"Most of the time, head injuries like this will resolve with two to three weeks of rest, presuming their are no complications.  Some traumatic brain injuries cause increased intracranial pressure however and relieving that pressure usually requires a shunt, which... ermh... is a procedure best done in a pre-war hospital, not a post-war gymnasium," Jake fumbled the last sentence a bit, his otherwise upbeat tone suffering from the injection of realism.

"Be honest with the doctor and do what they tell you to do," Ward quickly added.

When it’s his turn to be seen Kessler ends up needing to spend about thirty minutes with Roy Barrett, at the end of which one leg is heavily bandaged and one arm is in a sling. And he’s got a mild concussion. As he looks around the gymnasium come hospital it’s quickly obvious that while he’s been battered hard, there are others in a worse condition than him. But it also looks fairly obvious that the Mad Dogs wont be in a position to take any sort of offensive action any time soon. Just defending themselves is likely to be a stretch of their abilities.

His leg hurts whenever he tries to put any weight on it. His trousers are ruined, Barrett’s scissors making short work of the parts that weren’t already holed by bullets and stained with dry blood, so he’s got a clean pair out of his ruck - his Bundeswehr ones are still in the laundry so he’s down to the Soviet TTsKO ones that he’d worn when he’d first crossed the lines and Red Fox had been masquerading as a Pact unit - along with a black sweater someone had fetched from the stores. He’s probably also going to need a walking stick if he can find such a thing, at least for the next few days.

The gym is worrying him. Not the repurposing of it but the fact that there’s some people out there with a mortar and reason to want to drop more bombs on the Mad Dogs’ compound. If they come under mortar fire again dozens could be killed. But trying to find it…well, the damned thing could be anywhere.

At one point he spots Karolina Schleicher moving about the gymnasium, nods briefly to her. He’s no further forward as to what to do with her. Before they’d left he’d told her that they’d try and work out something more…comfortable…than leaving her locked in a cell. He supposes that if she had planned to abscond she could have probably done so by now. Maybe. But who is she really? Is she a nobody? Or a somebody? The fact is not lost on him that it’s possible - although he thinks unlikely - that she could have been von Schweppenburg’s boss. The sensible thing would be to push the problem up to Olympic. Let BND deal with it. Maybe they can trade her with the Soviets. Maybe.

That’s not a problem for right now though. Right now he’s got a hundred more pressing things to deal with. Well, at least a dozen. Starting with Nowak’s condition. So once Barrett’s finished with him Kessler will limp over to where Tymoshenko is so that he can get a quick word with the Doctor, with his first question being. ”How’s Nowak?”

Tymoshenko turns her head in slow motion as Kessler makes his way over to her. The rest of her body stays motionless, as if she's trying to conserve as much energy as possible. There isn't much of that left, it looks like. The Ukrainian doctor doesn't reply to Kessler for a solid moment. There's a point where he thinks maybe she didn't hear him, until she inhales deeply and answers, "Not good, but not getting more worse, for now." Tymoshenko then explains Nowak plans to proceed with her intention to make an appearance in the Old City quarter this morning, albeit a little later than anticipated. "She will go, with or without my advice."

Tymoshenko motions to the boxes of medical supplies that's been consolidated into their corner of the gymnasium. Dipesh is squatted down next to them, taking inventory. The Indian looks up whenever someone walks by, giving the impression that he's also there to watch over it. "That is it. All of it." Tymoshenko explains to Kessler, referring to the medical supplies. At a glance it seems like a lot. There are a good number of boxes after all. In today's world it's almost a fortune's worth. But, for a city the size of Gdansk, which is at war with itself and its neighbors too, it won't last long. Mary shakes her head slightly, "I hear from some people that this is almost over. I hope it is true. I hope you can finish this quickly."

Kessler overhears a conversation between Dr. Serrano and an unidentified medical person, about needing and not having an x-ray machine. Szymon, aka 'Hatchet Guy' is also heard asking someone if his two detached fingers can still be reattached. Apparently he kept them in his pocket.

The topic then shifts back to Nowak. "Halina can walk, but no better than you. It might kill her if someone only hit her with the closed fist. So be careful. More than before. She asks me how to hide her injuries. Or how to hide the serious nature, severity, right? I will do so as best I can.

Realizing that his wound is not life-threatening, Per patiently waits his turn to see one of the doctors. When he's finally called out of triage, he presents his right forearm for examination.

"Gunshot wound, through-and-through. Our medic doesn't think it hit bone. I can barely move my hand... and I'm right-handed."

-

Kessler smiles ruefully. ”Trust me, Doctor, we are trying to finish this as quickly as we can.” There’s not really much that he can add to the conversation about the medical supplies at the moment - they have what they have. For sure more would be good, But that was a discussion for later. For the moment, he turns and looks towards the more immediate concern as he picks out Halina Nowak across the gym.

