The four of you left behind with the vehicles continue with the few routine tasks that need doing at every stop. Refueling and checking for any damage or loose bolts etc are almost done without thinking while Brown and Winters keep watch from their respective positions.
Finnegans patrol has been out of sight amongst the buildings for almost half an hour but there is no need for concern - regular contact via radio has been maintained. So far they haven't encountered anything beyond a few rabbits and other opportunistic animals that have moved into the abondoned village.
Wolbrom it seems is a ghost town.
[Private to Donnachaidh (2nd Lt): Rolls Observation skill please]
[Private to Sergeant Michelle Gallin: Rolls Observation skill please][Private to WO1 William Brown: Brown spots four horsemen wearing Russina uniforms and armed with light military weapons]
This message was last updated by the GM at 10:27, Fri 30 Dec 2005.

Winters rubs his face as he struggles to stay awake pulling the always boring, but all important task of guard duty or overwatch with the main gun of the BRDM.  He talks to no one in particular, "This f**kin' sucks ass. I wonder why there ain't no one in town?" Actually two separate thoughts mashed together, the mind tends to wander trying to grasp onto something that will keep the gunner awake.  He unconsciously rubs his chest pocket that holds his most prized possession in this plane of hell, the picture of his family.

PM [Private to Nuked: 07:37, Today: Sergeant Michelle Gallin rolled 9 using 1d10. Obs skill. ]

Walking around the vehicle, Don is in thoughts. hey lass... Why do you think the place is empty? Nukes, Bio or chems?[Private to GM: rolled obs 3 have 3]
This message was last edited by the player at 21:26, Sun 18 Dec 2005.

The whirring of the electric motor above him causes Don to stop and look in the direction Brown has now trained the BTR-80's guns in.
Four horsemen wearing ragged Russian uniforms and armed with light military weapons can be seen approaching somewhat cautiously from the village. They are between you and where the last reported position of Finnegan and his team.
They appear to have little equipment or supplies and armed with only their personal weapons, are certainly no threat to the two armoured vehicles.

" 'ey laddies. We've got visitors. You can aim but don't shoot unless they shoot me, hehe!"

With this, Don fixes his gear trying to look as non-threatening as possible. Weapons on back and all, then he takes a couple of steps closer to the russians.

With a distinct scottish accent he raises his voice, asking in russian.

"So.. Off the horses and leave your weapons there if you want to talk to me!"

With four machineguns pointed directly at the horsemen, Don's non-threatening display takes on almost comical proportions.
Speaking calmly albeit a bit brokenly, Don attempts to convey his message but fails miserably. Is it because the riders eyes are focused on the two heavy vehicles? Is it Don's incomplete grasp of the Russian language? Or is it because they don't actually speak Russian?

Who knows?

Still, the general idea comes across clearly enough. Move and you get blasted to pieces. Money and or your life!

First one, and moments later the other three ragged men raise their hands as high into the air as they can. The horses seem to sense the riders fear and one begins to dance about forcing it's rider to regain the reins or face being thrown.

NPC'd
Up in the BTR-80 turret, Brown had easily spotted the approaching horsemen as they appeared from amongst the buildings. A gentle press of a foot pedal and the turret spun quickly about bringing the heavy machineguns it contained to bear. With one finger hovering near the PK trigger, Brown activated the radio.
"Brown to all. Contact. Wait. Out."
A few moments went by as Don attempted to open a dialogue.
"Brown to Finnegan. Four horsemen at vehicles. Soviet uniform. Small arms only. Possibly others in cover. Request return and clear area asap."
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:51, Mon 19 Dec 2005.

Michelle was totally looking the other way when the horsemen appeared, silently scolding herself, she looked the small group over and shook her head as Don tried to speak russian again. wasn't this what got them in trouble the last time? She tries to remember her russian and at least tell them hello and ask whats up.


09:45, Today: Sergeant Michelle Gallin rolled 8 using 1d10. language check.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:46, Mon 19 Dec 2005.

The four on horseback begin yabbering away in an unfamiliar language. It appears that they are afraid they will be mown down by the machineguns.
[Private to WO1 William Brown: They are speaking Estonian although inside the vehicle it is nearly impossible to make much out.]

Winters brings his guns to bear down on the obvious threat, but continues to scan his entire sector of fire.  It would be classic to send in the four horsemen of the apocalypse to set them up for an ambush. He calls out again to no one in particular, "Keep yer eyes peeled, there may be more waiting for a signal to ambush." He frowns to himself wondering when he got so friggin' paranoid.

