As the World War 3 raged all around him, Gavin Barr fought his own personal war. He was a man who got things done, but the idea of taking care of Cpt Rivers's 'dirty laundry', even at the cost of no fire support for the 1-40th, which he now thought of as 'his batt', was a price too heavy to pay.

What was more, the emotionally stunted First Lieutenant realized that he was responsible for Abernathy's death. Oh sure, he could rationalize it any way he wanted.

She coulda bought it anywhere, ya'll

That bitch was nothing to me

Easy come, easy go, Gav

It didn't change the silence in between the seconds.

In his heart of hearts, he felt her loss on many levels. The usual armor he wore to protect himself emotionally from people, the war, and life in general had a hole in it, and Tabitha Abernathy's name was there in its absence.

Jerking the green plastic steering wheel to the right, the FISTv roughly took a dirt path to the right off of 470. Trees lined the well-worn path as 1Lt Barr looked to bury his driver. After twenty minutes, he found a place that he thought was to her liking.

The work wasn't easy. The metal frame that held the shovel, pick, and axe in place at the vehicle's rear chronically filled with mudd, and just getting at his tools took ten minutes. The mass-produced shovel was barely adequate, and the rocks found in the soil sparked loudly every time the FSO struck them.

The roar in the distance of the Soviet and Polish assault was constant, and from Barr's travels he well knew that all his effort didn't do one damn bit of good. Someone handed him a crap sandwich, and he not only had to take a bite, he had to say how great it tasted.

That was par for the course in the Army, but knowing that his life could end at any second like Abernathy's and his entire existence would've amounted to 'a fart in the wind' as his grandfather often said, weighed heavily on the man from North Cacalac.

Goddamn Poland

His eyes burned as dirt started to cover the PFC's body. It made him think of the movie where Jed told his younger brother to hide his emotions over his father's death.

'Let it turn, Mattie, let it turn'

Twenty minutes later, Barr was back inside the FISTv. The engine was running, and he could feel the steering wheel flex in his hands as he thought of what to do next. Where to go? Where was safe? Did he even care anymore?

Shoving the e-brake forward, Barr's foot pressed the rectangular brake pedal down. The black plastic button pushed in, he shifted to 'D' and left that chapter in his life behind him.

Another woman that left him. Another in a long line of disappointments.

Back at 470, he turned right, heading southwest. The thought was that either he was going to punch that greaser General in the mouth, or the Commies could use him as target practice. Either way, Barr was looking for satisfaction.

He had heard the enemy helicopter or helicopters that were working over the NATO positions both south and north of the river all morning. He didn't know if the sounds he now heard were rotorblades AND tank fire or enemy art'y, or just tank fire and enemy art'y.

The wooded area quickly gave way, and he was in the open as the road neared a grouping of houses. His speed he realized was faster than he thought, and with his distractions he couldn't tell if the battle he heard raging was in fact ahead of him or behind him.

He knew that speed meant life. As he bumped past the small pseudo-village, the two lane country highway became wooded once more. After a few seconds, it once again opened up to farmland on either side of the road.

From this vantage point, Barr could see that the battle was in fact in front of him. Some enemy tanks with mech support and a couple cargo trucks were on his right, heading southwest in open terrain pursuing an FAV and a few NATO cargo trucks on his left. The FAV was doing its best to protect the trucks, weaving in and out as the Americans scurried across open ground.

To make matters worse, Gavin Barr was unfortunately all too familiar with the black dot in the sky as it neared the scene of the engagement. At that moment he would have given his left one to be an ADA officer and not an FA observer.

If frogs had wings...

The Mil Mi-24 Hind that neared them all might have been mass produced and poorly made, but the man from North Click new that even the Russian vision equipment during the daytime could make him out clearly as his line of travel was perpendicular to and closing with the enemy tanks.

Fuckin' bring it

Booted leather toes spurred on the FISTv even faster. The steering wheel shook in his hands so much, he could barely keep in on what poorly passed for a road in this one horse craphole so many of his friends fought and died for.

The Hind's firing pass came in low and fast with a ferocity that surprised even Barr. Unguided rockets spit forth from both sides of the fat fuselage under stub wings; their flight motors trailing dark smoke as they stretched out like tendrils from an octopus.

Unbelievably, it was a T-72 and two BMPs that errupted in a fireball that continued to coast forward under its momentum. Gavin shouted out a country swear that suggested that Soviet pilots might not be the best shots in the world. Gavin couldn't believe his luck. Maybe this war could be won, maybe he was meant to live, maybe...

Maybe.

It was the last thought he had when the FISTv shook with such a violent force that the windshield cracked. The whole right side of the vehicle lifted up, and for a fraction of a second, Gavin thought he could get it back on the road. This, unfortunately, was the lag that his senses felt before he realized that the FISTv was rolling on its longitudinal axis.

Oddly, an enemy scout car was also losing control. Why it was only a couple meters away Gavin didn't know, but its death spiral seemed to mirror his own. He thought briefly of then men inside not as enemies, but people; trapped souls who were harried by circumstances just like he was.

Sky, ground, sky, ground. It happened so fast, and yet his perception was very slow. He knew he was in a roll, probably struck by that crazy BRDM driver as he attempted to avoid the errant Hind gunner's fire. He knew the vehicle was destroyed, and he was pretty sure this was how his life would end. Maybe his distraction would allow the other soldiers, good soldiers, to escape. Maybe he should have been more like the crew of the FAV; willing to fight to the end to protect brother soldiers. Maybe this right would fix the past.

Maybe.

Barr felt incredible heat as the FISTv came to a stop on its roof. Bright light peered through the cracked windshield. Light. Heat. Was this heaven or hell? Was he dreaming? Had his whole life been a dream? Also he...heard. What was that? Like an old friend you haven't seen in a long time who works as a stable hand where your daughter rides horses, something didn't seem to fit.

When the heat went from soothing to painful, Barr realized that the FISTv was not much longer for this world. It registered that there was blood on his left hand when he tried to open the door, but it wasn't pain that stopped him but the realization that what was a whole door a few seconds ago had become damaged and inoperable.

There were no thoughts as the FISTer kicked the door open, no thoughts of the future or the past. Gavin Barr wanted to be out of that burning vehicle, and that was that. Once clear he jogged twenty meters, not really getting the speed he wanted. Realizing that this was still an active battlefield, he went prone.

What greeted him did not convince him that he survived the accident.

In the time it took Barr to extricate himself from the stricken vehicle, the Hind continued to attack not the NATO forces but the Soviet ones. What was more, the Hind itself was an oddity: the normal 'double bubble' canopy was replaced by what looked to the FSO to be a 'fat greenhouse' for lack of a better term. Someone as a joke had painted a bullseye in place of the normal red star with white outline.

What was more, the music Barr heard came from the aircraft itself. As the 57mm rockets trickled down sparringly here, in war-torn Poland, Andrew Gavin Barr clearly heard Johnny Cash profess that he got it 'One Piece At A Time'.

The FAV had returned, although the cargo trucks could not be seen, and what vehicles were not destroyed had stopped and concentrated their fire on it as the M2 gunner on the back banged away at enemy troops, armored cars, and anything that didn't burn. Barr could see that it's left front tire was damaged, and the driver was stationary.

By the time Cash got to the end of the song, it repeated, and once again he began to tell the story of how he planned to steal a car piece by piece as the Hind came in for a fast, rough landing in between Barr and the immobilized FAV. The Soviets were still in view, as men had bailed out of stricken vehicles and made a run for the perceived safety of the direction that had come.

A woman in her twenties with blonde hair and civilian clothes opened the pilot's door and went back to the cabin. She opened the bottom access door half and climbed in the cabin. Both the FAV gunner and the FSO had the same idea as they converged on the Soviet-made, highly modified helicopter.

With his accident Barr made it there more slowly even though he was closer. What he saw was an American soldier standing there with his weapon at the ready watching as the female pilot was shouting, first in Polish, then in English at a man laying on his stomach, bound with a combination of zip ties and electrical tape. This was war, and strange things happened, but the fact that the man was wearing black banana hammocks, shooting glasses, a gawdy gold necklace and smeared with tanning oil stood out even in July, 2000.

Staff Sergeant Alan Edwards vaulted out of the FAV and streaked across the battlefield toward the big Hind.  One hand was already on a hand grenade when he noticed an American solider motioning for him to come toward the large helo.  Alan had been planning to chuck a pineapple in the doorway to stop what he assumed would be disgorging Soviet troops.  He nodded and kept moving rapidly to bird, hand coming off the frag.

"What the fuck over?" he said, looking at the gentlemen in the thong?  "Where did you guys come from, the shore?"

Staff Sergeant Edwards didn't wait for an answer.  He saw another US solider moving toward the helo and he turned around and ran to help the injured trooper.

"Come on Sir, I got you," he said over the prop wash, noticing Barr's rank as he put one arm around the LT to help him along to the chopper.  For a moment, central Poland almost became the set of Uncommon Valor.


This message was last edited by the GM at 22:36, Mon 23 Sept 2013.

"Easy Chingachgook, I can make it." Barr said, referencing J.F. Cooper's most famous novel and a personal favorite of the Carolinian.  Gavin felt like shit, but damned if he was going give Staff Sergeant fuckin America the satisfaction of being any more of a hero.  Maybe he was just pissed because of all the adrenalin in his system, but he didn't want to be side by side with supertrooper here.  No need to invite the comparison.

"Kinky," Barr said with a gruff nod as he boarded the chopper and saw the oiled up man wearing the crotch sling.  "Just so we are clear, my type," Gav said, pointing to the blond, before adding, "Not my type" shifting his finger to point at the helo's submissive boy toy.

In reply to 1LT Gavin Barr (msg # 3):

"<<No moof no, so toe, yak toe viwanchich do yasnih holernay?!?>> the blonde helicopter pilot shouted at the man on his stomach over the rotorwash. She pointed to a machine on the cabin wall with electrical cables running to the external speakers mounted in the helicopter's ceiling. "C'mon Loverboy, how in the fuck do you turn that shit off?!?"

In reply to CW3 Gabriela Novak (msg # 4):

The man in his underpants struggled to his feet. The dirt on the floor had mixed with the oil on his skin, making him a slimy, filthy mess on his front side while being greasy but clean-er on his back. He still hand his hands and feet bound, so he hopped up and down, making his gold chain with circular medallion bounce up and down on his chest.

Turning around to get his hands at the machine, he flipped a switch, and the Johnny Cash turned to Tom Jones. He looked at the blonde pilot and shrugged in a very Eastern European 'whaddya want from me I just work here' sort of way.

In reply to Loverboy (msg # 5):

...sex-bomb, sex-bomb...

The blonde pilot looked at him and shook her head. She then looked at the two Americans and sized them up in an instant.

...and baby you can turn me on...

"Don't kill him yet, we need him" the blonde screamed indicating Loverboy. She screamed to the Staff Sergeant in his ear as he held up the wounded Barr. At a range further than half a meter, there was no chance of being heard even with shouting. "Either one of you two know how to work this ship's chin twenty mike-mike?"

Alan had foreign weapons training during his Marauder training at Bad Tolz and he had been using captured Soviet equipment ever since.  While they didn't have a Hind back in German, Alan bet he could figure it out; or literally die trying.

"I'M ON IT, HUA!" he said with way too much enthusiasm, before putting his clenched hand out for a fist pound.  It was exactly the type of douche-bag thing you would expect from a junior snake eater with a mohawk.

