The scout team heads out towards the north east. They soon pick up the horse tracks which continue towards the ruins of Czestochowa.
Czestochowa was an industrialized town on the Warta river, with a prewar population of 250,000. The city was the site of several smelting and steel making plants. The city's real fame, however, came not from industry but religion. The Jasna Gora Monastery formerly attracted a million Catholic pilgrims from the world over each year. They came to venerate the icon known as "Our Lady of Czestochowa," or "The Black Madonna." Due to this icon, the city was called the Spiritual Capital of Poland."
Today the city is a shattered ruin, it's streets filled with rubble. Above it all, the Jasna Gora broods, crowned with the ruins of the monastery. No one knows what became of the Black Madonna.
The tracks lead around the western outskirts of the city remains until after a half a dozen miles, they are lost at a stream. Casting about in both directions yields no clues as to the fate of the riders.
This has taken several hours to reach this point and so it is now mid afternoon (around 3pm). During all this time none of you have seen anybody else. The area appears deserted and the farmland has been abandoned for at least the past year if not longer.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:19, Sun 09 Oct 2005.

Scraggly tufts of grass, Camilla’s gaze stretched out far over the mixture of terrain features, nudging a clump with the toe of her boot curiously. The summer months had, possibly leant a dry touch to the lot of it, but then weren‘t there hot-spots in the region?.  Broken fields gone fallow and the here again gone again nature of habitation signatures were quiet company. It was at the point where she could see the Dark Ghost of the city that she was given reason to pause.   What specters haunted those twisting streets beyond the fringe that she could clearly make out?  Poland’s version of the suburbs kept much of the city proper a mystery, save for the occasional towering structure rising beyond.

Lieutenant Ashton monitored the progress as best as could be expected with what experience she had with tracking game.. Still the afternoon sun still clung stubbornly to the sky, bringing medium length shadows and the shift of warmth and cooling that promised evening. Though the hot months things could likely draw out longer than she might hope.

When they lost the tracks, Cam glanced to the others, her expression had been decidedly sour what with her pursed lips and critical eye.  It was possible  that something bothered her, or maybe that she was taking the patrol very seriously, She didn’t let on either way.  It was only logical that the retreating people might anticipate the prospect of being tracked. Traveling the course of the stream was classic.  If only she had the time, or knew the area better…

Her thoughts turned to their earlier patrol.. A calculated expression tightening the features of her face for a time before the tired lines softened, again craning her neck to take a long look at the ruins. Awe? Reverence? Fear?   Her expression was almost child-like for a moment.  “Ghosts..” She said in English bobbing  her head in the direction of the city.

“We go back?.” Cam asked the question quietly, perhaps she was giving up too easily or perhaps, as the direction of her gaze might indicate, she didn’t feel comfortable so close to the ruins.  Of course, they could make an orbit out there, but that meant devoting themselves completely to the task, risking travel at night in a strange place, without the benefit of rest. Something she was against entirely.

Winters had kept his mind busy thinking about who the riders might be and watching the rather open areas they had passed in their trek through the country-side. There was no telling who these folks were, and why they were headed where they were going. It really didn't matter to Winters, he only hoped it would be one-step closer to home, but he didn't expect much.

As they approached the shattered city of Czestochowa, he kept a wary eye on the ruins at all times. Urban fighting was not something to be taken lightly, if they had to enter the city limits, it would be dangerous indeed. But the tracks led them around the city and finally ended in a stream. Perhaps the riders figured someone would or was following them. Either way, the team had lost the tracks. He looked around for any signs, perhaps they could pick up the trail again.

[Private to Nuked: I've got tracking, could I take a stab at picking up the tracks again?  Or did you already take that into consideration?]

As the team stopped to try to reacquire the tracks, Winters looked out at the city. He wondered, what lay inside the ruins, he thought of the Black Madonna, something he had read in some religious texts even though he prescribed to no particular religion. He fished through his pouches and retrieved a pair of binoculars. Peering through them he dared look closer at the city ruins while crouched low on the natural slope of the stream bank.

[Private to Nuked: Using the 25x binos, I'm going to spy the ruins to see if there are any signs of "life" or what have you.]


Winters looked at Lt Ashton, perhaps sensing her discomfort. "Com' on now L-T, yer not re'lly scured o' ghosts an' haunted places, are ya?" A small smirk appearing on his face as he watched Lt Ashton. Almost as a dare Winters suggested, "While we're her', why don' we check out these ruins?"

