So it's decided. The civilians who had been under your protection and care will be left to fend for themselves.
Now the question is how to proceed from here. Sure the horses are fuel economical, but they are slow when compared to the two vehicles. Do you continue using them as an advance screen, or use the BRDM-2 for the same job, a role it was originally conceived for...

The Civilians express mixed reactions at being effectively abandoned until it becomes clear that two of you will stay to help.

Goodbyes are made and a few final questions asked. Most do indeed come from Zyrardow and haven't left the area in over a year - far too dangerous to travel away from home. Marauder bands have ravaged the surrounding area like a plague of locusts. The only stockpiles left of just about anything of note are now contained within the towns defences and the fields normally guarded by the ORMO. The inhabitants of most of the outlying villages and nearby towns have been either killed, driven away or moved into Zyrardow.

The few who don't originate there were taken somewhere to the southwest - closer to Lubliniec and the nuked "ex-"industrial strip between Gilwice and Sosnowiec. These had been fleeing the battle raging between two opposing marauder armies in the area, but on clearing the battle zone, had run headlong into the slavers.

There are a few rumours of somebody recruiting a private army but nobody seems to be able to agree on where. Some say up north near Warsaw, others down south. Some even say the Czechs are about to invade Silesia and are after capable soldiers to fill their ranks.

About the only thing anyone can agree on is that Krakow has a reputation as a safe haven for those with the means to support themselves. People have been flocking to the city from hundreds of miles around, all intent on finding themselves a new life in the apparently free and independant city state.

Having been recombined with the main force, Cam motioned to the others in the mounted group that they might want to tend their horses and a little get rest for the moment while plans were being  hammered out.  Slinging her rifle again, and taking the helmet off, Ashton set fingers through her hair lightly. Then promptly, the infernal headgear was back in place and cinched down.  From there she gathered the reigns of her mount moving along with purpose.

As she passed brown, Camilla motioned with her hand, walking strait over to where the Major was.  There was a little bit of a greeting, but she was more curious as to how the recent changes affected the over all plan, and since Brown had put the most suggestions in for the previous plan, she saw no reason  not to bring the WO.  “Sir.”, She canted her head to the side with a light nod hello before plunging into the report. “Road -empty  -damage bad. Holes, broken place  As if not road any more.” Her language was probably about as pock-marked as the road itself anyway..  Though she was being redundant as they had crossed much of the same stuff to collect the recon group.

“Same plan?  New plan?..” She stroked the horse across its blaze and patted the animal’s cheek with a light thump.

Gallin does a double check on all the civilians wounds before sending them off, letting the most capable know what to do if certian things happen, showing how to check the wounds, and giving all the information she can to help them survive thier journey. She hated to send them off on thier own, but they had little choice. With a bit of luck, they would make it safe to thier destination, and they would be better for it. giving what little med aid she could she walked back slowly to her own mount and wrapped an arm up around the neck, as if seeking at least a tiny bit of comfort from another live presence.

Don, looking after the poor civilians suddenly come to a change.

He walks over to Michelle and Camilla.

"Hey, I really have second thoughts once more. Shouldn't we at least help the worst wounded? They could lie on stretchers here, and we could drive at least THEM home. I can walk if that helps, I really can. I think Bernie has been a little too hard on them. We have to show that we have a huminatarian side."

Brown gives his head a single, slow, definitive shake as he addresses Don' as only a senior enlisted man can, as if laying down a simple law of physics.

"Nobody's walkin' who's coming with the vehicles, that's the whole point o' this hard choice.  But I agree, we have the room, we could take a couple-few o' the worst o' the stretcher cases, n' not be any slower."

Then he speaks up, so any and all can hear.

"We missed our 'humanitarian' side when we didn't ambush and kill every last one of those slavers.  That's a hard lesson, and one civilians paid for- but let's learn by it, now.  We won't meet no one playin' by no rules of war out here, nor lookin't' make friends,  nor negotiate, except from a position of strength.  The next time we spot trouble, we have a full plan in place before we raise our hands and start waving flags of truce."

