons with the people in cages from the bridge. I agree that we must not make enemies of everyone on this river, but I do not wish to stay here and deal with these people one minute more. We have given them quite enough."

Anger and regret colour his already gruff voice.

The Sando-ORMO liason stands by, seemingly oblivious to the content of the conversation.

*Adam does not know about Chopper's betrayal so he consents to the addition of McCoy. Had he known, he would likely have said no.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:33, Sun 15 June 2008.

"CLARANCE MILK IS ON THIS BOAT???!!!"


Sam
M25
Talking

"Yes, that is correct. I take it he's a comrade of yours. Come on, I shall take you to him."

With that he led him to the other commando, so that they could get caught up.

The Krolowa cruises down the Vistula towards Sandomierz, its spotlight illuminating the surface of the rain-stippled river ahead. To the south, an orange glow low on the receding horizon signals the death throes of Tarnobrzeg. The members of the tug’s security team somberly go about their duties, trying as best they can to stay warm and dry. After an hour or so, a few twinkling lights can just be made out in the distance. As the tug steams nearer, a single beacon in the castle on the hill signals its welcome. The Krolowa proceeds towards the town’s dock, slowing to make its final approach.

Adam and Walter coax the Krolowa -fighting the ever strengthening current- into its berth just behind the moored barge. Generator-powered floodlights within the boat-house/workshop illuminate the pier. Backlit, the rain resembles a shimmering curtain seperating those on the tug from those on the shore. Several armed men in rain ponchos are stationed around the dock and the barge itself. After Lubolslaw leaps from the Krolowa to attach mooring lines from the tug to posts on the pier, one of the Sando-ORMO men emerges from the boat-house and climbs aboard. Ascending to the bridge he enters and speaks,

“The commandant wishes to congratulate you on your contribution to the successful attack on the bandit enclave of Tarnobrzeg and to invite you join him in his castle for a champagne breakfast tomorrow."

The messenger departs, along with the two surviving ORMO representatives who accompanied the tug on her fire support mission. They are so exhausted that leave without even requesting their dead comrades' gear.

The remainder of the night passes slowly. Everyone has trouble sleeping- some due to the cold and damp, others due to dark and unsettling dreams. At dawn, the steady rain has been replaced by light snow. A thin crust of ice has formed on the tug's non-slip decks and tiny icicles dangle from various parts of the superstructure.

TO BE CONTINUED...
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:53, Mon 16 June 2008.

Monday October 9th, 2000
0630 hrs
Sandomierz, Poland
30F
Overcast, light snow

As the tug's crew stand-to, a truck rolls noisily onto the dock. The previous evening's emissary emerges from the cab, approaches the tug, and loudly announces,

"The commandant awaits!"

Actions?

Staying out of sight sam tells the Capt that he will stay on board to not cause any problems.


Sam
below decks
M25

Before Dave assumed his post, he stopped at the tug's machine shop area and dug around until he found a small grind stone and a bottle of lightweight machine oil. He pent his stand to time with a blanket draped over his shoulders, working on the balisong knife he aquired in T'breg. A stroke on the stone, a three second look at the river in his assigned sector, another stroke, another look. When he's satisfied with the edge on the knife he works some of the oil into the hinged handles so they open smoothly and quickly. When he's done, he tucks the knife into his boot.

When the stand to period is over, he approaches Konrad. "Captain, I hate to complain, but is there a spare jacket on this tub? Those assholes in Tbreg confiscated mine, and I about froze off parts of me I'd rather keep last night."

"Check Hick's gear." he suggests after a moments thought. "We also had some other soldiers' kit below (Bluey, Maddock, etc). Our fallen comrades." Looking the man over he adds, "If you can't find anything, there, let me know and we will do something about it."

When the emissary arrives, Bayer stows away his G36 and greets him. Nodding to the repeated invitation he returns to the group. "Milk, Mariusz, Kasparov, and McCoy... maintain security for the tug please."

OOC - Choosen as they are either NPC'd or opted to stay.