In reply to SSG Alan Edwards (msg # 7):

"WOW ok maybe a little too much enthusiasm there" the blonde pilot shouted at the Jersey native. She turned to Loverboy, who was standing there watching the threesome communicate in English.

...sexbomb...

The Hind A's speaker system continued to croon at maximum volume.

"VI-lanch, doopereloo!" she screamed at Loverboy, pointing to the machine.

"What about you Lieutenant?" the woman asked the FSO.

"Yeah Coach, I'll just walk this off and get right on it." Gavin said, pouring some water from his canteen into one hand and using to clean the grime and blood from his face so he could see a bit better.

"Alright, let's see if Mother Russia uses DC power like we do for shit like this." Barr said, looking for a way to unplug the power to the speakers.

OCC:
07:28, Today: 1LT Gavin Barr rolled 84 using 1d100. ELC Check. Makes an easy roll, but not average

In reply to 1LT Gavin Barr (msg # 9):

Even wounded Gavin Barr was 'still in the fight' as the trendy thirtysomethings who ran war colleges all over the world and had never fired a shot in anger liked to say. Tom Jones was quickly replaced by one of the snappier numbers by The Cure.

After a second or two The Cure was replaced by a young charismatic voice speaking English with a slight Russian(or possibly Ukrainian) accent. The recording was in the middle, and at the end, it repeated itself.

"Hello my American friends. This is Major General Rubachenko. I am commander of 21st Motor Rifle Division. Please understand I am like you; a soldier. I don't want to see any more death on either side. Surrender, and I promise as an officer of the Soviet Union that you will be treated with the respect you deserve."

OOC:

One XP ELC for Barr

"I'm sure that's looking pretty tempting for some of our boys given shit for brain's 'You are on your own' edict." Gavin said.  Of course the respect he thinks we deserve may be hard labor in Siberia the FSO thought to himself.

"Alright, once is enough," Barr said and tried to shut off the psiwar gear once more.

OOC: 07:22, Today: 1LT Gavin Barr rolled 77 using 1d100. ELC Check. - Pretty much the same as before.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 11:25, Thu 26 Sept 2013.

In reply to 1LT Gavin Barr (msg # 11):

With a quick segway into The Petshop Boys after Rubachenko's repeating offer to surrender, the FSO was able to switch off the heart of the 'squawkbox', which looked like 70's-era technology made somewhere east of the Iron Curtain.

Currently the only noise was the Hind's idling engines and rotorblades spinning at 70%. All four people seemed appreciative of Barr's efforts, and even Loverboy gave a relieved nose wiggle, which made the yellow-tinted shooting glasses on his face rise up and down for dramatic effect.

OOC: ESY RCN for Edwards, please

In reply to Niewiele Dupek (msg # 12):

"Thank you" the blonde pilot said, rubbing the side of her temple. "Nice moustache, by the way. The word 'Odporność' doesn't mean what you think it does, I promise you that."

"Listen up, you two" she said louder, speaking more to Ssg Edwards than 1Lt Barr, "I just used up the last of my five-sevens saving you two. I know where there are some more, but it's going to be...well, hairy, let's just put it that way. We could just fly off into the sunset as they say and hope the chin gun will be enough. Either way, I need someone in the back watching Loverboy and someone up front working the twenty mike mike. What's it to be?"

"Gotta have ammo to kill Ivan," Edwards said, as it if the answer was obvious.

"Let's go get that dope and beer!" Alan said as he adjusted his package before he sat down into the gunner pit of the Hind.  No sense in not being comfortable and the thought of gunning down some godless Commies with the 20mm and obtaining more ammo had already started to excite him even more.

Barr was having is own issues with excitement, but it had less to do with the chopper's firepower and more to do with its pilot.  Most of Barr's encounters with female Polish speakers had involved love not war.

"You know the great thing about not speaking Polish, is that no means.. well I don't fucking know actually.  They just keep saying za duży... za duży.  Or some shit like that."  Barr said with a wink.  He turned around to deal with loverboy.

"And what the hell is your deal," he yelled at the oily almost naked man on the floor of the hind.  "English motherfucker, do you speak it?" he asked, relying on 'Loud English' as the universal communications method for now.

In reply to 1LT Gavin Barr (msg # 15):

The pilot watched the taxingly energetic Ssg Edwards jump out of the helicopter's cargo hold instead of going down the stairs built into the bottom door.

09:30, Today: Niewiele Dupek, on behalf of SSG Alan Edwards, rolled 46 using 1d100. ESY RCN.

She watched the man look around, register that a few of the Soviet soldiers the Hind had just attacked less than a minute ago were indeed shooting at them, guessed rightly that the random muzzle flashes meant they were out of range, and went to the starboard side of the helicopter and tried to get in.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:15, Fri 27 Sept 2013.

In reply to Niewiele Dupek (msg # 16):

"We..we'll revisit that comment later, ok?" the English and Polish speaking woman, still watching Edwards as he tried without success to gain access to the Hind's gunner's station.

"For now, just return fire with your personal weapon and...oh" she trailed off, looking back at Barr and hos he favored his left hand. "Well, just try to make sure Loverboy doesn't fall out, ok?"

In reply to CW3 Gabriela Novak (msg # 17):

"I...got it...one piece at a time" Loverboy said slowly, nodding toward the pilot when 1Lt Barr sat down on the bench seat next to him. Heavily accented in a foreign language similar to Russian, 1Lt Barr realized the man was quoting word for the Cash song he heard earlier.

"...and it didn't cost me...a dime" he said in disgust, wrinkling his nose with this last part as he nodded once more at the female pilot. He spit with disgust, and the loogie landed a third of a meter away from him towards the front of the chopper.

In reply to Loverboy (msg # 18):

The blonde pilot led the Jersey native to the other side of the helicopter while trying to stay low. Jersey just followed. When they got to the other side, she crouched low, reaching up and toggling the armored glass door open. Ssg Edwards climbed in and adjusted himself unceremoniously. The pilot continued her brief only after putting the flight headphones on Edwards herself.

In reply to Niewiele Dupek (msg # 19):

"Ssg Edwards, I'm CW3 Novak" she explained quickly. "You can call me Ma'am or Ms. Novak. Listen to what I say very carefully, as all our lives depend on it."

CW3 Novak looked around, then shook her head at the quickly detoriorating tactical situation and continued. "Here's the sight, zoom it thus, here's the handgrips for the weapons systems, you aim the ATGM missles with that sight there, keep your feet off the pedals. Any questions, ask me in the air."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:40, Fri 27 Sept 2013.

In reply to CW3 Gabriela Novak (msg # 20):

Gaby Novak crouched low as she sprinted to the other side of the chopper. Looking into the cabin at Barr, she pointed to her headset, then another on the wall on a hook hanging a meter or so from where the FSO was sitting. With both hands she slammed shut the bottom door half; one of two that sealed the Hind's cargo bay. When she opened her armored pilot's door with a quick pull of the toggle and climbed inside, Gavin was already wearing the headset.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:42, Fri 27 Sept 2013.

In reply to Niewiele Dupek (msg # 21):

"Here we go" Novak said to herself after plugging back into the helicopter's internal communication system.


10:14, Today: CW3 Gabriela Novak rolled 1 using 1d100. ESY RWP.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:17, Fri 27 Sept 2013.

In reply to CW3 Gabriela Novak (msg # 22):

Novak applied power to the ship's engines with a twist on the collective. The massive engines roared to life as the American-born woman of Polish extraction pulled up hard on the collective. In an instant, they were in the air a few meters off the ground.

A pull to the right on the cyclic made the huge Hind turn sharply as it rose in altitude. The effect was jarring to all except the most seasoned pilots and a few Polish bus drivers before the war, but instantly Gavin Barr and Alan Edwards felt uneasy and possibly sick to their stomachs.

Loverboy slid off the bench seat right away leaving a slimy trail the biggest snail would have been proud off. When he came to stop on the far side of the helicopter's cabin, Barr could see him wrinkling his nose, making his yellow shooting glasses move up and then down in his characteristic fashion.

Novak kept them at only 5-10m altitude as they flew first east, then south, then to the west. It might have been safer, but the NOE flying didn't really show any of them the overall battlefield strategic situation as they only say no more than a few hundred meters squared at a time. The constant rising and falling of the Mi-24 Hind A model as its pilot strained to keep them all as low as possible was unnerving to the two ground pounders.

OOC:  AVG CON rolls, please
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:38, Fri 27 Sept 2013.

In reply to Loverboy (msg # 18):

"Johnny Cash huh?" Barr said with a laugh.  He crouched down and gave the guy a friendly pat on the back.  "That's real horrorshow comrade, real horrorshow" Gavin said, mixing English with what passed for Russian in the halls of the Virginia Military Institute.

Pulling on the headset, Gavin readied himself for take-off.  He hadn't spent much time in helos and when the massive chopper leapt skyward with a turn, the Artillery Officer was lucky to keep his lunch down.

"Err... fuck it," Gav said, about to ask for some relief from the aerial antics, but realizing that on an active battlefield, the gut-churning maneuvers might be the only thing keeping them alive.

OOC:05:51, Today: 1LT Gavin Barr rolled 57 using 1d100. CON Check (70).  Makes it. 

"Copy that Chief Novak!" Edwards said, not following directions well on form of address, but certainly embracing the concept of chain of command.  Staff Sergeant Edwards wasn't exactly bright (INT-8), but he could be trained and he generally retained what he had been shown how to do (EDU-14).

On take-off, Edwards fared a bit better than the officer in the back, but despite looking like a duck, quacking like a duck, and walking like a duck, he wasn't tabbed Airborne.  Alan was mech infantry, 11 Mike, who had gone through the 5th ID LRRC training cycle in Bad Tolz.  But none of that training covered Airborne or Air Assault operations, so he had even less time in helicopters than Barr did.

What Alan did have was a mohawk and the sincere belief that 10 weeks of physical fitness, weapons handling, land navigation, vehicle handling, maintenance, and escape and evasion techniques had some how vaulted him into Army's elite special operations community.  It was a powerful placebo and Edwards greeted the unexpected maneuvers with a few exclamations of "HUA!", as if acting like he was trying to enjoy the ride would somehow make it so.

OOC: 05:50, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 13 using 1d100. CON Check (70).
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:29, Fri 27 Sept 2013.

In reply to 1LT Gavin Barr (msg # 24):

After sliding to the starboard side of the cabin, the juking and shaking the helicopter did slid Loverboy back to the FSO's feet. When the man from North Carolina mentioned the Russian word for friend, Loverboy's face dropped that typical Eastern European disdain and he tried to communicate with the 1Lt in Russian.

15:20, Fri 27 Sept 2013: Niewiele Dupek, on behalf of Loverboy, rolled 6 using 1d100 ((6)).

OOC: Barr DIFF roll RUS please
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:20, Fri 27 Sept 2013.

In reply to SSG Alan Edwards (msg # 25):

Even though both men were not sick, both Edwards and Barr were relieved when Novak slowed her forward airspeed. Loverboy might have been pleased...or upset, who could tell? For the moment, it seemed to be enough to stop his greased travel on the now filthy cabin floor, which the young man had turned into his own personal slip and slide.

In reply to Niewiele Dupek (msg # 27):

"That's Flowers to the east, so that must be Lions, there" the young Pole said, mostly talking to herself. Ssg Edwards nor 1Lt Barr could see her from where they were sitting but both heard her over the Hind's internal comm system.