That she still plans to be seen in public isn’t really a surprise. Perhaps she feels that she has to. Kessler’s never staged a coup before but imagines that at least part of it is smoke and mirrors, the appearance of strength. And she wont appear to be strong in a sick bed at a makeshift hospital. But nor will she appear strong if a sniper’s bullet gets her. Or a punch. ”I’ll speak to her.” he offers after a moment’s thought. He then glances to Dipesh. ”If he’s there for the reason that I think he’s there I can get one or two of my people to do that instead, free him up to help your people. Oh, and we’re having a meeting at zero seven hundred, if you want to come. Or maybe someone to represent you. Just so you know what’s going on.”

It takes him another moment or so to consider what, exactly, he’s going to say to Gdansk’s nominal leader. And as he limps across the gym there’s the thought that one well placed mortar strike now could wipe out the coup’s leader and most of the surviving Marians. And him. It’s not a good thought.

”Tymoshenko tells me that you still want to go to the Post Office.’ he says to Nowak when he manages to get her on her own, with no one else hovering around her cot. ”If you’re determined to go I can’t stop you. But it has to be done right. I’ve got wounded. My unit needs time to rest. And all of our transport is kaput. Same with Woermann, his Marder is unserviceable.”

“I don’t think you want to arrive in a Lada. Not really a good look is it?” She had, after all, insisted on riding in the Humvee earlier. ”If we go, we go in force. Proper security this time. I need a platoon, twenty or thirty men. Woermann’s troops or Osprey. With vehicles. Preferably military vehicles. All flying the Gdansk flag.”

“I’ll come with you.” He chuckles wryly. ”We can probably hold each other up. So we’ll need Woermann or someone else that can take tactical command of the escorts. I’d like one of the Doctors from St Mary’s to come as well but it will need to be a volunteer. If any of my people want to come with us as close security they can, but again it’s on a voluntary basis only. They need rest. And so do you. So If Tymoshenko says you need to come back here afterwards that’s what needs to happen. The Doctors are here. I believe this is the closest Gdansk has to a hospital at the moment. And you’re not going to win any battles getting an infection.”

“And if you want to ride the BTR or the Marder it would be helpful if you can get us a couple of more mechanics from somewhere. But most of all, we need proper security this time. This is not a job for one squad. Our radios are at your disposal if you need it to organise anything. We’re having an Ops Meeting at zero seven hundred. You’re welcome to attend - in fact I’d prefer if you did if you’re able to. We can review progress then.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:41, Mon 30 Oct 2023.

”If we go, we go in force. Proper security this time. I need a platoon, twenty or thirty men. Woermann’s troops or Osprey. With vehicles. Preferably military vehicles. All flying the Gdansk flag.”

"We’re having an Ops Meeting at zero seven hundred. You’re welcome to attend - in fact I’d prefer if you did if you’re able to. We can review progress then.”

Halina Nowak looks at Kessler without speaking, as he speaks, and is quiet for a moment afterward too. Abel is standing on the sidelines and watching. She gives him a glance before returning her focus to the German officer. "Będę na twoim spotkaniu." I'll be at your meeting. Nothing is said about Michael's advice/request regarding the her next attempt to move into the Old City quarter. Instead, she looks back at Abel again, "Przyprowadź Woermanna." Bring Woermann. Abel obeys, but actually delegates the fetch task to Bartosz, who's (also standing nearby) seating loose 9mm rounds into one of his Uzi's empty magazines.

Beata then enters the gymnasium and leans in close to where Nowak is seated, speaking to her quietly. When their private exchange is finished, Nowak informs Kessler, "I will be in your office." She must mean Kaminski's little office, which he had "MANAGER" labelled onto the door glass. Halina is looking at Michael when she speaks, but it's also a cue for Beata and Abel to help their wounded commander up onto her feet. "Do zera siódmego." Until zero seven. After they depart, Woermann's voice is audible out in the hallway.

Elsewhere, Mad Dogs wait for doctors and medics to attend to their wounds and concussions. The process goes relatively quickly, despite everyone's exhaustion and the workspace becoming increasingly cramped. Pain relief medicine is limited to only a few individuals. Wounds are disinfected by either distilled alcohol or what looks like bottled tree sap. No longer limited to boiled strips of torn bedsheets, the dressings in use now actual bandages. Following Varis' diagnosis however, the only treatment prescribed for his serious concussion is just old fashioned rest (and continued observation). Also noted is that two more wounded combatants from an unknown faction, plus a civilian, are brought in.

