Orso was taken aback. He'd just agreed to follow any legitimate and sensible orders while also advising he wasn't going to do it blindly. How did that warrant further heavy handedness from the apparent "leadership" of the rabble which had distressed the Baron so much?
If it wasn't for their reputation and obvious effectiveness, Orso would have been tempted to let them all self destruct and join one of the many other groups fighting the dictator. For that matter, even joining the Baron might be more palitable if this was the treatment he could expect.
Shrugging, he put aside his feelings for the moment, understanding that perhaps two people trying to converse in a language which was neithers first would make a stressful situation even more tense than it probably was.
"Why don't you leave me to teach these people not to shoot themselves, while you remind the Captain that taking the food stores is now the most important thing that can be done?"
With the granary in the hands of the rebels, the less reliable of the Barons forces might just decide desertion was a more attractive option. Meanwhile, those who were sitting on the fence might just make a decision and take a side.

In reply to Konrad Bayer (msg #899):

"Message received. ETA several hours. Over."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:53, Wed 26 Oct 2011.

Mariusz looked at the trio of volunteers and said to his companions, "I say we should arm them for their own protection and ask them to visit as many communities as they can to see if they can raise more resistance."

He smiled at the girls and said, "You'll be like the Scout movement in the war against the fascists tell people that Warsaw endures but it will only be free if people fight for it. We'll do our best but it may not be enough."

He looked back at his comrades, "What do you think?"

Once they had decided on a course of action, Mariusz continued to talk to Jan, "You'll be talking to the Captain to decide a course of action," he said, "I suggest we take the Granary as quickly as possible and at the same time ask Butterfly to determine the way that the Baron is approaching the city. That way we can sort out an ambush of some kind."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:30, Wed 26 Oct 2011.

Craig continued to scan the interior and exterior of the stadium from their vantage point. He listened in on the conversation Warren had on the radio but did not take his eye away from his scope.

"All right Dawid.  I got it here until you get back," he says to him as he walks off for the meeting with Konrad.  Robert turns to the rest of the support team, "OK!  Find yourselves a defensive position and get into it and make it your temporary home.   We may or not be here too long but, the Baron's men are on the move and we could see some action soon.  Stay frosty!"

Having gotten ahold of the tug from his perch, Jeff changes frequencies to that of the 10th.  In Russian, he calls the unit commanders "This is Falcon-1, SITREP. We have liberated the hostages in the stadium.  Suspect enemy forces pulling back to the city to fortify key locations.  Believe we are planning to secure the graineries, but unsure at this time.  How shall we proceed? Over."

As Warren passed on his SITREP, Dawid continued his briefing with Konrad.

"Who knows when the Queen will arrive. I think its strength should have been part of the operation from the start, but what's done is done."

"There is another option. The Baron is going to expect a stand-up fight, which is why he's moving in force. Maybe if we deal him another blow his forces will collapse, but then, maybe not.

"However, there is another option. If the Baron is gone, his forces will collapse. We have trained snipers, expert riflemen. They can kill the king, and with the king gone the game is over. Someone like that new person, Warren, he seems like he's handy with a rifle."

"That could be in conjunction with an ambush or a hit-and-run campaign. I think he will want to finish us personally, this will mean he's vulnerable."

"Either way, we should invite the people of Warszawa to liberate the grain, which shouldn't take too much effort. Worse comes to worse, the Baron will have to spend time and effort recovering it. Perhaps a few reprisals will cause them to grow a spine? If they can't be bothered to take a stand against the Baron by taking back their own grain, then fuck the people of Warszawa, I say!"

"In other matters, Warren has our radio codes now. I am going to instruct Fleming in our procedures so that he can take over radio tasks."

Mariusz shook his head at Dawid's opinion, "I wish the people would be more proactive too but you shouldn't blame them. Every time the people of Warsaw have risen up, they've been fucked over. Why should it be different now? They rose against the Nazis and the Soviets sat outside until they'd been massacred. They died in their thousands to hold out against NATO and the Soviets shot them to take their food. Then, when the Soviets finally did liberate them, they got nuked. It's hardly surprising that now we come in saying, 'Rise up and fight, we will liberate you!' that they aren't particularly enthusiastic. The ones that would rather die on their feet than live on their knees are probably already dead. We stand or die alone on this one my comrade and I can't think of a finer man to stand next to than you. Now how are we going to make the Baron wish he'd never dragged himself out of the abortion bucket? Maybe Butterfly has some anti tank capability, has anyone asked her?"

In reply to Mariusz Tokarski (msg #908):

"All that may be true, but I still think if the people can't be bothered to rise once again we're doomed... and they deserve the Baron. The reason why isn't very important."

"Mariusz, please do me a favour and gather any members of the Kommando who want their say. We still have a few minutes until the Queen responds and we can't go anywhere, let's make use of it and see if anyone has any other guidance for the Kaptain. This will be a quick discussion, if they have a point they can make it quickly but we're not going to get into an extended debate or vote on a course of action."

They might as well have a conference with the team members. Then Konrad would decide. It wasn't a back-and-forth, where cherished plans were supported by long flowery speeches, this was to present leadership with options.


OOC: This may not be strictly realistic but it gives team members a chance to have their say if they don't think it's been said already.

