Ignoring Brooks for just a moment Corrigan couldn't help but feel a huge sense of relief at the sight of the two, though in the excitement he also didn't want to spark a misfire, intentional or otherwise so, as he slowly and purposefully lowered his weapon he spoke, softly so as to not agitate fraid nerves, and yet clearly enough to be heard.  "Well, this is quite a reception!  Thanks for the several gun salute, Tanya...  And did you forget I couldn't understand that language Bernard?" he said, a grin breaking out on his face as he let the barrel of the RPK lower further while speaking again, this time to Brooks, "William, meet Tanya Redgrave with whom I escaped from a terrible situation a looong time ago, and Bernard Finnegan who we rescued...  Tanya, Bernard, this is William Brooks, a newly found friend of mine who would much prefer to not have to patch anyone up any time soon..."  He emphasized the word intending to make them realize Brooks was a Corpsman, a valuable person to have these days and further hoping to distill the situation...
This message was last edited by the player at 01:40, Sun 08 Oct 2006.

Brooks straightens up as he lets out a huge breath. He thumbs his weapon to safe as he points his sixteen at the deck. "Howdy." Is about all he can mutter at the moment. After a few more seconds and his body un-tenses, "Guess it's a small world after all. Doc Brooks, definately a pleasure to meet you folks."

Tanya lowers the Russian SAW and let's it hang on its sling and smiles widely at Andy.  She walks up to him and gives him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.  "It's good ta see you, you sonuvabitch!  You're looking good I see!"

She smiles at Brooks and extends a hand to him.  "Nice ta meet you Doc!  You're kind of a sight for sore eyes out here!"

Brooks cradles his M16 in his left arm as he shakes the hand firmly. He gives a nod and then waves a hand dismisively, "It's my boyish good looks, I get that all the time."

Relaxing a bit he takes his helmet off, shoving it under an arm, and pulls out a rag to wipe his forehead, "I'm hoping those pot shots at us last night were from you folks. Ya'll camped here or passing through?"

Bernhard checks their six as Tanya hugs Andy and greets the Doc. As soon as she is finished, he extends his own hand to the Doctor,"Major Bernhard Finnegan, always good to have another medic along. I don't think any shooting we did last night was at you two, but some of our shots could have come around your way." He nods to Andy,"When we get back to our little base camp you can fill me in on your little scouting trip. This town seems to have people hiding all around. They have rat-holes and warrens all over, and sneak around everywhere virtually unseen. We're on a security sweep right now, trying to find some of them." Bernhard switches over to the radio he carries,"Sgt Matterson, the two unknowns are friendlies. Pass the word, Sargeant Major and a new friend have arrived. We will bring them in when we finish the sweep." Giving his attention back to Andy and the Doc,"For now I think its safest if you join us on our sweep, less chance of a friendly fire incident."

The RPK was already being lowered and held by his right arm alone as she smiled widely at him, and then she was upon him and he couldn't help his own enthusiasm as he hugged her back hard, burying his face into her shoulder for a moment as she kissed him and then they were stepping back from each other, her comment sparking a wide grin of his own as he nodded.  "And good to see you too!!  For a while there I wondered if I'd see anyone I knew again!" he said earnestly, remembering the patrol he had been part of and after the ambush how he was the only left, at least as far as he knew.


Corrigan came to something resembling attention, though his weapon was still held ready and the grin was very unbecoming, as Bernhard spoke, before he could respond though Bernhard was reporting the situation so he waited patiently and once done he spoke, "Sounds like a great idea to me, what about you, Doc?  I will say this though, there were two others who took me in along with Doc and I'll not see harm done to them, though I'm sure they'll be glad to join a bigger group.  One was a woman, Ukrainian, and the way she handled her weapon possibly freedom fighter, the other a german male, army...  Both accepted me and helped me thus far..." he said, reporting the situation to make sure no other elements of the sweep ended up firing on his new found friends...

"I can lead us there to pick them up?  They were trying to put together breakfast while Doc and I investigated the smoke..." he said softly, pointing out that there had been signs that led he and Doc to them that might very well lead others...  Then, after a moment, he found himself grinning at Tanya again, "Damn good to see you again Tanya..." he said softly, remembering everything they had been through together...
This message was last edited by the player at 00:17, Mon 09 Oct 2006.