"The river is...where? There?" she continued, tapping the MFD with her left hand before putting it back on the collective. "OK, listen up you two. I'm going to put you two down on the south side of a tree stand which..."

A low pressure pocket formed ahead of them. Gaby could feel the big chopper start to drop, and she increased airspeed and altitude a bit to compensate as they passed over more of a creek than a river.

"...which to the north of it has a nasty triple A spot either in the treeline or north of it" she continued, transmitting the fear she felt for it in her voice. "No offense, but I just met you two guys and can't risk this bird trying to take it from the air. We've got no radios, so when you take it out pop smoke and I'll come get you. Questions?"

"We'll get it done," Alan said.  The Staff Sergeant preferred to travel light and carried some kind of cut-down AK-74 as his primary weapon, along with hand grenades and disposable tube fired RPG-22s.  He readied his weapon as Gabby brought the chopper in for a landing.

"You're going to need to handle more than your fair share on this one Staff Sergeant," Gavin said as he held up his injured hand, even though there was no way for Edward to see it in the nose of the Hind.

Gav was big army and traveled as such.  He had his vest, helmet, and his M16/M203.  He readied an HE round, resting the rifle on his lap and loading the round in.  Sitting there, the 40mm tube almost looked big until he remembered the one-five-five rounds he'd been calling earlier.  Is this really checkmate for the King of Battle? he thought to himself.  The end of artillery on the modern battlefield meant the end of the modern battlefield.  Even the dark ages had catapults.  Barr wondered who called fire for them as he prepared to make like infantry.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 00:15, Sat 28 Sept 2013.

In reply to 1LT Gavin Barr (msg # 30):

"Thirty seconds" Novak said, adding left pedal and dropping in altitude a meter. From his vantage point in the nose of the highly modified A model, Ssg Edwards was sure the young woman was going to hit the ground.

"Lieutenant we'll drop the Sergeant, I'll scoot around to the east, then head north" the pilot said, talking to Barr, "I'll set down, and you'll take his place as WSO."

In reply to CW3 Gabriela Novak (msg # 31):

Once she was within 50m of the treeline, CW3 Novak slowed the chopper's forward airspeed at the same time she pulled up on the collective, applied power, and kicked hard right pedal. The Hind changed direction, headed east along the treeline, and closed to within 20m of it before she gave the command for Edwards to deplane.

In reply to Niewiele Dupek (msg # 32):

"Jumper away" she commanded, borrowing from the Airborne rather than Air Assault. Whatever Ssg Edwards needed to hear in order to propel him alone towards the enemy, Novak was willing to say it. She really needed that AAA gone so they could egress safely.

In reply to CW3 Gabriela Novak (msg # 33):

With them getting closer to the DZ Edwards had opened the armored glass door a crack, letting more air and noise from the rotorwash in the helicopter's flight deck. Upon hearing the pilot's command, he jumped out doing a combat roll, trying to bleed off the aircraft's forward airspeed. Up quickly, he darted for the safety of the treeline, where he took a knee, braced against a tree for cover, and raised his weapon to shoulder to evaluate the tactical situation.

OOC: DIFF AGL, DIFF RCN, ESY RCN Edwards please

Edwards took a few deep breaths at the tree line, listening and looking for enemy movement or activity.

OOC:

Die roller has started the day hating me.  First roll was a 99.  I'm going back to bed, literally.

06:17, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 2 using 1d100. RCN: ESY.  Yep
06:17, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 80 using 1d100. AGL: DIF. Nope
06:17, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 99 using 1d100. RCN: DIF. Nope

In reply to CW3 Gabriela Novak (msg # 31):



"So does that mean I'll be behind you, or you'll be behind me?" Barr said, either lacking or feigning an understanding of where the WSO sat in a Mi-24.

Gavin checked on the chopper's resident Johnny Cash fan, making sure he was secured carefully.  The last thing they needed as a half-naked Bulgarian making trouble in the back when Barr moved to the gunners station.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:52, Sat 28 Sept 2013.

In reply to 1LT Gavin Barr (msg # 36):

The Hind A model was facing east as Edwards bailed out to the north. There was no chance Loverboy or Barr could have seen him from their vantage point, and Novak was too busy flying the helicopter and attempting to avoid the enemy SAM site. Therefore, the attempt at a forward roll from a moving helicopter was completely not needed, but it didn't stop Edwards from trying.

15:09, Today: Niewiele Dupek rolled 6 using 1d6. Damage.
15:08, Today: Niewiele Dupek, on behalf of SSG Alan Edwards, rolled 9 using 1d10. Hit Location.

The rock he came down on wasn't big, but it was large enough to cause bruising as the gung-ho nco made it to the treeline. Adrenaline coursed through his veins as he made it to the sparsely wooded treeline. As long as it wasn't broken, he could still run on it, although it sure as hell hurt.

The helicopter had been tilting back when it came in to bleed off airspeed. As soon as Edwards jumped, the chopper's nose pointed down as the rotor disc tilted forward. The large tail pointed high into the air, and the armored dragonfly was quickly away, although it still hugged the treeline as it arced off to the east.

Alan Edwards looked around. To the south, an open expanse of about four hundred meters to a farm or some sort of stand-alone grouping of buildings. The farm was connected to a small paved-ish road that ran NNW-SSE. Thirty meters to the west was a well-worn dirt track that had been recently chewed up by armored vehicles. It cut a swath through the trees as it headed due north.

Looking northwest of where he was, Ssg Edwards could see two low, long tracked vehicle shapes 150-200m through the trees. As soon as the helo left he could hear them speaking Russian, and it sounded like they were on the radio, as they were shouting quickly in short bursts of words.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:31, Sat 28 Sept 2013.

In reply to Niewiele Dupek (msg # 37):

"Jesus, I didn't know you were that slow, Lieutenant" the Polish-American woman said as the Hind touched down so hard Gavin thought the landing gear had snapped off. "Forget it I'll come to you."

When Novak deplaned, she checked over a couple of the hardpoints before she made it to the cabin, giving the FSO time to bind Loverboy with seatbelts.

In reply to CW3 Gabriela Novak (msg # 38):

"<Thank you>" the Bulgarian said in his best Russian. He still had that Eastern European look of nothingness inside on his face, but his yellow shooting glasses didn't move nearly as high on his face nor his nose wrinkle nearly as hard as before when he was describing to Barr through song lyrics how Novak stole his helicopter.

In reply to Loverboy (msg # 39):

"That's the last time anyone will be able to use those seatbelts" Novak said when she joined him outside the bird looking in. "C'mon, I'll show you around your new office."

In reply to CW3 Gabriela Novak (msg # 40):

The pilot led her new gunner by the arm around the nose of the helicopter, explaing to him this safety procedure or that newance or facet. When they got to the port side of the ship, the armored door to the gunner's station was still open, but Novak showed Barr how to open it from the outside, explaining that the inside was just the reverse.

In reply to Niewiele Dupek (msg # 41):

"Handholds are here, here, there, and there" she said, pointing so fast Barr missed all but one. "Step here, then there, swing your leg over, then pull yourself in."

"Aw for fuck's sake..." CW3 Novak grumbled to herself when Barr showed a slight second of hesitation. She pushed upwards on his buttocks with both hands, and Andrew felt like the still-spinning rotorblades were going to chop his moustache-sporting-head right off.

"Fire the 57s we don't have with this button, here's the twenty mike mike, ATGM sight is there and whatever you do..." the pilot briefed as she had done a million times before, "...keep your goddamn feet off the pedals."

Gavin wished he hadn't taken off his helmet to put on the headset in the back of the Hind.  The idea of getting too close to the spinning rotors was worse than the feeling he had on take off.  And with all the rotor wash, he probably had a silly mohawk like that overzealous Sergeant who had just jumped out of a perfectly good aircraft.



"Randomly stomp the pedals.  Got it!" Barr said with a thumbs up as he put the WSO headset.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:03, Sat 28 Sept 2013.

Alan grimaced and rubbed his injured leg.  He'd double down on the Motrin when this was over, but for now, he'd work through the pain.  Especially for work he loved.

Moving slow, low, and as quietly as he could, Edwards made his way toward the vehicles, staying in the woodline as much as possible.  He kept his head on a swivel, looking for any enemy troops who might be patrolling around the two long vehicles.

OOC:
14:08, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 45 using 1d100. RCN.

In reply to SSG Alan Edwards (msg # 44):

With the two tracks in sight, Ssg Alan Edwards moved toward the enemy armor 'low and slow'. The shouting on the radio continued as both tracks started up. They quickly shifted position, following each other in trail south down the well-worn dirt path in the woods.

Edwards used this opportunity to get closer to their intended route of march. Next to a large pine, he could see the two MT-LB ADA variants as they hastily made it for the clearing to the south. The first, a gun variant, sported a currently unmanned one-man ZSU-23-2 turret on the back, while the second had the more conventional four missle box SA-13 variant.

To the east of them all, CW3 Novak circled around. She headed first to the east, then quickly back west and began to pick up significant forward airspeed. To Ssg Edwards and the two track drivers, it seemed as if the loud helo raced by for a second and was gone as it briefly flashed past the trail opening to the south.

The gun MT slammed on its brakes, and the rear MT almost collided with the first as it did so a second later. From his vantage point less than 5m away, Edwards could hear both the driver and commander of the lead MT shouting at each other, as well as the driver of the trail MT swearing at the lead MT through open hatches. Even this early in the day the summer Polish sun made armored vehicles without AC unbearable.

Alan pulls out his bins to get a better look at both vehicles.

OOC:

Are the mid-deck hatches open, or are those not accessible on these variants?  How about the troop doors in back?  What's the distance?  Are there any security elements out that I can see?  My impression is that they are very focused on the Hind and not keeping up their situation awareness and looking for other threats, is that correct?



This message was last edited by the GM at 10:40, Sun 29 Sept 2013.

In reply to SSG Alan Edwards (msg # 46):

OOC:

No, not, aren't, a meter or two, none, correct

Thanks to one particular TV show, many folks associated people from New Jersey with 'bad life choices' and Alan Edwards was making some, at the very least, interesting life choices this morning.  Time would tell if they were bad.

Streaking out from the treeline, he dashed for the rear of the trailing MTLB.  He used the back of the vehicle to keep out of the LOS of the vehicle crew, staying close, but not too close (in case the vehicle shifted into reverse suddenly).  He pulled off a frag grenade and pulled the pin.  Moving quickly around the side, he kept the grenade in his right hand, and used his left to help with what could best be described as a tactical slam dunk, as he attempted to power the grenade through an open hatch and into the MTLB.

Edwards didn't stick around to see the effect.  He quickly scurried back to the rear of the track and readied an RPG-22, knowing that whatever happened he'd need to engage the second MTLB quickly, before the could get someone up to that 23mm ZSU.

OOC:
08:21, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 42 using 1d100. Thrown Weapon. -Makes Easy or Average (Edwards is TW: 50).
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 12:40, Sun 29 Sept 2013.

In reply to SSG Alan Edwards (msg # 48):

Unlike the movies, real grenades went off with a quick bang and a shake. Alan Edwards was so hopped up on adrenaline, he felt more than heard the grenade as it went off inside the SA-13. He didn't hear a bunch of screams, or some Soviet soldier crying for some mother or girlfriend back in God-knows-where. In fact, all he heard was the rotorslap as the Hind A's five main rotorblades beat the air into submission.

Five football fields away, Gaby Novak changed course, turning through 90 degrees of altered course from her FLOT. Ahead of her some buildings loomed whitish grey in contrast to the sea of green around them.

