Bayer approaches Snowy, working with Quyen. "We are back." he says. "The commandant here wants us to participate in supporting an attack sometime within 48 hours... maybe much earlier. We have permission to salvage scrap metal. Commandant's adjutant said... free all you can salvage. I'd like you to take command of the party. Organize work shifts, and assign tasks. Whatever you think you can get accomplished prior to the attack."

He finishes, "Ok with this Mr. White?"
This message was last edited by the player at 10:44, Sat 26 Apr 2008.

Quyen stops the grinder and lowers it so Konrad can speak easily with Snowy. Taking the opportunity, she digs out her pack of smokes she won in town. Sliding the protective goggles up over her forehead, she lights the smoke as Bayer appoints Snowy in command of the prep.

After they are done she gives an upwards nod to Snowy, as if to say... you already got me busy.

Quyen
Grinding metal scrap/on break
Grinder/Smokes (11/12)
Tug

When the sky begins to cloud up, Dave gets up from his resting on the rear deck. He wanders over to where Snowy and Konrad are and listens to thier conversation.

I've got more experience at blowing things up than constructing them, but I'm willing to help, he tells them.

Smoke dangling from her mouth, Quyen says, "Not up to me. But just getting materials here is going to need regular manpower... the shit is heavy."

Griet returned to the boat and made sure that everybody knew not to unload the tow's cargo until the Council had decided what they would offer in trade for it. She walked over to the engineering party and offered her services to anyone who needed them.

Mariusz noticed the planning going on around the engineering party and walked over to them, "Is there anything I can do to help?"

Dave smiles and strikes a weightlifter pose All muscles, no brain, that's me. He looks at the ciggarette with distaste and tells her As your health care provider, I fell I must tell you smoking is hazardous to your helth. He winks at her and adds But so is traipsing around three hundred klicks behind enemy lines, so enjoy yourself.

Quyen laughs and rolls her eyes in a friendly way. "Well you are perfectly suited." she jokes.

Removing the smoke she holds it behind her out of sight, with a hint of guilt across her face. "I've but one vice I suppose. Just that one. And I keep fit to keep everything balanced. Thats how it works right?"

Taking the moment to socialize until Snowy gears everyone up, she continues, "On the topic of health... I did alot of Judo and Jujutsu for a while. I even did rock climbing sometimes too, when I wasn't running. So yeah, I smoke, but keep active at the least." Pointing her smoke free hand at Stoner she adds, "You. You I see you like a surfer or something. A lifeguard, maybe. Or standing shirtless on a beach, spinning a volley ball on your finger - Top Gun style."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:14, Sat 26 Apr 2008.

Daves laughs out loud Geeze, you've got me pegged. I'm the original surf bum thrill seeker. I grew up in San Diego, life guard, kayaking, scuba and snorkeling. Plus running and distance swimming. No wonder I ended up in the Navy. My vice is drinking, when there's real booze available. Drinking moonshine can make you go blind, if you get the wrong stuff. I'm not an alchy, but a couple ice cold brews go down real nice at the end of the day.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:21, Sat 26 Apr 2008.

Dawid appeared shocked.

"What, cigarettes are bad for you? That is foolish. Poland was Europe's top tobacco-grower before the war, better not let anyone hear such crazy-talk."

Clarence paces the deck, AK slung over his right shoulder. He's wearing his body armor but has replaced his helmet with his well-worn bush hat. As the rain starts coming down harder, he retreats under the awning covering the quarterdeck. Jason dozes off nearby. The rain trickles through the torn section of the awning directly over the aft Dushka, where arial rocket fragments from the hit on the aft hatch sliced through it just a couple of days before.

When Griet approaches with instructions about unloading the cargo, Milk nods and asks,

"When are we planning on leaving, Chief?"

OOC: Milk doesn't yet know about the Krolowa's participation in the planned attack on T-breg.

Two large Ural trucks pull up to the dock. The tail gates slam down and men begin emerge into the rain. The first few are armed militiamen in rain ponchos. The rest of the group- the actual loading/unloading party- consists of civilians. They don't look terribly enthusiastic about the job and there is a hint of fear and resentment about them as well. The militiamen stand guard and bark orders as the civilians begin unloading the first truck, crates and bags piling up among the puddles growing on the rain-darkened concrete.

Griet nodded at Milk and explained the situation to him, "It's not ideal I know but beggars can't be choosers and it does represent a chance to pick up some more heavy weapons and ammo before the trip down river. What the ORMO here has to spare and has traded with us is hardly work unloading the trade goods for."