Nods and Corrigan's words, "Was just thinking that would be good, joining up with them for their sweep. We could swing by 'our' place and pick up our comrades and my pack is back there also. The German is an engineer I think, I forget. The female is a deserter from Ivans Army, I think. These days it's hard to tell anything by just looking."

Bernhard nods at the newcomers comments,"That works for me, take all the help we can. Sargeant Major, if you want to take second position while Sgt. Smith leads out, you can guide him to your comrades position. Doc you can fall in behind Sgt Redgrave." Bernhard looks to Marcus,"Sgt Smith, as soon as we are reafy head out to where Corrigan directs you."

Corrigan couldn't help but smile slightly, finding himself winking at Tanya as he spoke, "Would prefer first position since it's all I've known, but will settle for second for now...  Sir..." he said, then he turned towards Brooks, "Doc, stick with Tanya, she'll keep you alive..." he said with a grin and another wink towards Tanya...

Then he was all business once again, the quiet manner over-riding everything, the big RPK tracking wherever he looked as he glanced sideways at Sgt Smith, "Sergeant?  Let's go and pick up my friends, shall we?" he said as he began to move out, intending to get back to Katka and Sebastien before anything happened to them...
This message was last edited by the player at 02:30, Mon 09 Oct 2006.

"Roger that." Brooks will reply to sticking with Sergeant Redgrave. He'll put his helmet back on after wiping down the inside then thumbing the safet off he'll fall in place as the patrol moves out.

It's not long before the group arrives at the building presently occupied by Sebastian and Katka. A very thin plume of smoke rises f4rom the chimney, the fire probably only just lit in the past few minutes.

OOC: Don't forget Cam is tagging along.

While relieved at the sight of Corrigan and his new found friend, Cam remained standoffishly silent during the initial meet-n-greet.  The prospect of others in being so close in the area..  Other potentially friendly personnel had Ashton’s stomach tied up in knots, and still there was no certainty that any of this accounted for why they were out there in the mud.  The Major’s mention of a continued sweep was welcome… her stormy gaze cast out from beneath the rim of her helmet as she glanced the two over.

A half smile was offered eventually and a nod of greeting, there weren’t many friends in this world and Andy was counted as one of them…  Perhaps more-so,  he could be counted on.  And that was something. On that thought she cut a glance toward Tanya, and then to Smith, who had been doing the point work, and then after a lasting moment, returned to watching her corner.

She didn’t like being in one place long and studied the rooftops, maybe trying in vain to catch a glimpse of their Guardian Angel.. Of course that was highly unlikely.  Lieutenant Ashton moved with the group, saying very little in her thickly laced accent of simple English, if anything. She liked blending into the nameless category..  Probably a habit picked up with her studies in psychology, seemed University wasn‘t a waste after all.

***
The building, when they came to it, the tendrils of faded grey wafting skyward caught her attention almost immediately, she frowned lightly, studying the worn and chipped surface of the weather-beaten structure.. Hmm had they been past this place the day before?.. They seemed to blur together and Cam’s head ached a moment.  Keeping track of its placement compared to their own temporary lodging, and Broke her silence.. “How long you been in village?..”

Once it was determined that the two, not one, persons were indeed friendlies Marcus moved to provide cover giving the Sergeant Major a curt nod of an acknowledged friendly greeting.  It was a small world afterall, since they had served briefly together in a joint multinational special operations task force many years ago.  Marcus was not intentionally being rude, he was simply maintaining security and would worry about the formalities of introductions with the other newcomer later on.

Wordless as usual, Marcus picked up the point giving the sweeping hand-and-arm signal for a tactical column as they moved out at the direction of the Sergeant Major.

It's good to be back with everyone! he thought silently to himself as he moved past Cam, smiling at her as he went, and then he was returning the nod to Marcus, glad to see the Green Beret once again as he glanced about himself to get his bearings...  Then, after a moment's pause, he gestured briefly to Marcus, a couple of hand signals to give him direction, and then they were moving off, the two of them moving as a well oiled machine, move, cover, move, cover...

