The Mortars are being set up only a few hundred metres to the north east of the camp site. This is of immediate concern due to the fact that the group that set out to Lask went this way and presumably will return via the same or similar route - they may run into them.
Secondly, where is the main force that these are obviously setting up in support of? A mortar detachment of this size pre-war would be used in support of at least an infantry unit of company size (100+ men). In the present situation, they could be in suport of anywhere between a few dozen and an entire brigade (roughly 3 companies per battalion, 3 battalions per brigade, not including all the supporting elements) potentially up to several thousand soldiers.
You are presently approximately 50 metres or so away from them in cover.
There is no real direct threat to you BUT this could change at any moment, especially if they do what they should and send a small "clearing patrol" out to make sure there is no threat to them in the immediate area. This patrol would almost certainly discover the camp.
You have the four PC's (Don, Sergio, Camilla and Alfred) as well as 10 Poles who are competent to fight (especially if they fire bursts - little actual skill required...). There are another half dozen or so rifles that are presently not being used (those that were taken by the hunting party the previous night) and plenty of small arms ammunition.

There are 14 hand grenades and Kett's M203 40mm grenade launcher available in addition to the rifles. A barrage of these weapons from concealment would probably do a lot of damage to the russians and maybe even allow a change of ownership of the mortars, etc.

The choice is yours......

NPC'd
Lt Col Nelson sneaks quietly up to join the small group hiding in the bushes. What's the story then? he asks in a whisper.

*pointing*

Encampment, mortars, many armed guards, don't know of us or the camp, too close to NOT do something. Any ideaz? whispers Sergio.

"I am not sure if I can go there and convince them not to shoot us, or our awayteam"

NPC'd
At this point it seems our best solution is to either move the camp and risk attracting their attention with the noise or attack by suprise with grenades and automatic fire. If we leave, we'd have to abandon the UAZ too.
I'm open to suggestions though.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:55, Wed 08 Sept 2004.

Well, we could easily push the vehicle no? And the camp can be moved, I can wait in cover for the away team [OOC: very Stargate ehh?] Especially as no-one seems to want to attack. But then are they likely to cause trouble for us in the future?

NPC'd
I am concerned with the whereabouts of the rest of their unit and the strong possibility of them bumping into the other groups. I doubt the "Spetznaz" team will return any time soon but the "Scouts" should be back in the next hour or two.
Perhaps if we move the camp as quietly as possible a few hundred metres away and when the scouts return attack the mortars? The return of the 3 scouts will improve the odds conciderably.

OOC: Andy, William and Tanya are three of the four best fighters each with Initiative 6. They are also carrying the heaviest weapons (1 RPK, 1 RPK-74 light machine guns and 1 AK-74 assault rifle).

"Aye, Mr Nelson. I guess we should get out of the way. The problem is, though, that if we move, our steps can be tracked a lot easier, especially if we are going to move the car"

"I'm not a tactician. But I think we should stay where we are, but that we should put up some more guards. Then, when the others are coming. They'll probably spot the mortargroup since they have some of the sharpest eyes around."

"The other option is to make a quick attack before they have been able to group, but since we probably don't have the firepower needed, we'll probably be gunned down. Or what do you think, Mr Nelson?"

NPC'd
I believe we have the firepower here now, especially if we open up by suprise with grenades, he whispers in reply.
I have to agree that moving will leave a lot of tracks to follow. 30+ people and a vehicle are hard to move stealthily.
The question is when do we attack, before or after the scouts return?
Sergio, you have a silenced SMG don't you? Perhaps you could attend to a few with that or find a good sniping position to support the attack?

With a wide grin.

You meenz taking out people with no zound? Well I guess I can have a go! You make it sound like I do it everyday...

He starts to inspect his weapon to make sure it's fully operational.

But surely we'd want to wait for everyone, no?

"Aye, I guess it would be easier to wait. On the other hand, then they will have dug themselves a lot deeper into the area. What we CAN do, if you want to. It is to make a tactical map of the whereabouts of their troops, and see what opposition we really have against us, and how they are organized. I guess you cant do it by just writing it down now, so you should make a new survey. Or what do you say Mr Nelson?"

Nelson is about to reply when a burst comes from the radio of the Russians positioned so perilously close by. The radio operator has apparently neglected to keep the volume down - perhaps this is an indication of their lax security?
[Private to Donnachaidh: In Russian. Repair yard to Mortar section. Request immediate fire support over.]

NPC'd
Caught about to speak, Nelson held off to allow Don to hear what was said.
What was that Don?

"It was in russian. If our friends are anywhere near a repair yard, they will soon have a lot of shells falling in their heads. It was a request for mortar support... Maybe this is the opportunity you want, soldiers... Please be quiet, so that I can try to hear the answer, if they say they are ready or not...

The radio operator replies a few seconds later.
[Private to Donnachaidh: In Russian he requests more details such as location, etc.]
The voice at the other end sounds panicked.[Private to Donnachaidh: It's painfully obvious that the person at the other end has no experience at calling in indirect fire. The radio operator however, shows his skill as he extracts all the required information. Apparently, the repair yard is in danger of being overrun by a unit of rogue Polish troops. Most of the Russian personell are dead or wounded and the speaker is holed up inside an armoured vehicle that was under repair. The fire is requested to hit the yard itself which is located a few kilometres to the north east - the same direction the "spetznaz" team went.]