She shrugged and caled a team together to load the goods, the Captain's cargo went into the tow and the ammo and ship cargo went onto the boat. griet saw Mariusz standing around and asked him to help.

Mariusz smiled at Griet and started to lug supplies to the tow.

Milk, normally cool as a cucumber, can barely contain his surprise and dismay,

"We're going back there? Shit, I know we could use some more firepower but we already lost one man there... Does the old man know about this?"

Robert will go and take off his kevlar vest and retirve his vinyl rain poncho from his rucksack and comes back on deck with his kevlar helmet and Colt Pythin in his shoulder rig.  He walks up to where the supplies are being stacked and looks around, "I guess we did good on trading huh?  Well, this shit ain't gunna move itself!"

Snowy nods and puts down his grinder. He looks past Konrad out into the rain for a second and says "Sure thing boss." He pauses and says "I want to tell you though, I'm getting off here. You're a good commander and I've had no problems with your calls, but I gotta start moving back to my people and I'm going to see if I can get work here in the militia and the dockyard. Hopefully I'll be able to get a shallow draught vessel worked out and head back to Germany by the canals. Once there I'll try and get back to my own people. If it's okay with you I'll be taking the effects of Bluey and Fosters with me."

Quyen's joking and friendly socializing disappears as she overhears Snowy. Jabbing the smoke back in her mouth she lowers the protective goggles back over her eyes. Walking back over to her unfinished cutting job, she picks up the grinder again. "You are making a mistake." is all she mutters to Snowy before turning on the machine and resuming the cutting.

[Private to Trevor 'Snowy' White: C'mon Snowy! Say this isn't true. Why?!?! I really hope you reconsider.]

"Hauptman," Anneka speaks quietly as they make their way back to the tug.
"If I may suggest, you should inform everyone what we've agreed to, and let them know the reasons why."

As it stood, only those in the small group who'd been at the meeting knew anything at all - the rest would very quickly start to wonder and rumours would soon be running out of control.

"We should leave Griet to handle the cargo issues, you to work with the locals on the plan, and I'll organise the men to repair and fortify the boat." Her everpresent notepad appeared in her hand as the Wisla Krolowa came into view.

"Leaving out the two of you," she continued, refering to Konrad and Griet and after studying the notes for a moment, "and Adams crew, I would suggest we split into two teams. The first team will be responsible for scrounging materials and supplying extra labour when required. In this team would be Dawid, Stan, Mariusz, Stoner and myself."

"Snowy, Hicks, Jason, Minh, Tucker and Milk would remain aboard as the "Fabrication" team - it's their job to use their skills to turn scrap into whatever we need."

She had a feeling Tucker might disagree with her assessment of him as a skilled "tradesman", but as the only trained gunsmith they still had, it would be his job to strip down, check and maintain all their weapons. Field maintenance was all well and good, but as they were about to head into trouble, it was probably best for him to carry out the checks, especially since it had never been done on much of their equipment since it had come into their possession.

"You and Griet should probably chip in when your free, same with Adams crew but I think they'll be flat out with the engines and general maintenance for the next day or two."

It was amazing how much could get broken in just a few short days, but then they had been shot at a few times so damage was to be expected she supposed.

"I'd like to see if any of the locals can help out too, but not if they're going to be forced into it." The sight of the civilians caged on the back of the wagon was still very fresh in her mind. Although probably criminals of some sort, they could just as easily have been slaves with the way the world was now.

"Should probably also stick to working only in daylight, at least for the scroungers. I'd rather avoid any accidents in the dark if possible and make sure everyones well rested."

Bayer nods to Anneka on the return to the tug, "Ja, sounds good to me. I'll use this plan of organization from you."

Back aboard after speaking with Snowy, he expresses his regrets at seeing the Australian go. "If there was anyone who was of great value to this venture it was yourself. For your unfading cooperation and efforts, I must thank you. You are free to leave when you wish of course, and take the personal effects of your comrades."

He then musters the group to the main deck. "Team. Attention please. As part of our ongoing mission, we will be participating in a supporting role for an upcoming attack on Tarnobzreg. We must do this to fulfill our need to acquire a friendly base, and a place to trade for munitions and provisions."

Bayer, waves a hand towards Snowy, Griet, and Soleblume, then continues, "In preparation, we will need to issue groupings and tasks. I've asked Mr. Snow... who has expressed the need to discontinue his contract with us... to organize and plan improvements to the tug's protection before he leaves. Major Soleblume will coordinate with him and help supervise the team."