Even walking in the rear position, Tanya could easily make out the ruins of Czestochowa well ahead of them.  "What a shame," she thought to herself.  "All of this was once a city of a quarter million people.  Now, maybe twetny-five hundred?  We're no better off now than before.  This is what it has all come down to I guess?"

Tanya snaps herself out of her delusion when she nearly trips on her own boot from not paying attention to her surroundings.  She quickly regains her focus and continues to follow the others towards the city.  She's seen fighting in plenty of cities before.  Block by block, street to street, house to house.  It will make or break a person.  You can never look at too many open windows or doors without the chance of a sniper or someone popping one off at you.  "Ghosts?  That would just be the perfect ending to this story were it true El-Tee!"  Tanya is able to smile at that comment and make her feel somewhat at ease but, not very!

Keeping a close watch on the outskirts of the city and surroundings, Tanya and everyone else get to the stream where the tracks end.  Unslinging the Russian SAW from over her shoulders, she will move up to where the stream is and take in the area and everything around and beyond the stream.  "Beggin' your pardon ma'am but, You want to turn back around already?  We still have a couple more hours of light left and I think it would be better spent trying to pick up the tracks around here than trying to make it back to our camp by dark.  I think we should keep going to a bit just before dark, make camp for the night, and then head back at first light."

OOC: What can you describe to us what is in and around the area of the stream where the tracks were lost?
This message was last edited by the player at 03:23, Thu 07 July 2005.

Ashton’s own pale smile touched her lips and she made a soft clucking sound with her tongue. “Not real Ghost..” Cam rubbed at one tired eye cutting a glance across the scenery and then back toward the city, calculation glimmering in the depth of her gaze.  She nodded once, tracing a finger from her left across the expanse before them in a slow arc. A frown crept in slowly then faded into a pale line. “Wish we got Poland speaker.”,  Her line of sight was trained on the ruins at that point.  It was possible the locals knew something, if they weren’t a part of the problem.

Camilla glanced between Winters and RedGrave, then tilted her head casting an eye over one shoulder toward Guido before motioning the group to continue.  She wanted to travel the most northerly or easterly of the directions available along the river until the water (in her estimate) became too much to manage for horses. Either in depth or in flow,  or until they spotted the continuation of the tracks. She assumed that as most rivers themselves ran from north to south and hopeful that their quarry was taking the most direct route toward help, that they wouldn‘t have to back-track.  If they didn’t find any tracks before the going became too difficult for the riders, the logical choice (in her mind) would be to sweep  in an arc back downstream, finally adjust their angle to head back to the base camp if they didn‘t find anything.

Without much fanfare on her part, Lieutenant Ashton would ford the brook  scanning the other side before taking light steps into the first leg of her planned route.  Cam didn’t imagine that this stream would bother the mounts very much.. If ever, so the journey might take a while to say the least.  In that case, the odds were that they would  find nightfall, if the tracks remained elusive. Then there would be little choice, but to locate the most defensible camp spot available.  She doubted anything was secure out there.

The light haired woman’s expression remained fairly warm outwardly, trying not to betray her anxiety over the situation. It might have been different for her if she could communicate fully with her companions, or if she had been back home fighting for survival in a place she was familiar with, and had a stake in.  Pausing a few yards up the bank along their course, Cam leaned past winters handing the radio to Tanya, “Tell camp?” The words sounded like a question, though the tone was mostly because she hoped to have said what she meant.  She would continue on, just wanted to make sure that the main group knew that they might be away a while.   She absently wondered at the range of the radio, but shrugged the curiosity off, they would come to that when it came to that

OOC: Did we have cal signs for the patrol(s) that are out?

BIC: Tanya took the handset from the Lieutenant ready to que up the radio rather than answering what she thought was a question from Cam.

It is standard proceedure to assign callsigns and code words before leaving on patrol or other mission. None were specified in game although you can assume that most characters are professional enough to have done so (with the possible exception of Don and maybe Cam due to their predominately non-military backgrounds).