The sinks in the washroom (coed style) are put to use by Ferro, Jose, and Ward. Rodriguez then makes his way to the little cafeteria, finding it quiet. Lutz, the liaison officer from Waterloo is sleeping on the floor with his body turned into towards the wall. His Bundeswehr jacket is draped over him like a blanket. The officer's radio is turned off beside him. Sitting on a bench at one of the table, is the squad leader is the LoSA team who've been defending the compound for days, maybe weeks, now. He's kitted up and staring at a steaming mug before him, but not really drinking.

"No food!" Katarzyna Majchrzak suddenly hisses in a harsh whisper, as to not wake Lutz, as she enters behind Rodriguez. "Za wcześnie!" Too early. She continues past the American and disappears into the kitchen, only to reemerge a moment later. Kat then hands Jose a thick slice of bread (also functioning as a plate) with some carrot sticks and a tiny piece of dried fish on it. "Shhhh..." she tells him, before disappearing back into the kitchen area.

Ward ends up on the roof. It's quiet, and now that the poor weather has ended it's not so bad to get a little rest. While hunting for a spot, he sees the darkened shape of a sentry standing near the edge. They're silent and motionless while looking out at the river. Another unidentifiable sentry is over at the sandbagged machinegun nest and sitting on the edge, observing the western approach. The medic gets about thirty minutes of rough sleep.

An hour passes...

0645hrs, December 17th, 2000
Sienna Grobla District, Gdansk
Cloudy, -2^oC

At 0645hrs, about thirty minutes before dawn, the Mad Dogs start assembling in the cafeteria. Team leaders from factions you've been fighting alongside are present as well, as are some VIP types. While Kessler waits for everyone to get settled, Sgt. Fox motions for the Hauptmann and him to share a word in private. "Just so you know, word got'round to the Sain'Adalbert lads about Lukasz Piszczek. I reckon some of them are thinking he got hung out or something along those lines. There are, mixed feelings on the matter." The NCO then adds his opinion that it might result in the squad deserting the compound. "We might want to anticipate losing them, maybe later today."

Elsewhere in the room, Rodriguez stands with his back to the wall. Fellow Mad Dogs are on one side of him, with Bartosz on his other side. The young loyalist leans over a little and speaks quietly, in excellent English, "You guys have a prison cell here?" It's more of a statement than a question. He must've saw the room that Karolina Schleicher has (formerly) been locked up in. Bartosz then gives a slight chuckle before whispering, "Who for?"

"Ready?" Nowak asks Kessler from across the room. She's already standing roughly where the Hauptmann will also be standing for his OPS meeting. As he approaches she keeps eye contact. She keeps most of her body very rigid. Most of the conversations around the cafeteria die down. A couple late arrivals squeeze in through the door, which Beata closes behind them. Kessler is then informed by Halina that she's heeded his earlier advice/request, more or less. "Woermann is sending fifteen men. Mostly his own." The remainder are likely EAFD loyalists, who've essentially been under his command since the coup. "Osprey have another ten." Her eyes motion to Abel, "And my own will be with us. That is thirty, thirty five, yours." Halina then mentions that they've have proper transportation. "And flags."

"Anything else?"

The war had made Jake Ward into the king of 30 minute cat naps.  After stirring, he shook off his woobie, then folded it tight and stuffed it back into his LBE buttpack, where it would wait until the next opportunity to get some shuteye.

Downstairs, Jake first sought out Nowak and her attending, to get a quick status on the injured VIP.  Halina had been insistent with him on pushing forward and Jake strongly suspected it would be up to him to keep Nowak on her feet until her appearance at Poczta Polska Gdańsk.  Armed with that information, he made his way over to the Indian man lurking near the Class VIII supplies.

"I'm Jake, Army medic.  Any chance I can snag some of these?" Jake said, offering a hand and motioning with the other toward the medical supplies.  "After going out with these Mad Dogs earlier, I suspect I'm going to draw the short straw again very shortly." Ward said.  "Unless of course you'd like to go and I'll stay here on guard duty," the American added with a wink and a slight smirk.

"Go pills.. any amphetamines really, any blood volume expander you've got, some non-autoinjector atropine, any kind of serious pain management... stuff along those lines would help with.. uh... managing Nowak.  Plus bandages of course."

It wasn't lost on Dipesh that a normal GSW victim wouldn't be given amphetamine or atropine.  But then again, Halina Nowak was no ordinary GSW victim.  She had people to see and place to be.  Jake was familiar enough with Polish history to know the symbolism involved in controlling the Gdansk post office.  He'd do what he could to keep Nowak on her feet for her rendezvous with destiny.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:16, Tue 31 Oct 2023.