OOC: ESY RCN Barr please
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:50, Sun 29 Sept 2013.

Barr sat in the WSO station, looking around at all the switches.  Damn, you have to learn all this toggle crap to be pilot? he thought.  Too much analog.  Gav liked the new digital stuff - he had been trained on TACFIRE and associated AN/GYK-12 equipment.

Looking up from the bells and whistles around him, he did a quick scan to see if Le Renard Subtil had dealt with the AA thread and popped smoke yet.  Barr was still trying out LotM characters in his head to best describe the Mohawk sporting Staff Sergeant.

In reply to Niewiele Dupek (msg # 49):

As the helicopter flew closer to the farm buildings to the south, the FSO sat at the WSO station in the Mi-24 Hind A model. Even with all the movement, the highly modernzed cockpit showed very clearly in LLTV most of the details in either the zoomed or unzoomed FOV.

When he looked at one of the northernmost buildings of the farm complex, 1Lt Barr could swear he could see two figures, possibly in Soviet Army uniforms standing there watching the Hind as it flew ever closer. The one with the radio on his back was standing still. It occurred to Gavin that he must have hit his head in the FISTv rollover very hard, because the one next to him literally looked like he was jumping up and down.

OOC: 1 tick XP RCN for Barr, please

"What the fuck?" Barr said, watching the two on the roof.  "Typical weird shit you find in central Poland, at our 1 o'clock," Gavin said into the headset.  Maybe Novak had some insight on this, given her heritage.  Barr could usually explain Scott's Irish tomfoolery given his heritage (default answer - they are drunk!).  He aimed the 20mm cannon toward the pair, but held off on firing.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:38, Sun 29 Sept 2013.

In reply to 1LT Gavin Barr (msg # 52):

"Holy Mustache" replied the pilot after looking at what her WSO was looking at on her MFD. "LT you need permission to engage the enemy or...? Oh rany Boska...you do, don't you? Jesus Maria, Ok, ok...ahem...'gunner, this is pilot, cleared hot to engage enemy, over'...goddamn this is going to be a long war."

As the Hind A was having teething trouble with it's 'air'crew, Ssg Edwards waited for something to happen. The silence was killing him, as he realized that there must be someone alive in the lead MT-LB. Why they weren't charging out guns blazing like he would he just couldn't understand.

As Gabby said, "..long war." Gavin quipped, "Let's hope so."

The FSO let off a burst with the Hind's autocannon, aiming as best he could for the statuesque soldier with the backpack radio.

09:53, Today: 1LT Gavin Barr rolled 49 using 1d100. Heavy Weapons (20mm).  That's not going to directly hit anything, but not sure about fragmentation effects. 

Edwards was halfway through preparing the RPG-22, when the lack of activity from the lead at the MTLB registered.  Well they might have stopped to play pinochle in the vehicle for all he cared.  Extending the tube and finalizing the Soviet weapon for firing, he moved around from the back of the 2nd MTLB and lined up a shot on the lead vehicle.  He triggered the rocket, sending a 72.5mm HEAT rocket toward the Zoo armed MTLB.

OOC: 13:32, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 59 using 1d100. HW rocket attack on MTLB.  Well that ain't gonna hit either!

In reply to SSG Alan Edwards (msg # 55):

As Ssg Edwards lined up a danger close shot on the MT-LB ZSU-23-2 variant, the Hind A made a gun pass on the two Soviet soldiers standing in front of the farm buildings some 500m to the south.

09:12, Today: Niewiele Dupek, on behalf of SSG Alan Edwards, rolled 3 using 1d10. dir dev.
09:12, Today: Niewiele Dupek, on behalf of SSG Alan Edwards, rolled 5 using 1d6. dist dev.

The disposable RPG shot went far to the right a bit, dropping a couple trees and showering the MT with dirt, wood fragments, and a few burning embers from the rocket's explosive warhead. Edwards too late realize that the fire was outgoing and 'friendly' and not 'incoming' and 'hostile'. The shouts in Russian coming from inside the MT told him that he wasn't the only one surprised, although for entirely different reasons.

In the Hind A, Gavin barr felt the helicopter shake as his 20mm rounds ranged out. He heard the discharge as the electronic pitch changes in his headphones let him know the helicopter's electrical systems were in working order. The slow steady 'twenty' reminded him more of an IFV than the minigun of a Ch-47 or AH-6.

In his MFD, he watched as the 20mm rounds tore the two men apart, separating their bodies from their legs, then their torsos into smaller pieces of material, nylon, metal, blood and plastic as overpressure tore meat from bone. To the FSO turned CPG, it reminded him more of a video game than live action, although to actually watch his handywork on the small screen of the MFD was less pleasing than FO work for one of his big guns.

OOC: +40 RF bonus for the 20mm. In future when you roll take five shots. We'll do it like an IFV in terms of range, ROF, etc.

Edwards through the spent RPG-22 tube to the ground.  Littering was the least of Poland's problems these days.  He pulled the second RPG-22 off his back as he moved back behind the second MTLB and he readied this weapon to fire.

"For fuck sake," he said, chiding himself for missing the first time as he moved around the vehicle and knelt down again to get a clean shot.  "Like a virgin spooked by 20mm fire," he said, continuing to berate himself under his breath as he lined up the shot.

17:26, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 38 using 1d100. HW: RPG-22 again.  That should hit for close range (out to 200 meters for RPG-22).
17:47, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 3 using 1d10. Hit Location. Not sure of impact location.  Maybe rear or side?
17:50, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 9 using 4d6. Damage x15C. 135 pts of damage
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:57, Mon 30 Sept 2013.

In reply to SSG Alan Edwards (msg # 57):

With a roar of the engine and a plume of diesel exhaust, the MT-LB 23mm variant surged forward. By the time the Soviet ADA crew got their shit together, Ssg Edwards was already preparing the second RPG-22. One of the trees that fell from Alan's first shot was covering the path, although either by skill or luck the tracked vehicle made it across this small-to-medium-sized Pine initially with no problem.

As the front of the vehicle's tracks touched down, the back end stuck in the air. It was at this point that the American's second shot struck the vehicle in the rear, blowing open the rear doors. Its force was directed towards the front of the vehicle, and flames immediately shot out from the deck-mounted turret, ruining it as it partially tore from the MT-LB.

The tracked vehicle coasted forward under its previous momentum. A few seconds later the front turret hatch on the hull deck's right side flopped open, and a bloodied figure in Soviet Army BDUs slowly began climbing out.

In reply to Niewiele Dupek (msg # 58):

"Holy damn, I think you got all of that one, LT" CW3 Novak chuckled as pieces of the jumping man rained down in the MFD. Barr still had the laser spot zoomed in and uncaged on the target. The Polish-American pilot, kicked right rudder pedal, pulled the cyclic to her groin and then her right thigh while rolling on power and climbing a bit with the collective in her left hand as they changed course and headed to the south.

10:19, Tue 01 Oct 2013: CW3 Gabriela Novak rolled 50 using 1d100 ((50)).

"Sounds like your boyfriend is making trouble back there" she said, referring to the explosions probably caused by Ssg Edwards; a man that saved the FSO's life. OK, so maybe he didn't, but he thought he was, and there was no denying he did help. 1Lt Barr didn't know he looked after the accident, but he felt shaken and when he needed Edwards he was there for him.

In reply to Niewiele Dupek (msg # 58):

Seeing the Soviet Army trooper emerge from the vehicle, Alan trotted up to him, real quiet like.  The man from New Jersey pulled out his M7 bayonet.  This was going to be exactly what he needed right now.  It had been a few weeks since his last close combat kill and he had long since come down from that high and was ready for another.

OOC:
If the guy is surprised, it's an auto hit with the player's choice of hit location (head! for 11 damage).  Otherwise a 79 won't make it.

07:23, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 9 using 1d100. RCN Approach.
07:22, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 79 using 1d100. AVG: MC. Doesn't make
it
07:31, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 11 using 2d6+6. Damage.

This message was last edited by the GM at 11:32, Tue 01 Oct 2013.

In reply to SSG Alan Edwards (msg # 60):

Alan Edwards stabbed the Soviet MT-LB ZSU-23-2 track commander more times than a Dark Lotus song as the man ememrged shakily from his stricken vehicle. The blood that lept out of the enemy soldier's veins and got all over the NATO soldier's face, neck, and chest matched the blood in the Jersey native's engorged penis. Edwards was alive, and raw power coursed through his veins more powerful than any hit of PCP.

After he was finished, the silence of the situation was all that was left. No bird, no wind in the trees, just the fading high-pitched swirl of the Hind A's rapidliy retreating rotor blades. He released the enemy soldier's body and it flopped lifelessly on the ground like the kittens he used to kill back in 'the world'. With the death the erection passed, and once more Edwards felt empty although satisfied.

OOC: I'm more disturbed by the fact that TWO RPG-22s were slung on this man's back, and not only did the player not post anything to the fact that he sat in the helicopter's front seat only AFTER adjusting the two antitank rockets, but the freakin' GM didn't either. What's this world coming to?

In reply to Niewiele Dupek (msg # 61):

"Unzoom the twenty, LT" the pilot said over the Soviet-made helicopter's internal intercom. "I need you to get ready for a gun run."

In reply to CW3 Gabriela Novak (msg # 62):

The Mi-24 Hind A once more changed course. This time, it looped quickly counterclockwise around the farm buildings and headed west, not north, which was away from where Ssg Edwards had engaged the two MT-LBs. Gavin Barr didn't know if the woman was intentionally lost or doing some sort of 'that pilot shit' like Maverick in the film Top Gun.

"If you are looking for a devil's three-way Chief, you don't have to beat around the bush,", Barr said about her Edward's comment.

"Uh, unzoom, sure," Gav said, fiddling with the display and getting the aircraft weapon system ready.  "Ok, I'm good to go," he said once the 20mm was ready.

In reply to 1LT Gavin Barr (msg # 64):

"<v zhichu!> ...Naw, man, a pregnancy in the year 2000 in this world is a death sentence" she said honestly. The pilot realized Barr had disarmed her quite easily, and she decided to re-don her 'tough-guy' armour to compensate.

"Look you're RA, so I know you are into that 'H-word' shit" the Polish-American woman said quite unprofessionally, which was the norm for most WOs  before the War who did not have Polish blood. "Look LT I think your little friend just got smoked. We can go back to verify if you want, but just to be clear I am not risking this aircraft, copy?"

Edwards wasted no time, hopping on to the deck of the MTLB, and heading for the ZSU-23-2.  He checked to see if the weapon system had any ammo loaded.  If it did, he was going to open fire on the SA-13 launcher, to ensure that those missiles could never be used.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:05, Wed 02 Oct 2013.

In reply to SSG Alan Edwards (msg # 66):

Ssg Edwards looked at the ruined ZSU-23-2 torn partially out of its turret ring and realized that his good idea to destroy the SA-13 guided missles would have to be recognized another way.

[Secret to 1LT Gavin Barr: Hint hint just because Novak is an NPC character and Polish does not mean I agree with her some or all of the time. I'm trying to show you how Poles are perceived by Westerners. Don't let any of my NPCs give you shit: they're testing you, after all. :)]

In reply to Niewiele Dupek (msg # 65):

"For fuck sake Chief, you are in the US Army.  There's no thinking about the consequences of your actions in the US Army." Gavin said, unable to dismiss the logic of Novak's concern, so instead he was content to dismiss the concept of logic all together.

