"Major Wilson, excuse the interruption," Gavin said, stepping forward, unwilling to play second fiddle to an E-4 and paperwork.

"Major, Captain Rivers sent me here to see if you have any 155 rounds you can spare for second of the twenty first ef eh.  Two twenty one is out of rounds and the unit is currently combat ineffective."  Gavin said flatly.  The message should be disturbing enough for a fellow artillery officer - there was no need for hysterics.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:16, Fri 25 Jan 2013.

"I know, Gavin" the Major said. "That's why I said 'No' when you walked up."

"Thanks Pete" Major Wilson said as the Specialist stood up. The Major handed him back his pen and patted the enlisted man on the shoulder. The commander of 3-19 FA looked over at the FSO as a runner pushed passed to get at the Major. "You still here?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:16, Fri 25 Jan 2013.

"I'll be sure pass your response to the men of two twenty first, Sir," Gavin said, saluting, then turning on one heel and leaving the TOC.  He had always figured getting actual ammo to be a long shot, but with a few radio changes,  he could have easily dialed in to serve as an extra observer for 3-19.  But he wouldn't be doing that.  Not for this man.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:14, Fri 25 Jan 2013.

In reply to 1LT Gavin Barr (msg # 61):

"That's IT?" Major Wilson asked as the Master Fister turned to leave. "The great 'Gavin Barr' and his abilities to wheel and deal? Seems like your reputation is a little overinflated if you ask me."

In Gavin's mind, Major Wilson went from being just an asshole, to being the worst kind of tramp - the ones that said no, but meant yes.

It seemed clear however that Wilson wasn't entirely at ease with throwing the 2-21s under the bus however.  Maybe he was worried about how posterity would judge him.  Maybe he was worried about what his men would think.  Barr didn't care.  He saw an opening and took it.

"It's a bit late in the war for me to be worried about my reputation Sir." It was a classic Barr double entendre.

"At this point, I'd be happy to keep our boys alive till they can pull out in the morning.  You see, unlike 3-19, there's no armor surrounding 2-21.  Our infantry pickets were ordered to march into Kalisz an hour ago.  Hell, I drove through a Russian platoon of infantry moving north from Opatowek to get here.  I wouldn't be surprised if 2-21 isn't in heavy contact with that unit right now."

"I've got a lot of men, who look a lot like yours," Gavin looked around the TOC before continuing, "who have been left out on a flank with no firepower and no support.  You want to take care of your own and I won't begrudge you that.  But you're a klick away from DivHQ.  I'd say you have more than a fighting chance to get your men out of this charlie foxtrot.  Which is a hell of a lot more than 2-21st has at this point."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:14, Fri 25 Jan 2013.

In reply to 1LT Gavin Barr (msg # 63):

Major Wilson clapped very slowly in a mocking fashion as he walked toward the FSO. He clutched as his heart, feigning being in the grip of a powerful emotion while mouthing 'Bravo!' over and over again like the world was a stage and Gavin Barr was a famous thespian.

"That was...wow, some speech, Gav" the Major said coming abreast of the man from North Carolina, then passing him. "When you're done with your Oscar bid, walk with me. We have something to discuss."

[Private to 1LT Gavin Barr: "No Barr I said THES-bian!" :)]

Gavin fell in silently beside Wilson. He'd hear the man out and see if they could reach some agreement.

Outside the TOC, after the two guards saluted, Chris Wilson lit an expensive cigar that he had been working on earlier. He held out a new one for Gavin, as if he fully expected the FSO to take it from him.

Barr took the cigar, then pulled out his lighter and offered the Major a light.  Gavin was a greedy bastard, probably cut from a bit of the same cloth as Wilson.   He could let his ego get in the way, but that would prevent a deal that might get 2-21st up and running again.  Now that he had some face time with Wilson and they were past no, he'd see what could be done.

"Walk with me" Major Wilson said to 1Lt Barr as the two men went into the warm early morning air. The CO noticed an aide scurrying after him and shook him off with a wave of the hand his cigar was in. "Not now, Martin."

The scene was pretty surreal. The two officers walked and smoke cigars while all around them, men, machines and equipment moved in a quick tempo to provide accurate, if not random, artillery fire.

"It's beautiful, isn't it, man?" the Major asked rhetorically, knowing the FSO thought it was. "Other people always say they wanted to do this or that. Me, I always wanted to be a Cannon Cocker."

The two walked a little further, and the Major sat on a wall of sandbags that formed a corner of an emergency figthing positon that was currently unmanned.