"Remainder, muster on the dock." he announces. "I remind you to respect the rules of being armed." Immediately after saying it Bayer cringed. He didn't trust the Commandant, but was trying his best at diplomacy and preventing the creation of further enemies.

Looking at Griet and Soleblume, the party's main negotiators, he says, "I expect 100% for him to make another offer to us. It may be rewarding, but further slow our progress. I believe you will have to deal with this scenario."

As the group assembled on the dock next to the truck, Bayer takes Milk aside and says quietly, "Don't let the tug fall into their hands. If anything bad happens to us, make all efforts to escape. Scuttle if capture is immanent. The only motivation they may have for harming us is to seize the tug... threatening to scuttle will be our only insurance."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:25, Tue 17 June 2008.

OOC: Sorry for the delay... I went back to work on Sunday and pulled two double shifts...

BIC: Tucker musters on the dock without any weapons with today's "shore party'.  He's still in awe of what happened on the boat with Hicks and the others while they were on the ground in town.  He was glad Minh was OK and got out of there before the fuel blew up but, couldn't help but feel a loss since they had virtually nothing to show for their efforts and more allies killed.

As Mariusz saw the kaptain going to the Warlord's party, he asked, "Kaptain, would you please ask permission for our dead to be buried in the hallowed grounds of a local church? I don't think a dumping ground outside of the town is a suitable resting place for a man such as Brother Switek."

Griet did as the Kaptain had ordered and made sure she was unarmed, she put on her best and cleanest clothes and presented herself for the shore party.

Dave digs around in the hold until he finds an American field jacket and puts it on. He stashes his rifle and grenades but keeps his aid bag as he climbs onto the dock.

Sam will walk up to milk shake hand ,hug him them talk in private........





Sam
Talking
M25

Quyen steps off the Krolowa onto the dock. Minutes earlier she had stashed her weapons next to her gear at her bunk space. She loiters around the truck, waiting for everyone to pile in and head to the meeting. She's wearing her green hooded Adidas track jacket with US army pants. Pulling out her small collection of smokes, she counts them - despite knowing full well she's only ten left. Pulling one out she lights it... nine.

"Dawid?" Minh says, holding out the pack.

She was hungry. She hadn't eaten breakfast in an attempt to save at least one meal from being consumed from the tug's stores. She expects the local boss will make it up to her and her stomach.

When everyone was ready she stubs out the smoke but stuffs it away to finish later. Then she climbs into the back. Nobody had said anything to her about the barge. For that she was glad. Hopefully everyone was moving on.

This message was deleted by the player at 10:58, Wed 18 June 2008.

Bayer nods immediately, "Will do. And if not here, some town downriver alright?"

When everyone is on the dock he will signal to the driver and load up.

Seeing that Minh and Dawid are lighting up, Tucker takes out one of his own cigars and follows suit.

In reply to Minh Quyen (msg #457):

He took the offered cigarette and lit up. Someone explained to him what went on with Chopper.

"Thank you, Minh. You did well today!"

The fight was over and like usual he felt drained and exhausted, but glad to be alive.

"I am sad that we had a hand in creating such misery. Another Polish town destroyed, perhaps that is a small thing in this world. Yet, for that cost we did perhaps prevent a dictatorship from arising and we Poles rarely have the luxury of choosing our allies."

"I also wonder why Chopper did what he did. I believe he wasn't in league with the hetman but.... not in his mind? Not well in his mind? You all recall his insistence on taking his crewmembers with him. Perhaps he viewed this as a betrayal of some sort that needed avenging. I like to think that, for the sake of his soul. I hope he has found his peace, now."

He intended on washing up (as best he could) and going to the dinner with the commandante of Sandomierz.

Stoner overhears this and looks over. "Combat affects different guys different. Especially losing a whole boat crew. I think they call it survivor's guilt. Close to the same thing happened to me. After my squad got blown out of the water, it was me and John Brady and TJ Ehlen. Brady was messed up pretty bad, he sacrificed himself to give me and TJ time to get away. Then TJ bought it, and I lost it. I waged my own private little war up and down the river, killing every Soviet troop I could find. Then, one day, the bloodlust just stopped, and everything was cool."  He shrugs his shoulders and continues. "Anyway, keep your eyes open, I really don't trust these guys. Putting people in cages....Forced labor... And an unarmed population... I just hope we don't end up in a cage."