"Unfortunately my friends, we are at war"

"Someone is calling for indirect fire upon what appears to be our spetznaz-unit. I still haven't gotten the information if they are ready to answer his call with the mortars yet"

"I will go back and get the others, we probably have to do something fast, these guys seem to know what to do"

"I'll go back and fetch the other, I just want to know whether it is going to be a hurry or not. In any case, I suppose you want to hear that our men is doing an impact on the russians. Most people at the caller's site are dead"
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:31, Tue 14 Sept 2004.

Zeems speed may be needed. He looks upset.

Don you head back and get the rest ready and on guard. Bring some in, numbers good. I guess the rest of us get ready to charge or the like? I can sneak around the other side, start grenades and bursts, then while they shoot into my side with their backs turned, you lot join in.

He looks most grim at this prospect, seeing the faces of others with the "shooting in the back" idea.

It's the best way to attack a superior foe, strike fast and quick, with confusion.

He gets ready to leave, incase anyone has a better idea, or anything to add.

And if they do start firing before I do, we better just go for suprise! Everyone keeps bursts for maximal output.

NPC'd
Using signs, gestures and sketches in the dirt as appropriate, LtCol Nelson outlined the quick attack plan. He assumes Don translates as needed.
Don, there's no time to get anyone else and the rest aren't really up to it anyway.
Ok Sergio, but I want to modify that a little. Take Don with you around to the 9 o'clock position and give fire support.
The assault team will consist of myself, Camilla and you three Poles. We'll attack from here, indicating the 6 o'clock position. You three, points at the Poles, fire short bursts. Camilla and I will use Grenades and aimed fire along with 40mm HE, pats Kett's C7/M203 combination.
Ok, Sergio, Don, hand over your grenades and move round into position. We begin the attack as soon as we hear the first shot.
Once Sergio and Don have begun moving to their assigned position, Alfred directs with hand signals the few remaining people into a line abreast.
He then drops any excess equipment so as to be able to move easily.
If only we all shared a common language but at least we shouldn't need to speak too much in the next few minutes.

OOC: Don and Sergio, I suggest you both take advantage of the repetative actions rules to keep firing. Use bursts, single shots or whatever you choose.

Nodding Sergio dumps all but one grenade, and moves off with Don.

[OOC: he'll use the sustained bursts then. As I'm no good on the rules this'll take some time again lol!]

"Aye, hopefully they will give up. I'm not that keen on executing someone in this way. Should we bring some extra guns, I have only 3 mags for my gun"

Don gets his stuff together and follows Sergio.

NPC'd (again!)
Cam takes up her share of the grenades and waits, along with Alfred and the three Poles, for Sergio and Don to initiate the attack.

Sergio leads Don into position, assisting him to remain quiet and out of sight. So far the Russians do not appear to have noticed anything unusual about their immediate surrounds - they are too focused on the imminent fire mission it seems.
The voice on the other end has not replied to the last request for information and the battery commander is becoming a little concerned. He gives the ready command to the mortar crews. There is a rush of activity as they align the "tubes" to the co-ordinates and hold the first round over the end of the barrel ready to drop (the Vasilek crew prepare another 5 round clip).

Fire when ready!

Don aims into the group of people. He whispers for himself while waiting for Sergio to start it all up.

"Lord, forgive us. Because we don't know what we are doing."
"Sweet Mary, have mercy with their souls"

[OOC: Sorry been discussing firing with the GM! Lol! Sorted now.]

Whispering back, Sergio replies: For me, zeez is just another day in ze office.

And with that the shooting begins.

Aiming at any armed persons, starting nearby and moving outwards, Sergio's first shot goes awry. Giving a curse, he pulls the weapon in tighter and his fairy of firing returns to him. His second shot flies into the nearest head, nearly pulling it right off. Followed by a leg shot, the man moves no more. The aim turns and two shots pummel their way into the new target.

[There's a 20% AUTOMATIC miss chance? Jeepers!]

Phase 3.

shot 1 - 9   auto miss
shot 2 - 1   Head                   Damage - 16 (8x2)
shot 3 - 3   Left leg               Damage - 4          *killed*
shot 4 - 7   Chest                  Damage- 8
shot 5 - 8   Left leg               Damage- 3           *11 damage*

[Hope that's all alright?]

[And if you have one shot per phase? Is it always aimed, or does that take a phase action in itself?]

edit:
Target 1:
2 hits, 16 damage to head & 4 damage to left leg total 20
Target 2:
2 hits, 8 damage to chest & 3 damage to left legtotal 11

This message was last edited by the player at 11:06, Sat 02 Oct 2004.

Don squeezes the trigger on the rifle, aiming at the man with the grenade launcher. The bullet flies true and hits the man in his abdomen.
To hit: 4
Location: 6 abdomen
Damage 12
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:32, Fri 24 Sept 2004.