"Remember that thing we did in the place we did with the people we did a couple weeks back when the division was moving south?" Wilson asked in code, his arms folded in front of him as another towed 155mm howitzer belched out a round. "You know, the thing we said we wouldn't talk about it? Well, it's become a problem."

Before the FSO had a chance to answer, Chris Wilson swore so fast and so violently that it would make a person with terrets proud. He took a long, hard drag on his cigar and looked at the First Lieutenant.

"How the fuck did I know she was an attorney before the war, that fucking whore" the Major said, puffing on his cigar angrily. "That Captain of yours is a good guy, Gav. Hell, the fact that he sent a scumbag like you tells me how desperate he really is over there."

Major Christopher Wilson stepped close enough to the FSO that Barr could smell the aftershave he wasn't wearing.

"They're going to take my command, Gav" Major Wilson said, real panic in his eyes and his voice. "You go to the place, make my problem go away, and you can have every blasted blasting cap I got."

"Jesus Chris, you say that like it's been the only time I've had hooker drama in Poland.  Hell, Tabby had to toss two girls out my vehicle just this morning." Gavin said.  He thought back, real hard, which was often difficult for folks from the Old North State, and tried to remember what Wilson was might be referring to.

[Private to GM: Gavin will try to figure out what Wilson is talking about.  So figure 5-10 minutes of hard thinking about various debaucheries and whatnot.  ;)]
This message was last edited by the player at 23:06, Fri 25 Jan 2013.

"That's right, your infamous 'Tabby Cat'" Chris Wilson said, smiling widely and puffing on his cigar as he remembered the 'little Firecracker' from North Cacalac. "I remember when you pulled that shit at Regiment just to have her reassigned to your section. Two turds from the same toilet bowl I remember thinking. You always did have a thing for nailing the help."

Major Wilson stepped away from 1Lt Barr and puffed a bit as he thought. When he turned back to Barr, he recognized the same look on Gavin's face that must be on his. He smiled. It was like looking in the mirror.

"Look man, when she filled out the paperwork with those CID nerds, she put in a different address than the town we found that idiot and her sister in when we were up north doing that site recon by the river" the Major explained.

"I did some checking" the CO went on to say. "It's her mother's address. Smart little bitch knew we'd be gunning for her and according to my translator Kit Carson-type new friend from the Polish Cav, it's right up the damn road from here maybe seven or eight kay."

"Small world, huh Gavin?" Major Wilson said with a grin, dropping the stub he was smoking as he crushed it under his booted toes.

"Fucking CID." Gavin said in agreement.  More than once they had been up his ass about his 'supply requests' for his team.

Gavin pulled out his map.  It was Gavin's ability to successfully use his map that separated him from the lower forms of life found on the battlefield - REMFs, combat arms primates in infantry and armor, along with shitbag officers in all branches.

"Stick around the TOC for the next few hours.  You'll want lots of people to see you there.  I'll call in an 'eyes on' fire mission at this location," Gavin pointed to Six White's location the map.  "FDC will record my call for fire in the log and 3-19 will deliver rounds on target.  There will be a few more 'eyes on' calls with FDC to prearrange on-call fires here, here, and here." Gavin said, pointing to locations around Six Blue.  "As far as anyone knows, you've had me out spotting and pre-arranging fires for 3-19 for the last few hours.  These are already on file at two two one's FDC.  But pissing away my time to go out and reconfirm them because you don't trust another FDC's log is exactly the level of dickishness everyone has come to expect from you; it shouldn't raise any eyebrows."

Barr's map was marked up with fire mission coordinates at those locations already.  Calling them in while being somewhere else would be easy.

"Have those rounds ready in a truck, trailer, or a fucking horse cart if that's what it takes.  I'll be back soon."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:52, Sat 26 Jan 2013.

"There's a smudge on your map, Lieutenant" Maj Wilson said, pointing to the town he had alluded to earlier. His eyes were buring with boundless possibilities as he intently gaved at the man that would deliver him from all his suffering. He scratched at the map, looking at Barr's face the whole time. "There, that's got it."

"You better get on the spotting mission then, Lieutenant" Wilson said standing but still hovering over the FSO. When Barr stood, Chris Wilson was almost nose to nose with him. It allowed him to speak in a whisper and still be heard. "Bring back that fucktard's necklace, huh old pal? You know, just so I know the deed was done."

The Major took a couple of steps forward, with his hands behind his back doing his best impression of a DC paper tiger general. In his mind, it probably made him look regal, although to Barr, it looked like somethinng else.