Jose smiles and nods when Katarzyna hands him a few bites of early chow. The woman had a hard exterior, but she was a softy at heart. Personality wise, the Mad Dog's impromptu kaserne-mother reminded him of his abuelita - food was her way of showing love. He figured in better times Kat would have insisted on everyone kept eating 'til they puked.

Jose eats quickly and then heads over the the weapon locker, intent on restocking his ammunition from the limited pool just in case it was needed; plus it would give Jose a few minutes in private to finish licking his fingers without raising any questions from hungry onlookers. As Jose refills his spent rifle magazines and searches for other replacements, he comes to the unnerving realization that he was picking up the last RPG rockets as well as the last frag grenades; he makes a mental note to let the captain know.

Finally, after offering help where he could with the victims of last night's circumstances, Jose goes and sits down in the cafeteria, where he's quickly approached by Bartosz.



Jose isn't about to let on about the East German (former East German?), so he decides to respond with a joke. "Just in case all you guys get too rowdy while you're visiting us here," he says with a smile and a chuckle. He then quickly changes the subject, "Hey, your people do good work, ehh. Gracias for your help out there." Jose looks around the room and marvels at all of the myriad people and representatives entering the meeting - it was almost as nice to have a sense of belonging again as it was to have armed allies at your back.


From stores:
- 3x RPG-7 HEAT
- 60x 5.45mmS
- 4x Frag Grenades (local)

GM - Stores request done. Update your sheet if you haven't.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:11, Thu 09 Nov 2023.

After being helped out of his LBE, Varis dozes (under medical supervision, of course). He has a series of stranger-than-usual dreams, few of which he will remember when he wakes up. There is one, however, that he will have a hard time forgetting:

So there he is, getting it on with this perfect female body... but with the head of Vladimir Lenin. With the hat and the beard, everything.

OOC: Name the film that this is inspired by. Best not think too deep on it.

-

Earlier

”OK, thanks.” Kessler murmurs to Fox when the Englishman briefs him on the situation with the LoSA. ”I’ll speak to them. See what I can do.” He can’t exactly blame them for being angry - it doesn’t particularly sit well with him either for that matter. But this morning’s events mean that even if they had attempted to go through with the prisoner exchange he thinks it’s unlikely that Monolith would have been there to honour their end of the deal.

---

Now

”Right, good morning ladies and gentlemen!” It’s not quite Kessler’s best parade ground voice but it’s not far from it. He’s now in full Red Army VDV uniform, that being the only cold weather uniform that he currently has until his German one gets the Danzig sewer residue washed from it. Although his maroon Fernspaher beret is stuck under one epaulette. And his arm is still in a sling.

Looking around the room it occurs to him that one) he’s never seen so many people gathered for a briefing at the rowing club and two) he doesn’t actually know who a lot of them are. There are far more people here than he’d expected, the German having thought that this was just going to be round table with the major players, himself, Nowak, Tymoshenko, Woermann. Instead it has the air of some sort of summit meeting. And Kessler is about to stand here and openly lie to most of them. All in the name of operational security.

He gives Nowak a nod. To the casual onlooker it should just look as though he’s answering her question about whether he’s ready, confirming that he’s about to start the briefing. And set the maskirovka in motion. Maybe it’s appropriate that he’s wearing Soviet uniform right now, down to the blue and white striped telnyashka vest that’s concealed under several other layers. Even his watch is a Russian one.

”The intent this morning is to complete the job of getting Captain Nowak to her new headquarters in the City. The column will move down Siennicka, across the bridges at Olowianka and then up towards the Post Office. We are going to be moving in force.  We’re not stopping. Anyone that tries to make us will be stamped on hard. And every vehicle flies a Gdansk flag. The people are going to know that we are Gdansk forces, that we fight for Gdansk, we fight for them.” Hopefully that was sufficiently motivating.

He looks over at his countryman. He, too, gets a nod. He, too, knows the plan. He’s going to be leading the hares, in cases there are any foxes out there. ”Hauptmann Woermann will be in tactical command of the convoy. Captain Nowak will ride in the middle vehicle with the Hauptmann.” He intentionally doesn’t mention that a Doctor will be with her. That’s on a need to know basis. As is the fact that someone in this room is going to be pretending to be Nowak. Once they’re on the move the people in Woermann’s vehicle might work out what’s going on but if there is a spy in their midst it will be too late for them to do anything about it by then. Hopefully. "I'll be here working with the Zorya and helping to co-ordinate the overall " He has to give some explanation as to why he wont be with them Hopefully the walking stick and the sling will add credence to his story.

”H Hour is at zero eight ten, so just over one hour from now. We are on lockdown until then, nobody in or out. Any questions?”

Tosh nods and adds, "Roight!  I'll be on the roof then 'til we're ready to shove off.  I'll keep monitoring the radio until we leave."