"Griet, as chief negotiator and liaison to the local authority as well as with Captain Rataj and his men. We need you to facilitate the transfer of cargo, and the munitions we are to expect. Due to your naval expertise you are free to provide advice to Mr. Snow and Major Soleblume as well. But in any case, we need someone to supervise the handling of cargo and trade goods with the locals here."

"For the rest of the team. Dawid, Mr. Switek, Mariusz, and Stoner... you can report to the doctor for materials acquisition duty. The rest of you, Hicks... er Chopper, Kasparov, Quyen, Tucker and Milk... you can report to Mr. Snow to work on improving the ship's defenses."

Getting back to the attack, Bayer adds, "The time of the attack is not confirmed. It is expected within a 36-48 hour timeframe. Until then, we must plan on making as much use of Sandomierz's assets here, and rest. Any questions or problems?"

[Private to Jason Kasparov: Jason, check PM please.]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:37, Mon 28 Apr 2008.

"Snowy, it is a shame that you have decided to seek your fortune elsewhere, but I am glad that you have decided to help the Polish people here. We will need more like you to help recover what has been lost. Perhaps your mind will change about the chance of rebuilding our nation, perhaps you yourself will be the key person to do it!"

"Okay then, let us do what we can to improve our vessel."

He got ready to go with the rest of his assigned work team.


OOC correction: my mistake, I guess Snowy did tell people after all.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:44, Mon 28 Apr 2008.

Minh attends the team's meeting, and again shakes her head in disagreement when Bayer mentions Snowy's intentions. Gotta stick together, she thought. When her name is mentioned for the construction party she acknowledges with a raised hand.

The thought of returning to Tarzanburg, excited her. Their last battle with the IPAT seemed unresolved. It was too much of a draw, with no clear winner. The idea of the tug, the last thing they'd expect coming back, and wrecking shop with a lot more manpower, was a strong motivation to work on the Krolowa. Nodding silently in agreement to Dawid's comment, she waited until the group was dismissed before heading back to her workstation. There she will use the grinder or whatever else tasked to do.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:53, Mon 28 Apr 2008.

You're taking off on your own, Snowy? Well, bro, best of luck to ya.

Despite the pouring rain, the team splits into two groups and begins work fortifying the tug and barge. Meanwhile, the locals continue the loading/unloading process, removing the Krakow-manufactured trade goods and replacing it with the humanitarian supplies requested by Griet. In addition to the food, clothing, and medical supplies, several ammo crates of 82mm mortar rounds and Soviet 40mm grenades are loaded aboard the tug. A few of the militiamen then oversee a civilian party in the removal of the damaged ZU-23-2 from the barge. When one of the civilians drops a corner of the AA gun on his foot, triggering an eruption of curses, one of the guards replies with a guffaw and a sarcastic shout,

"Would you rather be in the sulfur mines with your neighbors? The pits are probably starting to flood right about now." OOC: Anyone nearby with reasonable Polish language skill can hear this.

The scrounging and construction teams make good progress, despite the lousy weather and their own fatigue. By the end of the day, everyone is physically exhausted but much work has been done. Being in what is widely thought of as a safe port, the watch schedule is altered so that everyone can get an additional few hours of sleep during the night. Everyone seeks a warm, dry spot to bed down, makes him or herself as comfortable as possible, and attempts to get some sleep. The night is cold and dark, the moon and stars hidden by a wet blanket of clouds. Rain gives way to sleet. In the morning, ice has formed on and around the Krolowa. The overcast is still sitting threatingly overhead, but the rain and sleet have granted a respite.

Actions?

OOC: At least half of the planned wood, corrugated tin, and earth pillbox on the barge has been completed. It will be difficult to add much more protection for the port and starboard Dushkas given the narrow companionways where they are located. The best that can be done is adding corrugated metal sheets to the outside of the railings to supplement the sandbags already there. All three Dushkas already have steel gunshields capable of stopping (or at least slowing) small arms rounds. The aft Dushka can be further fortified given the additional space there. I'm still waiting for confirmation of where and how the AGS and MK-19 are to be emplaced. Given another day, all tasks (barge pillbox, gun tub for aft Dushka, supplemental armor for port and starboard HMGs and both AGL positions) can be completed, if everyone pitches in.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:06, Tue 29 Apr 2008.

Robert will approach Snowy and shake his hand and placing his other on his shoulder.  "Best of luck to ya Snowy!  It's been cool working with you, you'll be missed," Tucker says as he bids Snowy best wishes in his new port of call.