Your small group were attached in different roles to the US 256th Brigade, part of the US 5th Infantray Division. About a week ago, the brigade was attacked and overun by Warsaw Pact forces believed to still be deep in the Ukraine. The past few days have been spent hiding from the multitude of Pact patrols and searching for escape.
You lost the few other members of your plattoon on the second day when they ran into a T-80 accompanied by infantry. You only escaped because you were out as sentry when the attack came in from the other side of your unit. The tank made short work of the units last remaining M113, and all anti-armour munitions had been expended in the overun of 2 days before.
Striking out by yourself and feeling horrible at the thought of abandoning your now captured or killed unit, you wandered about for a couple of days, dodgeing the ever present patrols. Just yesterday you linked up with three other survivors from the 5th ID, a German, and American and a Norweigen.
Unfortunately for you, the larger group was easily discovered a few hours ago by a Polish patrol of 10 infantry and an unarmed UAZ-469 and captured. After your hands were tied, you were securely tied to each other in a "chain" and attached to the back of the vehicle, the patrol set out north west. Your equipment has been divided out amongst the Poles and the little remaining either dumped or, if of value, carried in the UAZ.

The UAZ comes to a stop as the accompanying infantry change direction and move away from you directly north. You cannot see why they have done so. In the UAZ are the driver and a guard in the back. Both are armed with PM-63 SMG's but are very relaxed.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:26, Wed 03 Mar 2004.

If we're tied in a chain, where am I (ie who is in front, who behind)?

And how have the guards treated us to this point - have they come off all authoritarian and obnoxious, or just businesslike, or slack and idle or what?
If we mutter a bit to one another, do we think they'll have a major fit?

Watch, listen, and try to get closer to the German prisoner if possible. If not, try the next prisoner to me in line, in German. Failing that being pracical, talk to the nearest prisoner, hoping that most Europeans are linguistically capable and German is a common language in the West. Do so very quietly, under my breath, so as not to be heard.

Sprechen Sie Ein Deutsch?
Do you speak any German?

(I omit this question if talking to the German...)

If the reply seems to indicate understanding....

Jemand oder etwas hat ihre Aufmerksamkeit. Dies könnte eine gute Gelegenheit sein.
Someone or something has their attention. This might be a good opportunity.

Look meaningfully at the guards relaxed pose and the departing infantry.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:35, Thu 19 Feb 2004.

Kett is last in line, next to the American. So far they have accted almost as if they don't care about you - as if it doesn't matter to them if you live or die. Their manner is quitely confident and relaxed but they never put their weapons down and there is always at least one face you.
they are not too worried about converstaion but are aware of your words. If it looks like you could be organising an escape, they respond firmly.

[Private to Gary Irwin Herbert Kett: They will be a PC hopefully in the next 24hrs or so. Got an application who want to be US but don't know any details as yet.]

At some point, if I can, bend down to tie my boot laces. See if I can scoop up (surreptitious like) a throwable rock - fastball size or a bit smaller. Failing that, maybe a handful of gravel.

I'm not going to do anything now, but I might as well get ready.

OOC: Pity my Body Combat Damage is 1.

The other three prisoners all sit down on the ground, grateful for the rest break, no matter what the reason. It's been a very hard week with little sleep, the stress of imminent capture now replaced with the uncertainty of imprisonment in this crazy world.
[Private to Gary Irwin Herbert Kett: Take your pick to what you grab. You are on the edge of a wheat field.]

Michael sat quietly, listening to all the things going on around him.  From time to time, he could pick out snatches of a word here and there from the Poles,  but he tried to avoid paying too close attention in case any of them were watching him.  Knowing a bit of the language was sometimes a plus if it was unknown that you knew.

He reached down, picked up some of the dirt and let it fall back through his fingers. Then, to noone in particular he spoke. His voice had a neutral accent that didn't seem to fit his American uniform. "My grandparents always said this was good land for farming and growing things.... Sure doesn't look it now,  does it?"

corrected uniform nationality
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:58, Sun 22 Feb 2004.

Quietly:

It may not be the best farmland anymore, but no place is what it once was. I expect when I get home, Kingston will be a bit different to what I remember.