Tanya smiles, "It's good to see you too Andy!  I'm glad to see you're all right."

Letting the RPK lean on it's sling, Tanya nods to Brooks to follow her when they move out.  "How loing you been on yer own before you met up with Andy Doc?"

"About a week... I think, I've already lost track of time." He scans the buildings across the street before continuing, "Got seperated from the guys and been heading away from the sounds of tanks ever since. Ran into the Serg... Andy, in this town last night actually."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:59, Thu 12 Oct 2006.

As you draw closer to the house the "newcomers" had rested in overnight, either Andy or the Doc calls out to those inside to avoid being shot...

Corrigan, in the lead with Marcus, moved slowly closer to the resting point they had left their friends and, after checking to make sure he wasn't already being covered by a firearm, he called out to those within...

"Sebastien!  Katka!  It's Andy Corrigan!!  We found friends!  Let us approach!" he said, loudly enough and clearly enough for them to hear, and yet not so loud as to draw attention from an enemy in the vicinity...
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:19, Tue 17 Oct 2006.

When they get to the building where Andy and Brooks left their companions, Tanya grabs the pistol grip of the RPK but, doesn't bring it up since she's not really expecting any problems from the people inside.

"What unit were you from Brooks?" she asks him while her eyes on the structure.

Brooks steps into the main room and moves aside along the wall as he answers the question, "BAS, 2nd LAR... sorry; Battalion Aid Station, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissence Battalion. I was assigned to Delta Company for the push in from the Baltic Coast."

Marcus continues to remain vigilant as he takes a knee just behind the Sergeant Major and pulls security in his default sector of fire.

[Posted in 'Resting' thread]

Corrigan grinned at Sebastien's remark, raising the barrel of the RPK to point skywards as he approached, "Friends of mine, Sebastien, and I'm sure we could combine all our resources and come up with place settings for us all!" he said with a grin before turning and gesturing for the others to approach...

Corrigan was thankful for Marcus' vigilance, but with Katka's welcome he knew it would be good to get everyone under cover if even for only a short time...  Turning to Marcus he signed to him to cover everyone as they approached the building his new found friends had taken, knowing he could trust Marcus to bring up the rear, while also knowing he needed to be first through the line of fire for Sebastien and Katka to trust them.

With his RPK aimed upwards, though ready to drop level at a moment's notice if anything occurred, he led the group towards Sebastien and Katka, purposefully putting himself between the two groups until they got a feel for each other...

[OOC]  Time to combine threads, oh mighty Narrator? :-)  [/OOC]

Cam fell back into a reoccurring and sometimes customary silence. Cool blue eyes surveyed her corner as she settled in to a crouch at her spot while they waited.  It seemed a constant state.. A dreary state.. Something that you couldn’t ignore.. You couldn’t just numb out and let your mind wander, and so you had to be there.. In that moment.

She never knew how disciplined souls like those that she was fortunate enough to travel with could stand it.  It was a lonely thing.. You’re in a group, small or large, it didn’t matter.. Alone, together.. It was different for some. The camaraderie built on their past experiences had brought them there to that point. She watched the street aware of the moments ticking, and vaguely aware of the conversation. A good deal of it she could understand.. Or well, perhaps she knew the intent of the words rather than their full meaning.

She’d moved along with Tanya as her guide in the mater of the English language, and they had embarked on a few outings.. Her, Winters.. Guido..  And RedGrave.  Cam had gotten used to the four of them shifting around and taking odd-jobs following the aftermath of the Slavers.. Ashton’s resolve had been unsteadied by that experience..

But…

She set her vision creeping up along the roof-tops that might have been near by.. And darting for any access points that were plainly visible from unknown buildings.  Those people.. Those beasts that moved in the night and eluded detection during the sweep..  Had they moved in after, or were they laying low in some sewer or tunnel system that heralded back to the great war?..  Anything was possible she supposed.

Silence would serve her for now.. After becoming a liability to Smith that night in the rain.. She was feeling a bit uneasy again.  Cam would foot it..  She’d huddle in her shell and watch the path.. Unable to dream just in case it undoes her in an instant..

