"Two tango's warsaw pact uniforms range 100 meters rifles slung or at alert no threat yet, one man with bino's"

By her count there was so much lead ready to go downrange at the two figures, the bridge would probably collapse further under the weight of it.  Griet ignored the two men and forced herself to take up a watch off the port side, scanning the bank beside and in front of the tug's path.  Something bugged her.

The PKM loosely followed her scanning gaze.

Griet Neiwiadomska
PKM (1 box?  100 rds)
Looking to port.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:23, Fri 13 July 2007.

John will continue to scan 360 Deg's in search of more tango's

Clarence devotes as much attention to Dawid's impromptu loading lesson as he can while still keeping an eye on the figures on the bridge.

"You make it look easy, D.P. I think I got it."

Clarence notes the divergent gestures given by the unidentified lookouts ahead and above.

Cocky bastards. Givin' us the finger with five or six big barrels trained on his ass. Looks like we're headed into serious Indian country...
This message was last edited by the player at 22:02, Fri 13 July 2007.

Tucker turns to Max making his way towards Snowy, "MAX!  Starboard Dashka!"

Making his way now towards Joost on the AGL-17 launcher, "Joost, you good?  You see anything different than what we've got now?"

If nothing has changed and Joost is set up and ready to go where he is, Tucker is going to then move towards the Vaselik where Milks and Dawid are.  Time permitting, "How we doin' here fellas?  Ready to go?  I don't want you two opening up on anything unless you got a bigger target than those two on the bridge, Roger that?  Did one of those fuckers flip us the bird?" Tucker asks the duo.

Tucker
M-16A2 [1] MAG 30/M-203 [1] HE Loaded
Checking his assigned positions on Deck One

Not being able to see over the superstructure and seeing people man the guns, Parks figures its a serious threat. He heads to the ladderwell he just used. Once he's at the top goes prone and crawls to his SVD. "What we got Yazz?"Parks says as he slides his body into a suitable firing position.


Parks
Prone, behind cover in the snipers nest
SVD (scoped)(bipod)(10)
Starting to scanthe bridge for targets

"It is not so hard.  Oh yes, this lever here selects for single or multiple shots.  When it is like this, it is like big machinegun.  When she is fired singly, she is like big grenade launcher."

Catching Clarence's look at the men on the bridge, he added sourly, "Russian bastards.  I know of no regular formations around here.  There have been many desertions."

"If you would please, I think we could use another clip of fragmentation."



"They did indeed, Sergeant.  At least they're not shooting at us, which I think means they are deserters."

"We are prepared to fire, but don't worry, we will try to seek a worthwhile target.  Our traverse is limited to basically what's in front of us.  We could not engage the men up there if we wished, unless we turned the boat."

Dawid Piotrowski
82mm Vasilek (5/5)
In the gun tub, ready to fire.

John will inform the gunny of everything that has passed and they will continue to scan.

[Private to John Yazzie: This would be a good spot for some RP/dialogue...]
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:08, Sat 14 July 2007.

The Krolowa eases under the dilapitated bridge. It resembles a giant, fire-blackened, rust stained erector set with several jagged chunks torn out. As you pass under its shadow, you become aware of just how easy it would be for one of the men on the bridge to drop a grenade onto the tug, wreaking havoc and taking lives. For a moment, you imagine an oblong green orb falling slowly through the forward hatch into the 82mm mortar ammunition...

Fortunately, this time, no such direct action is taken by the two men. As the Krolowa passes to the far side of the bridge, Joost looks up and reacquires the pair. They've moved to eastern railing of the bridge and continue to observe the tug for a few moments. Then, they board what is probably a motorcycle (from his angle of view, Joost can only see their heads and shoulders over the railing, but the noise their ride produces is familiar) and head off southward at a dangerous clip.

In the pilothouse of the Krolowa, Konrad has assessed Anneka's condition and determined that she has not suffered any head injuries. It appears that she has simply passed out from exhaustion. He takes a blanket and covers her in place, then requests the presence of the various team leaders (Tuck,Gunny, Clarence, Snowy, and special envoy Griet). Konrad suggests a rotating shift whereby one member of each team sleeps for two hours while the other maintains watch on his/her assigned sector. It's not much, but it should help the group make it to nightfall without succumbing to Anneka's misfortune.

Then, Adam addresses the assembled group, unfolding a map of the Vistula from Krakow to the Wisloka river on the small chart table at the rear of the pilothouse.

"I am afraid that resting will have to wait for a couple of hours. We are here." he says, indicating a point just southeast of Nowy Huta with a gnarled finger. He slides his finger a short distance across the map to a sharp bend in the course of the river and continues, "These are- were- the locks. They are about 5km from here and we will be there soon. They were destroyed by NATO airstrikes a few years ago to prevent the crossing of Russian reinforcments during fighting south of here, causing flooding downstream. The concrete walls and steel doors were destroyed, but pieces remain, shifted here and there by the surging river. Also, a small island in the channel and many trees along both banks were submerged after the locks were blown, so there will be many obstacles. I have passed through there since their destruction, but never with a barge. I would like someone to take the small motor launch and act as a pilot boat to guide us through them. We will move very slowly, so we will be vulnerable. I did not like the looks of those men on the bridge. If what you said about their [Russian] uniforms is correct, they are probably part of one of the marauder bands that roam this area at will. We must be especially vigilant during the passage of the locks. Your thoughts?"

OOC: From the GM- In this next turn, I'd like the team leaders to finalize the plan for passing through the locks and then inform their teammates of whatever is decided.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:50, Sun 15 July 2007.