OOC: I picked up a small fastball sized rock

Sit down beside the speaker... if I can. Take a load off at any rate. It's been a tough week. What uniform is the last speaker wearing? Mine is a bit unusual - I'm wearing US fatigues, but if you look real closely at the shoulder flashes, one of the 'subdued' ones is a small green-on-other-green Canadian flag. There are no rank patches anywhere in sight.

Again quietly:

This is nice enough country, but I don't figure on enjoying the local hospitality <glances meaningfully but briefly at the guards> for any longer than necessary, if you take my meaning.

Otherwise, just listen, look around apparently unattentively but meanwhile try to catalog routes to various nearby bits of cover like the wheat field, any fencing, large rocks, etc.

Michael barely turned his head as he spoke just as quietly. "I definitely know what you mean.  I'd like to figure out a way out myself.  I was hoping maybe they'd think less of me because of this medical emblem and give me an opening, but they haven't yet."

He smiled as he turned to look in the other person's direction. "Maybe it's because they know what the other patch is."

He nodded and moved his shoulder to indicate the Ranger tab on his sleeve.  He extended his hand. "Michael Gallin"

The other two you are tied with don't seem to be in much of a mood to participate in any escape attempts. Both apear to have sunk into a state of depression, and who could blame them. Everybodies heard of the slave labour camps the Russians/Poles/Germans/Czechs/etc (varies depending on the storytellers nationality) have set up. Vertual death camps created once the oil had dried up for the purpose of keeping at least some industry operating.

You have learnt over the past few days with these two that they are not combat soldiers - the German is a cook and the Norweigen is a clerk, both attached to the 5th Infanrty Division by chance more than anything.

Looking towards the direction the Polish infantry escort has gone, you see a line of soldiers in Polish uniforms walking towards them (and you). At the moment they are about 550 metres away and appear lightly armed (no rocket launchers or machineguns). So far neither group appears overtly hostile - probably just another patrol on a sweep to find more Nato stragglers.....

For some reason, I just have the feeling this might get interesting.

Gary Kett, formerly of the Canadian Forces. My rank tabs would say Master Warrant Officer if I still had them. I served in the Infantry. I guess I still do, though there isn't what you'd call a recognizable Canadian contingent anywhere around here anymore.

I figure we'd better watch what happens and look for a chance to beat feet. These two others look like they've decided to pack it in. Seen that look a lot in the last five years, but I still wouldn't mind getting home. I've got a wife, you see. At least I really hope I still do. So getting stuck over here and getting put in some meat grinder of a work camp just doesn't fit my travel plans...

I'd offer my hand, but I think we're tied.

I'm scoping some short term movement paths. I think we might try to stick together. I'm not much of a scrapper and even less with my hands tied behind my back. Give me my C7 and that's a different story. But given the current situation, if there is a distraction, I think we should just beat feet. But it means getting loose from the other two if we're chained in line.

Start working at my ropes.... maybe try to stand in front of Michael so he can work at my ropes and I at his... without drawing attention... if we think this is feasible.

Michael nodded as Gary finished speaking. "yeah, I think if we can't get loose ourselves and get out of here, we'll end up like those other two."

he moved slightly to put himself in a better position to subtly work on each of their ropes.

(OOC: Sorry, hit send before I finished)

He spoke softly as he worked at the ropes. "I definitely don't like this.  If that isn't a patrol, and just a bunch of soldiers out for a stroll, they may join this patrol and we'll have twice the FUBAR..."

A few minutes go by as the other group advances also. There appears to be 8 people dressed in Polish uniforms and armed predominantly with AK's. They are not carrying packs. The distance between the two groups has now closed to 100m (The other group is 350m away and your captors are 250m).

One of the far group moves out in front of the others and appears to say something. The others of his group do not appear to relax however.

"Hmmmm... not sure what's going on.... something's not right..."

Weapons fire breaks out suddenly. You aren't sure which group fired first.

The Pole carrying an SVD and Gallin's M177 is hit in the opening shots and disappears into the tall wheat.