The small group of four scouts moves both up and down stream during the remainder of the afternoon in an attempt to pick up the trail. No luck though. Heading downstream had led them towards the ruined city of Czestochowa. Only the keen eyes of the scout (Dave) had prevented blundering into a minefield - a single strand of barbed wire lay amongst the grass. Not normally a clear sign of danger except for the skull and crossbones depicted on a small peice of metal attached to it.
Tanya knew about it's existance - she had been involved in breaching another part of it back in June of 1997. She also knew that it had been rough going, even with all the technological wonders that had been available to the 5th ID back then.

Guido holds his hand in a limp fassion as though he is holding a jar by the top for every one to see.
OCC as for call signs "DON'T SHOOT ME THE OFFICER IS THERE!" pointing to the highest rank in proximity, the reply is thanks followed by a quick shot at the figure pointed out, others may join in if they wish.
[Private to Nuked: Why hasn't Guido been shot (in the back) yet or smothered in his sleep.]
This message was last edited by the player at 23:05, Wed 20 July 2005.

Cam’s gaze fell across Dave and his gesture with a mild curiosity. He had stopped  and so did she, cutting a glance to the left and right before dropping to one knee. She was a little tired from all the trotting along, and since they weren’t moving at that moment, there seemed little reason for her to stand.  Her head tilted to the side as she leaned forward as if to peer around Guido’s sturdy frame.  Evening was likely fast approaching and they had been on some crisscross tract.

She waited quietly, rifle draped over her right knee, barrel nosing outward at an angle to as to not be aimed at Dave’s back.  If there was anything to tell, It would come, whether she was impatient about it or not.

OOC: Fortunately Cam had been distracted by a bit of black string on  the ground, and bent down behind the rock to pick at it..  ~Twang-Zip-Snap~  With a bewildered expression she popped back into view, still clutching at the black cord..  Which caused the line to go taunt and well…  *blink blink*  “Eeeerm  He did it..”

Winters stopped with the group peering at the odd hand-arm signal made by Guido. A 'what-the-f**k' look flashed across his face, and probably a wonder about why the hand-arm signal wasn't passed back. Scanning in place he spots the single wire with metal warning sign. He mutters to himself _"Sh*t" before crouching and taking a step towards whatever cover and concealment is nearby to pull security.

As he settles in position he looks back over his shoulder at Lt Ashton and inquires in a low-tone, _{"L-T, are we crossin' this thing?"}

OOC: Aaron being a dimwitted dullard stupidly jumps in front of Cam to save the officer. *slow mo* "Noooooo!" *flying leap across the rock in front of Cam*. As he's pilfered with bullets he thinks, "Oops."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:15, Thu 21 July 2005.

"Home Base, Romeo PaPa One (recon patrol #1) calling.  Sitrep to follow.  Negative contact thus far.  Have reached possible turn point and return to you.  Will advise shortly.  Romeo PaPa one, out."

Tanya looks at Cam after the radio transmission to the group, "What's your pleasure ma'am?  We staying or goin' back?"

Tanya looks over the minefield and it brings back some sad memories,  "I remember when we had to clear this field.  What a FUBAR operationthis was.  Lot of good people I knew and workedwith bought it here!"

Guido sees what has just happened "Dear God just end it quick" and squats as low as he can not wanting to hit the ground in a mine field.

OCC: if it is an jumping jack you have about 2 seconds to live, have a nice day :)

(If Dave didn’t Eat grass)
It may have taken her a moment, but some of the group’s attention, or most of it, seemed directed to the fence and the menacing sign.  Concern creased her brow as she cut a glance over her shoulder with a slight shake of her head.  “We not able... I no cross that.” Her gaze tilted skyward in silent assessment, before rocking forward into a light crouch. “We begin back..”

Tapping Dave on the shoulder Camilla mentioned something in Danish before preparing to fall into step. [Private to Staff Sgt Dave Guido: IC:“I’m not sure if we’ll make it any where near to the main camp before night falls. Let us go as far as we can before it becomes dark and keep an eye out for anything secure enough to hold us over for the night just in case.”..  ]

As they began to pull out.. Cam pondered Tanya’s words pausing to look back at the field they had almost blundered into.. And likely would have if it had been dark. “ You fix part of Field?..  Eer Clear I mean..  If need we go through, You find where you clear?”  The tone was curious, thoughtfully detached from the somewhat serious expression on her face.

(If Dave really dove into the turf, I was thinking that might have been his OOC response)
Cam’s entire had gone rigidly still as Guido went prone. Only moments before she prepared to order the return to the camp, noticing the fence sign finally, through elaboration and following the line of sight that her team seemed to be fixated upon.

