You follow the tracks through the trees, the tracks getting fresher with each step. After about a mile, you smell smoke.

[OOC: I was awaiting others and also wondering why we'd seen nothing to shoot and eat?!]

Motioning to stop. He whispers to the others
You smell that?

He tries to listen or see a fire, and conceal himself as he does it. Fire generally meant others were nearby

What type of smoke?

Smells like woodsmoke. Could be a campfire or perhaps just embers left over from a combat in the last couple of days (incendiaries tend to start fires). Not likely to have been a lightning strike - no storms lately.

Lets get closer and have a look.
Nelson creeps through the trees and underbrush, his rifle ready to fire at the slightest notice.
Stealth roll: 2
Skill: 2

After a few careful hand signals, Guido shakes out an attack formation ready to advance as soon as Alfred informs them of what it is or receives a barrage of gunfire.

If more than one goes increases our chance of getting seen and loosing the surprise, (and doesn't appear to be any other goups in the cast)

If it does come to that the camp will think the dinner is putting up a good fight.

If it smells of firewood. Sergio would guess it's a camp. Hostile maybe, maybe not.

We could head away? leave them be?

Seeing we're an hour out from our camp? ish?

(and if need be, though I DO hoep it's not: 22:12, Today: Major Sergio D'ammond rolled 10 using 1d10. stealth. )

Alfred soon returns. There are seven Polish soldiers camped roughly 60metres up ahead with horses picketed. They are roasting a deer on a large fire and don't appear to be very alert. There are 6 of us. Anyone up for joining them for dinner? Alfred says with a sly smile on his face. A couple of grenades and a little burst of gunfire should do them in.

[OOC: How would/does suprise work? If we all prepared and sniped from the darkenss, how many could we get?]

Sergio wonders if the grenade might not mess up the deer!? All that lovely meat?!

Dinner is ready and waiting, Just remember to spit out the shrapnel, and the other option is to starve to death, I think an ambush is in order.

Guido wispers Alfred what cover can we get for an ambush, we can get close and prone, and hail them in bullets from an 130 degree arc, they won't know where to react. I want one of the flanks, near the horses to pick off the cowards so they can't get help, and extra horse meat.

We have two issues here, Chaps. We've got a bunch of hostile blighters in a camp none too far from our own, and we've got to have food and transport. That says to me that these Pact soldiers are an obstacle to be dealt with. So, having made that assessment, here is my recommendation...

Using his bayonet and some dirt, Alfred sketches the approach to camp, where he sighted the soldiers, horses, etc. He then indicates the axis of advance that gives the best cover.

Sergio, you and our three friends move quietly up this path. Sgt. Guido will move around towards the flank with the horses, anchoring that approach. I will move around to take the other flank. Our objective is to get close enough to come upon them in silence.

Sergio, you other hunters, give Sgt. Guido and myself some extra time as we have to move over a greater arc. Move quietly. Watch your step and step lightly. Do not fire until Sergio fires or I will have your balls for breakfast.

Nelson gestures pointedly with the bayonet to underscore the warning.

Our goal is to get very close. I will attempt to get close enough to actually speak in a normal tone. I will warn these gentlemen they are surrounded, that many guns bear upon them, and if they reach for a weapon they will be shot dead. They will not be harmed if they survive.

If, at that juncture, they decide to so something stupid, I will lob a grenade into their midst. Major D'ammond, Sergeant Guido, I expect you two to keep an eye peeled. If any of them moves in a way I cannot see (your vantage will allow you a better view), then you will shoot the individual in question.

Hunters, you will NOT fire until Major D'ammond gives the order or fires himself. Then, fire aimed shots. Ammunition is scarce and we are close enough we should not miss. Plus it will make your position harder to identify.

Everyone, be prone or behind something solid. Your gunflashes will give you away. And shrubs won't stop return fire. Prone is the best posture, even if you have cover. Minimize your exposure. Use any bracing to steady your weapon.

Any questions? Major, do you disagree with my approach? I believe these men may yield useful intelligence, or at the very least yield several horses and a deer and some more weapons.

Nelson waits for any feedback, mostly ignoring the hunters. Major D'ammond and Sergeant Guido are professional and may have some useful feedback before the final movement order is confirmed.

Sounds good so far, but, what are we to do with them? I mean if we're going to take all their things, they're as good as dead. I feel they'll most likely try and fight.
He rubs his stubble with his left hand, his right holding the rifle steady and ready, a handy feat in one arm.
I'm game to follow, but you asking them to surrender is either going to give us more trouble, or get you shot at! If we leave them here they'll likely die, or come hunting us down. It's not nice, but it might be better for the both of us to just kill them? Unless you think they might be potential allies?
He then waits for Guido's response.