Keeping his guns pointed in the direction of the horsemen, Brown ensured that at least his eyes roamed elsewhere. A supprise attack from elsewhere was certainly a possibility and it wouldn't be the first time a diversion had been made to draw the eye.
"Brown to Finnegan. From south. Over"
This was exactly the direction the ground troops had gone. They had to have almost walked right past each other!
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:12, Tue 20 Dec 2005.

Don is surprised to hear the other language, and starts to make greetings on the other Eastern languages in he knows of. Someone of them ought to have had a grandmother from Slovakia or something.

"Can you at least speak English??? Ever heard about James Bond?"

Making his usual Sean Connery impersonation.

Don quickly runs through Czech, Polish and Slovak with no apparent result. He even tries Scots Gaelic out of sheer frustration as the four continue to sit on their horses looking scared out of their wits.
Confusion crosses their faces as Don attempts to impersonate the famous actor.

"Hey, Michelle! Do you speak any other languages? Their way of speaking sounds as if they have been living too close to Chernobyl or something. I can't understand a single word from them..."

Don trys another angle. He starts to state all the capital cities in the eastern europe, and then goes over to some of the western cities as well.

"Bucharest, Budapest, Sofia, Vilnius, Kaliningrad, Riga, Minsk, Kiev..., blabla,... Stockholm"

Gee, I hope they're not form Turkmenistan or Chetchenia or something. I really am bad speaking the languages from them southern sovietstates...

"Sorry Mate, English Polish and really bad Russian are my specialties." She looks over the men and looks up at Brown. "Take the guns off of them, I'm going to try to approach." Slowly she walks towards them, hands up and open, unarmed.

"Sure lass, you go ahead. Maybe they get interested if you flash som leg? hehe..."

"Always the smartass..." Michelle mutters to herself as she removes any weapons. Raising her hands and approaching them, she frowns as she can't help but think maybe Dons idea wasn't so bad anyway. Definitely a way to "improve relations" under stressful circumstances.

Winters doesn't like the looks of things and keeps his guns trained in the four horsemen's general direction.  Again, speaking to no one in particular he mutters, "What the f**k, this is like some bad SWAT movie.  Is she the f**kin' negotiator now?" He shakes his head and just hopes for the best as he continues to scan.

Don tries to make out if there is any vodka still left in his gear. That is always a good ice-breaker, especially in these countries. For now Don just stands back, letting Michelle have a shot at it.

The riders are easily disarmed and with a few gestures (and the very threatening presence of machineguns), persuaded to dismount.
Michelle has no more success than that with communications. Although they talk excitedly amongst themselves, not a single word can be picked out nor even what language they may be speaking.
Until Brown pokes his head up out of the BTR-80...

Brown speaks in what seems like the same language as the riders. They reply and appear astonished. A few more exchanges and he switches back to english.
"They're Estonian although I don't yet know why or even how they're so far from home. As far as I know, no Estonian unit ever left home."

"So, did I really forgot to say Tallinn? Well, ask them what it's all about!"

Sure enough, a few moments later a head or two is seen bobbing up in the area specified, unseen by the apparent Estonians.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:25, Fri 30 Dec 2005.

Segio moves around, keeping his distance and an eye out for others. With Michelle in the danger area he's keen to keep his eyes open and her covered from the shadows. He'll set up and use the telescopic vison to see how things are going and if he can lip read.

Also he can get a good look at Michelle :)

Even though he is within shouting distance, Bernhard picks up the radio,"Brown, what does the Russian Cavalry want with us?" Glancing left he says in a low voice for everyone close to him only,_{"If this goes south everyone pick a target, I will takedown the one on our far right"} He smiles to himself as he scans the area. I owe cavalry a blood debt, these guys can pay it off as well as anyone.

On hearing Brown discussing easily with them, Michelle lowers her hands and stands her ground, closest to thrm than the others, but takes the opportunity to look for thier returning patrol from behind them.

Brown was probably just as suprised as anyone the Estonian horsemen seemed to understand what he was saying. Him greeting the horsemen in their own language obviously had suprised the four of them as well.

Using hands and speach at the same time Brown asked: “mis... kõnek...tahad (what...you...want)."

[Private to Nuked: OOC: Didn’t know if I needed to roll for language, just in case rolled a 6.]
This message was last edited by the player at 10:17, Wed 04 Jan 2006.