The two Poles with you now have their attention focused on the battle.

OOC: Have we managed to get the knots or whatever loose on our hands?  If so, that'd probably change my plans.....

..

The RPK gunner disappears into the wheat as he is hit. A grenade fired from Kett's M203 lands just past the newcomers, knocking two of them down with shrapnel hits. A barrage of bullets flys between the two sides but no hits appear to result.

The driver of the UAZ starts the engine as the guard turns back to you and urgently motions you to your feet.

OOC: The bonds are loosening but not likely to give any time soon. You have been tied for a few hours now and i assume you've been trying the whole time.

I take it from the 'disappears into the wheat' comments, you mean 'falls over into the wheat field' - rather than 'was shot at, then ducks into the wheatfield'.
Are the locations of these soldiers' falls nearby?

I get to my feet, keeping my head down and whisper to my friend here
Let's hope that one takes a hit or is distracted, then one of us calls the break and both of us sprint for the wheat and concealment, getting into it, zigzagging, and prone shortly thereafter....

Then wait for an opportunity, or for Mike to say "Go!Go!Go!". If I see the opportunity, whisper "Go!" and take off running for the wheat field, zigzagging.

Michael nodded to Gary. "Deal." As he rose to his feet he intentionally stumbled a little to put himself closer to the guard.

(OOC: is there just one guard paying attention to us at the moment? If so, can I try to stumble in such a way as to loop my bindings around the gun and disarm him? Or if jsut two, could I keep the guard I'd be trying to disarm between myself and the other so I didn't get shot?)

I follow his play. Mike will probably be concentrating on the gun. I'll concentrate on getting my legs tangled with his and taking him to the ground. Gunplay while wrestling is very hard to manage period. If Mike can't get that close, we should both just stay ready waiting for him to be distracted.

If we get into HTH, I can't really do much damage (I'm not HTH expert). But it shouldn't be too hard to overbear, as this should be easier than throwing good punches or securing locks, etc.

I do, however, have combat boots on. Given the chance, I can try to break some ribs.

However, if this looks like a plan to get us all killed, we should both hold until we get a good chance....

Quote
I take it from the 'disappears into the wheat' comments, you mean 'falls over into the wheat field' - rather than 'was shot at, then ducks into the wheatfield'.
Are the locations of these soldiers' falls nearby?
end quote

It's hard to tell exactly at this range but from the way they moved you can presume that they have been hit.
quote Nuked
The other group is 350m away and your captors are 250m.
end quote
This is at the first shot and does not include the driver and other guard who you can presume to be basically sitting on the tailgate.


quote Sergeant Michael Gallin
(OOC: is there just one guard paying attention to us at the moment? If so, can I try to stumble in such a way as to loop my bindings around the gun and disarm him? Or if jsut two, could I keep the guard I'd be trying to disarm between myself and the other so I didn't get shot?)
end quote

The driver is facing forward away from you. The other is motioning you to your feet with his weapon.
quote Nuked
After your hands were tied, you were securely tied to each other in a "chain" and attached to the back of the vehicle
end quote
There is at least a metre of rope between each of you and another couple of metres between the vehicle and closest prisoner (the German)
quote Nuked
Kett is last in line, next to the American
end quote

I hate to say it but at the moment you are unlikely to be effective in attacking the guard. Perhaps your best chance is to try and stop the UAZ from driving off and see what happens in the battle?
you may well think of something I haven't though so do as you wish, I'm not likely to kill you off this early in the game either.....
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:08, Thu 04 Mar 2004.

The captors can drag us off down the road by the rope if they choose to. So we'd better get up. I can't really see any way to prevent this, but we can get up slowly and stay as low as possible so as not to collect stray rounds.

I take it the rope is tied from prisoner to prisoner and then to the trailer hitch or the like. And buddy with the weapon is sitting on the tailgate.

So, tied up, with no way to get loose (though I am going to work hard at that idea... maybe the rock I picked up has some sharp edges I can use on my rope...), and tied to the truck, there is little we can do. If we charge buddy with the gun, we're swiss cheese. If he try to resist, he just shoots us. So we have to 'wait and see' and work on our bonds, biding our time.