He turns aside to Don'.

"You want 'humanitarian'?  Y'shoulda joined the Peace Corps, laddie-buck."

Lt. Ashton cut a glance toward Don, and followed up with a slow blink when William started in. Her expression was unreadable as she witnessed the exchange,  and when the final word rolled off the man’s lips she gave the barest of nods…

Twisting in her spot, Cam put a toe to the stirrup, one hand coiled in the braided leather of the reigns and latched on to the saddle as she pivoted, swinging a leg up.  A slight shrug brought her the weapon she’d been toting around for what seemed like the longest time.  It’s heavy reassurance felt more like a burden at that moment and she bit down sliding a glance over to the pair before offering the ghost of a half smile.

With a slight nudge to her mount Cam trotted off toward the BTR.

Tanya sits and waits while the command structure makes the final decision on to who and or how many of the civilians are coming with us, if any at all.

Sergio shuffled uncomfortably.

Seeing the various exchanges he noted a few things had certainly chnaged in the group since he'd left. Or maybe it was just the people had changed. Thinking back to who was around before he concluded change was just going to be.

When he made a descision, he stuck by it. Decisive. But then that was for descisions that only concerned himself. Trying to deal with all these others, he was as lost as the next person. (And as for love, he'd never got the hang of that, but who had?)

He was unsure of what to say and what weight he'd have with the group. It was an uncomfortable place and he peers out into the surroundings wondering what it's like to roam free. It seems in this world there were always going to be people in need of his help, which just pulled him further from his own home and the safety...

Cam swung back down, collecting her pack and bed-roll. She let the braided leather slip through her hands,  and started marching along. They’d do whatever it was they planned, and that suited her fine for now.  Rifle in hand, Ashton waltzed on over to Tanya, and then Winters.

“We scout, they sort..?” She’d even go as far as to approach Dave.  Despite how  Eeer unhinged the man seemed to be.  It was something they could do, and it wasn’t like the team would be able to miss the little band when they started moving again.  Cam kept the hand held, and passed it over to Tanya if she chose to come along.

Camilla’s gaze traveled past the others, she pondered Smith for a time and then, scout group or no, she’d take a little stroll out ahead.  It felt better than sitting, and debating.  When did she become so impatient?..  An inward frown cast itself and was forced back.

Winters was getting tired trying to stay constantly vigilant atop the gun of the BRDM. It was a welcome relief to talk to Lt Ashton when she approached about scouting ahead, he certainly welcomed the walk.  The cramped conditions of armored vehicles had never suited him.  Aboard a ship was a different kind of cramped, at least in the tight spaces of a carrier he wasn't thinking he would be blown up first.  Afterall, one reason he had tried out for the SEALs was to be outside and now he was cramped inside this gigantic Bloc-made tin can that coincidentally made all too a tempting target.

He addressed Lt Ashton always with respect, "Ma'am, I'd love ta go wit' ya, but I'm guessin' I'll need a relief on the gun her'."

Tanya got up off the ground and stood next to Cam, I'll take a walk with ya lootenant.  Beats sitting around here with our thumbs up our asses!

Walking out with Cam, I wonder if they'll be OK?  I know we're doing the right thing by leavin' on their own to make it back but, it feels kind of shitty doing it.  What's your take Cam, I mean, umm, lootenant?

Camilla nodded reluctantly, “We a gunner less now..” Her somewhat torn expression seemed to indicate that she understood the dilemma.   Nodding again, she frowned a moment.. Tanya had been known to take a turret now and again,  Brown also..  Dave?.. No.. even if Dave was a choice, she imagined that to be a wholly dangerous path to contemplate. Or was it?. Her countryman seemed a little over zealous when it came to killing.

Unable to come to an agreeable solution with the way things had been going,    Cam thumped the vehicle lightly with her hand, “We miss you for now.”