Ferro plays the part, pretending to be attentive to Kessler's outline. "Question here. What will be Krokodil's position in the order of march? Or will it remain for base defense?" she asks... although it's only for show. Following the pointless reply she nods and mentions aloud that she'll brief Nassir. Nothing is mentioned about the vehicle's condition, since its damage is probably something that ought not to be broadcast too much. That info will get passed on to Kessler once the meeting breaks up.

When the meeting does break up Ferro approaches Kessler. She motions to his slung arm and offers another loan "I have a good H and K submachinegun. It's called a UMP and the recoil is easy to handle." Then as a sort of gentle chiding she says "It's a collectors item though, very rare. So you can't toss it like your last one."

Ferro then mentions the BTR outside. "Der Krok is very kaput. It will drive but slowly and the guns won't be back in action until we get the parts sourced and installed. It will be a while."

Offering: 1x UMP45 w/Sling
4x .45cal magazines (empty but ammo in stores)

OOC - Is Varis thinking of Mars Attack?

The OPS meeting breaks up...

Hauptmann Woermann takes the show outside, prepping his combined mechanized force for the upcoming road move, as a diversion. He had already expressed some dislike for the plan during a private conversation with Michael (beforehand). Woermann is from the school of mobility and firepower, and aggression, and maybe a bit of bravado. He also liked how the original plan leant an image of strength to Nowak. Nevertheless, Waterloo's commander assures Kessler that he will fulfil the task that's been assigned to him, "......aber ich denke, das ist nicht der richtige Weg." ...but I think this is not the way to do it.

The Mad Dogs disperse, intent on getting fed and otherwise sorted out for yet another mission. At this point nobody really knows how much time they'll have. Nowak's people have to source a boat, one that was in position to be able to reach the compound in a reasonable amount of time, and with a suitable crew. That could take twenty minutes or two hours.

Ward returns to the guarded medical supplies. The Indian fellow who's still keeping watch is somewhat stocky, clean shaven, and wearing a green nylon jacket which has DISPESH embroidered on the sleeve. His also has a set of well worn steel-toed boots. Jake may have mistook him for a medic, but the thought quickly fades upon listing off his wish-list.  "Bro, I don't have a clue what any of that stuff is, where it is, or if I should even hand it out if I did." the American is told. "Did you at least fill out a P-65b request form?" Dipesh asks, before waving over someone in a medical coat without waiting for an answer. Then as if worrying that Jake might be taken back by the sarcasm, the Indian gives him a gentle pat on the arm. "Sergei will sort you out, bro."

Some of the Mad Dogs have actually met Sergei before, a very long time ago, on their very first visit to St. Mary's. Like Tymoshenko, he's a Ukrainian expat. The requested items are repeated. Ward is then told, "Amphetamines, yeah, okay, we have but not many. Blood expander? You mean'uh, plasma? Sorry my English. Pain manager'uh, yes yes." As Sergei is speaking he's also pointing to various boxes for Dispesh to open up. Sometimes it's the wrong box, but a small collection of desired items, minus the atropine autoinjectors, is soon gathered together. Then as they're handed over, Sergei motions to them, "Take back here what you'uh, not use. Okay?"

Kessler finishes informing select individuals on the actual plan and their respective roles.

Forty minutes pass...

Kessler is familiarizing himself with Ferro's UMP when Abel finds him. He's told the boat is nearly here. The officer then quickly assembles the Mad Dogs (who'll be participating) and everyone goes outside. The doctor who has been chosen to go is Dr. Serrano, from the sewer rescue. Daybreak was about fifteen minutes ago so night vision is no longer necessary. There are overcast skies but no precipitation. Winds are generally light with occasionally moderate gusts. The temperature is above freezing.

Non-Mad Dogs who are present:
 Halina Nowak
 Dr. Serrano
 Bartosz (Uzi)
 Abel (AK-74)
 Beata (AK-74 + M72)

The boat that will take you into the city approaches from downriver (away from the city). Instead of mooring at the compound's main dock (on the river), it turns sharply and enters the stagnant canal on the eastern side. There's greater privacy here, especially in regards to having far less LOS to the buildings that are on the opposite side of the river.

It's a motorized fishing boat, with a small pilothouse at the front (1/3) with the remaining (2/3) of the craft being open deck. The unseen engine is below, from which a thick and scorched exhaust pipe rises from the deck, clamped to the side of the pilothouse, and up into the air. The boat's design isn't suited for being modified for sails and wind power. The deck space is mostly open, although there is a sort of boom and rigging for deploying/hauling in nets or traps. Armor is non-existent. The same goes for armament. There was a machinegun mounted, but it was since removed and put ashore for Nowak's troops to use, leaving just the rear facing mount (PMT equivalent). Two crew are present.

