"Bullshit"

Snowy looks over at Joost with disgust written on his face.

"Just because you're a French baby killer doesn't make you tough Joost, it makes you weak. Because we're out of contact with command doesn't mean we're out of control. Guest? Crap, you guys have this whole thing arse about. And if you think killing prisoners is making this place better, you're dumber than you sound. Losing control makes the place worse."

"If you wanna opt out of the war, civillian, do so. But remember, you're not a soldier any more, you're just security guard and you don't get input into big boy matters. If you want to stay a soldier, try and act like one."

He raises his voice and says loud enough to be heard by everyone.

"Here's the question, and then I've said my peace. Who here still considers themselves a soldier? If an officer of your army was to turn up right now, with contact to command, and gave you a valid order -  would you obey it? That's the line in the sand, you're either still in or you're out. I'm still in, and I follow the rules of war. If you lot wanna go downriver killing and looting, do it without me."

"Soldier?  No.  Not anymore you're not."  Joost stops shoveling again to quietly and deliberately respond to the Australian.  "You and the rest of your rugby team here didn't sign on to this cruise for the chance to float the Australian flag downriver for Queen and country.  You're a hired gun now - a fucking mercenary.  Just like everyone else standing on this beach.  Get over yourself, mate."

Joost pauses to reflect and scrubs a leathery palm against his three-day beard.  "It hurts less if you don't fight it.  Trust me on this."

"Mate, shut the fuck up. I for one haven't betrayed my oath.  I'm still a soldier and will be until I turn in my stripes.  Ol Adam here is a means to an end, not the other way around."  says Bluey having kept silent up till now.  "Even if the whole world's gone to shit, doesn't mean I have to sit on my arse and let it stay that way."

Nods as he listens to the arguement then asks to no one inparticular, "Anyone mind if I take one of the AK's with a couple mags?  I definately ain't sticking around this bunch."

Then waving a hand he changes his mind, "Never mind, safer going unarmed... unless I run into the likes of our executioner.  Then I might get shot cause I look like some guy that raided some abbey.  The Aussies are the only one's making any sense.  We have a murderer and some wanna be merc who probably never had a loyalty to anything but his own ass.  Screw this, I am safer on my own."

With that Wayne starts past the truck not caring to listen to any more, then he stops.  "Awe, fuck it." He turns and heads along the shoreline in the direction the tug would head eventually when the circus ended.

Tucker sticks the unloaded Tokarev pistol into his web belt and pockets the loose round and mostly full magazine.  He looks for something to lean on or for something that will support him while he smokes his cigar and watches WWIV get ready to explode on the banks of the Vistula River.

He waits for a break in the conversation (I guess after Bluey speaks his mind to Joost) and then puts in his own two cents, "This is great, just great," he says loudly and obviously irritated at the way this whole conversation is going.  "We've been together what, twenty-four hours and we're looking to kill each other already?  Let me tell you all something and take it for what it's worth, the Pole, he ain't coming back, he's fucking dead!  Did he desereve what he got?  Probably but, it should've been handled a lot differently!  You," pointing to Dawid, "What gives yo the right to just go and cap someone in the god damned head without being heard?  If you had maybe, just maybe, given Captain Adam here a chance to speak up and to confirm your story before you shot him, than maybe, more people could be a tad bit more supportive of your view!  Captain Adam is the boss, it's his choice on what to do with you," Tucker says taking a strong pull off of his cigar.

He adjusts his body so he can address the Australians, Joost, and Freeman (and basically whoever else cares!), "As far as this military thing goes about who's in and who's out, I look at it this way, if we still wanted to play soldier with our countries armies, we wouldn't be standing here on the banks of this river getting ready to board a boat that's owned and operated by a civilian Captain!  Nothing personal Adam," Tucker says to Adam hoping he doesn't get miffed about being just a civilian.

"We're our own army now!  We can all carry ourselves as professional soldiers just fighting for a different cause right now, to live.  All we have is each other to back us up!  There's no calling for fire missions to HQ for 'arty' or to SAC for a 'sortie' in this area!  We're all we got!  I'm speaking for myself now, not for the other Americans here.  I'm pretty sure that we're doing here is pure survival.  I'm sure it's no different in the United States, or Australia, or France or Germany for christ sakes.  The SITREP sucks no matter where you go right now and there's no easy way to get there.  Blue and Snowy, if you guys want to look at this for a way to earn some passage back to your units and continue to serve your country, God bless you both then!  Joost, you wanna make some money to make your life in this world comfortable, I'm with you too.  Wyane, I know you'd love to be able to buy something to develope those pictures of yours, wouldn't you?