Seeing and hearing William speaking to the Estonians makes Don understand what Brown is asking, so he looks at the Estonians to see what they will answer.

She had her back to some of the debris at the moment, taking a slow breath before cutting a glance to each member their little ambush group. (at least those she could see).   Camilla held the rifle before her, mentally preparing for the sort of thing you could never completely prepare for, and crossed herself.

Twisting her attention back to the proceedings beyond her cover, Ashton slid the barrel of her rifle into a preparatory position. Support was lent by some of the concrete , though she still looped the strap about her wrist for added stability..   A momentary glance skyward was spared, and then she lined up waiting for trouble drawing a bead on the nearest stranger..

It wasn’t easy, there was this feeling that such a posture could easily lead to a messy misunderstanding, but the alternative could cost valuable seconds..  Seconds that could mean the difference between losing a companion or taking down their would-be killer.  Or maybe that was just a rationalization.

“Nearest.” She responded mutedly.

Marcus sat on a pile of debris mostly proned out.  Unfortunately the rough stones made it difficult to lay on them for very long so he simply leaned on them rather than be fully proned out.  Besides, it was easier to view the battlefield from a leaning sitting position.  At the moment he wished he had a rifle with a little more 'umph' for the distance, but made due with what he had, that was always his thing anyway.  Finding a couple of pieces of debris that formed a 'V' cut he rested his barrel in it for added support while still gripping the foregrip with his off-hand.  He scanned over the top of his weapon sites briefly before unslinging the HK-69 grenade launcher and checking that the standard 40mm HE round he had loaded previously was seated properly.  Once assured it was good to go he laid it down next to him so as to make it more accessible in a hurry.

Back behind his MP-5SD he quickly looked up and down the firing line, satisfied he continued to scan over his weapon sites.

Winters almost breathed a sigh of relief when Gallin wasn't shot dead and unarmed. He continued to scan his sector, shifting slightly at the arrival of the rest of the group so as not to flag them with his machineguns.

Sergio will give a quick wave to those looking for him, when he's sure the 'prisoners?' are busy trying to communicate.

They get rid of a load of people, and more come strolling along. Did no one settle down in this world anymore?! Where was everyone heading? Where were they heading? Would he ever have his mothers 'Plate D'ammond' again? Passed down the family, mother to mother. But with no sister, he had been 'trained' as it were in cooking. It was his. It was another things he had to do upon returning to a more civilised country.

Brown had to concentrate on what the horsemen had to say. He could only pick up bits and pieces of what they were saying.

...Tagassi kodus... (return home)
...andmed (information)...tee põhja pool (road to the north)...

Brown translated the everything he understood in a loud voice, hoping it was loud enough for Major Finnegan or anyone from his team to hear. He didn’t want to take the risk picking up the radio. He didn’t want to give away his team to these Estionians... or any other possible onlookers.

Brown and the now disarmed Estonians continued to chat away. More and more informaton passed between them as they spoke.
[Private to WO1 William Brown: Most of it's to be found in the PM, the rest you might as well make up. If I disagree with it, we can put it down to translation problems later.]
They became more relaxed and one reached into a shirt pocket to withdraw one of the most prized items in eastern Europe - an almost new packet of factory made English cigarettes!
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:31, Sun 15 Jan 2006.

Sergio shakes his head. Always with the english fads, pah most people in the world wouldn't know good food if it came up and slapped them in the face! As for za ciggies, well no-one could wear one as a frenchman could. And where was the cafe? What a waste...

Seemingly to be a safe arrangement, Sergio moves around the front of the tree and sits. Still able to hear behind him, but in view of his allies and the Estonians should they turn around. Still gun on knees, he sits down and even waves if need be. Now he wanted za damn ciggie!

What? English cigarettes? Well, I guess there aren't a lot of Scottish brands around. Strange though that they carry such good bribes. Who ever have given them cigarettes? Maybe for keeping us busy when someone else are doing things behinde our backs?

Don backs away. When passing Michelle, he whispers to her.

"Isn't it odd that they have English cigarettes, being Estonian? Someone might have bribed them. Might see something behind our cars?"

Don makes his gun ready, in case there are someone around that shouldn't be here. He takes a good look around to see if someone is moving around the cars or behind them.