Everyone is soon aboard and heading downriver...
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:19, Thu 09 Nov 2023.

Arm in a sling, Per accompanies Kessler and the other Mad Dogs to the boat landing. The Dane is not going along on this mission. With his dominant hand out of commission, Per would be more of a liability than an asset in a combat situation. He simply wants to be present for any last minute instructions. Once base security is sorted out again, Per plans to get some more rest. He'll need it in order to heal up as quickly as possible.

-

Clad in white janitorial coveralls cinched at the waste by a handy man's leather tool belt, Varis descends a long, broad stairway into a brightly-lit bowling alley. Is he there to bowl, or to repair something, he's not sure. It's obvious, though, that he's not alone. The central lane is occupied by a line of gawdily-clad chorus girls, their apparent leader, Emma Cassidy, resplendent in a caricatured Viking costume, complete with horned helmet. The outfit's short skirt more appropriate for a grown-up Halloween party than a performance of Die Walküre. She beckons to the Latvian, lifts a ball from the return shoot. Ah, Varis realizes, he's there to give her bowling lessons. The chorus girls straddle the lane. Now Varis is floating, just above the polished wood, towards the waiting pins...

OOC: This reference should be a bit easier, I hope. The last one was from Dazed and Confused (Tony tells Mike about a troubling dream he had).

-
This message was last edited by a game editor at 17:52, Sat 11 Nov 2023.

Maybe Woermann was right and Blitzkrieg would have been better than maskirovka. Maybe. Or maybe it just reflects their different military backgrounds. Woermann clearly believed that no problem could not be resolved by an adequate show of force. Kessler had started his career wearing the rifle green beret of the Panzer Grenadiers but had swapped it for the maroon of the Fernspahtruppe, where stealth was more important.

Still, maybe his countryman had a point and it would have been better to arrive at the Post Office with a show of strength. But they were committed now, for better or worse, so as the boat pulls away from the dock the German moves about those that will be going ashore on the other side of the river, encouraging everyone to stay alert, to keep watch on the river banks for any sign of trouble. The sling is gone from his arm, the borrowed UMP slung over his shoulder.

One modification has been made from how the vessel was when it arrived, with Kessler ordering the PKM that had been moved to the BTR bunker shifted to the boat and mated with the empty tripod, together with 350 rounds of ammunition, so that if they did come under attack they’d have some means to return fire besides their personal weapons.

The fishing boat heads downriver. Its engine is throttled back to give the aging and bearded helmsman just enough power for steering. The current does most of the work at first. Nowak and Serrano sit on overturned buckets with their backs against the little wheelhouse. She's not dressed differently as Kessler proposed earlier, but a passable body double had been sent out with Woermann's diversionary force. She's chain smoking at the moment, completely ignoring Serrano, who occasionally waves his hand in front of his face. Halina's three-person security detail cluster around them, talking quietly, or turned outward and watching the shoreline. Now and then, Nowak glances through a gap in their bodies and makes eye contact with Kessler.

Michael and the other Mad Dogs are positioned mostly astern. Their spare PK machinegun is fitted to the craft's sole weapon mount, and loaded. It was a last minute addition to the plan. An abandoned and damaged shipyard is soon seen on the righthand side. On the left, the terrain is more overgrown, and there looks to the be a small community inhabiting a few old and crumbling buildings. Nowak says something to her companions about the place, casual like, but causing her people to turn and stare at the settlement. "Załatwimy to." Abel then says. We'll sort it out.

A corpse in the water is noticed next, over by the shipyard, where it's snagged by some partly submerged debris. In the background of the morbid sight is the distillery. The facility is firmly under Nowak's control now. Atop one of the distillery's large and upright cylindrical structures is some sort of fortification or lookout post. Two figures are up there, bent over and moving objects about, perhaps repairing it, or dismantling it. They pause and stand upright having noticed the fishing boat, but do nothing more. At this distance they wouldn't recognize anyone on board, even their leader.

The fishing boat's engine rumbles loudly and belches smoke from the stovepipe. The craft turn then sharply and leaves the Martwa Wisla and its helpful current, heading upriver into the stagnant Motlawa. A string of automatic gunfire briefly crackles in the distance. To the west, in an area you believe is near the Solidarity Market, there's a pillar of rising smoke. Olowianka Island draws into view next. Once a bastion of the Merchant Union, it was said to have fallen to an assault by Waterloo early into the coup. Initially it looks lifeless.