We're going to have to start to put personal differences aside and start to learn how to co-exist with each other or this good man," Tucker once again motions to Adam, "Might as well kiss his ass, boat, and crew goodbye because we're not going to accomplish shit like this!  I could give a fuck with what you people decide to do, I'm staying on despite me thinking this asshole here," indicating to Dawid, "made a bad judgement call without consulting the boss first.  We're hired hands now boys and girls, that's the bottom line but, we don't have to be animals about some things!  This isn't a sceninc world anymore.  Everyone is fighting to survive this upcoming winter coming upon us and it's going to be messy enough without bad feelings towards one another.

My ass is really starting to hurt and I want to lay down.  I guess I'll see whoever is staying below decks, to the others, best of luck to you," Tucker says as he takes his leave of the item he was leaning on and hobbles away to finish his cigar on deck.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:42, Sat 16 June 2007.

Adam looks skyward and says in Polish, "Mój Bóg, kiedy dzie ten koniec?"

[Private to Anneka Soleblume; Dawid Waldus Piotrowski; Joost van den Haas: Roughly, "My god, when will this madness end?"]

Then he turns and addresses the prisoner (Dawid) and those clustered around him.

"You shame me! I do not approve of this killing!" Adam's face is red, veins bulge on his forehead. He wipes his eyes with his sleave before continuing,  "Mr. Snowy, what would you have me do? Are you going to take him back to Krakow? What then?  What will the ORMO do when U.N. soldiers present them with a Polish deserter who says he killed a bandit? What am I to do if you do not return? I have just lost three, four men? So be it! I shall go to Warsaw alone if necessary. Saints preserve you all!"

With that Adam stomps off towards the pier, clearly distraught.

Uller calls after Adam from where he sits on a crate, wounded leg outstretched, "I told you hiring foreigners was a mistake." Saying this, he looks very pleased with himself.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:58, Sat 16 June 2007.

Parks stands by while all the shouting and bickering goes on. Anyone looking can see that he's getting red in the face which makes his weathered and wrinkled skin look all the more odd. At the Captain stomping off Parks lowers his head and spits. When his face comes back up his tone and mannerisms make it clear, he's not asking." Snow.. Blue..  If you're still soldiers, then follow a direct order.  Stand tha' fuck down! Now! Parks steps infront of the cuffed Pole and steps right up to the barrel of Blue's weapon. The look on his face is somehow akin to an old starving dog looking at the man that just stole his kibble. Looking straight at the big Aussie, Parks continues."Secure that fuckin' weapon or I am gonna shove it so far up your ass you can pick your teeth with the front sight! Am I clear Blue?" Parks shouts, spitting a little with the effort. Without taking his eyes off blue, Parks continues in the same tone. "Tha' rest of you bastards get this fuckin' gear on board! I just took over the complaint department of this little cruise. If you got a gripe, bitch, or just sand in your clit then come see me. I gotta' 45 that solves most issues on the first try. Otherwise, get your asses to work!" Parks waits for some move from Blue or Snowy.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:57, Sat 16 June 2007.

Dawid replies in Polish, "JA głęboko przepraszają za ten.  Byłby wy ma ten człowiek żywy, ale wszelki tutaj martwy?"

[Private to GM: "I deeply apologise for this.  Would you have this man alive, and everyone here dead?]



Dawid nodded heartfelt agreement to this.  To Tuck he finally answered, "you are right, my action was rash and unwise.  But this jackal didn't deserve anything better, because bandits and marauders really are put to death here and usually without a formal trial.  The authorities here are either corrupt or absent, so the people cannot rely on them to provide justice and protect them.  Even worse, like Adam said, involving them would mean death or suffering for everyone here.  Therefore, we must do it ourselves."

"I am Polish.  These are my people, and this is my country, although you have hurt them both so much."  He looked pointedly at the thermonuclear-blasted ruins of Nowy Huta.  Pain in his voice he continued, "whatever it takes to keep them safe and protect them, I will do.  If I must trade my own life for theirs in consequence, it is a fair trade."