Hustling from the west side of the bridge, Piotr kneels and listens in.

"IF I can speak....?  We cannot do stand up fight, err - toe to toe - with the Baron.  I think cutting the head of snake may work.  Unless there is another snake to take over.

I would think we make Baron and forces think they are going to win battle with trickery.  IF we let Baron forces attack and re-take some, eh how do you say, earth... no territory. If we leave a some troops hidden behind including good shooters maybe we can surprise snake and cut head off when he is not, and his troops are no looking.

Im speakign of granary ofcourse.  Or another place Baron will use as a station to regroup."

Orso paused his instructions for a moment and called across before resuming the task, "How you sure Baron is with men? How you find?"
"Anyone know what he looks like?"
Even Orso hadn't laid eyes on the almost paranoid and security conscious dictator in all the time he'd been in the city - at least not close enough to pick him out of a crowd, or shoot him.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:25, Fri 28 Oct 2011.

In reply to Arturo 'Orso' Ottenebrato (msg #911):

"Sure, Piotr, you may speak."

He listened to his suggestion. "Should the Kaptain wish to go with the assassination plan, which I think is a good one, this will be a good way to take him out. If his mens' morale is low then he's likely to lead his own troops in person to retake such a critical objective, leaving him exposed."

At Orso's comment, Dawid shrugged as if to say who knows?

"If we try an assassination attempt, we're going to need a diversion so he feels safe enough to pop his head out for a clear shot once he thinks he wins the battle with us."

Listening as best he could to the conversation, Jay suddenly jumped to his feet and pulled out his large kukri knife. Turning quickly he surveyed the floor around them.

"Where snake?"  he asked. He had seen many strange things in this country, but had yet to see any evidence of serpents.

"I'm on it," Mariusz said, "for my part I'd suggest hit and run starting as far out as we can get. Take out as much as we can with our AT capacity and then try to slow them further in the deep rubble. If it goes tits up we can retreat to the Queen, falling back on its firepower may be useful."

Mariusz went around checking if anyone else had advice for the Kaptain.

In reply to Mrityunjay Byanjankar (msg #914):

Dawid explained,

"Relax, Jay! No snake. Barons'army is "snake", Baron is "head". If head dies, snake dies."

In reply to Dawid Waldus Piotrowski (msg #916):

"Oh, okay, I understand," Jay replied, putting his knife away. He sat down gingerly, still glancing around suspiciously, waiting for a snake to appear.

It takes a couple of minutes for the 10th's signalman to find an officer to respond to Jeff's query- apparently, they are busy with something at the moment. When finally a new voice comes over the net, it's cleary the head honcho himself.

"This is Honey Badger-1. Continue doing whatever you are doing in the city. It looks like our friend is of two minds. We are preparing too knock on the front door. Honey Badger, Out."

"You need someone for the hit and run team, I guess you can sign me up."

"All need to be involved," Orso responded to Tuckers volunteering.
"I know the rubble a little bit, know the path his tanks will probably take. There are several places we can set up ambushes, falling back to the next each time we spring."
The fighting would be desperate and unforgiving, but they did have the advantage of being on foot and not restricted to the cleared roadways like the Baron. If it got too hot they could move back into the rubble and regroup while only having to contend with several platoons worth of the Barons infantry.
It wasn't really a fair fight. The Baron needed more men for that.

Tucker rolled his eyes, "We all know that all hands are going to be needed Orso.  I'm volunteering my services to the hit and run team because I don't have the shooting skills for a sniper detachemnt or team.  Everyone that's been here with me since we left Krakow knows I'm involved!  I'm not looking to start anything, just sayin'."

Jay nodded to Tuck. "I come too. I no sniper, I fight close, use RPG and grenade."

He was keen to be involved in the ambushes. He wasn't suited to a sniper or MG detachment. He preferred to be up front where he could see the whites of the enemies eyes.

In reply to Robert 'Tuck' Tucker (msg #921):

"We thank you for volunteering, Tucker.

Dawid didn't respond directly to Orso except by way of saying, "as for people with a useful knowledge of the city, we have many. Including those who actually served under the Baron. For example, Craig and Piotr. They would have the most useful knowledge. If anyone has something specific to share that will make a difference in our planning then they must share this knowledge now or it is of no use to us. Otherwise, we do not lack for people who know the Baron and the city."

Dawid looked at Jay.

"If someone can confirm that there are 2 machinegunners on the loose, let's grab them before they get too far. Jay, get another person with a radio. Find them. Bring them back for questioning."


OOC, Cymon: please wait to post until someone confirms there are runners on the loose. I don't want to send Jay on a wild goose chase!

Jay nodded in response to the order, before quickly rising and heading off in the direction where he and Jan had left the two wounded men. Hopefully they will still be hiding where he left them.

Orso simply smiled and continued his impromptu weapons lesson. If that cocksucking pole wanted to continue his pissing match and try to downplay Orso's usefulness and knowledge then that was his problem. It was as far as he knew, the Hauptmann in command here and he was the only one who needed to listen to Orso.
He didn't know too many of the Baron's conscripts who'd conducted a recent and thorough investigation of the defensive possibilities of the area. Nor did Orso know too many others who had decent access to the various rebel groups as well.