She turned trudging off with RedGrave, and to answer her question, Ashton canted off a few lines.  “Do I like choice?..  Not mine to answer.  I feel bad for people, I feel bad for lose soldiers,  but feel need for support Major’s chooses or we spend always talking..” She cracked a sideways smile for the sergeant‘s benefit, as if to show that there was no harm in the asking. “We not know what command think on when make choose.” But then she wasn’t exactly asking permission to go anywhere either.   The smile slid away as she considered that, and continued on.  “ Question of trust.. Maybe faith..”

Tanya nods, That's why I'm glad I only had these, she says pointing to her faded stripes from her old BDU's before putting them back into her shirt pocket.  I can live with a lot of things, lately though, I guess the self preservation issue has become more of a fore front contender.  I feel bad for the civvies but, we still have to survive too.  It's nothing against the Major or anything, some things, no matter how right they may seem, just don't seem right Lootenant.

Bernhard collects his thoughts for a few moments before making his decision,"All right! Everyone listen up!" He puts on his best command voice and shouts so everyone can hear him,"We load up on the vehicles, and then head out to Krakow! The Civilians will be on there own with Samuels and Lumper to watch over them. They will be well taken care of so no one needs to worry about them. Mr. Brown, if you could, take over as gunner in the BRDM, and Sgt. Gallin, think you can drive the BTR? I would appreciate it if you could give it a try. The BRDM will lead, and the BTR will be overwatch, and then bound and catch up while the BRDM covers. If we get hit our SOP will be to fight through it. The other six of us will ride in the back of the BTR. If we absolutely have too we will act as dismounts. Myself, Lt. Ashton, and Sgt. Redgrave will be fire team Alpha. Major Smythe, Sgts. Matterson and Smith will be fireteam Bravo. Any questions?"

While he waits for questions he finds Lt. Don and whispers a few words too him.

To Tanya, she could only nod with the barest of agreements.. "Yes." A hollow answer perhaps, but an agreement none-the-less.

-The best laid plans… Having apparently not made much progress with leaving the camp site, Cam went still as the Major’s voice barked out over the hum-drum they were passing by.  Her gaze travelled to Tanya, then off at the angle that Finnegan’s words drifted in from.  Camilla shrugged lightly and filed on over in that direction.  “Good thing we walk not far..”  Her pack strap was looped through her thumb and swung down as she approached. Then silently Ashton eyed the crowd  as if poised in wait for whatever questions might follow.  It wasn’t like she planned on asking any herself at that time.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:03, Fri 25 Nov 2005.

"Sorry for the late notice Bernhard, but I think I'll tag along with the civilians for a bit. I've a little medical training so should be able to help somewhat."
He gathers his few possessions and joins Lumper and Samuels.
"We'll try and catch up with you at Krakow."

"I'm off too." Guido declared. "No point hanging about with you lot, I might get shot!" he grinned.
"Besides, there's more chance of doing some damage if I've got a decoy with me." His gaze drifted over to the civilians and some thought they could see an evil glint in his eye...

With Dave and Smythe electing to stay behind, only four people were left available to act as infantry. In an emergency however, the BTR-80 Commander (Sergio) could also dismount without degrading the combat abilities of the vehicle too much.
Horses handed over and a massive amount of food stuffs loaded on them (over 200kgs) and all was ready. The order to roll on was given and the two vehicles began their caterpiller like movement - the BRDM-2 bounding ahead before halting for the BTR-80 to catch up.
Travel along the remains of the road was remarkably swift now that speed needed to be kept down low enoug not to outstrip the plodding civilians. Many kilometres were eaten up in a very short space of time.

OOC: Where are you intending to head towards? you can travel 160km on road or 60km offroad in four hours including rest stops, refueling and even tactical manouvering - far faster than the kilometre or two with stretchers.
So, on road would get you almost all the way to Krakow - off road! in that four hours. Mind you, the intervening hills and forests might just slow you down somewhat - especially if they conceal an ambush or two...
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:04, Sat 26 Nov 2005.