He sighed, and having gotten that off his chest he looked a little better.  "Either take me to the "authorities" so they may murder me, do it yourselves if it will make you feel better, or release me like Adam wants so I can do my job.  I take full responsibility for my actions and will accept whatever happens."
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:00, Sat 16 June 2007.

Joost nods in approval at Parks' assumption of command.  "Best idea I've heard all morning," he quips as he turns to face Yazzie.  "You can always count on a United States Marine to step up and take charge."

He spears his shovel into the dirt and then claps his hands together sharply three times as he circles around the participants in the stand-off.  "Alright, ladies - you heard the Gunnery Sergeant.  Ol' Adam isn't paying us to stand around and debate the Geneva Conventions.  We've got a boat to load, so let's get at it.  There's a job to be done and no doubt some filthy work ahead.  Boy Scouts need not apply."

Joost takes one last long drag on his cigarette before flicking the butt to the ground and moving toward the Ural.  As he passes Piotrowski he winks, points at the shovel and advises, "Także będzie mijać. Teraz wy grzebiecie jego. * "

As he climbs up into the bed of the Ural to resume unloading, he turns to Konrad and growls, "Fritz, I hereby nominate you our quartermaster and logistics officer.  Congratulations.  Now, how 'bout you make yourself useful and get us an inventory going?"

[Private to 'Old' Adam Rataj; Cap'n Rae; Anneka Soleblume; Dawid Waldus Piotrowski: * Rough Translation: "This too will pass.  Now bury him."]
This message was last edited by the player at 07:31, Sat 16 June 2007.

"Gunny, get out of the way.  I don't want to shoot you but you go for your piece and I will.  Besides, I don't have to take orders from civilians or are you still a soldier and if you are a soldier then that puts us at equal rank so I still don't have to take orders." He takes two steps left to get the gunny out of his line of fire. Besides mate, I don't think you could take my rifle off me, so calm the fuck down.

As Joost dances around the group clapping, Blue is finally getting irritated "Listen Dutch, fuck off. You're about as helpful as a fart in a spacesuit.  You ain't paying me either so keep your amateur theatrics to yourself or else." exclaims Blue at the South African.

"Well Snow, what do you want to do?  If we start walking now it's going to be a while before we get to Krakow.  Personally I got no problems heading back, the ORMO seem to be less objectionable than some of the wankers around here.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:19, Sat 16 June 2007.

Once Snowy has put the restraints on the new prisoner Konrad lowers his rifle.

"Careful guys, let's not let this get out of hand."

"What he did was wrong, I dont care what motivation he had for it. Once we start killing out of hand, especially an unarmed and restrained prisoner, we become exactly the same as any of the marauders out there."

"I still consider myself an officer of the Bundeswehr and that behaviour,had it come from one of my men, would have had him on charges and likely executed after a court martial. In the field he probably would have been shot by me."

Konrad pauses

"As he and we are nominally under the command of Capt. Adam, I am thinking that we need to follow his lead on this one, but by all means keep him restrained until we decide what to do."
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:21, Sat 16 June 2007.

Konrad looks towards Joost and growls

"Who died and put you the fuck in charge? I aint no fucking quartermaster and I certainly don't answer to Fritz."

"Why don't you be the quartermaster and make yourself useful Joost?"


Konrad still considers himself a Hauptmann and while he doesn't try to throw his rank around he will not be bossed around either.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:23, Sat 16 June 2007.

Smiling a little at Joost's passing comment and gesture, Dawid twisted to show his cuffed hands and replied, "Być może mógłbym używać mój chuj?"

Translation: "Maybe I could use my penis?"

The group has reached an impasse. An honest debate has descended into an all-out pissing match. What began as a clash of ethics has largely become a clash of egos.

Wayne Freeman has already decided to take his leave of the group, beginning a long, lonely walk back to Krakow along the riverside.

Gunny has attempted to step up and take charge of the group but has been soundly rebuffed by Blue.

Snowy continues to demand justice for the prisoner; just what exactly that entails has not been clearly established.

Several people have suggested that Dawid deserves a bullet for what he's done. A bullet for a bullet for a bullet, in effect. Where will it end?

Joost has made known his opinions, much to the displeasure of several others.

Clarence, Yazzie*, and Max have stood by quietly- observers rather than participants. Their opinions on the matter have, so far, been kept to themselves.