Her fingers curled and uncurled about the stock of her AK.. Restless?  maybe.

There was a tense moment as Corrigan approached and saw that Sebastien still held the Uzi at the ready, though he was sure he could get the RPK on target before Sebastien managed a shot he was not sure he'd be walking away from the encounter, though Sebastien certainly would not have either..

Then the moment was gone as the Uzi was lowered and Corrigan breathed a sigh of relief, motioning the others up as he stepped up to the doorway and grinned at the german, "Well, we didn't know we were going to be finding company!!" he said with a chuckle and stepped aside for the others to enter the building to at least get under cover.  He had noticed how quiet Camilla was, and as he grinned at the others as they passed he couldn't help but reach out and catch her shoulder, "You ok, Camilla?  Well, as ok as you can be?" he asked, concerned...  The others had seemed as upbeat as he was to find new or old friends, but Camilla had been withdrawn and quiet...

Fatigue shown in her eyes as she paused, regarding Corrigan.. A tilt of her head sent her gaze back across the ground out toward the direction that had come from. The dark line of the helmet sheltering her vision from the bleary grey-white.. “I sorry Andy.. We get attacked night time.. Not find badguys yet..”, Letting the tip of her weapon dip, Cam uncoiled her hand from the shoulder strap, and pat his lightly.. "I okay.."

Returning her gaze to his, the Danish Lieutenant managed a faint smile of thanks and brushed past into the dwelling..  Still thoughtful, but less grim.

"Well, this is a pleasant surprise, Master Corrigan. However, I think we should be hosting this reunion inside, not in the street."

Sebastian glances quickly up and down the block before he lowers his weapon yet further and retreats a little into the relative safety their little bungalow.

As the party enters, Sebastian holds out his hand to greet each one in turn.

"Sebastian Stoeckel, pioneer Gefreiter, 6th Panzergrenadier division. Pleased to meet you."

Bernhard covers their six as the tension is eased from the greeting of Corrigan and his newfound friends. The Major watches the street and buildings surrounding the area until he is the only one left outside from their small recon team. He barely lowers his C7 as he stands and moves through the door. He returns the German's handshake and greeting,"Major Bernhard Finnegan, US Army Rangers, nice to meet some more friendlies." Bernhard takes up a position inside where he has a good view of the door and he continues,"You four weren't attacked last night? They probed our position, but no one got inside."

  Closing the door behind everyone. "We heard shooting but, did not see anyone." She hugs her Ak to her chest, arms crossed. "My name is Katka. What do you know of this town, how much do you control?

[Catching up on posts]:

"It's good to see an American no matter what unit they come from right now!  Better yet, you can patch one of us up if we need it.  There's a big calling nowadays for someone with minimal medical skills.  No offense, I don't mean to say yer skills are minimal Brooks, you get my drift though?" she asks.

With Brooks while approaching the house, Tanya swings her vision from left to right and then up and down checking the areas around the surrounding building while her RPK follows the motion with her hands.

When the all clear is given, Tanya lets the RPK fall to her sling and her hand grabs the fore end so it doesn't swing about.  She watches as Andy greets a man at the door holding what seems to be an UZI.  She turns to Brooks,   "You know these guys too Doc?"

Brooks slackens up and eases his grip on his rifle, "Depends on your definition of know. Ran into the German, Stoeckel, a while back... got himself pick-forked by some locals. The female, Katka, ran into her a few days ago. She's a deserter I think, definately doesn't like the Red's."

He'll take a look around real quick as he continues, "As for the Sergea... Andy, just ran into him last night. Just about the time we started taking pot shots from down the street by some soviet vehicles. We moved out and found this place for the night."

Bernhard looks to Katka,"Not much too know about this place. Looks like there was some kind of chemical or biological attack, but it was a while ago, and appears clean now. We don't really control much of the town, other than the building we hunkered down in. There appear to be some local people that are living in the ruins like rats, we had a run in with them last night." He looks at Brooks,"You said soviet vehicles? Those are probably ours, but just in case, tell us where they were and we can figure it out. Now, any of you are welcome to join our little rag-tag outfit. I don't know what your plans are, but we were going to head to Krakow, then decide where to go from there."