Major D'ammond, you do have a point. But the truth is, I'm loath to add to the world's surplus of needless death. Those Chaps may choose to fight. If they choose that unfortunate path, I'm quite happy to expedite their departure from this world. But if they know they're covered by multiple weapons and we promise not to kill them, the fact we didn't just kill them outright may convince them that a struggle is not required.

As to alliance, that's an interesting idea. Maybe our local friends have some insight on that option? Failing that, being driven out into the wild with your life is still a better option for most folks than getting gunned down in the middle of the night. I have a slim hope they will see the good sense of not dying tonight, what?

I actually rather suspect they have comrades around somewhere. I was figuring we'd loot their stuff, put the boots to them, and perhaps one or two of us might quietly trail them a ways to see where they go.

In order to confuse them, I suggest our approach be from a direction that does not directly lead back to our camp. If they do run home to tell someone, then we want them giving incorrect directions.

My thought is also that if there are more of them around, an interrogation may yield some useful information in that regard. Dead bodies rarely do.

But I would like to hear Sergeant Guido's thoughts as well.

Attaching Bayonet quietly, an evil grin passes.
"No problem give them a chance to surender, but if one moves...." Guido mimics a grenade lob. "Just have the pin pulled before hand, as dead bodies can yeild a lot of info if you look"

Everybody shakes out into their assigned positions and Alfred calls out for their surrender. As Sergio predicted, they act stunned and supprised for a moment before diving towards cover and their weapons.
Initiative 6 please. That would be Dave. Once he has posted two phases of actions (phase 6 and then 5) Alfred gets to act on phase 4 followed again by Dave. Then, Sergio finally gets his go on phase 3 followed by Alfred and Dave. Read the rules on initative, etc if you have any questions (or just ask in the ooc thread).
At this point there are 7 enemy who will be armed in a matter of 5-10 seconds depending on their reaction times. You are all considered prone in cover so have a HUGE advantage. Also, the first shot is considered aimed (if you wish to fire instead of throwing grenades or other actions).

Assume that Alfred has gotten as close as possible in trying to convince these fellows of the folly of resistance. Assume also that he has his SVD held in his off hand, and a fragmentation grenade with pin-out in his good arm (being careful to hold the spoon...).

Assuming he initiates things (ie he makes a noise loud enough to be heard, or his calling on them to surrender prompts their reaction), should he have to wait to throw his grenade? Does not the normal sequence of initiative assume all parties at an equal preparedness? Assuming you are set and ready, should you not act in phase six, regardless of your iniative? (ie can Alred not lob his grenade first?)

Game Mechanics: 21:20, Today: Lt Col Alfred Nelson rolled 4 using 1d10. Throwing a Grenade. Thr Wpn 4. 
This message was last edited by the player at 01:21, Sun 13 June 2004.

Guido opens up with the AK47 (Semi-auto) preparing to change targest as they .
(This is short range? if medium, 3 shots per phase and delete the last two shots in each phase.
Are these considered quick shots, if so what is my chance to hit? I have posted 5 shots but if the chance is too small (<6) I want to only shoot 3 times for recoil purposes.)
Phase 6
Attacks(8) - 8,5,7,8,2
Shot Damage   location
1     12      10 L Leg
2     15       1 Head
3     15      10 L Leg
4     12      10 L Leg
5      7       6 Abdomen

Phase 5
Attacks - 4,4,1,3,4
1     13       2 R Arm
2     11       2 R Arm
3     10       8 R Leg
4      9       1 Head
5      9       6 Abdomen

Phase 4 Saving time
Attacks - 6,3,1,5,10
1     16       2 R Arm
2     13       9 L Leg
3     10       4 Chest
4     10       2 R Arm
5      6 Catastroph roll

Alfred throws his grenade as Guido starts firing. It lands almost precisely where he wanted it and fragments fly about the area striking several targets.
Sgt Guido opens up firing shot after deadly shot into the suprised Poles. By the end of just 15 seconds, 7 Polish soldiers lay dead or dying on the ground, their blood mixing with the earth beneath them.
The horses rear up as first the grenade explodes nearby then the repeated loud bangs of the assault rifle drives them to panic. Pulling their tethers, they gallop off into the night, possibly never to be seen again.
The three Polish hunters with you are stunned into immobility by the sudden hellish violence they have just witnessed. Sergio has barely registered the begining of hostilities when it is just as suddenly all over besides the groans of the dying.