The wounded Tuck has said his piece and gone aboard the tug, followed by Anneka. She intends to stitch up his wound as soon as possible.

Adam has requested that Dawid be released into his custody and Konrad, the ranking officer, has suggested the same. It now remains to be seen whether the members of this group can accept this erstwhile solution, put aside their differences, and begin to work together as a team.

*Yazzie has managed to fill a few sandbags during all of this.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:52, Sat 16 June 2007.

Clarence has stood by quietly, shaking his head periodically as the situation has taken one ugly turn after another. He's got a job to do and he won't be able to do it if this boat doesn't set sail soon. He walks into of center of the fracas and stands astride the prisoner, placing himself between Blue and Gunny.

"Everybody, just chill the fuck out, please! We're acting like kids here, not grown men. Come on now! We just survived an ambush together and now we're at each others' throats? That's not right. Let's all just calm down.

Clarence adjusts his tone, trying now to project an air of calm and rationality.

Instead of talkin' 'bout what's right and wrong here, let's figure out a solution to the problem. The problem is, we got a killer here and we can't get to work until we figure out what to do with him. Adam wants him released. Snow and Blue, you guys want to take him back to Krakow, right?

He turns to face the Australians, addressing them directly now.

So, what do we do? We got an officer here, right? Konrad? You want him to decide? You want to put it to a vote; set up our own little military tribunal? Will you respect its decision? What'll it be?

Clarence raises his voice a bit so that everyone can hear. This is meant for the entire group,

"Come on people. We got work to do. We can't stand here all day trash talkin'."

OOC: This is meant as one long, unbroken speech. Please don't respond to it piecemeal. Thanks.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:47, Sat 16 June 2007.

Parks whole demeanor changes as his bluff was called. Still angry but not puffed up like a toad anymore he turns to Konrad. "I will leave it in your hands then. But before I get back to work, Am I gonna get carted off to the locals the first time I put a 7.62 into some poor unaware bastard's head? I am an assassin. Nothing more, nothing less. Most of my prey don't have any more of a trial or chance then that bastard there. Do I think it should have been done? Hell no. But it's done. I don't know if you noticed but we aren't in Oz or the states anymore. This was a local on local issue. We have no authority to get involved. But if you insist on deserting your team for this dipshit then get it over with. We got a boat to prepare."
With that, Parks walks over to get his pack and rifle and heads to the boat.

Clearing his throat, Dawid said, "not meaning to cause trouble here, but I am unsure what authority or jurisdiction you hold as foreign soldiers occupying Polish soil.  Perhaps it would be best to be turned over to nearest authorities in Krakow.  Under guard by these two men," he nodded towards Snowy and Bluey, "in Adam's van with someone as a driver."

Snowy clears his throat in the pregnant pause, he's still hovering protectively over Dawid like a mother bird.

"First smart thing anyone's said so far."

"The situation is, have we got a crime or not? This guy's right, we drop him off at the Krakow ORMO and just ask them. We give 'em the bag of teeth, statements and all the crap, and they decide. If they think he's done the world a favour, and everyone says they were bandits, then he comes back and I'll buy him a bloody beer. What I reckon doesn't mean squat, it's up to the local powers, who are the Crakow Ochotnicza Rezerwa Milicji Obywatelskiej."

So, we drag laughing boy, the teeth and whatever back and get our arses back here to do some bloody welding. What's your bloody problem?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:06, Sun 17 June 2007.

Satisfied with the German's response, Joost grins and snaps a mock salute. "Aye - now that's talking more like it, Hauptmann."

[Private to John Yazzie; Cap'n Rae: If the Aussies are still acting like they are going to shoot Clarence, the Gunny or any other party member, Joost will attempt to privately signal Yazzie to manuever and cover them from behind in case it goes sideways.]
This message was last edited by the player at 01:23, Sun 17 June 2007.

As Tucker walks to the boat with Anneka, he turns to her en route, "You're awful quiet about this ma'am. Staying out of it, if you don't mind me being nosey?  I don't want those stitches to hurt either!"

Once they get to the boat, Tucker will stop at where Adam is for a moment and reach into the waistband of his MOLLE gear and take out the Tokarev that belongs to Dawid that he picked up off the ground.  He hands it over to Adam only saying, "Your ship skipper." and then continues on so he can get his wound properly attended to by Anneka.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:55, Sun 17 June 2007.