The balance of power shifts dramatically away from your captors as first the M203 gunner is hit and goes down and then a grenade is thrown. Three more Poles hit the dirt as shrapnel and concusion do them in.
The remaining 4 Poles fire back, with the result of two of the newcomers falling to the ground but there are still four standing, including the thrower of the grenade and their RPK gunner.

As you move as slowly as you can get away with, the Poles with you are beginning to look worried and the driver says something you can't make out.

Что случается? Кто - они?
(What is happening? Who are they?)

Освободите нас! Вы не можете уехать с нами тянущийся позади! Мы убежим, и Вы никогда не должны будете видеть нас снова!
(Free us! You can't drive away with us dragging behind! We will run away and you will never have to see us again!)

Try to look scared and pleading, try to indicate he should cut the rope or untie it from the back of the UAZ.

The guard looks at you and wonders what this person is babbling at him as the UAZ slowly starts to move forward. The rope digs in to your wrists at you are dragged after it. Another few words are spoken by the driver, this time sharper and more insistant in tone than before.

One could have hoped, being Polish and in the Red Army at one point...

At any rate, obviously we have to go with them. I guess we're still looking for some sort of opportunity. Watch for a major distraction. It is evident that, tied up and unable to loosen the knots, we won't be doing much with the guard watching us from the tailgate with a gun.

The Guard yells back at him and then draws a large knife.
In the meantime, another Pole is hit and goes down, leaving only 3 standing where only about 15 seconds before were 10.

Stoop a little (to allow some spring to my knees if I have to slam into the guy with my shoulders). I'm hoping he'll cut us loose, but if he tries to do some knife work, I'm not going down without a fuss! (BCD=1!!!!)

Obviously desperate, the remaining Pole infantry open up using automatic fire in an attempt to regain the initiative. two more go down to the disiplined fire of the newcomers leaving only one on his feet.
The Guard on the tailgate swings his knife down to the rope connecting you all to the UAZ. He quickly saws through it leaving the four of you shocked at the sudden apparent freedom as the vechicle accelerates away.

(OOC: Sorry folks! school and work got the best of me..... )

Michael yelled out in Polish as the UAZ drove off. <"You could have at least dropped the knife for us!">

He turned to the others. "I don't know about you, but I think we need to get these ropes off fast.  Those others may have won, but I'm not sure we're in a better situation than we were before."

He began looking around as well as he could for something to finish removing the ropes.

I suggest, in English that we move to the wheatfield. Perhaps if the nearest downed enemy is close enough, we can procure a knife and some firepower there.

Assuming I can convince people to move with me, start heading in that direction, keeping an eye on the departing jeep.

Do I think any of the guys that went down had my kit? Where do I think my pack ended up? (Probably driving away in the UAZ....)

The nearest downed Pole is approximately 350m away from you in the direction of the newcomers. They are at present still mopping up from the fight and begining a quick search of the Poles.
The other two men with you appear to be in shock - first from being captured and now the sudden and unexpected release. They don't resist any action you take to guide them.
Most of your equipment was shared out amongst the poles, Kett's C7/M203 was used to good effect before the pole in posession of it was taken down. Weapons, armour, nightvision gear, etc. all went to the Infantrymen while your packs and webbing were last seen in the back of the UAZ.

You feel the heat of bullets flashing past you before you hear the sound of them firing. The Pole on the tailgate opens up at the four of you as they drive off, apparently to inflict payback upon you - the real culprits well out of range of his SMG. The German is hit in both legs and screams in agony as they crumple under him. The Norweigen is grazed in his side by the same burst but stays on his feet, shocked at being suddenly wounded. Fortunately for the other two of you, they shielded you from the burst.

I'd thought some of them went down next to us.

Yell to Michael "Leg it!". Grab the German under the arms and start dragging him off into the ditch or the nearest cover. Try to get Michael to similarly tow or direct the Norwegian.

We need to get out of line of sight with that arsehole in the UAZ. I wish one of those others would put a bullet in him!