"You'll get your fire support when your mission is done, Lieutenant" the Major boomed in a loud voice for any passerby to hear. "The whole US Army is behind you."

With a snap to attention and a salute, the sickening display was almost over. The 3-19 FA CO put his hands back behind his back, and smiled like a certain mamaml that ate a certain dinosaur descendant.

OOC:

Updated map...yesterday, when I should have posted the fucking turn. Sorry, mate. If I screw the pooch again just tell me in a PM or even OOC to pull my head out. OK tough guy, I need an AVG:RCN, a route of march(can be just general directions...I don't want you to have a seizure trying to translate the directions), and ten push ups, and the three of those things can be in any order you see fit. :)

Gavin saluted and returned to the FISTv.

"Wakey-wakey, duty calls," Gavin said as he got into HMMWV.  He'd leave the driving to Tabby for this one.

"We need to head back through 3-77 lines, heading south.  Once we get back near Kalisz, we'll turn north east and head to this village.  There's an obstacle in that village that's keeping rounds from reaching the 2-21st." Gavin said, pointing toward their destination on the map.  It would strengthen Gav's alibi for the 3-77 checkpoint to see them heading south.

"This village shit is all off the books.  Officially, we're calling in coordinates for the 3-19.  Let me handle the radio till this is done.  If this goes pear shaped, you've been under orders not to reveal any of this - tell them I told you it was sensitive compartmented information and I ordered you not to discuss it with anyone."  Gavin would protect Abernathy; there was no need for her to go down if he fucked this up.  "You know I trust you Tabby and you know I'll need some conjugal visits if I end up in jail for this stupid black ops shit.  So if that means I don't tell you everything, it's for your own good... and eventually mine." Barr said with a wink, conveying the seriousness with a bit of levity.

OOC:

Speed 15 kph.  Ok, here is the route.

Nieznana droga
1. Kieruj się na wschód w stronę Trasa 25
300 m
2. Skręć w prawo w Trasa 25
3,3 km
3. Na rondzie drugi zjazd w Stawiszyńska
500 m
4. Ostro w lewo w Długa
1,6 km
5. Skręć w lewo
2,4 km
6. Skręć w prawo w kierunku Trasa 470
3,4 km
7. Skręć w lewo w Trasa 470
5,6 km
8. Ostro w lewo
450 m

Nieznana droga

They will stop about a kick out from the village, stopping in the woods.  Map updated, Gaby watching the sector to the North on the M60.

18:20, Today: 1LT Gavin Barr rolled 75 using 1d100. RCN (AVG).  Success for AVG

Once past the 3-77 checkpoint, Gav will swap out his M16 for one of the Russian rifles.

[Private to GM: He will also change out his BDUs into one of the Ukranian uniforms, including boots if he's got them, along with the leather magazine LCE.  His goal is to not look like a US soldier. ]

In reply to 1LT Gavin Barr (msg # 73):

The normally jovial Barr came back with a little black cloud over his head that even the most dimwitted of Tabby Cats could see. When Gavin offered only serious solutions to things he would normally joke about, Abernathy knew something was wrong.

"Babe, what is it?" Pfc Abernathy asked after clickling the start paddle over one nothc and waitng for the FISV's 'wait-to-start' light to go out, which meant the glow plugs were warm before moving the start paddle over to the right, cranking the Hummer's big diesel engine. "What's wrong?"

"I'm pretty sure my parents had another kid before me.  Must have given him up for adoption.  Turns out he's a jackass," Gavin said, referring obtusely to Wilson.  He sat silently for a minute and Tabitha could almost hear his mind grinding away against a problem.

"Bentham said that it is the greatest good to the greatest number of people which is the measure of right and wrong." Gavin said, remember a quote from one of his VMI philosophy classes.  Barr would readily admit that the mandatory philosophy class he had taken in college was an eye opener - a subject that he would have previously dismissed as liberal hippy shit.  But after taking the intro course, he'd become interested in the subject, and had even taken a follow on course.  Gavin was a rationalist at heart and studying philosophy informed his logical, utilitarian, and pragmatic approach to life without directly clashing with his values.

His mind drifted to all the 13 Foxtrots he had lost in the past year.  Janicki, Sloan, Blose, Davis - he was supposed to be leading a Fire Suport Team and yet he and Tabby were all that were left.  War had claimed so many.  What was one more if it meant he might save Rivers, Jackson, Rodriguez, Horton, and the others?

"Fuck, don't listen to me.  I'm Just tired.  No rest for the weary," Gavin said.  Or the wicked, he thought to himself.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:50, Mon 28 Jan 2013.