"Ok guys, this has gone far enough- our job has barely begun and already we stand here at each others' throats. Dawid did a stupid thing, yes, but he did what he thought was right."

"This piece of shit has already tried to ambush us on the road and both Dawid and Adam confirmed they recognised him from a bandit attack against them a few days ago."

Konrad pauses

"We need to remember that the majority of us are behind enemy lines. I would say that if you return Dawid and the corpse over to the Krakow Militia with his and Adam's story, they would likely clap Dawid on the back and let him go."

"So while I don't agree with his actions, I recommend releasing him into Adam's custody and we just keep a close eye on him. If you like, I will take responsibility for any further actions on his behalf against our rules of conduct."

After saying his piece Konrad glares at Dawid,
"If you step out of line like that again I will fucking shoot you myself, you understand me soldier!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:15, Sun 17 June 2007.

Struggling to stand up and come to attention while handcuffed is never easy, but Dawid accomplished it in record time.  His farm-boy face had shown a lot of emotions in the last while, mainly horror at his own actions and no small measure of bafflement at the subsequent fallout.  This was the first time he'd shown fear.

Staring wide-eyed and straight ahead he replied without thinking in Polish, "Zrozumiany, pan!  wyrabiam żadnego wybaczenia dla moich czynów! One przynieśli hańbę na mnie i mój rodzinny!  Wy macie moje słowo przed Bóg i Czarne Wyspy Dziewicze Czestochowa to nie będzie zdarzać się znowu, pan!"

Those that were standing near him saw that he was actually trembling.


OOC Note: I leave it to the GM to translate for those who are fluent in Polish or make their skill rolls.  If not actually allowed to stand, well, he'll say the same thing on the ground attempting to be as erect as possible!

[Private to GM: "Understood, sir!  I make no excuse for my actions!  They have brought disgrace upon me and my family!  You have my word before God and the Black Madonna of Czestochowa it will not happen again, sir!"]
This message was last edited by the player at 05:36, Sun 17 June 2007.

As Gunny turns and walks away, Clarence, satisfied that inter-party violence has been averted, moves aside. He listens in turn as Dawid, Snow, and Konrad each speaks, wincing a bit at Snow's "first smart thing..." comment.

When Konrad finishes his pronouncement, and Dawid his reply, Clarence speaks up again,

"There, the ranking NATO officer's spoken. Get the kid here a shovel and let him bury the ZOMO. I'll even supervise his dumb ass; make sure he does a good job. It won't make up for nothin' but it's a start. There ain't no need for anyone to risk the danger of goin' back to Krakow now. That place aint safe for any of us no more."

He looks directly at Blue and then at Snow.

"Are we cool?"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:36, Sun 17 June 2007.

"Milk mate, if Snow's happy I am, if you didn't notice I'm not the one filled with piss and vinegar.  Gunny we need to have a chat at some point OK.  Hauptmann, your the senior here so I'll stand with your decision.  Snow you OK?" Blue says lowering his rifle "Jesus what is it about you yanks and standing in front of loaded weapons?"

Snow's looking hard at Dawid, and says softly. "I'm gonna let you go you stupid bastard, but before I do I'm going to ask you one question. If that ambush had gone wrong for us and the other guys had caught us, I reckon they'd take it a lot bloody differently if they shot one of our wounded who was restrained. Now the question I'm going to ask you is; what would you have done if they'd shot one of yours for being a 'bad guy', would you let him go like I'm about to?"

"I hope you don't blow that question off, because I'm trying to show you that you can never be sure. If you've just shot a compatriot who found those teeth under a log, it should haunt you forever."

Snowy reaches down and turns the bloodstained key in the cuffs, removing them from Dawid's wrists. He steps back, looking at him with a face carven from stone. Reaching into his holster, he draws his glock and removes the round from the chamber before reholstering it. He gathers up his equipment from the sprawled corpse and wipes it off, before realising that he has blood all over his face. He shakes his head grimly and walks over to Konrad.

"Boss, I just witnessed a summary execution and then let the perpetrator go on your orders. I'm not happy. I want to know now what the situation regarding the rules of land warfare is on this trip, and if you require the security element to follow them. If you can't get an agreement out of these other bastards, I'm walking back out of here because I will not be a party to atrocity and war crime. Edmund Burke is said to have uttered "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing". Well sir, I await your answer."