Two of the newcomers sprint towards the UAZ as it accelerates away, bumping through the field at 20m per phase. The Pole on the back fires another burst towards you as they move out of effective range of his weapon. The Norwiegen spins around as he is hit in his leg and falls to the ground, bullet lodged in his muscle.
You feel more than hear the remaining bullets in the burst crack past you as you dive for cover.

[Ref, OOC: Is this your way of 'cleaning up' the loose NPCs? If so, I can let them go, though my instinct is to try to save every NATO soldier if given the opportunity....]

Since we're still roped together, we can't go far without the German and Norwegian.

Roll onto my side. bend my knees up to my chest and tuck my ankles in. Try to work my tied hands down and over my feet (I've seen this done enough times - works if you are a bit spry - requires a little roll up onto your shoulders sometimes to get your butt off the ground and your hands to slide over your butt, past your feet, and around to the front). I'm only about 5'4" tall and about 160 lbs or so, so I might be able to get my hands in front of me (still tied). With that, I could at least effectively drag one of the wounded to cover, or get the ropes to my teeth to get them untied.

"Damn!"

Michael leaned back and imitated Gary's move in trying to get the rope loose and his hands to his front.

OOC: if he can manage to get hands to the front, he'll try to move over and do a fireman's carry on the norwegian to help get him back and under whatever cover is available, otherwise, will lean into the rope, and do best to drag him over by the rope.

OOC2: sorry guys.... school has been a rough week with a test in every class.. had a lot of studying going on...

Mike makes a good point. Failing to be able to get the rope down over my butt and in front of me, I'll help him apply some serious pull to the two downed figures. Ideally, I'd rather get to a place where I can more gently drag them, but failing that, I'll have to except the field expedient of dragging them in my wake.

Rotten <deleted>! What'd he have to shoot us for? It's not like WE were any threat to him. I'll fix his wagon if I ever see him again. We'll see how he likes being tied up and shot.

Gary seems genuinely upset over this inhumane and essentially indefensible conduct. It seems to have offended some inner sense of fair play or professional conduct or something of that sort.

The UAZ drives out of effective SMG range with the Pole on the back yelling incomprehensible curses towards you and the new arrivals.
One of the newcomers alters his course slightly and is now running directly towards you rather than chasing the UAZ.
You manage to find some sort of shelter amongst the tall wheat and get your hands in front of you. Your two wounded companions are moaning as they writhe about. The German is unlikely to be able to walk any time soon - one leg has been broken by a bullet and the other is bleeding profusly.

Take a quick look to determine the uniform worn by the oncoming figure, then get to the business of trauma first-aid. Concentrate on stopping the bleeding for now and applying pressure to keep blood loss limited. What we really need are IVs for fluids to avoid shock, but I'm not holding my breath. Treat the most seriously injured first (and this might be the German, if I'm guessing right).

I'm not a medic, but you've got to try to lie quiet and not kick about to much. We've got to stop the blood loss until we can get someone here who is a trained medic. So please, I know it hurts, just try to lie still and focus on breathing deeply...

Give a concerned look at Michael...

Are you med-qualified? If so, tell me what to do..... if not, just try to stop the blood loss until we get some help... I hope....

Several small explosions burst in a small area amongst the far soldiers, causing one to be knocked from his feet.

OOC: wonder where Gallin's got to?

The sound of the retreating UAZ's engine changes as several shots ring out from that direction. They sound heavier than the light rounds of the SMG that fired at you, more like an AK.

Focus on stopping the bleeding. This will be about the limit of what one can do with tied hands. :(

Curse a lot.

Automatic fire is heard from the distance battlefield. One of the standing soldiers fires a couple of single shots at a target on the ground near their feet.
Several grenades are thrown from concealed positions, all landing around the same target and bringing them down.
The UAZ is hit by several shots and weaves to an unsteady stop.

OOC: sorry about the long wait. Have to get combat down to your initiative before I can post much for you.

A cloud of orange smoke begins to form around the general location of the downed Polish soldiers.

Another grenade is lobbed. It lands almost in the targets lap (1m long and to the left). Fate is smiling upon him today however and he only suffers concusion.