Talking with the Estonians for a while the words seemed to come easier to Brown. The four horsemen he learned belonged to the Soviet 32 Air Assault Brigade, three of them had served with the brigade even before the war had started since the war they had seen their share of frontline action. When they left their brigade it was located in Rumania, protecting some “valuable” oil sources for some none existent government. But witnessing the devastation around them the four of them had decided their skills could be put to better use back home protecting their families and aquintances.....if they were still around to be protected. That’s where heading now, back home.

The Estonians obviously relaxed a little and suddenly Brown faced something he hadn’t seen since.... well longer than he could recall. A near full packet of sigs made from the finest tabaco, in one of the best factories from his home country. Looking back at the Estonian he wondered if they knew that in a world like this people could get killed over much less than what he just casually waved in front of his face. After facing him for some seconds he resigned to the fact that he would never know and politely took the present offered to him.

While he relished the sensation of his first pull, he couldn’t help but ask how they had come in the possesion of such a priced item.

Sergio seems a little restless and can't seem to find a comfy spot on the roots.
Shouting out, enough to be heard, but not overly so, he addresses those near the Estonians.

"Hey, we all at peace? Can we step down some?" His eyes immediately dart from side to side. True he'd given away his position, but he;d been checking for some time now that there were no others around.

And if people were gathering up for a smoke, Well he could do with a little R+R

Tanya relaxed a little bit as she saw the Estonian pull out of what looked like a pack of cigarettes and started to pass them around.  She just shrugged and went back to keeping her watch of the area beyond the meeting.  She reached for her canteen and took a mouthful of water and returned it to its carrier.  Tanya continues to scan her 'sector' until told otherwise.

Cam was snapped from her focus by the sudden words from Sergio.  She had noticed his breaking cover earlier but was worried about what might happen if she didn’t have the target lined up. Ashton sighed slowly, perhaps not an expression of relief, as one of continued torment.  Her gaze seemed to flicker toward the heavens,  fairly quick about removing her weapon from the concrete slab she’d been using to steady it.  The last thing she wanted was for those men to jump to the wrong conclusion..

Tucking an auburn lock behind one ear she twisted in the rubble, putting her back to the stone, quiet gaze sliding shut. The weapon was still clutched in her hands, as she listened to the tone of things around her. The stirring of the breeze, the voices in the distance.. And the sound of her own heartbeat..  Focus.. the furrow in her normally smooth brow seemed to say..  what if there’s trouble? whispered the tiny turn of a frown on her lips.

But what if there wasn’t..   It was a strange concept  suddenly..  What if everything was just fine for once.. "what now?.." she asked quietly.

Seeing that the Officer semed to have everything under control, Michelle takes the opportunity to step away, and upon hearing Sergios voice, turns that direction. After waht seemed like an internal struggle, she walked up to where he was, and settled down beside him, facing a bit away so she could watch his back. Quietly, she says almost to herself."Just when we lose some extra bodies, more stumble on us. Maybe though, if they have cigarettes, they have other stuff too?" She looks at Brown, and repeats the last sentence aloud to him for him to inquire about in his own way.

As she walks over he can't help but look. Not the look of a warrior, but the look of a man. Still he blinks out of it as he realises he's been staring...

"Well I am guessing they cannow speak english? Or it would ahev bee qwicker. Yes?" he says to her. "Do you smoke?" he asks his eyes observing her at a side angle. "Or what else might you be wanting?" he can't help but grin. That was JP's fault back home. Always telling him dirty one liners. He missed the guy.

 Gallin turns on her butt to face Sergio more directly. "English would be better, yes." She smiles slightly at him, taking a glance back to see if anyone was listening. Then she answers his second question. "Actually, I don't smoke. you can have mine, if they are passed to the populace." She finds herself drawing closer to him than originally planned, still trying to read what she could in his eyes. She thought to herself a moment before answering his third query. "Just to spend time with you." Was the simple answer she gave him, but the look in her eyes said so much more.

Don rummaged about amongst the equipment and supplies inside his assigned vehicle. He knew that there was alcohol in there, but he didn't know if there was anything fit for human rather than vehicle consuption.
A minute or two later and he emerges victorious! A small bottle of freshly distilled vodka, aged for at least three whole days!