"Can you take us back to the spot where dropped Tweedledee and I'll mount a rescue mission?" Barr asked.

In reply to 1LT Gavin Barr (msg # 68):

Fifteen long seconds hesitation made 1Lt Barr wonder if he had insulted the woman or if she had heard him altogether. When he realized she was trying hard not to laugh, he relaxed a bit.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 18:29, Wed 02 Oct 2013.

In reply to Niewiele Dupek (msg # 69):


"I didn't know you were Polish, Lieutenant" she said, still choking back a chuckle. Gav didn't know this woman but he knew women well, and he would have bet his life she was sitting behind him smiling. "Bringing her around."

In reply to CW3 Gabriela Novak (msg # 70):

The big ship once more changed directions. Novak's hands were everywhere like a juggler as she tried to keep the Hind A dancing low enough to avoid radar and visual detection and high enough off the ground not to eat it like Janet Reno.

In reply to Niewiele Dupek (msg # 71):

"Damn smoke, vehicles and a lone figure walking around" the pilot said when the recently-stolen Mi-24 Hind A got closer to where Ssg Edwards had single-handedly taken out two ADA MT-LBs. She checked her MFD screens to verify what the thermal camera was picking up. "Looks like The Haircut has been busy down there. Changing course now."

In reply to CW3 Gabriela Novak (msg # 72):

The big helicopter came in for a slow left orbiting landing at the mouth of the small trail the two enemy ADA vehicles had been heading down when they have been Edwards'ed. The Staff Sergeant walked out to meet them covered with the '23'-commander's blood from the waist up.

In reply to Niewiele Dupek (msg # 73):

"Looks like someone has a knack for wet work" Novak said, looking at the gruesome visage of Edwards as the chopper set down so hard it jarred the teeth. "Damn, I am impressed. Maybe The Haircut isn't so useless after all."

"Jesus, you look like a blind butcher," Barr said as Edwards walked up to the Hind.  "Did you run out of ammo Staff Sergeant?" The Mustache asked, assuming the infantryman hadn't been hit since the man from New Jersey smiled like a Cheshire cat.

"Had to go hand to hand with one of them," Edwards said with a shrug.  He found his way into the back of the Hind.  He took a moment to fish out his canteen and too a swig of water.  Combat could really take it out of you.  He fished around an MRE pack for something he might be able to eat in flight, but then remembered the queasy feeling he had earlier and decided against eating for now.

Sliding on a headset has asked, "Ok, where to now?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:08, Thu 03 Oct 2013.

In reply to SSG Alan Edwards (msg # 76):

"Not far" Novak said, transitioning the helo from IGE to OGE as it climbed to the northwest. The Hind pitched and yawed 50-70 degrees before descending back down to 'wow I can count the blades of grass level'.

"Gents we're at the northern end of an airfield 'complex': think of it as a big ole square" the CW3 explained, increasing airspeed. "A thousand years ago I was shot down by the ADA on the northwest corner of the square. Ssg Edwards you just took out the northeast corner, and the hangars and fixed-wing runway are roughly in the square's middle. Those smoke plumes you see to the south are the hangars and surrounding buildings themselves."

In reply to CW3 Gabriela Novak (msg # 77):

As she was coming at them at an angle both Edwards and Barr could see on the ship's right hand side what the pilot was referring to. What Barr assumed was just another art'y strike was in fact an airfield with most of the buildings obscured by black smoke. What he could see were ruined reminders of an attack that happened before.

In reply to Niewiele Dupek (msg # 78):

"BEACUSE YOU'RE MINE I WALK THE LINE, BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE I WALK THE LINE, BECAUSE..." Lovereboy shouted at the top of his lungs, realizing where he was.

In reply to Loverboy (msg # 79):

"That's right Loverboy, we're going home" Ms. Novak said, hearing the maniacal screams carried over the sound of the rotors on Edwards's mic. "Your little buddies owed me a helicopter, so I just had to up and borrow one of yours, didn't I?"

In reply to CW3 Gabriela Novak (msg # 80):

As the helo neared the northwest corner of small grouping of hangar buildings, the female aviator increased airspeed and height to just OGE for the large Soviet-made aircraft. As the five main rotorblades sliced through the dark smoke it curled behind them forming vorticies on the rotordisc's two sides.

In reply to Niewiele Dupek (msg # 81):

"This is a quick in and out" the pilot said. She stopped teasing the barely-clad well-oiled man tied up with seatbelts in the Hind's cabin and returned to her brief. "As you can see the Soviets guarding the airfield haven't been here very long, which means that whoever Loverboy's people are haven't been here very long either. I'm guessing most of your resistance will be REMF service types, maybe..."

In reply to CW3 Gabriela Novak (msg # 82):

The ground erupted in Kalashnikov fire from almost point blank range as The Mi-24 Hind flashed over some cargo trucks and troops on the ground near one of the smaller buildings by the easternmost hangar. Bullets bounced off the armored bottom of the Hind, but an (un)lucky shot flew in the cabin open window, bounced around until it tore a chunk out of Ssg Edwards on the left arm.

09:51, Thu 03 Oct 2013: Niewiele Dupek rolled 7 using 2d6 ((1,6)).

In reply to Niewiele Dupek (msg # 83):

"Jesus Maria...what the fuck was that?" Novak screamed into the headset as the Hind flashed through the danger zone. "Everyone ok?"

"Fucking mother.." Alan said after a shot hit him in the left arm.  "Retarded farm-hand asshats," Edwards said, still cursing at all of Poland below him.  "Yeah, uh, I think I just go shot." Edwards said, pulling off his BDU top and trying to find his IFAK.

In reply to SSG Alan Edwards (msg # 85):

"Hold on soldier we'll have you on the ground in thirty seconds" Ms Novak said forcefully over the Hind's internal comm system. "Look at it this way; at least they didn't have a fifty."

In reply to CW3 Gabriela Novak (msg # 86):

From behind and below them, a DShK 12.7mmB opened up on them. Green tracers danced around the big Hind, but none connected as they flew quickly past at several thousand FPS.

10:01, Thu 03 Oct 2013: Niewiele Dupek rolled 634 using 10d100 ((84,19,96,75,13,64,66,91,96,30)).

Barr returned fire with Hind's nose cannon, aiming for the origin of the green tracer flashes of the DShk.

OOC: 01:56, Today: 1LT Gavin Barr rolled 150 using 5d100 with rolls of 53,11,28,51,7. Suppress Enemy Ground Fire.  The 7 and 11 are close.  Might hit depending on the range, etc.

In reply to 1LT Gavin Barr (msg # 88):

Quickly spinning the turreted twenty to the aircraft's rear, 1Lt Gavin Barr went from FSO to CPG as he attempted to engage the enemy soldiers on the ground. A 'no' from the female pilot registered with the NC native, and some thought or other about emotional women in combat formed in his mind.


12:07, Today: CW3 Gabriela Novak rolled 90 using 1d100. AVG RWP.


The big helo pitched up as it yawed right, giving him a clear field of fire on the trucks and men. He tried to go for the troops themselves, but the combination of high airspeed and low altitude only gave the 'front seater' a few seconds to engage before they were once again obscured by the smoke.

Due to the speed, there was no time for Barr to zoom in the LLTV. However the unzoomed FOV setting was close enough at this altitude to see a couple of the men go down as the slow 20mm barked out its constant, deadly rhythm. Of course, 'go down' was a euphemism for 'human bodies go from whole to parts instantly', but the day Barr was having he really didn't care.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:23, Fri 04 Oct 2013.

In reply to Niewiele Dupek (msg # 89):

"Goddamn it, I said NO!" the Polish-American pilot said, flipping a circuit breaker at her pilot's station.


12:08, Today: CW3 Gabriela Novak rolled 36 using 1d100. ESY ELC.


In the front seat, 1Lt Barr's screen went black, as did the handgrip controls to his twenty, making him wonder, in addition to some choice 'less that cordial' words for Novak, which side the pilot was really on.

"I think one of them had a radio if that changes your mind," Barr said with a snicker, unable to figure out what this crazy whirligig pilot wanted for ROE.

In reply to 1LT Gavin Barr (msg # 91):

"The five seven ammo, Lieutenant" Ms. Novak said to 1Lt Barr, putting the Hind A though its paces as the Soviet-made chopper aggressively evaded the enemy fire.  "You were about to light it up. Hold on, help me look for a place to land this pig."

OOC: I'm on the game map at the airfield where Novak stole the helo WSW of Kalisz. You can either consult that or just give me a compass direction and distance from the airfield where you want to put down for first aid for Edwards.

"There, that village," Barr said, pointing to Szczurawice.  "There's some woods between it and the airfield.  Might be able to use that to cover our approach."

OOC: NW of the airfield a few klicks.  Damn I love the Googlemap for this game.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:34, Fri 04 Oct 2013.

In reply to 1LT Gavin Barr (msg # 93):

"Lieutenant Earthman" Gaby Novak sighed heavily, kicking rudder pedal as she steered the aircraft through a pedal turn. She had fought against RA types her whole career that didn't really 'get' Army Aviation, and her contempt for the 'Big Army' officer showed. "You must have missed the brief I gave thirty seconds ago when I told you that THE ADA THAT SHOT MY KIOWA DOWN LIVES IN THOSE WOODS! Anyway, your man is losing a lot of blood, and I was thinking of something a bit closer."

The big Hind decreased forward airspeed to almost nothing as it increased altitude a few meters when it flew over a road junction and some houses as it made its way into the town of <Little Lions> not 500m from the airfield. CW3 Novak brought the Hind A to a rough landing at the southern end of a farmer's field at the edge of a lake 100m E-W and 50m S-N.

07:28, Sat 05 Oct 2013: CW3 Gabriela Novak rolled 90 using 1d100 ((90)).

Novak was out of the aircraft first and slung her Yugo M70. Going around the nose of the aircraft to the ship's port side, she assisted the deplaning of the FSO-come-WSO-realized-CPG in the front seat of the warbird inspired by the Bell UH-1 that with rivets sticking out everywhere looked like an IL-2 from WW2. Opening his armored cockpit door, she guided him down like he was made of glass, trying to support his weight so he didn't have to use his left hand.

Back on the starboard side in the troop compartment, Edwards in fact was not losing a lot of blood. His BDU top was torn, ruining his unit patch on his left sleeve. The meat on the shoulder was damaged, the shoulder joint itself was just fine.

OOC: ESY RCN Edwards and/or Barr please

Alan had been shot before, but it didn't mean he liked it.  He felt a bit light headed and had a hard time focusing.  He slumped back in his seat, not really focused on the outside of the Hind.

OOC: 20:41, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 94 using 1d100. RCN Check.  Not sure this makes it.

In reply to SSG Alan Edwards (msg # 95):

OOC: Please refer to main OOC thread

"Yeah, well, doesn't mean it would be good cover to get to the base." Barr said.  "Thought you had flares and Top Gun shit deal with all that."  The 1st Lt from North Carolina was wigging his fingers as if aircraft countermeasures were some of spell that pilots cast to protect themselves.

"Thanks,' Gav said as Novak helped him out of the Hind.  "If you get another bird shot out from under you, you've got good chance at making it as a nurse,"   In his experience, women didn't like it when you treated them too nice and a little bit of dickishness often kept you from being put in the 'nice guy' zone.

Once on the ground, Gavin readied his rifle, scanning the area quickly before they moved to the rear of the helo.

OOC: 17:01, Today: 1LT Gavin Barr rolled 19 using 1d100. RCN Check. That's more like it.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:01, Mon 07 Oct 2013.