As the echos of the short bloodbath die down, several shots are heard in the distance back in the direction of the camp.

They all dead?

In that case Sergio will run forward to grab a few weapons, (to make sure others don't get them and so that he and other have spare!)

Oh godz, you think this camp had the zame idea? We best ed back!

You local chaps, help Major D'ammond police up this gear. Grab any paycards, maps or other papers, dogtags, other identification, weapons, ammunition, and anything else that looks interesting.

Staff Sergeant, could you make a quick jaunt after the horses - just to see if any of them may have settled close by the camp? If not, a quick sweep of the perimeter would make me feel safer.

I'm going to prepare the deer carcass for transport. I would like to clear the area and head back to our base camp within 5 to 10 minutes.

Gentlemen, keep your ears open. We've heard a smattering of shots from the direction of our camp. We didn't hear a generalized firefight, so I'm assuming it might be a jumpy picket or someone chasing off wolves or some other predator. If we hear more concentrated fire, we shall assume there is more to be concerned with. For the time being, let us clear up this site and then head home.

Oh, and Sergeant Guido, if you can police up most of the casings from around your firing position, I'd rather not leave a NATO calling card, if you take my meaning. But go check on the horses and sweep the perimeter first.

Let's be about it, Chaps!

Meanwhile, demonstrating all of the skills I learned at Hereford, I shall endeavour to secure the deer carcass for transport - on a couple of poles suspended between two of our intrepid little band. A drag frame would work, but I don't want to leave much of a sign as to which direction we took. With that in mind, use some of the fatigue shirts (or if some of the poles have a shelter half or tarp) to wrap the carcass. At least until we get about 200m from here, I don't want any noteworthy amounts of blood or juice dripping, leaving a nice track back to the camp.

I also make sure the Poles are actually dead. If there are any that are not dead, I quickly interrogate them as to who they are, what unit they are with, where the body of their unit is, etc. before finishing them off. If they cooperate, I try hard to make it quick and painless, as well as quiet. Never ask one of your men to do the dirty work if you won't do it yourself.

Also, on our way back, assuming Guido doesn't find us some horses and we don't find anything so compelling we can't leave, we make a point to zig-zag and do double back every so often, just to confuse anyone trying to follow our path back to our camp.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:05, Sun 13 June 2004.

You were welcome to join in anytime Sergio, don't need to wait for permission next time. Guido picks up the spent AK-74 shells. You may want to put out that fire incase it attracts more pests (read "poles") and hopefully the wolves will clean some of this mess up.
Clearing patrol whilst looking out for the horses is done.
[Private to Lt Col Alfred Nelson; Major Sergio D'ammond; Nuked: I thought horses trained for combat are trained not to panic, or they would be pretty useless in battle ]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:33, Mon 14 June 2004.

The recent battle sounds have barely stopped echoing by the time you are ready to move out. The almost cooked carcase (30kg of wild food equiv.) is supported between two of the Polish refugees. Sgt Guido has collected his 15 empty brass cartridges and swept the nearby area. The remaining people have collected 7 AK-74's and 21 magazines in addition to their misc personal gear (not a lot that is usable or relevant).
The fire is soon put out and you set out back to the camp, all feeling happier now that you have some food and have dealt with a few more of the "enemy".
(The horses are long gone.)

Well, do I get the leg?, I claim 2 mags for my self.

Bloody Hell, Sergeant! With shooting like that, you can have the whole bleedin' thing. I have seen a few Queen's Medal winners shoot and bugger me if you don't shoot at least as well! Nelson grins a feral grin to accompany his jest. He seems to have been a bit 'switched on' by the situation. He may not want to kill people needlessly, but the adrenalin and the knowledge of being a survivor and having the other guy be the one going down seems to get to him as it does most men, but only a little bit.

Let us hasten back to Camp, Lads. It is a good night's work. Let us just try to not have a skittish sentry at camp put a bullet through one of us, wot? That would be a royal pissoff, not by half.

Nelson, not one to let others do his work, takes his turn carrying the meat-frame and makes sure to carry a couple of the rifles, just to distribute the weight of the picked up gear.

He makes very sure the part approaches the encampment quietly and that Sgt Guido is sent forward (proving very quiet and observant) to let the sentry know who it is (and makes a point to have everyone down just in case the sentry is jittery).

"I'll just make sure my mags are full, if it comes to that there will be a few less at the table at dinner."