Meanwhile, Brown continues to converse somewhat shakily with the Estonians while everyone else waits. Now you've all had a chance for a decent look at them, they seem to be half starved. Although their equipment is of top Russian quality (oxymoron anyone?), it has seen a lot of use. Their clothing has been patched many times, boots nearly worn out, webbing held together with string, wire and luck - a bit like your own really.
Although they could certainly use a re-issue, what they have has been fairly well maintained indicating discipline and professionalism. Even their weapons, now placed on the ground well out of their immediate reach, show signs of pride. One AK-74 even has intricately carved hunting scenes in the woodwork.
[Private to WO1 William Brown: It seems that they are deserters and heading back home. They wish to trade information for food and other supplies. Since they have travelled from the south they had recent experience with where you are heading. They also state that they are alone, a situation that may or may not be true but their generally half starved appearance, travel worn gear and lack of subtantial supplies show that they could be telling you the truth. Possession of an almost full packet of English cigarettes on the other hand...]

Talking to the Estonians, Brown soon found out they wanted more than just information for their travel. Although they seemed to be in the possesion of real sigaretes, a very prized possesion indeed, they lacked some of the more essential supplies. Food and amunition. All they possesed was what they were carrying between the four of them and by the looks of them that was lacking.

“You have foodstuff or amunition...maybe you can miss... give some to us.... we tell you about south...where sigarets come from, maybe”

Brown translated the words of his companions. Loud enough to attract some attention of the others in the group. Maybe this was something they had to discuss. When they could mis some supplies they might be able to trade this for some valuable information about Krakow or maybe even more important the last couple of kilometers between them and this so called free town.

Still talking they walked over to the rest of the group, who seemed to be keeping their distance. When the Estonians wanted to make a trade, he had to discuss this with the others.

"So, giving away food, for information. Better be good info in that case"

Letting the bottle of booze hang in his hands behind his back.

"Can you even get the information from them?"

Marcus sighs quietly as Sergio breaks concealment. He just shakes his head and mutters something about 'pogues'. Unlike the others he doesn't move, but simply looks at Major Finnegan briefly before turning back to overwatching. At least his old PL would understand the concept of maintaining security at all times.

Major Finnegan watches the discussion from his spot of cover before finally deciding to speak up,"Brown, ask them if they know anything about Krakow. Also let them know if their info is any good, we have a couple days food we can trade to them. If they want to travel with us to Krakow they may be welcome, depending on what kind of information they trade first." He scans the area briefly before adding more,"Let them know we are going to Krakow and after that our plan is to head southwest, and west until we get away from all the insanity around here. Find out if they know anything about whats going on down that way." As soon as he finishes speaking, Bernhard slides a bit to his right to change his firing position.

William looked up a moment to take in what he heard Major Finnegan call out to him. After he was finished he turned back to the Estonians again.

--- Exact words as translated from Estonian into English ----

“We are going Krakow..”
“You know about Krakow, yes? You have good info on Krakow? we give you good food for information...If your info good you may also come with us to Krakow, when like”

“After we go Krakow, we plan head South to West. You come from South to west, yes. You can tell us about that.... have good information about there?"

---

Brown looked from one Horseman to the other, hoping they had understand what he was asking.

Tanya remains in her position keeping security in her assigned sector while the others barter for information about Krakow.

A proper sniper suit covered with strips of hessian and other rags was something that Virgil could only wish for as he settled in with the precision rifle he'd acquired from Dettinger a few days before. As soon as he had the time he'd start work on one probably using a spare shirt or two as the base. It would probably take him a while but it would give him something to do.
The powerful scope drifted from one Estonian head to another, watching for danger and prepared to instantly solve a potential problem with a 7.62mm bullet.

Cam took a slow breath and glanced toward Finnegan, then Smith, her back still to the rock..  She had an unreadable expression at the time, pale lips tugged into a light frown.. “We need finish Sweep?”, She asked in her broken English, then tilted a glance over one shoulder past the corner, eyeing the situation beyond.

Her borrowed uniform had already seen better days, concrete dust, grit, and just general wear, but she was more concerned about the rifle and the possibility of developments.. -They had covered how much of the town before turning back?..  Ashton thought the negotiations was a good thing obviously, but was simply troubled by the continued unknowns..