"What kind of Soviet vehicles Doc?  Armor, APC's, trucks?  We're shit short of supplies but, I dion't think we want to take on a tank cloumn or a full strength armored unit in our condition.  We trust Andy's judgement, he hasn't let us down yet," she says with a smile.

It had been good finding his old friends once more, though he remained silent during the introductions, letting everyone get to know each other while he took position near one of the windows, though he was careful not to show himself, keeping an eye on things to be sure they did not get ambushed, the RPK held at the ready.

Once or twice he glanced around the group, nodding slightly to each as they conversed, finding himself smiling at Tanya as she talked with Doc, the smile softening as he glanced at Camilla, hoping she was ok.  They had been through a lot together, they had all been through a lot, and doubtless would have to go through a lot more before finally getting somewhere safe, if such a place existed...

He sighed, and glanced back out the window, watching carefully, ready to respond if anyone spoke to him, but for now maintaining watch, doing what he did best, point work...

Doc Brooks shrugs to the question, "No clue actually, I never got a look at them. Stoeckel was at a window before a shot landed nearby so not sure if he got a good look." Doc rubs his neck then moves his head side to side before moving to his pack and setting his rifle down for a second.

Standing just inside the doorway, Sebastian pipes in.

"Well, actually, at least one shot came from a building where a Soviet APC- a BTR, I think- and scout car were parked. And Corrigan was exchanging fire with an automatic weapon in the vicinity too, before he stumbled upon us. Perhaps our two groups were firing upon each other..."

He lets the thought trail off, studying the "newcomers'" faces for a reaction.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:59, Thu 02 Nov 2006.

"Oh F***. That was us. We have a BTR and a BRDM. None of you have a bow of any sort do you?" Bernhard rubbed his side where the quarrel had struck him the night before. "We're lucky no one got hit." He looks at the newcomers,"Please tell me none of you got hit?"

Doc shakes his head as the possibility of how tragic things could have been sinks in, "Nah, no one got hit and Corrigan got us outta dodge to this building shortly after the couple of shots. Important thing is no one got hurt. No arrow shooters though."

Cam would have been horrified, if she hadn’t already had that sinking feeling earlier..  One of the reasons she had asked a quiet question not so long ago.  There was still an empty hollow deep down, and the taste of ash in her mouth.  That was figurative of course.  A quiet nod was offered, a flicker of some dark stain passing in her gaze before the Dainish Lieutenant could manage a smile.  “We are all for- fort- ahh with luck..”, A quiet prayer was offered under her breath as she eased against the wall.. “Still sweep..  Maybe some back to camp while continue?.. Not safe at night, maybe day O.K.?”

He had known he recognized those vehicles, though it had been dark so couldn't be sure, and he had been so fatigued his judgement had been slipping, he was just glad nothing tragic had happened...

The mention of someone using a bow, though, drew his attention back to the conversation, seeing Bernhard rubbing his side, "Bow?  Then we have company somewhere around here...  Did anyone get hurt?" he asked, pointedly glancing at Bernhard...

Glancing at Camilla as she spoke he smiled, "Continuing a sweep would be good, I don't like having uninvited guests taking pot-shots at my friends..." he said with a slight grin.  "I say we start making tracks, though food sounds like an excellent idea I'd prefer to eat where we have a little more safety...  Any objections?" he asked of the group, suddenly wanting to be on the move again, hating the feeling of being a sitting duck...

  Nodding, "We are going to same town, if you have room will only take short time to get packed?"

Sebastian, trying to ease the sudden awkwardness that had enveloped the little gathering, smiled almost apologetically."Well, all's well that end's well, no? I'm just glad that your sniper was having an poor night. A bow, eh? Strange. Whoever is willing to pit bows and arrows against guns and bullets is someone I would not care to meet. The sooner we leave this place, the better, it seems. But, we do need to eat." Sebastian pats his ribs theatrically. All that talk of stew with Katka had fully awakened his stomach.

Tanya's head lowers when the question of casualties comes up.  "There was one," she says in a low voice thinking about the pregnant girl she had killed with the SAW.  It still plays fresh in her mind of that girls face laying there in the mud in the morning.