In reply to 1LT Gavin Barr (msg # 97):

"Yeah, Nurse, that'll be the day" CW3 Novak said, looking over Ssg Edwards with a repugnant look on her face. Clearly, the woman saw herself as a lot of things, but a nurse wasn't one of them. "Speaking of 'nurse', this guy doesn't need one. Look, there's nothing really to even sew up. Just a pressure bandage and he'll be...hello?"

In reply to CW3 Gabriela Novak (msg # 98):

CW3 Novak saw why the FSO turned CPG wasn't looking at the wounded Edwards. South of the farm buildings, two figures were heading toward the helicopter. Both looked to be male, unarmed, and from their dress it was easy for Barr to assume both were farmers.

In reply to Niewiele Dupek (msg # 99):

"<O koor-chuch>...just what we DON'T need, a welcoming party" the pilot exclaimed, looking at the farmers striding toward them, then looking down at the ground and shaking her head. They were still 75-100m away and not breaking any ground speed records as they strode towards the Hind A as its rotors turned at 70% power. "Look, we need to decide what we're doing in regards to the airfield, but we can do it from the air. As far as the welcoming party, we can either shoot these two retards and leave, leave, or leave and shoot these retards from the air. What do you two think?"

OOC: Tick for Barr RCN. I think to avoid confusion at the end of one of these long boring dialogues when I'm done talking to myself I'll say something like POST or POST NOW at the end so you know I'm ready for your input. Co wy na to?
This message was last edited by the player at 08:04, Tue 08 Oct 2013.

"I vote door number one," Edwards said, taking in a deep breath as he pulled the pressure dressing on his shoulder tight.  He fished around for an MRE in his gear and pulled out a package of peanut butter and started eating it.  He took the main meal and held it up, waving it in the air for the farmers to see as he stood up from the back of the Hind and started walking toward them.

Around 25 meters, Edwards tossed the package toward the farmers, pulling up his slung AKR.  He fired off a long burst, sweeping both of the men with 5.45mm rounds.  Edwards control of the cut-down Kalashnikov was such that the recoil from the first rounds out of the barrel helped his aim, ensuring the last few rounds hit center mass.

Alan walked to where the MRE pack had landed.  From there he double tapped both farmers before picking up the package and returning to the Hind.

OOC: 07:06, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 13,43,1,1 using 1d100,1d100,1d00,1d00. Killing farmers.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:15, Tue 08 Oct 2013.

In reply to SSG Alan Edwards (msg # 101):

Thirty seconds later CW3 Novak was still laughing as the Hind A transitioned IGE/OGE. The farmers' bodies lay right were The Haircut dropped them south of their farm as the pilot brought the big helicopter around in an ascending clockwise pedal turn.

In reply to Niewiele Dupek (msg # 102):

"OK, ok...time to go back to work you two" Gaby said, visibly relaxed and smiling as she pointed the Soviet helicopter south after they flew a couple hundred meters east of Little Lions. "You saw how it went last time, so I think maybe someone else should decide how we crack this nut. We've only got twenty mike-mike ammo for a few more farmers, so I don't have to say how badly we need those five sevens."

OOC: OK  you've got the Google map, so you can plan a detailed attack or...not. The Hind A can approach from any compass direction at any speed. Whether it drops off The Haircut or has a combined Mustache/Haircut attack, or they attack from the air and if so how are up to the player(s). The cabin doors are currently closed but the top door(they split horizontally not vertically) can be opened from the inside, allowing deplaning, shooting, or mooning. The Hind really is a versatile aircraft. 

"I say we put this thing down near Ostrów and get some pussy," Barr said.

This is what it always came down to with Gavin Barr.

"If this fuck-stick is any indication," Barr said, pointing to Loverboy in the back of the Hind, "these guys at the base have some major sexual repression issues they are working through.  I say we steal a vehicle, find some girls who want to make cash, and drive them to the base.  They get out, entering the boys and we use the distraction to get some ammo."  Gavin shrugged.  He didn't know how much of a plan it was, but he'd certainly be distracted by it.

[Private to Niewiele Dupek: Might be an alternate route to bring in Winter's alternate.  Because we will need someone to pose as the 'madam'.]

In reply to 1LT Gavin Barr (msg # 104):

"Interesting interpretation, Lieutenant" Novak said, turning the helicopter and increasing speed. "I nabbed this guy as he was dancing around listening to music while he was doing service checks on his helicopter before he laid out in the sun today. Funny how life has little surprises for us all."

The helicopter slowed, and she kicked left rudder pedal, bringing the bird's nose around.

"Fact is, we're and Europe and that..." she said, nodding her head to indicate Loverboy in the back, "...is probably heterosexual, which speaks volumes as to why the birthrate here is so low."

The wheels of the big poorly-made helicopter touched down so hard, Barr's hairy insect on his upper lip almost jumped off his face in fright. "Edwards....sick 'em."

In reply to CW3 Gabriela Novak (msg # 105):

CW3 Novak's gamble paid off. The ground troops did not in fact shoot at her this time as she came in at a different angle. It seemed that some enemy commander somewhere had ordered anything valuable removed in response to her theft and subsequent destruction of the remaining birds in the squadron. The cargo trucks did come as a surprise, but in typical Novak fashion, she let someone else pay for her mistake.

The helicopter sat at the southeast corner of one of the hangar buildings. Heavily damaged by rocket fire, it was between the northwest corner of this building and the smaller outbuildings to the northwest that the cargo trucks had been parked when the Hind A flew over a few short minutes earlier.

Ssg Edwards could either go through the hangar or skirt around it in an attempt to flank the enemy. Either way, the shoulder wound was numb and the Ghost-Faced Haircut was ready to get some payback.

If there are no questions, please post

[Private to 1LT Gavin Barr: OOC: Fuck we think way too much alike]

Edwards skirted the hanger, AKR at the ready.  Moving slightly crouched, like a coiled spring ready to explode, he quickly covered ground, his eyes scanning as his head moved from side to side, checking for targets.  He paused where he could find cover to scan the area for rocket ammo crates.

OOC: New Alan Edwards theme song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkSlPemjqZw
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:25, Sun 13 Oct 2013.

In reply to SSG Alan Edwards (msg # 107):

It was a mixed trip for The Haircut as he did his Johnny Tough Guy routine up the side of the hangar. True, he didn't find any rocket crates, but he did find the enemy as they searched for the helicopter guns at the ready facing 180 degrees away from where the helicopter actually was. A mixed sight met the Jersey native as he owned the corner that concealed him from enemy observation.

The Soviet supply unit sent to collect anything usable from the airbase had been using POW labor to load up the three canvas-topped Ural cargo trucks. Three or four Brits and a couple Americans were standing around with this or that box or crate not sure of what to do while their Soviet infantry guards, about a squad in total, searched a fov that was facing north and not south.

From his angle Edwards could just make out the back of a GAZ-469 with a tropper standing behind a Dodge gun in a ring mount searching for the Hind A. The Ssg assumed it was this 12.7mmB weapon that shot at Novak and the others earlier. A second later, some Air Force types in uniforms WARPAC but not Soviet started barking orders and pointing to the POWs, who understood that it was time to get back to work.

Edwards moved quickly and quietly toward the GAZ, letting his SMG down on its sling and bringing up his knife.  He cherished the simple act of holding the edged weapon and anticipation built as he crept close to the blade's next victim.  With the troops distracted, he hoped to take out the 12.7mm gunner and turn the weapon system on the nearby Soviet troops.  There was a good chance someone might get the drop on him before he could take them all out.  But that didn't matter.  He'd have at least one more knife kill before they did.  Everyone died, but not everyone died duing the thing they loved.  And Alan Edwards loved killing.

OOC: All these rolls make the target number.
10:37, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 10 using 2d6+6. Damage (Target Head).
10:37, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 46 using 1d100. MC.
08:23, Yesterday: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 58 using 1d100. RCN Check ESY.
08:23, Yesterday: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 62 using 1d100. RCN Check ESY.

In reply to SSG Alan Edwards (msg # 109):

The fact that the Soviet convoy was about to pull out became evident to Ssg Edwards as he 'look-peeked' around the corner. The driver of the 469 that the DShk was mounted on was also looking for the helo behind him. Edwards knew he could stab one or the other first, either driver or gunner, but not both, and there was no cover between two.

Of course as loud as it was, Edwards guessed that he might be able to get a shot off at one or both of the men and make it to the Dodge gun on the back of the little Soviet 'jeep' before the other enemy soldiers came into view even if they did hear his Soviet-made AKR.

Damn, Edwards thought, sheathing his M9.  He'd have to go loud to get this done.  Still, that DShK promised to make the chunky salsa that he loved.

Moving at a walk, Edwards closed on the 469.  He aimed at the gunner of the DShK and fired off four bursts.

OOC: 09:54, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 24,50,24,64 using 1d100,1d100,1d100,1d100. Two of those should hit.
17:44, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 11 using 4d6 with rolls of 5,1,2,3. Damage Left Leg. +8 for weapon at close range = 19 damage
17:44, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 12 using 4d6 with rolls of 1,2,5,4. Damage Abdomen. +8 for AKR at close range = 20 damage
17:43, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 14 using 2d10 with rolls of 5,9. Hit Locations. LL and Abdomen

This message was last edited by the GM at 21:46, Wed 16 Oct 2013.

In reply to SSG Alan Edwards (msg # 111):

OOC: I think V2.2 has rotted your brain! There is no 'burst fire' in the original rules, so I'll need to know which one is targeted first. FYI distance from corner to 469 is less than 5m, so running is not necessary if you wanted to take advantage of any time advantage you have.

Also, if you wanted to aim before you shot it would increase your chances of hitting per the rules. We could bog the game down by posting what group of actions happens in what five sec game turn, hesitations, etc, but I thought it would slow down to go into that level of detail every time. Of course, when it matters, it matters, so if you guys want it to get more rules-y let me know.

Having shot the gunner, Edwards moved to fill the driver full of lead as well.

OOC: Yeah, sorry about that.  Was away from my 1st ed rules.

So in 1 combat round, Mr. NJ can fire his AKR four times.  So round one will be fire at the gunner (the most dangerous of the two).  Aim or not, the first round hits and none of the rest can receive an aim bonus.  Previous post has been updated!

These rolls are for a second round of direct fire.

17:49, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 115 using 4d100 with rolls of 29,33,48,5. Direct Fire Driver.
17:50, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 31 using 4d10 with rolls of 10,8,7,6. Locations.LLx2, RL, Abdomen
17:52, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 16 using 4d6 with rolls of 4,3,5,4. Damage Abdomen.24 pts of damage
17:52, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 11 using 4d6 with rolls of 3,2,1,5. Damage RL. 19 pts of damage
17:51, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 10 using 4d6 with rolls of 3,2,4,1. Damage RL.18 pts of damage
17:51, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 16 using 4d6 with rolls of 5,3,4,4. Damage LL.24 pts of damage
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:54, Wed 16 Oct 2013.

In reply to SSG Alan Edwards (msg # 113):

The sound and sight of the two Soviet soldiers in the 469 dying violently by Edwards and his AKR reminded the Jersey Native of the cat he killed as a child. His right hand throbbed as the AKR shook in it. However it was the knuckle where Alan punched the cat and it's broken tooth lodged in it that Ssg Edwards felt the most.