The Estonians have lowered the guard somewhat and so haven't yet seen Sergio even though he is in the the open. It it therefore a complete supprise to them when Sergio appears amongst them. Cautiously they peer about them trying to see if there is anyone else in hiding but apparently are unable to spot anyone.
And so they are suprised once more by Major Finnegan speaking up.
Brown addressing them again in his very broken Estonian brings their attention back to the matter at hand. One replies...
[Private to WO1 William Brown: "Yes, we know of it, we come from there few days ago. Came from further south east before that, I don't think we can tell you much of where you are heading after Krakow."
Krakow is full of everyone. Russians, Poles, Americans, British, Canadians, Germans..., just about anybody you can think of. You must have something to trade in Krakow or you not get in. Must not ever leave roads either, mines everywhere."
"Now we talk about trade. Will tell you about between here and there for the right price."]
He stops speaking and looks at Brown for a response.

Bernhard nods to Lt. Ashton and lowers his voice,"_{Lt. Ashton, You and Sgt. Smith regroup with Sgt. Redgrave and Major D'ammond, and finish the sweep, I am going to stay here and help interrogate the Cavalry.}"He looks back at the horses and vehicles, then back at Smith,"_{Take the radio, and keep in touch. Holler if you need help.}"

Marcus quietly shakes his head to himself, knowing that the Estonians wouldn't and seemed to not like the idea that they were being overwatched.  With a shrug mostly to himself he figures too late now as he turns to address Maj Finnegan with a curt, _"Sir" in response to his proposed plan of action as he takes the offered radio.  He looks to Lt Ashton expectantly, _{"Shall we?"}

Her grasp of the English language made her questions come out weird… One of these day‘s she‘d get things right.. But until then..

“Mmm”, Was her response with the barest dip of her chin to the Sergeant.  Though collecting Sergio seemed a little problematic.  Camilla would have liked to let him remain where he had planted himself, but that wasn’t in the cards..  A low hiss, and gesture to RedGrave, Cam inclined her head toward Smith, before shifting to the edge of her cover to try and catch the wayward Frenchman’s attention and flag him in.

Then she’d shift back to where she’d estimate Tanya and Marcus would wait.. “Suggestions?.”  Yet another question. Her features were impassive, blue eyes trailing over each NCO in turn..  She felt most comfortable on the move anyway, and preferred to let her people do their jobs.. Which they often knew more about than she did.  The team knew up to a certain point had been cleared earlier, but without completing the sweep they could have easily been compromised..  Of course they could have been even if the sweep was completed since the entire area wasn’t secure.

It was a give me choices look, a faint smile came and went, though directed at who, was anyone's guess.

Tanya lifted her head when she heard Cam 'hiss' for her attention.  Her whole attitude perked up when she saw that something was goin on or about to go on.  She had made her way over to Marcus and knelt down next to him as Camila made her way over to them.  Why don't we finish up where we left off Lootenant?  Makes the most sense to me right now.  Beats sitting around here while the others smoke and joke.  Don't get me wrong, the down time is nice but, well, a little too boring.  I hope I just didn't jinx us!

Brown listened, one of the Estonians tried responding to his deal. As the men tried to communicate he translated the words out loud into English, loud enough for the others to hear.

"Yes, we know of it, we come from there few days ago. Came from further south east before that, I don't think we can tell you much of where you are heading after Krakow."
Krakow is full of everyone. Russians, Poles, Americans, British, Canadians, Germans..., just about anybody you can think of. You must have something to trade in Krakow or you not get in. Must not ever leave roads either, mines everywhere."
"Now we talk about trade. Will tell you about between here and there for the right price."


Yes, now we trade, but before we trade you need to tell, how long since you have been on the route between here and there?

Brown continues to translate, stopping every so often to clarify a point.
The Estonians left Krakow four days ago and have been riding fairly steadily since. Passing through the Ojcow National Park they had intended to stop and ask for shelter at the castle Pieskowa Skala, but as they were approaching somebdoy inside yelled at them to go away and a few shots sprayed dirt around them.
One produces a few old postcards.
"This is the place, Stay clear unless you have a few tanks. Even then it'd be a hard spot to break into."


"Before that we ran into trouble. Plenty of partisans who are more than happy to shoot first at Soviet soldiers. We lost three before we could even call out to them. Be very careful if you go through there."
"They live in the caves scattered through the valleys but I think they have their HQ in an old ruined stone tower. You should be ok if you stay inside your vehicles. We saw no evidence of heavy weapons."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:11, Mon 04 Dec 2006.

"Brown, thank them for the info, and get with Lt. Don to give them some of our food stores. See if you can get a bit more info from them and them send them on their way." Bernhard stands from his hidden position, and looks around the deserted village they have stopped in,"We will take a short break here for lunch, and then be on our way again. When the recon party gets back, we can take turns in the turrets while you guys get a chance to stretch." Finnegan moves around to where the food is stored and begins sorting through it to find himself some lunch.