From a small manmade anchorage on Olowianka emerges the gunboat Kormoran. A refitted harbor pilot boat, the Kormoran is armed with a ZPU-2 anti-aircraft gun and has a layer of protective armor. The last time any of you saw it, the gunboat was dockside and on fire, sabotaged by Schweppenburg's "Pine Tree Detachment" (in retaliation for the sinking of the Polish Navy's gunboat in Tczew). Apparently the craft is operational again. The Kormoran creeps out of the sheltered hiding spot and turns its bow towards you to close the distance. No flag or insignia is visible, although Kessler's use of his binoculars detects a momentary glimpse of a crewman who appears to be wearing a orangish colored strip around the base of his helmet.

By this point, Nowak is standing with one hand bracing herself against the wheelhouse as she tries to get a look at the impending interception. She then glances back at Kessler, with the twisting movement causing her to wince in pain. Nothing is said, but she shakes her head a little, as if to say I don't know to whatever he might be about to ask her.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 00:12, Wed 15 Nov 2023.

Jose rides along to the port of the small ship, his back against the bulkhead, trying to rest his weary bones after a night of chaos. "Captain," he motions to Kessler, "sorry to add to the burden, ehh. But when we get back, we're going to need to source some explosives, food, and medical equipment. This is the last of the grenades. And Kat is worried we're going to be all out of food soon - I don't think Nowak's people came through with the request, and our guests are eating up our stocks. Hopefully at the end of all of this, we'll be able to lean on our street cred with the locals to get some more." He takes a deep breath, then continues. "Aye, long night, sir. How you holding up?"

Jose and Kessler talk for just a few mins before he notices eyes looking toward Olowianka Island. A gunboat, that can't be good. Jose tells himself. He loads up his RPG, but tries to keep a low profile under the gunwale, so as to not panic the incoming craft. If it is a hostile ship, he'll wait til it gets in a little closer, but hopes it won't come to yet another firefight.

Jake boarded the boat and found a spot to sit down, cross-legged, where he'd be mostly out of the way.  He wasn't so comfortable on a boat that he'd wanted to stand or move around unecessarily, especially in these conditions.  It was one thing to tumble overboard on a party boat in the Caribbean... which he'd done before at a friends wedding.  It was quite another to fall out of a boat into the frigid waters of Northern Poland.

When Ward noticed the others noticing the other boat, he kept his AK-74 down in his lap, but swung the side-folding stock from closed to open.  Other than that however, he took no action, other than to hope someone on the other boat was telling their helmsman to '...forget routine now and let 'em go...'.

Tosh looks for a place to hunker down in for the trip making sure that he's buttoned up for the winter weather.

When they get around the area of the distillery and he sees the 'floater' in the water, he says to no one in particular, "I remember back in the day where when ya saw a bloke in tha water like that one, ya wanted ta know what 'appened to 'em.  Eh now, we pass 'em up like trash lettin' tha tides just take 'em.  Fuck 'em, yeah?  We got our own problems lads."  He ignores the automatic weapons fire as if it is an accepted practice anymore in the city.

When they pass Olowianka Island and the gunboat, he chuckles, "Speaking of our own problems."

He keeps the legs of the bipod on his RPK folded under and leaves it draped across his lap as the watercraft approaches closer.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:56, Sat 18 Nov 2023.

”Get inside.” Kessler says to Nowak quietly. ”And stay out of sight.” From his tone, it’s evidently not a suggestion as he catches the eye of her detail, mutters quietly. ”Look after her.”

”Everyone else hold fire unless we’re fired upon.” Taking the bullhorn from the wheelhouse, the German officer then tries to find a spot at the front of the boat that will afford him as much cover as possible and yells towards the gunboat. ”This is Captain Michael Kessler, with the Gdansk Government forces! Identify yourself and state your intentions!” It’s coming from the island. The island was supposed to have been secured. Therefore he’s hoping that it’s friendly. But they’ll probably soon find out.

Dialogue in Polish where applicable

Ferro sat on the edge of the boat as it made its way downriver and then up into the canal. A search for Marta earlier went nowhere. To Ferro, it meant she went somewhere without telling anyone and could end up in danger, or she bailed on the Mad Dogs. Both bothered the Italian. Not a great deal (they weren't close), but enough to keep her silent during the watery trip. Maybe it was just the not knowing that bothered her.

When the gunboat is spotted Ferro stays seated casually on the edge. She peels her eyes away from the potential threat and starts scanning the Olowianka bastion. She's looking intently for signs of anything that might indicate who's currently in charge of the island (and therefore the boat). Whatever is seen will be conveyed to Kessler loud enough to be heard over the fishing boat's engine.

Ferro observes nothing useful on the island. It looks deserted from her (admittedly limited) vantage point and its equally quiet. Everyone else has their eyes on the modified harbor pilot boat. It's still approaching, albeit slowly. The inlet into the second and much smaller canal is almost exactly in the middle of the two craft, both of which are motoring forward at about the same speed.

