Danny winces as Mariusz's head snaps back and the 5.45mm slug buries itself in the bridge's doorframe.  The kid seems okay, though, or at least functional enough to fish a grenade out of his vest and - Oh, shit.

"Frag out, port side!" Danny yells, then leans back against the cold metal of the smokestack to avoid the upward spray of fragments.  As soon as the grenade detonates, he's moving again, heading down the bridge stairs to the upper deck.  Mariusz charges forward to cover the head of the port stairs that lead from the main deck and Danny has to assume he has it under control.  The PJ turns left, sweeping the quarterdeck as he heads toward the gunfire at the starboard stairs.  Winona leads, warmed up and ready to repel boarders...

(OOC: Danny's movement is down the bridge stairs to the upper deck, then counter-clockwise around the back of the smokestack toward Griet's position [which should bring him past Tuck if the "quarterdeck" is where I identified it in the OOC thread].  The first boarder in his sights gets another trio of quick shots.)

Danny emerges from the bridge to see Griet determinedly punching round after round into a boarder with a... A sword?  What the fuck, over?  Beyond her, Tuck is picking himself up off the quarterdeck.  The New Yorker seems okay through Danny's NVGs, so whatever knocked him down must be transitory.  At any rate, he doesn't appear to be copiously leaking.

Danny skids down the stairs, bringing Winona in line with Griet's target as his boots hit the upper deck.  "Chief!" he yells, "I've got this!  Get to the bridge!"  He quickly assesses Griet's target, delivers a couple more rounds if necessary, then steps to the side to clear Griet's path to the bridge.  "Tuck!  You okay?"

Danny
Covering the head of the portside stairs to the upper deck
Winona [27/30 + 6 magazines] - up, on SEMI
CZ 75 [15/15 + 2 magazines] - holstered, cocked and locked
AN-M8 HC smoke grenade x2 - on vest
AN-M18 red smoke grenade x1 - on vest
This message was last edited by the player at 02:31, Wed 02 May 2012.

"You're one lucky sonuvabitch," goes through Tucker's head as he remembers the kine from a D-Day movie he had seen where the Ranger had gotten hit in his steel pot and lived only to be downed by a quick follow-up shot to his head seconds later.  He checks where he got shot from first to see if there are any threats still that way.  When he hears something from behind him, Robert begins to move slowly (heel to toe) towards where he sensed the movement towards the AGS/PKM position.

TUCKER
M-14K [19/20] {Set on S/S}
[+1] MAG 20 in cargo pocket
H&K SOCOM (.45 acp) [12/12] SAFETY 'ON & HOLSTERED'
[+2] MAG 12 in mag pouch
Kevlar Vest/Helmet

Still on quarter-deck, trying to find a threat(s) near the AGS/PKM position

OOC: I am correct to guess that Tucker didn't get any rounds off the last combat round and he was hit before he could do that?
This message was last edited by the player at 03:06, Mon 30 Apr 2012.

There were a lot of dead looking bodies on the port side and Jan didn't have time to check whether any of them were friendly or not.  He heard the yell from someone, probably Dawid, about securing the starboard side but he'd seen a man go up onto the HMG catwalk so he followed him up, pursuing the one target that he knew was still active.  He kept his rifle tucked tight into his shoulder and looked for an opportunity to fire on the man when there was either a solid wall or an open environment off the boat behind him so that there wasn't a risk of hitting a friend.

Ideally he'd have switched to his pistol but he'd left that in his cabin!