After looking at them, Brown gives back the postcards to the Estonians the moment he hears Major Finnegan call out. With the same guesture he puts his hand on the shoulder of his spokespartner.

“You give good information. Now we give you good food for you trip north”

Calling out to Donnachaidh.

“LT, do we have something for these fine people? “

"Aye, Will... Let's begin sealing the trade with a glass. Or rather, a few mouthfuls! Hehehe!"

Don walks toward the group, taking a small mouth of the spirit before handing over the bottle to one of the Estonians.

"Cheers!"

After smiling with the Estonians, he walks back again, hoping Brown can handle them while he checks what can be spared for the little information they gave. With some alcohol their tongues might loosen up a little.

After cutting the ex-slaves loose and supplying them with two days food, it appears you have very limited resources. No more than three days rations remain (84kgs, 3kg per person per day, 10 people).
It is possible to stretch it out by going on short rations but it's not recommended for any length of time.
Other trade items are in extremely short supply after Dettinger and his group took them off westwards from the warehouse several days previously and haven't been heard from since.

The "vodka" burns Don's throat as it claws it's way down towards his stomach. Fighting back tears, he hands it over to the Estonians who manage, somehow, to take several swallows each before passing it on. Then it's Browns turn as the bottle is thrust towards him with a smile.
"Good stuff", one says, smoke coming from his mouth as he speaks (or is it just imagination?). "Must be what, two, three weeks old?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:29, Wed 22 Feb 2006.

"Aye"

cough, cough

The information we got wasn't worth THAT much, that's for sure.

Don hasn't understood what the Estonian said, but given the thumbs up made him understand that they liked the drink.

Since they liked the drink, Brown hopefully can get some more info out of them.

A minute or so later...

Bernhard looks to Lt Don,"Give them 2 days food, and then send them on their way." He moves inside the vehicle and picks up one of the headsets,"Romeo Papa this is Homebase, Will bring chemsniffer, whats your location? Over." He digs through the equipment and pulls out the chemsniffer, awaiting the response from the recon team before heading out.

Brown, still chattering with the Estonians, tries to see if they have some more info they like to share with a drinking buddie. He makes sure he only takes little sipps from the bottle. He doesn’t want to cloud his mind.

After hearing the Major call out to Lt. Don he tells the Estonians they will get two days of rations for their trip home. After that he waits for Lt. Don to bring it over. The same time he tells the Estonians they better move on along the road.

It going to be dark soon. You better make sure you get to secure place to rest, you don’t think?

Don digs through the already small supplies, but gets up enough food to let the Estonians survive for a few days.

"Da svedanja!"

Anyone knows SOME russian, so he greets them after giving the food. Going back to the vehicles.

Winters mulls to himself, "I guess if this were any other time I would be worried about mortars...but it's strange times these days, oh so strange." As he adjusts himself sitting in the gunner's seat just trying to stay alert.

"Roger that Romeo Papa, we will be on the lookout for them." Major Finnegan puts the radio down and climbs out of the vehicle with the chemsniffer. Watching in the direction he believes the patrol should be coming from as climbs out, the Major calls out to those around him,"The patrol is sending two back to pick up the chemsniffer. Keep an eye out for them, we don't need any friendly fire accidents."

Bernhard walks over too Don,"What do you make of the intel the Estonians gave us? I think we might try to get ourselves ambushed by whatever small group attacked them. See if we can acquire more weapons to trade when we get to Krakow. The news that Krakow is only letting folks in that have stuff to trade is a bit disconcerting. Most of what we have is our skills and a couple extra weapons. Although I have been mulling over offering them the BRDM, get rid of the dependence on the still, and the need to stop as often as we do for refueling. Other than that I don't know what else we can offer them."

"Aye. As the group get thinner, we might fit into only one vehicle anyway. We'd better be careful to the fact that they shoot on anything looking even slightly as russkies."

"If I can get back home, I don't care a lot on WHAT sacrifices we need to make, unless it's human... I can handle the discussions with the Krakowians, it just takes some time to get there. Especially with these small ambushers all over the place. Keep away from the main roads are probably the best way, in the future as well. For a BRDM, we can hopefully get new, valuable information to take us back west, to Scotland, or whatever country you guys want to go to."