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.