Clearly desperate, a slightly wounded Pole pops up from the wheat not far from one of the newcomers. The panicked soldier pulls the trigger on full auto and hoses hot lead towards him, almost emptying his magazine. Fortunately for the target, he is only hit with one out of the approximately 25 bullets.

A man wearing a mixture of military uniforms (mainly what looks like Bulgarian and Romanian) and a black beanie, trots out from the trees, rifle leveled at the UAZ.
Meanwhile, the Pole that had been on the tailgate and who had shot at you, slips down into the cover of the wheat. He is concealed from the "Bulgarian" by the bulk of the vehicle.
As you do your best with the Germans wounds, you notice a sharp rock beside him that had been dug up with the spring plowing.....

If I think the newcomer moving up on the UAZ will here me, I yell a warning about the bastard who shot us being in the wheat. If not, I jump up and down and yell until the newcomer looks my way, then yell "HOSTILE!" and gesture with my entire upper torso in the direction of the jackass who shot us.

If the new guy appears so far away that he has little chance of hearing me or paying attention, I get to work on the rope with the sharp rock.

He is well within earshot - only about 100m or so away. What are your words?

"BULGARIAN, BLACK BERET - WARNING HOSTILE WITH SMG HIDING IN WHEAT BEHIND THE UAZ!!"

Yell it in English, then yell it in Russian. (And if I see the arsehole hiding in the wheat turn my way, eat dirt!)

If I can judge the distance from Bulgarian to the man behind the UAZ and the rough bearing (relative to the direction the Bulgarian/Rumanian is walking), I'll include that, such as
"TARGET NINE METERS YOUR ZERO, 3 METERS BACK OF UAZ".

I want him to get the best idea of where the enemy is that I can provide.

Then add

"THAT F&*@ER SHOT UNARMED PRISONERS!"

The main combat appears to have come to a close only seconds after Kett yells his warning to the "Bulgarian". The newcomers have won the day and look to have captured a prisoner of their own.

Following closely behind the "Bulgarian" is another man armed with a sniper rifle of a type that you do not recognise at this range.

What's the new guy wearing, uniform/headgear wise? That may (or may not) shed any light on who we have here.

Any sign of response to my yelling... do they at least appear to take the advice and watch for the enemy in the indicated location?

A very large, well built white male. He wears a thick jacket and civilian clothing. On his head is a kevlar helmet.
They seem to understand your english but disregard the warning - the "Bulgarian" stands casually near the UAZ once he reaches it.

Go back to getting the rock to cut my ropes. Then trying to see to the wounded.
See what Gallin is doing.... but keep a sidewise eye on the two at the UAZ.

The sniper yells out to you, first in french and then english, "What's going on around here?"

Both of them take cover next to the UAZ.

 Sgt Smith will work towards the wounded comrades, keeping the head down and kick the medical training into gear, making sure his back is not to any potential enemies. I will also apologize for being late. "Stepped in a badger hole."



OCC: Hey all, my name is Styxx, I'll be running Sgt Gallin from here on in.

And yell to the foreigners.

"Bastards caught us escaping the mess at Kalisz. When you showed up, they decided to shoot us, even though we were no damn threat. We've got wounded here and a lot of our kit is on guys you took down or in the jeep."

Keep working at the bonds and trying to keep the wounded alive.

Glad to see Sergeant Gallin showing signs of life again.
[Private to Gary Irwin Herbert Kett: Kett doesn't have Language: French skill or any other closely related. Only told you they were yelling in french because most people would recognise it.]
[Private to GM: Ooops! Yes, you're right on both counts. French would be recognizable to anyone in CF. And Gary probably doesn't have French (I should have given him French 1, but I didn't). Thanks for the catch!]
This message was last edited by the player at 22:34, Sun 04 Apr 2004.

The rope finally comes apart, freeing your hands.

Get Michael loose. Then evaluate the state of the wounded, after our attempts at care. See what the others are doing.

 Once my hands are free I will help evaluate the injuries and start on the worst one first, keeping a stray eye on the foriegners.

Closing this thread now. Please continue posting in the "Intro" thread once you've read the last couple there.