Jan
Pursuing the man he'd seen up onto the HMG catwalk, looking to get a clean shot at him.  If he does then he'll fire a double tap at him and a second double tap if he's still moving!
AK-74 (30/30 - 30rnd mag x7) - carried
BG-15 (1/1 HE - HE x11) - underslung on AK-74
Frag grenade x2 - webbing pouch
Smoke grenade x2 - webbing pouch
Note – webbing not currently worn but is looped over shoulder

Griet is somewhat alarmed that the sword-wielding boarder she's just shot is still coming at her but she fights back the fear and squeezes off three more shots at close range. The first one hits him in the pelvis, doing horrendous internal damage. The second round hits the man's right arm which, at the moment, is holding up most of his upper body weight. The arm gives with a sickening, wet crack and the man face-plants on the unforgiving metal of the deck. The third and final rounds smacks into the boarder's buttocks with a meaty thud. The man lays moaning on the deck while his lifesblood starts pouring down the stairs. Daniel arrives as the boarder collapses, mortally wounded. (Griet -3 rounds)

Jan and Jay both proceed to the port-side stairway to the upper decks to find a boarder already at the top. Fortunately for the two Kommandos, his back is to them. Three gunshots ring out from above and the man collapses, halfway on the top two steps and halfway on the catwalk ringing the base of the bridge.

On the tug's raised quarterdeck, Tucker cautiously approaches the AGS/PKM position where he's heard some movement. Due to all the gunfire and explosions going on nearby, he can no longer hear the sound that alerted him. He's starting to doubt himself when a hand reaches up and finds purchase on one of the sandbags ringing the firing station. Tuckers lowers his sights and waits for a more substantial target to appear. As soon as the boarder's burnt cork-smeared face appears, Tuck pulls the trigger. The round strikes the man's forearm, and he falls, screaming, to the main deck aft (a drop-off of only a few feet). (Tucker -1 round)

Mariusz tosses his grenade down the starboard stairs to the main deck and waits for it to explode. It dutifully complies, lashing the starboard side with shrapnel. No one is positioned to see the explosion, though, so there's no telling what effect it had. (Mariusz -1 frag)

Craig, after speed-loading his shotgun, rolls right and leans over the starboard edge of the bridge roof just in time to be temporarily blinded by the flash of Mariusz's grenade. As he blinks away the after-image, Craig sees human forms in the laying in the bottom of the boat layed up alongside the Queen. Not taking any chances, he dumps two loads of buck into them to make doubly sure that the threat is eliminated. (Craig -2 rounds)

Dawid is on high alert, scanning the river for additional threats. For the moment, at least, he sees none. Konrad, Minh, and Warren, unsure of who is where, and what exactly is happening, choose to wait for the situation to clarify itself before adding their fire to the fracas.

The tug has fallen relatively quiet. All you hear is heavy breathing, the tinkling of rolling brass, and the moaning of at least two wounded men. As you start to come down from the adrenaline rush of close combat, you are startled by a splash as something heavy hits the water to starboard. Craig sees the brief white halo of disturbed water alongside but it's quickly erased by the river's steady current.


Next Moves?
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:35, Wed 02 May 2012.

Emerging from the interior and now properly armed, Bayer finds the situation heading back under control. With the opportunity available to get the unit organized better, Bayer calls for the senior NCO's for a quick dissemination of orders. When they arrive, he taps each person on the shoulder as he says their names and begins...

"Jan, take Quyen and clear the port side. Tucker and Jay, you have the starboard side to sweep... including whatever might still be in the water. I want the living segregated from the dead. Anyone still breathing is to be corralled at the aft deck. Leave the weapons and searches of the dead, for the moment... security first."

"Dawid, take command of external security with Lt. Sutherland, McClurg and Mariusz... cover the main weaponry for all around defense. Mr. Warren is still upstairs as well so liaise with him once you are setup. Open fire policy at this time is to shoot anything that moves... except the Vasilek. For that, Dawid employ your PKM as an alternative and use your own discretion on any threats."

He then waves over Daniel and explains to him, "I want you on the aft deck where the living will be assembled and place under guard and kept from speaking or communicating with one another. Once I find Doctor Solumblume, she will join you for an assessment and take the next step."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:06, Wed 02 May 2012.

In reply to Konrad Bayer (msg #55):

Dawid's ears were still ringing from the close in fire, and the grenades.

"The river around us looks clear."

"Understood, Kaptain. Engage with PKM preferably over Vasilek unless there is a worthy target."