Marcus entered with the rest of the group to escape the relative threat outside.  It was difficult to always be vigilant, and he was getting tired.  When it's his turn to meet and greet he keeps it short and sweet, "Smith, hey." giving a curt firm handshake.  He kept an eye to the window and what was going on outside as the others talked.

Corrigan saw the lowering of Tanya's head, and sighed softly when she spoke, knowing almost instinctively what must have happened for Tanya's mood to darken so much, though he didn't know the details he could almost see what might have happened.

He stepped over to her and rested a hand on her shoulder, squeezing lightly as a concerned look came over his face, the hint of an understanding smile appearing, "Easy...  You ok?" he asked, letting her know he was there.  He was back with his friends, those he had fought and survived with, and he was there for every one of them...

"Fine," she said to Andy turning and walking away from him after he put his hand on her shoulder.  She's obviously upset and moved away to try and gain her composure away from the others.

Bernhard speaks into the mic and responds to Sergio's question,"We got four friendlies now, Sargeant Major C and three new friends. Will continue our sweep and return in about ten mikes. Will bring them in with us. Pass the word to everyone. Also, eat and prep to leave, I don't want to spend another second in this God-forsaken place."

Turning back to Corrigan,"You can finish your breakfast, we will run a small sweep of the area and then return. I wouldn't advise stepping out of here, just in case our snipers don't recognize you. When we return we will call out badger if everything is clear. You can use" Bernhard pauses and glances around the room, thinking of a counter,"You can use weasel"

Bernhard motions to Marcus,"Sgt Smith, Let us continue our sweep, same order as before."

[Private to Katka Valechzev; Sebastian Stoeckel; William Harvey Brooks; WO2 Andy Corrigan: As soon as Tanya is out the door Bernhard leans close to Corrigan,"Last night defending our AO Sgt. Redgrave killed a pregnant girl." Then he disappears out the door as he takes his position on the team's six]

  Katka slings her weapon and starts to pick up bits of broken furniture, holding up a chair leg and showing it to Sebastian with a knowing smile. "Let us start fire."

Camilla was mostly silent through the introductions, though she did react to the signs of distress in Tanya’s response…  Her lips parted as if to speak, but knew any words would ring hollow.. Cam did feel partly responsible, she could have ordered a cease-fire the moment the rounds went blazing, before things got out of control, but she just didn’t have a view of what was going on..

Redgrave was there, and took the initiative. -If she hadn’t done what she did,  and the dark shape crossing that wire was loaded down with explosives, or likewise.. Ashton had no doubt that things would have ended just as badly, but instead of mourning a stranger’s passing, Cam would have been mourning the lost of a few good friends that had put their lives on the line for her in the past.

Even that thought didn’t make things settle any easier, so the Lieutenant took a stance, making ready to move out in her spot.. “Tanya…”, Cam knew Redgrave would already be set, but if she was nudged enough to be angry maybe it would snap the depression away long enough to finish the sweep.. “Focus Mission..”   Truthfully it unsettled Cam to see the usually solid woman shaken like that.. Maybe later Redgrave could forgive Cam for the indignity, and for the blatant hypocracy.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:04, Tue 07 Nov 2006.

Doc nods solemly to the new info then forces up a smile as the others prepare to return to their patrol, "I'll have the kids packed and ready to go when ya'll get back."

Tanya wipes her face with the back of her hand and tries to clear her runny nose, "I'm good ma'am!  Good to go," she says trying to choke back any kind of emotion she was obviously showing.

She hated to show weakness like this, it wasn't in her nature to do so under the circumstances but, a pregnant girl lay dead in the street by their camp at her hand.  "Snap out of it you stupid bitch!  People are watching and looking at you," she thinks to herself trying to gain her composure.

Looking first at Katka holding the dismembered chair leg, Sebastian makes eye contact with Andy and Doc in turn before asking,

"Shall we?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:09, Thu 09 Nov 2006.

Doc nods, "Major said it was ok, but make it snappy. Sebastain you can help her get the food done. I'll grab our gear and get it set up down here and keep an eye out. Need to be ready to move out and join the others as soon as they get back from their patrol. Ten minutes, fifteen tops."