In reply to 1LT Gavin Barr (msg # 75):

Abernathy put her slender booted toe on the Hummer's wide brake pedal to shift the FISTV out of park. She remembered the mud on the way in to the makeshift motor pool was a '4H' situation, so she took the time to shift the transfer case into four high, making all four wheels dig and claw at the ground.

She listened to Barr pontificate about right and wrong, which was way above her head. She did what she normally did when someone smarter than her was talking about something she didn't understand, which was often.

Tabitha Abernathy smiled.

"OK, babe" she said, smiling as she took them out of the 3-19 FA area. "Whatever you say."

OOC:

Roll ESY:RCN, then two AVG:RCN rolls please

[Private to 1LT Gavin Barr: OK, so Gav can write ;) Great post man]

The previous encounter with Russian infantry fresh in his mind, Gavin remained alert and ready for trouble.

OOC:
09:14, Today: 1LT Gavin Barr rolled 61 using 1d100. RCN (AVG). Success
09:14, Today: 1LT Gavin Barr rolled 24 using 1d100. RCN (Avg). Success
09:13, Today: 1LT Gavin Barr rolled 9 using 1d100. RCN (Esy). Outstanding success

[Private to GM: Thanks.  I didn't want the idea of just going out to murder someone to be easy.  But war is hell.]
This message was lightly edited by the player at 14:26, Mon 28 Jan 2013.

In reply to 1LT Gavin Barr (msg # 77):

On the way back south, Spc Decker ignored the FISTV as it made its way toward its destination. The 3-143 Inf co-located with the 3-77 Amd clearly had orders to check northbound traffic only. 1Lt Barr dropped down out of the turret ring and selected an AK-101 with a GP-30 GL mounted underneath it.

Gavin marveled at the quality of the craftsmanship, which was almost on par with the M16A2. The cool black plastic sent a different kind of chill through the FSO. Far from a one-to-one basis, the enemy was cranking out rifles of this quality in massive numbers, which did not bode well for the NATO forces in the area.

"Whatcha doin', babe?" Abernathy asked from the driver's seat. After the last time they were jumped by the enemy, any slight move or change in position alterted the First Lieutenant's driver.

OOC:

Sorry mate exactly when are you changing? After the 3-77 checkpoint or 1km out from the cel?

"We'd just as soon the Ukrainians' take the heat for this one.  So I'm going to borrow one of their uniforms and rifles.  It probably won't fool anyone up close, but might work at a distance," Gavin said.

"Our challenge will be Biscuits and the response Grits," Barr added.  Perhaps he was hungry.  Or just missing home.

As the FISTv turned to the north east and began to make it's way out of Kalisz to their target, Gavin opened his map keyed the radio.

"Steel Rain, Steel Rain, this Bushmaster Six.  I am at map grid 9729396... Gavin said as he began to call in coordinates for pre-arranged fires at 256 White.  His grid reference put him somewhere north west of Hammerhead, which wasn't anywhere close to where the FISTv actually was.

OOC: Steel Rain will be the 3-19th FDC's call sign.  Gav will change once they are on the 470 road heading out of town.

In reply to 1LT Gavin Barr (msg # 79):

OOC:

Clothes, man. When are you changing your clothes. I want to know when Barr 'goes native'. Oh, and there is a rifle without the blooper on there. I just found a pic online and started describing what I saw. Gav's AK is chambered in 5.45mmB, not 5.556mmN if anyone is interested. ;)

[Private to 1LT Gavin Barr: Oh no! Gavin is a 'Carolina Dick Hound'? That's what it says on the descriptor on your last post!]

OOC Gav will change uniforms right about the time they pass Skarzew, on road 470.  If he'll take the rifle without the GL.  Zero dark thirty is not the time to learn to use a Russian GL.

[Private to GM: Opps.. clearly my translator fucked me.  So much for being cheeky in foreign languages.  ]

In reply to 1LT Gavin Barr (msg # 81):

OOC:

No ba!

[Private to 1LT Gavin Barr: Well if you want to be THAT kind of cheeky, you might attract the wrong kind of ass! ;)]

Anyone that complains about the rough ride of a FISTV over rough Polish country roads in the middle of the night should try changing into an enemy uniform in the back of one for some real perspective. Gavin Barr was on fire, the wool in the Ukrainian-made uniform at once went on the attack on his neck, making him itch like a Carolina coon hound with fleas.

His belt was too small, the uniform irritated his skin, and the mass-produced, poorly-made boots instantly hurt his feet. He felt like he looked, as Abernathy reinforced for him.