Kessler picks up a blue cone-shaped megaphone. Halina Nowak squeezes into the small cabin with the helmsman. Beata stands sideways in the open doorway with her AK-74 held low in both hands. Other passengers, including Mad Dogs, stay mostly where they are and maintain a calm appearance. Rodriguez however, lowers himself out of view and inserts a HEAT round into the RPG launcher. Kessler then hollers towards the gunboat...

A head on board the Kormoran rises up behind the twin-14.5 mm guns and some armor plating. They yell something which is entirely lost over the combined noise of the engines. That should have probably been obvious. Some movement happens next, and it appears that a second crewman on the gunboat hands over a megaphone, much like Kessler is using. "Firma Złoty Świt!" he yells back, presumably for a second time. Golden Dawn Company! A pause follows, during which there is some additional subtle movement, masked by the weaponry and parts of the superstructure. Their intentions are then relayed, "Transport wojsk! Kierujemy się teraz w górę rzeki do stoczni!" Troop transport! We are heading upriver to the shipyard now!

The helmsman of the fishing boat looks at Nowak and then over his shoulder at Kessler. He then throttles back a little and starts to turn in anticipation of entering the much more restricted canal. The Kormoran doesn't seem to react, staying on course with no change in speed either. The distance soon closes enough at least three of the gunboat's occupants are visible enough for some details to be discerned...

Bow - Male, black coat with pro-Nowak IFF, bandolier, & wool hat. Standing up behind the deck mounted ZPU-2 and using a megaphone.

Amidship / Internal - Male, wearing a Kevlar helmet with pro-Nowak IFF. Inside the wheelhouse cabin and likely functioning as the helmsman.

Amidship / External - Female, yellow rain jacket, black trousers, webbing, satchel pack, & Kalashnikov. Standing on portside deck at the forward corner of the wheelhouse cabin (so side by side with helmsman but she's outside with him being inside). Was the one who passed forward the megaphone.



The distance between the two craft starts to increase, as the fishing boat turns northward for the second canal and the Kormoran continues to motor on down the way that you originally came. You won't be passing alongside each other.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:13, Sat 18 Nov 2023.

"Do they have someone in the cabin who is trying to lay low, or am I imagining mermaids? " Ward said in English.  Not that the master and commander aboard what passed as a Gdanks 'ship of the line' wasn't doing the same thing.  But the Mad Dog had 'reasons'.  What 'reasons' might their well-armed and armored counterpart have?
This message was last edited by the player at 00:14, Mon 20 Nov 2023.

Kessler lowers the megaphone to his side so that he's sure that there's no danger of anything he says carrying across the river

"They don't seem that interested in us." His remark isn't addressed to anyone individual but to everyone that's within (unamplified) earshot. "Maybe they're who they say they are. Maybe they're not." The problem with the improvised nature of their system for identifying friendlies was that it wasn't exactly difficult for one side to pretend to be the other. But the other vessel is what passes for a ship of War in the Danzig waterways. And their boat isn't. The enemy have heavy machine guns. And armour plate. And they've given the Mad Dogs no actual reason to question their story. If there's a hostile act there Kessler can't see it.

But for sure something doesn't feel right. Difficult to put a finger on it though. "It could be Filip making hid getaway. He was supposed to have access to a boat." Realising that might not mean anything to Ward he then adds. "A mercenary commander from east of here. Switched sides and tried to grab Tymoshenko and her people for ransom." Switched sides was probably an over simplification. Filip had likely never been on anyone's side but his own. Like Brozek, Kessler would prefer no to have Filip loitering in the shadows seeking revenge. But he's outgunned. And can't order Rodriguez to put an RPG round into the other ship below the waterline based on a hunch.

"Or they could be what they say, a troop transport. Only maybe they think that Halina is still at our base and they're coming to pay a visit." He really hoped that wasn't the case and that the MU had finally, finally learned their lesson that attacking FOB McCarthy wasn't going to end well for them. But maybe they thought attacking from the river might be different.

He smiles. Gives the Kormoran's gunner a friendly wave. Ja, alles in Ordnung. He's talking as he waves. "Unless anyone can see anything that clearly marks them as hostile let I'm going to let them go." He's still not overly sure they could stop them anyway. That's not quite the end of it though. "But we'll warn Sergeant Major Fischer and Sergeant Kolstrup to be alert to possible attack from the sea and position defences accordingly. And tell Woermann to send a squad back to FOB McCarthy." Woermann probably wont like that but Kessler presumes he'll do it if it's couched as an order from Nowak.

"So, does anyone see any reason to intercept them?"