He popped 'round his bunk, grabbed his webbing, lifchik, body armour and helmet. He then manned the forward weapon position, PKM at hand but Vasilek ready with a clip of 82mm HE shells loaded.

While Konrad issued his orders Jan quickly put on his webbing.  He was still missing his boots, body armour, helmet and night vision goggles and was starting to get cold just standing in the night air but he was ready to get stuck into the task he'd been assigned.  The adrenaline was pumping so he didn't really feel just how cold he was starting to get.

"Oui mon Capitaine," Jan replied to Konrad.  "Are we sure that everyone is ok?  Do you need to call the roll?"

Leading Konrad to ponder that question Jan got on with clearing the port side.  "Quyen, with me," he called as he set off, rifle at his shoulder.


Jan
Leading Quyen over to the port side to check/clear it.
AK-74 (30/30 - 30rnd mag x7) - carried
BG-15 (1/1 HE - HE x11) - underslung on AK-74
Frag grenade x2 - webbing pouch
Smoke grenade x2 - webbing pouch

"Got it Boss," Tucker replies to Konrad's orders to clear the starboard side of the ship.  He nods to Jay and waves for him to follow him to the starboard side to sweep and clear for any stragglers that might not have escaped or been killed.  Tucker will take the rail side and point to Jay to cover the inside.  "If they bring a weapon on you, drop 'em Jay!"

Danny automatically assesses Griet's victim and grades the guy as terminal.  The steaming rush of arterial red from the abdominal wounds heralds internal bleeding that probably can't be stopped even if he hits Anneka's table right now.  The PJ briefly considers donating a mercy round but the boarder is already slipping into unconsciousness.

Through the sudden relative silence and the notable lack of cries for a medic, the splash to starboard catches Danny's attention.  "Griet!" he calls up to the bridge, "gimme lights to starboard, we've got someone in the water!"  He sprints over to the starboard rail, next to the Dishka mount, and begins scanning the water outboard and downstream, using Winona's scout light for illumination until Griet swings the searchlight around.  With a night like this, they'll be hypothermic before they reach shore.  I don't much care if it's the other team but I haven't seen all of our people yet...

Danny's head jerks around at Konrad's summons.  "Yessir.  I heard someone go over the side, though.  Are all our people accounted for?"

Danny
Winona [27/30 + 6 magazines] - up, on SEMI
CZ 75 [15/15 + 2 magazines] - holstered, cocked and locked
AN-M8 HC smoke grenade x2 - on vest
AN-M18 red smoke grenade x1 - on vest
This message was last edited by the player at 00:30, Thu 03 May 2012.

In reply to Robert 'Tuck' Tucker (msg #58):

Returning from gearing up to man his station, Dawid sighed and said,

"Kaptain, friends, I know this is a touchy subject for many NATO types, and believe me, I have thought a lot about what I'm about to say:"

"These men just to to take over the boat, showing aggressiveness and little regard for their safety. Accept their surrender, yes, but if they show the slightest hint of non-cooperation, if they refuse to divulge whatever information we wish to know, then execute them and then drop them in the river. We don't have the time, manpower, supplies or room to securely house prisoners who, given the slightest opportunity, may attempt to escape and warn others, if not make whatever havoc they can.

"Sure, not all prisoners are a threat, but a significant portion (including a personal "friend" of mine) have been, and there's no telling ahead of time who will be a problem. So we should ask them to divulge what they know. If they don't talk, and talk fast, they are by definition are not cooperative and we can't risk having them aboard if they are of no use."

"Please understand that, unless I really miss my guess, these are not soldiers protected by the Geneva Conventions but common criminals at best, caught red-handed engaging in piracy. I will take care of the problem in that case, legally under Martial Law, as a member of the NATO-recognised government and armed force of Poland. Anyone who cooperates willingly may be spared, those who are uncooperative will have justice swiftly served."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:38, Thu 03 May 2012.

Jeff stares at Dawid for his little speech.  There is a brief but noticable pause before anyone moves.

"I'll save you the trouble."