Tucker remembers the pack of smokes him and Bones found in town.  He taps his pockets and takes it out and tosses them to Minh.  "Souveneir from town."

Leaving a small security element on board the tug, the remainder of the team bundle up and board the militia truck for the ride to the castle. A makeshift tarp has been raised above the open bed, but it's still an uncomfortably cold and damp ride. The scenery, however, is pretty enough to almost lead the passengers to forget about the war for a few minutes. Snow is drifting down gently on the still air and it's starting to settle on the eaves of the rustic 17th century buildings. The grey sky seems warmer somehow than it has for the past few rain-soaked days, even though the temperature is significantly lowever.

As the grim castle comes into view, the ugliness of war once more intrudes in the thoughts of the passengers. The truck stops in the courtyard and the party is led to the great hall. Three tables have been set up, forming a truncated pi symbol. The commandant sits on his elevated dais, at the cap of the pi. At the base of the pi, a roaring fire blazes in a large, ornate stone hearth. The tables are set with mismatched silver. At a word from the commandant- flanked by a pair of armed bodyguards- an attendant dissappears through a doorway at the other end of the hall. Other attendants take the party's coats and wet weather gear and help them to their seats. When they are settled, platters heaped with food- sausages, potatoes, radishes, fish, breads, even butter and cheese- are brought out and placed before them. Then, as promised, champagne is poured for all of the guests.

The commandant finally addresses his assembled guests directly, his words conveyed by a translator.

"Here's to a successful operation. I wish to thank you for your contribution. It is a shame that your mission lies away to the north; I honestly cannot think of why you should be going in that direction. But that is neither here nor there. The most significant obstacle to trade- not least of which with your patrons in Krakow- has been eliminated. I very much look forward to dealing with the Rada, although I must admit to the unexpected change in our arrangements is- was- rather vexing. No matter, there is now little to stop us from sending our own representatives to the Free City to resume the trade that has been delayed."

After a pause to fill his mouth, he continues,

"There is one unfortunate piece of business that I must bring up. Our militia used up all of its mortar ammunition driving home the attack on Tarnobrzeg. So, I regret that I must ask for the return of the mortar ammunition you traded for. The defense of Sandomierz is paramount and our mortars are all that stand between civilization and the barbarians at the gates- I am sure you understand."

Actions?

Dave enjoys the meal, eating enough to fill him up but not overeating. As he eats he examines the silverware, trying to determine if it's silver silverware, or just stainless steel. When the champagne is poured, he sips his slowly, not drinking more than a single glass.

Griet listened to the commandant with quiet politeness, as she heard the man try to shaft them yet again, she put her glass down and replied equally quietly, "I assume Commandant that you mean the ammunition we actually traded for, the remainder of the twenty rounds you gave us to attack the town are ready for your retrieval, if they haven't already been picked up. That would represent a serious blow to us as it seriously compromises our ability to fulfil our mission. I would propose two things before we give you our answer. The first is that you tell us what you are willing to give us in return for them, we paid well over the odds for the rounds, and technically now they are even more valuable. The second would be the use of a private room for my companions and I to discuss the proposal fully and frankly. It would be unwise for any one of us to speak for the others before we can consult fully."

Griet looked at her companions, "What do the rest of you think to those suggestions? I hope I haven't spoken out of turn."

Avoiding the drink as much as politely possible, Bayer doesn't hesitate to eat. He focuses on anything 'rare' or anything he hasn't had in a long time.

When the "request" is made by the commandant, Bayer draws in a long breath but remains quiet. He'll let the others more capable with trading business handle the commandant. He expect a further deal from the man, not going back on the agreement. He thought to himself that he shouldn't be surprised the slightest.



He shakes his head slowly without looking at her.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:59, Fri 20 June 2008.