OOC: For future trigger time please remember that a five second round is taken to aim. Not saying you didn't know that, just asking you to throw it in there. Narka. :)

The Rooster wasted no time.  He hopped into the back of the vehicle, kicking the gunner's body off the truck as he manned the DShK.  Bracing his foot against vehicle, he pulled the charging handle before taking control of the HMG.  He turned the big weapon on the Soviet infantry squad guarding the POWs and took aim.

In reply to SSG Alan Edwards (msg # 115):

OOC: Visible from Ssg Edwards's firing position is four of the enemy soldiers. He can fire on those he can see, but for game's sake every miss has a 10% chance of hitting POWs at this point so we are clear.

Edwards pulled the trigger on the big weapon, firing on the first three soldiers in the line.  The first two were hit by fire, but then the DShK make a popping sound and jammed hard, leaving the third and fourth soldiers unharmed.

"Fucking cheap ass Soviet POS," Alan cursed as the DShK seized up.

OOC:

06:09, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 81 using 1d100. Target Soldier #1.
06:12, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 3 using 1d10. Hit Loc Target #1 (forgot I aimed).
06:12, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 21 using 4d6. Damage LA. 45 pts of damage

06:09, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 10 using 1d100. Target Soldier #2.
06:09, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 7 using 1d10. Hit Location.
06:10, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 5 using 4d6. Damage RL. 29 pts of damage

06:10, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 100 using 1d100. Target Soldier #3.
06:14, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 99 using 1d100. Catastrophic Failure. Yep, it's toast
06:10, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 18 using 1d100. POW Hit.

Vita had been plotting and waiting, and now seemed as good a time as any to try to break free.  She had tried to desert as things in her unit had gotten hairy and rowdier, fearing for her own 'integrity'.  They had caught her and threw her in with the Brits and Americans.  It had been painful trying to get the group of POWs to trust her, especially with her so-so English skills.  Now that this crazy Mohawk American was blasting her former comrades turned captors, it was time.

Vita had a relatively small box, small enough to hurl at one of the uninjured guards.  At least that might buy time for the Mohawk to finish his work and kill these other bastards.  As she watched the box fly through the air toward it's intended target she called out to the other POWs a simple but poignant word in English, "NOW!"

OOC: take that!

08:46, Today: Yefreytor Viktorya 'Vita' Nowak rolled 28 using 1d100. TW (?) 50 - throw box at nearest guard.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:48, Sun 20 Oct 2013.

In reply to Yefreytor Viktorya 'Vita' Nowak (msg # 118):

"I'm not sticking around here to find out if your pal did it or not" CW3 Novak said to her CPG, pulling collective after increasing the Hind's engine and rotor speed enough for flight. The rubber wheels seemingly pushed the tarmac away as the highly modded Soviet-made warbird left the ground. The AKR fire was quickly replaced by the heavy thud of the Dodge gun as the Mi-24 Hind A made a counterclockwise orbit around the building Novak had terrain masked behind.

OOC: ESY RCN Barr please

In reply to CW3 Gabriela Novak (msg # 119):

Less than 100m to the north, Ssg Edwards was in rare form. With a couple of quick bursts he silenced the enemy DShk gun and the driver of the 469. In fact, they were writhing around in 'silence', blood gushing out of wounds as the Jersey native mounted the ring mount in the truck's back.

As the Dodge gun pounded away, heavy empty 12.7mmB shell casings clattered down onto the highly scratched metal floor of the open-topped scout truck. Two of the Soviet troopers watching the POWs who had been searching the sky seconds earlier for the return of the Hind A separated into pieces as one's left arm was blown away and the other one was cut in half.

The metallic click of the gun and the swearing of the mouth completely and safely disengaged from the brain told Edwards that the weapon's bolt, normally open when fired, and ridden home and become stuck in the breech on a cheaply-made, mass produced shell casing, disallowing it to fall from the weapon and shove in another shell.

The actions of the POWs ranged from standing there in shock as they were sprayed in blood by their only recently former captors to fighting with the guards to trying to run. Ssg Edwards couldn't see it all or hear exactly who was shouting exactly what at whom but he could tell as the helo moved off that the rest of the soldiers, friendly and enemy, were just out of view less than 10-20m away.

Vita Nowak's tossed box(OOC: we are talking ammo right?) landed right where she wanted it, knocking the Kalashnikov out of the man's hands. 5.45mmB loose bullets spilled all over the ground as the wooden box landed on the hard tarmac and cracked open.

A junior Sergeant that had been standing next to Vita's victim watched as the woman attacked his charge. The man expertly stepped over the loose ammo on the ground and lunged for the young woman as off to her left, a British man struggled with one of the guards.

OOC: Call me an old softie but I see the DShk jamming before any POW was hit. Of course, we could go with your version...:) Welcome to the fray Vita Nowak. PS so you guys know there is more than one last name here in Poland. Just putting that out there.

I need actions for Barr(scroll back to the previous message), Edwards and Nowak, please.

Vita did not stay static as the situation unfolded.  She attempted to use her attackers momentum against him by sidestepping and helping him along while she moved closer to picking up the dropped Kalashnikov. Perhaps a little elbow to the back of head if the opportunity presented itself would be nice too.

OOC:
00:39, Today: Yefreytor Viktorya 'Vita' Nowak rolled 15 using 1d20. AGL CHK 17.
00:39, Today: Yefreytor Viktorya 'Vita' Nowak rolled 26 using 1d100. BC 40.

Edwards dropped down beside the 469 and changed his AKR's magazine.  He took a second to look around for the rockets he came here to get, content to let the soldiers and POWs provide a distraction for now.

In reply to SSG Alan Edwards (msg # 122):

From his vantage point next to the neutralized 469 Ssg Edwards could see three enemy versions of 5 ton trucks in trail as the enemy convoy which the 469 was at the head of was reading to move out when they were Edwardsed. He could see Vita Nowak as she elbowed a man in the chest knocking him back as she grabbed an AK-74 off the ground.

20-30m from his vantage point between the second and third trucks an overweight Brit and an American were trying to pry a couple of the Soviet soldiers off another Brit who was on the ground with one of the non-Soviet Chair Force REMF types. All of them heard a Kalashnikov discharge on 'auto fire' setting but neither Nowak nor Edwards who did the shooting, or why.

OOC: INT roll Edwards actions Nowak please

"Looks like Edwards took out the gun," Gavin said, studying the display.  "A bit of chaos down there now, not sure where he went but he's not on the gun anymore."

Edwards popped up from the 469 and trotted to the first vehicle, firing his AKR into the driver side door as he approached.

OOC:
19:53, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 15,40,39,91 using 1d100,1d100,1d100,1d100. Recon by Fire.
19:54, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 33 using 1d100. Cat failure Check. No Cat Failure

Vita feeling a surge of adrenaline as she closed her hands around the AK-74, turned to shoot the guard that had just lunged at her.  It wasn't the first time, but it would be the last.

OOC:  Shoot, shoot, shoot to kill...

08:50, Today: Yefreytor Viktorya 'Vita' Nowak rolled 72 using 1d100. CRM 80.
08:50, Today: Yefreytor Viktorya 'Vita' Nowak rolled 33 using 1d100. CRM 80.

EDIT: Oops, too many rolls/shots

08:49, Today: Yefreytor Viktorya 'Vita' Nowak rolled 20 using 1d100. CRM 80.
08:49, Today: Yefreytor Viktorya 'Vita' Nowak rolled 45 using 1d100. CRM 80.
08:49, Today: Yefreytor Viktorya 'Vita' Nowak rolled 94 using 1d100. CRM 80.

If guard #1 goes down, she will move to the cover/concealment of a nearby truck and search for targets of opportunity.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:24, Wed 23 Oct 2013.

In reply to Yefreytor Viktorya 'Vita' Nowak (msg # 126):

The scene at the airfield was about normal for the survivors of A and B Co 1-40 and the others. The Soviet junior Sergeant attempting to grab Vita collapsed on the young woman dead, his entrails and blood covering the her as their combined momentum nearly toppled Polish Jew.(Nowak ESY AGL roll pls) Ssg Edwards was busy freeing the world of enemy truck doors and the drivers that sat on the other side of them, and CW3 Novak and 1Lt Barr were currently attempting to land on what seemed to be right on top of the confused action, causing friend and foe alike to scatter under the extreme pressure of the Hind A's rotorwash.

OOC: WWJWD?

As Vita cut loose with a burst of fire from the AK-74 she certainly didn't expect her adversary to end up on her.  As he spewed blood both from mouth and wound she attempted to again sidestep this mess.

OOC: Attempt to dodge the bleeding corpse...

22:02, Today: Yefreytor Viktorya 'Vita' Nowak rolled 15 using 1d20. AGL ESY 17.

In reply to Yefreytor Viktorya 'Vita' Nowak (msg # 128):

Vita easily side-stepped the dead enemy soldier as the heavily modified Mi-4 Hind A touched down behind her. Clearly an enemy helicopter, it was surprising to her and the other NATO POWs that Ssg Edwards slowly began trotting over to the big helo just as the pilot powered the engines down from full power to 70%.

OOC: Chance for Nowak to talk to Edwards here as he jogs past her. I think the player of Edwards/Barr is busy this week, so if you wanted to continue the Jack Winters story in the other thread we could do that until he comes back.

Vita took note of the NATO uniform of SSG Edwards and attempted in her best English to get his attention, "Hell-oh m-ah-n..." Actually feeling a bit embarrassed about how poor it really must have sounded to this native speaker.  She managed another awkward phrase, "T'ank to yo'" Her English being heavily accented in Russian.

OOC: Ok, I'm not sure how to illustrate crappy Russian-accented English in a text environment...

Edwards looked over at the female POW.  More so than her gender or curves, Alan Edwards noticed the blood on her clothes.  She seemed to have some fight in her, which could relate to.  He tossed her an extra mag to make sure she continue to kill, not worrying about about 7.62 vs. 5.45.

"Killing Time," Edwards said, as he pulled door open to truck he had just fired in, letting lose another burst into the cab.  He sure as hell hoped this one carried the rockets they needed.

OOC: 20:36, Today: SSG Alan Edwards rolled 77,88,25,12 using 1d100,1d100,1d100,1d100. Clearing the Truck Cab re-roll (d100).

Turns out that rolling 1d00 gives you a 1.. every time.  Sorry about that.


This message was last edited by the GM at 01:42, Tue 05 Nov 2013.

In reply to SSG Alan Edwards (msg # 131):

It was an understatement that CW3 Novak was less than tactical in matters of the firefight. However, even 1Lt Barr was shocked when the woman proceeded to open her cockpit door and deplane after she had dropped the Hind A's massive engines down to 70%.

In reply to Niewiele Dupek (msg # 132):

"Let's see what your pet broke" Gaby said before disconnecting her flight helmet from the helicopter's internal comm wire. To emphasize this she slapped Barr's window as she passed the CPG station, M70 in hand.

OOC: Post When Ready

Vita noticed that this man looked at her differently, not like so many others with lustful eyes, but almost one of respect.  For what she was not sure.  She caught the magazine and slide it into a cargo pocket, as she gave a curt nod and went in search of more targets.  While she was at it she would look for the gear they took from her.

OOC: Targets of opportunity?  How are my NATO "friends" fairing?  Where did they put her gear?  Did she perhaps see them put it in the back of the truck?

OOC: For the record I know all my players(yes both of you) have better things to do than post, however when I see great writing like 'NATO friends faring' above, it makes me want more. I would rather a long, drawn out post every two days than a short one twice a day, although to be honest, the fact that I have any players left at all is a miracle and I do thank you.