Jeff approaches the first prisoner. "Who are you and what were you trying to accomplish, and why?"  he repeats the question in Russian and then shoots an icy stare at a Polish speaker.

If the prisoner says anything productive, Jeff listens only long enough to get the details.  When it seems as if the man has said all he has to say, Jeff took his black dive knife and slit the mans throat, pouring even more blood on the deck.  (Assume that if the prisoner says nothing he skips the foreplay).

With one down, Jeff approaches the other.  "Talk and I'll let you live to warn others." again the question is repeated in Russian and Polish.  At the conclusion of this mans story, Jeff puts a .45 into his heart.  He says nothing to the others and resumes his watch in the crows nest, scanning the banks of the river ahead with his long rifle.

Craig loads the magazine on the shotgun, placing a slug shell in first. He works the bolt ejecting the buckshot shell into his hand and then places it into the magazine.

He spends some time with his NVG's scanning both banks.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:48, Thu 03 May 2012.

In reply to Robert 'Tuck' Tucker (msg #58):

Jay nodded to Tuck and followed him to the starboard side, keeping his rife at his shoulder and wary of threats. He scanned around as he moved, looking in all nooks and crannies for anyone hiding.

"Secure the boat and perimeter." Bayer says loud enough to be over the voices. "NCOs get all of your people moving into position now."

Bayer then turns to Griet and asks, "Damage?" Before she can answer however, he includes, "Do you have all you're people accounted for?"
This message was last edited by the player at 11:55, Thu 03 May 2012.

In reply to Konrad Bayer (msg #64):

"Mariusz, on me.

"You and I are on the Vasilek."

Geared up and seeing there wasn't much he could do, Dawid returned to his station.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:07, Thu 03 May 2012.

This message was deleted by the player at 12:05, Thu 03 May 2012.

Mariusz followed Dawid to the mortar and then helped the man arrange his ammunition so the PKM could be deployed effectively. He readied his rifle and kept a close watch on the darkness.

"I'm on it," Griet said as Bayer asked about the crew, she picked up the intercom and said, "Griet to all crew stations, report in on status and damage."

She listened intently, hoping to hear everyone calling in and reporting they were safe.

Quyen shakes her head at Tucker in mock pity. "Always standing in the way of the bullets. When do you learn?" She then taps fists with him and and moves off to help Jan clear the boat.

Minh then asks Jan "You cover and I check the bodies? Good idea or no?" If Jan agrees she will sling her rifle and draw he pistol so she can manage turning over the bodies and dragging and that are still alive to the back of the boat.

Tucker smiles at Minh as he points to his dented helmet, "I don't know Minh.  It must be my brain bucket that is doing the attracting.  It wasn't too attractive when it knocked me on my ass back there.  You might've enjoyed me getting knocked on my ass though!"

With the aid of the light on his carbine and the tug's more powerful spotlight, Danny easily spots a lone figure in the water, about half a boat length downriver of the Queen. He can't quite believe it, but his senses are speaking true. The figure in the river is Dominique Connolly, one of Danny's travelling companions. Her head and shoulders are above water, but she hasn't called out- she must be in some sort of distress.

A sweep of the tug yields five dead boarders. There's another five dead between the two boats, both of which are fastened to the Queen by crude metal hooks. The inflatable on the port side is taking on quite a bit of water and is probably not salvageable. If the light was better, the water would be tinged with a substantial quantity of red. The wooden boat to port is also taking on water, but at a slower rate. Only two boarders managed to survive their attack on the tug. One is riddled with grenade fragments and is going into shock. The other, with a gunshot wound to the right arm, is in better shape.

Jeff slashes the jugular of the shock victim. The man barely seems to notice. Blood, almost black in the low light, courses down the front of his smock, each pulse diminish in strength and volume. He's dead in under a minute. The other man, having witnessed his comrade's bloody death, spills his guts [in Polish].