At the order go, Smith is ready, he asks quickly, "Is there another way in or out of this place?" not wanting to make an easy target for some sniper by stepping out the way they came in.

The building, like most in this area of town, is a typical residential structure several floors high. At least two doors (front and rear) and several windows give access on the ground floor.
While structually sound and semi defendable, it shows the same signs as most others of being abandoned in a hurry over a year ago.

OOC: Going on the OOC post from Nuked, I’ll brush things up, and If this proves incorrect I apologize.  Also taking in account the IC Narration Post in the other thread.which I was guessing is applicable here. ^.^ <-disclaimer out of the way I'll probably cross post this

Frustrated by the lack of change, the lack of difference made by their efforts, Camilla kept pace with the team.  There appeared to be no sign of their attackers..  Washed away by the rain that still fell while they tended their wounds the night before?..   Most old villages barely had a ditch system, let alone large piped sewer network.  But if there were old tunnels set up pre-Cold War or otherwise.. They would likely only be accessible inside the buildings themselves..

If there was resistance in the village, which might have spurred the tragic event that cleansed this place, they must have been well entrenched. It was possible that locating such hiding holes would take some time.. Time they didn’t have, and as the morning progressed, she wondered what the next night would bring if they had to suffer another moment within these hollow dwellings.

Still she kept an eye out for tracks in the mud, where mud could be found.. Though only on the sides of their passing, due to the amount of people that were trudging along ahead of her position.  Maybe she didn’t find anything because of the division of her attention..  Scanning the roof-tops and watching their backs as they snaked along.

Whatever the outcome, her anxiety grew as the team made it back to the dwelling that held their new-found friends.. And she waited for the Major’s exchange that would call out those within and hopefully take them back to the main camp..  A few steps in the direction of getting out of here.

As she paused, sad eyes sought Tanya’s studying the sergeant. The psychologist in her wanted to help her friend through what happened, but she also knew that there must be some time allowed between.  The trick was not letting too much time pass.. It was a fine line.

Back to watching her corner, truthfully, there was still a raw ache to the side of her head.. And the dried blood itched beneath the helmet stinging slightly with the sweat.  The wound was as fresh in the mind as it was in the physical sense.. And the death of the young girl only added to her muddled emotions. Fighting for freedom in her own country, she had seen people die.  -Even saw the results of assaults gone wrong.. Attached to the German division later  did not diminish such horrors.  But when uniformed people were killing uniformed people it seemed strangely different. As if there was some sort of line between the two. Maybe it was her own disturbingly naïve perception that was at fault, but she felt it was almost harder dealing with killing people who did not wear uniforms, not at the time, but after.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:50, Wed 15 Nov 2006.

  Katka gets to work setting a fire in the wood stove as fast as she can, using a pan to heat the sausage up to save time. Stews will have to wait for later and she can still supliment their meal with the mystery meat in a can, just a shame theres no mustard.

  During the meal she double checks her pack to make sure Dok didnt miss anything, throwing in a few items scrounged from house. Throwing everything on and checking her weapon, shes ready to move out.

Sebastian helps Katka cook their meager breakfast. Having dressed and packed earlier, he is also ready to roll.

With a wink, he addresses Katka,"This smells wonderful, Katka. Would you happen to have been a chef before the war?"

To those assembled nearby, he adds,"Although I do not wish to insult Katka's cooking by eating too quickly, I really would like to leave this damned town as soon as possible. Shall we?"

Brooks brings his pack down from upstairs and sets in near the main door before he wanders the main room looking out the various windows keeping an eye out. More for the patrol returning than enemies. He speaks after hearing Sebastian, "Not a problem, go ahead and eat. I too wish to be ready to move out as soon as they get back from their patrol."

Bernhard follows the rest of the recon team on the remainder of their sweep. He keeps alert on the way, watching the rooftops and any openings in the buildings for any sign of danger. He is relieved when they get back to the newcomer's hideout and the challenge and response are given, and heartened when they return to their own encampment and he sees the progress that is being made in loading all their gear. He makes brief introductions between the two groups, then gives the order to finish packing and eating so they can be on their way to Krakow. As far as Bernhard is concerned, they can't leave this place soon enough.