With the rotor wash scaring away friend and foe alike, Vita can not see anyone in her immediate area; just Edwards doing his thing. Vita saw the men put her personal gear in the back of the third truck not far from where Gaby landed the Hind A, and she is currently standing closer to the first one.

In reply to Niewiele Dupek (msg # 135):

OOC:  I'm not quite following ND.  Are you really making fun of my misspelled "faring" versus "fairing"?

Vita ran along the length of the trucks to grab her gear.  She hoped the others had not pilfered her belongings.  She kept her head down and arm to protect her face as the prop wash still kicked up the loose dirt and debris around.  Reaching the back of the third truck, she flipped open it's flap with the muzzle of her newly acquired AK-74 ready to blast anyone that was going to stop her from reclaiming her meager worldly belongings.

In reply to Yefreytor Viktorya 'Vita' Nowak (msg # 136):

OOC:

No the word 'friends' was in quotes, implying that maybe they were her friends and maybe they weren't. It was subtle. I liked it. :)

In reply to Niewiele Dupek (msg # 137):

"You go, I'm not feeling it" 1Lt Barr said from the WSO station of the highly modified Bulgarian Mi-24 Hind A. With the adrenaline wearing off his wounded paw from the FISTv wreck was really beginning to smart.

OOC: OK Jackie Brown gonna RP these two for a bit until Spartan gets done with some personal stuff.

In reply to 1LT Gavin Barr (msg # 138):

The leather in Novak's brown leather civilian jacket creaked as she leaned in over Barr and his wounded arm. She knew the man needed meadical attention but didn't want to worry him over his condition.

"Don't bleed out on me asshole, I need you" the pilot lied, knowing this man could no longer work as her CP/G. She unshouldered her M70 as she walked away from the Hind with its rotors spinning. An overweight British man who had been loading ammo walked over to her just as she spotted Vita coming out of one of the backs of the cargo trucks with her equipment.

In reply to CW3 Gabriela Novak (msg # 139):

"Oj lads, what have we here?" the overweight Brit asked no one in particular, walking around the backside of the pilot to get a better look at her...backside.

In reply to Reg Fenstron (msg # 140):

"You Southern fairy, you wouldn't know what to do with that bit of crumpet if it dove naked on you" Basil Wainthrop said, picking up a Kalasnikov off a dead Soviet soldier.

In reply to Basil Wainthrop (msg # 141):

"Oj, 'ere, you Northern monkey, you know what you, you know what?" Fenstron said, forgetting the pilot and looking over at his fellow squad mate.

In reply to Reg Fenstron (msg # 142):

"Wow, y'all sound British, is y'all SAS or something?" the young American soldier said as he watched the two men arguing.

In reply to Keith Rivers (msg # 143):

Both Basil and Reg looked at each other and laughed. Both men were in their late twenties, which was practically middle aged for soldiers in Poland in 2000. Reg stepped forward.

In reply to Niewiele Dupek (msg # 144):

"Oj mate, look at this fat wanker 'ere" Fenstron said, slapping Wainthrop on the bloated stomach. "You reckon he's Special Anything?"

In reply to Reg Fenstron (msg # 145):

"Clear off, tosspot" Wainthrop said, shoving the other Brit's hand off his stomach. "Look who's talking old son, you're a bit bloated yerself, sweatheart."

In reply to Basil Wainthrop (msg # 146):

"We're bulk fuelers, mate" Reg said, talking to the American. "Oj you, you sound like you're from one of our colonies."

In reply to Reg Fenstron (msg # 147):

"Pfc Rivers, US Army" Pfc Rivers said, coming to attention and saluting the two British men.

In reply to Keith Rivers (msg # 148):

"Gentlemen, this is all very fascinating" the pilot said interrupting, "but can either of you three work the weapon system on a...what am I saying? Of course not. This is a waste of my time."

OOC: OK tag Vita

In reply to CW3 Gabriela Novak (msg # 149):

"Hey Ms. Novak" Ssg Edwards said, walking up out of breath after his mokra robota was done with. "What's going on?"

OOC: Ok now Vita can post :)

Vita surveyed the scene and made her appearance as Novak asked about operating a weapon system.  She walked up, AK at the low carry position to show she was not a threat.  She ignored the bumbling Brits and greenhorn American Private and addressed CW3 Novak directly, "What you need?  May be I help."

OOC: HW should suffice for the weapons system operation, yes?

In reply to Yefreytor Viktorya 'Vita' Nowak (msg # 151):

"Hey up, what's this then" the bulk fueler asked. "Catfight at the OK corral?"

DIFF roll ENG please

OOC: Yeah that's it. I wanted to give her the option of being aircrew, but if she wanted to be a ground girl, that is up to you too. :)

Vita looked at the dark skinned Brit with a furrowed brow indicating either she found him not amusing, or more likely she had no idea what he was talking about.

OOC: She doesn't have ENG...CBE?

She'll do whatever, no preference either way.  Already running 2 other ground pounders, sort of.

In reply to Yefreytor Viktorya 'Vita' Nowak (msg # 153):

"<No ya piergela no...po prostu nie moguh, so?>" the Polish woman swore shaking her head as she looked around the area back and forth from the troops on the ground to the helicopter and back again nervously.

ESY POL roll please sir

In reply to CW3 Gabriela Novak (msg # 154):

OOC: Say what?

01:49, Today: Yefreytor Viktorya 'Vita' Nowak rolled 44 using 1d100. ESY POL.

In reply to Yefreytor Viktorya 'Vita' Nowak (msg # 155):

"<Damn IT...I can't, I really can't believe it>" Vita understood the Polish woman as she swore at the situation they all found themselves in. Instantly, Vita realized that she could understand and talk to this woman.

OOC: JC when I planned this game I thought the cool thing about me being a Pole was that I could bring my language skills and make it more real for the player. The "<...>" is my guess at what an English speaking character(or player for that matter) would actually hear a 'local' say(I know, I know, Gaby isn't from the Kalisz area...you get my point).

Since this game was penetrated and ruined by spies, I only have one player left. So, let's do this. You may or may not have to roll to see if Vita understands, but to ease communication between player and GM, I will post only in the "<...>" when Vita does NOT make a roll.

For the record, Winters wears that pink dress until that SW game starts. :)

Vita looked quizzically at the Polish woman swearing, she replied in Polish, "<What do you mean?  Do you need help?  I can help.>"

In reply to Yefreytor Viktorya 'Vita' Nowak (msg # 157):

"Corr...I think I'm in love" Reg said, watching the two women walk toward the helicopter.

In reply to Reg Fenstron (msg # 158):

"Hey, what about us?" the young Pfc drawled after the two women.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:59, Thu 12 Dec 2013.

In reply to Keith Rivers (msg # 159):

"Kurcze...what to do?" CW3 Novak wondered to herself. Then turning to Vita, she asked her the same question again in Polish. "<Any ideas?>"

Vita cocks her head slightly questioningly and answers in Polish, "<You mean the silly boys?>" adding a thumb over the shoulder at the group of stranded NATO men.

In reply to Yefreytor Viktorya 'Vita' Nowak (msg # 161):

"No...tak" the pilot said, looking at Vita's head to make sure she hadn't suffered a concusion. "<What do know about helicopter weapon systems? Feel up to it?>"

OOC: East what now?

Vita felt a bit silly, but replied in Polish, "<Oh, helicopter? Not much. I do know armor weapons and heavy weapons. It's Soviet, how hard could it be? I'm up to it.>"  A part of her was likely thinking about the poor 'blokes' that she had been forced to be prisoner with and work some hard labor, she glanced back at them for a moment, apparently conflicted.

In reply to Yefreytor Viktorya 'Vita' Nowak (msg # 163):

"<And....what about all this?>" the pilot asked as she looked in the back of the closest Ural. "<We need these 57mm rockets for the Hind and we don't have the time to load it all.>"

OOC: Colour thief! OK, gonna try red for Gaby since she is an NPC after all.

Vita turned to the closest Yankee/Westerner, "You help, you ride maybe." pointing at the back of the Ural and then to the Hind.  Turning back to the Polish-speaking pilot she addresses her again in Polish, "<It will be faster with help, and it might not be so bad to have extra hands and guns.>"  She hoped the pilot wouldn't protest too much, but it made sense.  Vita didn't know the pilot's name or whether she was Polish, or a Soviet, or maybe even something else.

In reply to Yefreytor Viktorya 'Vita' Nowak (msg # 165):

"What's she on about then?" the rarely bashful Lance Bombardier asked his long time fueler friend.

In reply to Reg Fenstron (msg # 166):

"I don't know old thing, but I think we're bloody well getting out of here!" the other Lance Bombardier replied.

In reply to Basil Wainthrop (msg # 167):

"What're y'all talking about?" the Pfc asked, not aware the the 'Queen's English'. "Talk English. I don't understand."

In reply to Keith Rivers (msg # 168):

"Ok...._{shit I can't believe we're doing this}" the pilot mumbled to herself after a long, exhausted sigh.

"Ok" Gaby continued, trying to summon some semblance of order out of this decidedly fucked up day. She started pointing at individual soldiers as she issued orders, not really knowing or caring if the men would follow. "You, you, and you just became my drivers. Take ten seconds to police the bodies for weapons or what you think you need, then get in the trucks and drive. Follow the road to the north out of here, then pull over where you see the helicopter land. Questions?"

In reply to Niewiele Dupek (msg # 169):

"Yes, ma'am" Keith said after a few seconds of silence. "Are you an angel?"

In reply to Keith Rivers (msg # 170):

CW3 Nowak thought silently as she looked at the young Pfc from KY. The wheels in her head were turning so hard, you could actually feel all the things she wanted to say but chose not to.

In reply to Niewiele Dupek (msg # 171):

"Just don't shoot the helicopter down, ok Richards?" the CW3 asked, turning on her heel. As she walked off, Ssg Edwards was behind her covering their six with his weapon at the ready. Gaby didn't look behind her but assumed Vita was a step behind. If not...well, this day couldn't get any worse.

OOC: Please post when ready if the equinox allows it from your posting station.

Vita nodded in appreciation of the pilot's quickly thought out plan, and voiced it in her broken English, "Bootiful"  Looking at the American Private she answered his rhetorical questions, "Nyet, dat is my name." giving him a playful wink.  She followed the pilot and caught up with her finally introducing herself, "I am Vita." offering her hand in Western fashion.

OOC: Her first name is actually "Anzhela".

BTW, you can have purple if you want.  It's standard for female characters for me.  Vita can take pink...

In reply to Yefreytor Viktorya 'Vita' Nowak (msg # 173):

"Hell, what's Commie for I love you?" the young man from the Kentucky Hill Country asked as he looked at the recently freed POW.
This message was last updated by the player at 17:17, Sat 21 Dec 2013.

In reply to Keith Rivers (msg # 174):

"Oj, Yank...what's your name...Rivers, is it?" Lcpl Brdr Fenstron asked, shaking the young man. "Quit assing about, olright?"

In reply to Reg Fenstron (msg # 175):

"Known a lot of Polish women growing up in ole Blighty, unfortunately" the other Brit told the American as he walked over to one of the Urals. "That one's not half serious. Looks like you'll be left behind if you don't get a move on."

OOC: I'd like to think that I am good at noticing patterns and I completely missed that about the purple. You take it. You've earned it. :)

Also, if you want Vita to drive so she can interact with one of the other characters I can always have Barr crew the chin gun. Think on it.