"Hey, take it easy, mate. Fuck man. Why are you so angry? This is what we do. You already destroyed our fleet. I don't remember you stopping by first to introduce yourselves. Turnabout's fair play, right? There's no place for us in Warsaw any more. We just wanted a little payback. You would have done the same thing. You don't need to..."

Jeff ends the prisoner's rambling with a .45 slug to the chest. The Korsair wheezes out a death rattle and expires on the deck. (Jeff -1 pistol round)

The tug is yours. She doesn't appear to have taken more than superficial cosmetic damage. Grenade shrapnel and small arms rounds have scarred the superstructure and patches on the deck and slick with blood. Grzyech and Roszkowski will certainly be cross that their fresh paint job has been ruined so soon.

Looking northwest, downriver, you notice that the distant lights have roughly doubled in number. It appears as though the residents of Plock haven't failed to notice the brief but violent battle that you've just waged.


Next Moves?
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:40, Sat 05 May 2012.

"Aw, shit."  Something in the back of your head notes that you sound more resigned than surprised.  You look at the sinking Zodiac, look back at Boots' head receding downstream, gauge the current, and make the call you knew you were going to make as soon as you recognized her:

You flip Winona to SAFE and toss her to a startled Craig.  "El-tee, I'm prob'ly gonna need a pickup."

Click goes the QD buckle on the aid bag's strap.  Let it hit the deck.  Snap goes the helmet's chin strap.  Ease it and its burden of fragile NVGs down onto the bag.

You raise your face to the bridge.  "Griet, keep the light on her!"

The D-ring on the cutaway tab rides on your left shoulder.  You reach up and across, yank it, rrrip goes the hook-and-loop, let the armor fall away.  Slow, too slow.  Be glad you were inside the nice warm bridge when the shooting started.  No heavy parka to make you even slower.

The captain's still dealing with Company Man's executions.  Fuck the prisoners.  They were standing between you and Julia.  They put your aircraft commander over the side.  Let 'em bleed out.  Fuck 'em.  You catch the captain's eye.  Enunciate clearly.  "Boots is in the water.  Tell the doctor to prep for two cold water immersion cases."

Don't give him time for different orders.  The river plods along at two miles an hour here.  Three feet per second.  She's already a hundred feet away.  Trivial in the pool.  Fun in the breakers off Kadena.  Not guaranteed here.  Your last met log entry was 28º.  The water has to be within a few degrees of freezing.

A life ring hangs on a bracket by the Dishka.  How long is the line?  Is it tied off?  Three feet per second.  Grab it on your way over the rail.  Don't think about what will happen when you hit the water.  Don't think about the involuntary aspiration, the spike in heart rate and blood pressure, the heart attack, the stroke.  Don't think about the heat draining away from your skin, the loss of dexterity and strength.  Don't think about rewarming complications, the heart overloading as it struggles to push blood to recovering extremities.

Training says you have ninety seconds to do this before your body fails.  Three feet per second.

Fourteen feet of air gives you time to think about it all anyway.

The Vistula swallows you.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:58, Sun 06 May 2012.

"Crew overboard!" Griet called over the intercom.

"Get a life raft out," she continued, "cut down the time they're in the water."

"Anneka, prepare for two cold water casualties," she said.

Jan had finished checking the bodies on the port side with Quyen and was just about to start collecting up weapons and ammo from the bodies before discussing how they were going to be disposed of when he heard the shouts about someone being overboard.  Turning he saw Danny dive into the cold water and remembered the discussions about just how cold the water was at present.  He had proposed practicing his swimming but had been dissuaded because of the water temperature and that was what someone was now doing!

Slinging his rifle over his shoulder Jan raced forward to the bow and looked around for a life ring.  Spotting one he checked that it was tied off and then coiled the rest of the line and it together, ready to throw it if anyone was close enough.  He then tried to spot Danny in the water and whomever he had dived in to save, calling out anything that he saw to everyone else.

Tucker turns and looks to see Danny diving overboard when Griet calls out that they have someone overboard.  He hands his rifle over to Jay and begins to make his way towards one of the rafts to get it ready and in the water.