If she couldn’t see what was distressing him (IE causing him to dive), Lieutenant Ashton  would motion the team back with a soft hiss. “Low.. -We go back now”, Her words were quiet though clearly spoken.  Keeping an eye on the area that they were turning their backs on, she’d back peddle a ways, at least until the Order was back to it’s arrangement. Tanya taking the rear guard position and Guido leading the way.

---------
OOC:  The line of her sight traveled toward the direction of a little whirr and ping noise just as Winters’ body landed, incidentally, on the springy, fun, disk-of-doom…  Whump…   Her head bobbed in a daze as she tracked the sudden and macabre rally of landmine tennis.  Perhaps badminton would have been more apt.. Though, despite the heroic efforts Camilla was not saved. Indeed not at all,  as she seems to have suffered from a silly little aversion to being showered with chummy bits of friendly type machine gunners.. And raced away at full tilt…  eerrm.. Strait.. into.. the..  mine field??..  Albatross

The patrol of four begins the long journey back to the village. Around halfway back (approximately half an hour before dark) the sound of many automatic weapons and explosions is heard to the west. Although not an immediate threat as it does appear to be at least a mile away, it does cause each of you to seek cover. Puffs of dust appear around you at infrequent intervals as stray shots land nearby.

The firefight lasts for only a minute or two. From the sound of it, the combat was extremely heavy and most likely an ambush. Small arms, machineguns, grenades (both hand and launched) as well as a few heavy mortar rounds were used.

As you finally realise the fight is over, stand and brush yourselves off, another flurry of automatic fire is heard - about five minutes after the last shots of the first few minutes.

Winters glances out towards the direction of the alleged ambush. He comments the obvious, "That's a helluva firefight." He looks to Lt Ashton, "L-T, I ain't no coward, but I sure as hell don' think weez equiped to handle that." adding emphasis with a nod of his head towards the west.

As an afterthought he crouches down removing his image intensifier from his pack and peers through the highlighted image of the night as it appears in the device. He scans back and forth along the horizon in the direction of the firefight.

With the high tech binoculars to his eyes, Winters is still unable to see anything that his unaided sight could. Only trees, grass, weeds and more trees could be seen.
A quick response is probably required. Those back at the warehouse must be very concerned.

Cam, having taken what cover she could on the outset,  propped her rifle up in the direction of the conflict..  Her expression was grim, determined gaze groping the countryside for answers as she responded to Winters concern. “Mmm,” Lieutenant Ashton nodded her agreement, yet drew breath with a dim tone.. “but we need  eyes.. Sight..  Eem?  See what we can..  Time no good.. But dark cover.  Distance no good either..”  Thinking out-loud wasn’t a bright idea- at least that’s what she told herself.

Aaron’s following silence after using the field-glasses, brought her attention to Dave, then Tanya.  “They in our way?..” Many questions filled her mind at the time.  A mile off, could be..  No..  best not to speculate.   Cam blinked toward the sound of radio chatter, nearly jumping out of her skin before recognizing the voice only dimly distant. The accent was place-able despite what the radio did to people’s words.  “Check in  -Careful.”  She was afraid that the radio traffic would be picked up, but also had to admit to herself that the suggestion to report in was hers.

The question, in her mind, was what of theirs might be out there.  Some of the gatherers?..  West was fairly general, and then so was their orbit.  If this was retribution for the attack on the slavers, she imagined there might be more such assaults shortly to follow. And if not?… Mmm.

She pushed up once the last of the shots had echoed away, Cam brushed a stray lock of hair from her gaze motioning to press on.  They could  ponder the course on the way.  “keep sound low on radio.. I want see what‘s out there, but… risk too high.”  She would still listen for any of the group’s assessment, especially since she asked.

"It may have taken her a moment, but some of the group’s attention, or most of it, seemed directed to the fence and the menacing sign.  Concern creased her brow as she cut a glance over her shoulder with a slight shake of her head.  “We not able... I no cross that.” Her gaze tilted skyward in silent assessment, before rocking forward into a light crouch. “We begin back..” "

"Affirmative Lieutenant.  I'd rather not try and find another path, let alone the same one we used years ago.  We were using a lot more sophisticated equipment, that worked back then too.  Now, we'd be back to using bayonets I'm afraid and we might be here for some time trying to navigate a acceptable route."