Parks looks at he map his wrinkles face showing concern turns to the Captain. "How long before we can clear that stretch and get back into open water if all goes fairly well? Are the walls of tha' lock going to be above deck or is it so flooded that our mounted weapons can still be brought to bear on our flanks? while waiting for an answer Parks looks over the gathered people.
If those lock walls are still above our decks then I'd recommend shore parties on each side.  It'd be to easy for some yahoo to just lean over the side and fire an RPG, or god knows what,down into us. Tha' mortar is the only effective weapon we'll have off the boat at that point. We've got enough folks here to put four man teams on each side, leaving a few on the boat and one in the scout dingy." Parks pauses a second and scans out the windows as if thinking. Otherwise we just stick with the boat and use it's firepower as best we can. I'd suggest 3 plans one for each scenario, depending on how much of the boats firepower we can bring to bear.
If my snipers nest is above the walls then that's the best spot for me and yazzie. making it three man teams on each side with sniper and mortar support.
If it's below the walls then Yazz and I will go ashore. Making it 4 man teams with mortar support from the boat."
If all or most tha' guns can be brought to bear then we stick with the boat." Parks looks around the small crowd again. Waiting for questions or rebutals

Snowy nods in agreement. "Yep, we're going to have to clear the channel sides. It'd be child's play to pre-register the lock and slam us where we can't manouvre, then pick up the pieces as we drift past. Not only that, but in such narrow confines we risk them rushing us and boarding the tug. That is, of ocourse, if there is a 'them' - but our mates on the bridge seemed to be getting downstream as fast as their bike could move them."

Snowy pauses before adding "We're going to have to land a party before we send in the pilot boat, they'd make good hostages and an inflatable is no platform to defend yourself from. I'm no marine, I'll leave the nuts-and-bolts to the footsloggers here about clearing the bank. But we should take bunker busting equipment with us." Snowy grins and quips "I gotta go along as well, you guys only found two sheets of bloody steel last time when we sandbagged the whole bloody boat! I gotta keep an eye out for bits, I'm sure you guys found a pub somewhere and played pool all afternoon!"

Tucker listens to what Captain Adam has to say about the upcoming passing of the damaged locks.  It doesn't sound too good making our way through it with the barge but, being that it is Adam's ship, he's got the say on the barge coming or going.

Tucker will take the opportunity to speak up when the Gunny and Snowy are finished.  "Here's my take on this.  I think it important to keep our personel on the ship, with the exception of the person guiding the boat through.  With all due respect Gunny, if we did land two teams, that mean we'd have to recover three teams, to include the motor launch, and leave a minimal crew on the deck weapons.  Not only that, I think it would take too long to do if any of them are under fire from our friends that just left.  I think even sweeping the one bank may be too risky with our limited time to prepare and that everyone is pretty well spent right now from getting the ship ready.  It would be a bad combo that could lead to someone getting unconsciously careless.

Now, if we do decide to land a party, I'll agree with Snowy that they'll need to bring some equipment for clearing structures or whatever is our way.  They'll have to move quickly and be able to be extracted as quickly as possible once we're clear of the locks.  Then there's repelling boarders if they have a means of getting close to us.  Not even going twenty-four hours and we're getting shit already!

Griet cleared her throat.  She'd been standing outside the group as usual, eyes moving back and forth from speaker to speaker.  It might have been an attempt at furthering her comprehensions of the discussion, or she could have been watching for signs of deception.

"Mmm, Krakow ORMO platoon has at locks.  Six months.  Try keep river open traffic."  Griet paused, gathering her words of limited English.  "Bandits problem at locks, yes?  Sovietski tank division three eight.  Problems," she repeated before lapsing into Polish directed at Old Adam.

"We've had troops trying to guard the remains of the locks and keep them navigable for traffic.  They've been harassed repeatedly by marauders from the Soviet 38 Tank Division.  It is reasonable to assume that the men we saw today might be scouts for them.  Even if they don't have a radio, with that motorcycle they could already be ahead of us and spreading the word."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:57, Sun 15 July 2007.

"The Soviet 38th Tank Division!  It does sound like trouble Griet.

So, your ORMO pals should be near the locks trying to keep them open from marauders, right?  That may be useful to us, if they're there!  Do you know if the 38th had any vehciles left, APC's or tanks specifically?" Tucker says to the female ORMO member.

Snowy interjects "Even if we do have friendlies there, once we've contacted them this is a good time for us to conduct a drill of how we deal with obstacles. We shouldn't rely on outside help, and we can iron out problems as we discover them."

Clarence leans against the back bulkhead near the sleeping medic, stroking his bristly chin unconsciously in a stereotypically thoughtful pose.

"Yeah, something about those two on the bridge wasn't right. They acted like they owned this whole damn river. I think we should approach the locks as if they're held by a hostile force. If it turns out to be the Krakow ORMO, well, cool. If not, we won't get caught with our pants around our ankles. Better safe than sorry and all that."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:11, Sun 15 July 2007.

"My thoughts exactly," agrees Snowy, stretching. "We gotta send a recon team in, probably most of the security force, and examine what's there and how to deal with it. If that island's held it'll be hell to shift as there'll be no land approaches. Like Milky said, we scoot down in the inflatable and disembark. Then we recon the banks, checking out the situation as we go, and report back. If it's held by the opposition, well we can either radio a plan meeting or pull back and tell the Krakow guys that their locks are held by the other side. Regardless, we should pull back upstream and rest the security team, we're strung out and we'll only make mistakes if we go in with our eyes hanging out of our heads." He gestures over at Anneka sleeping under a spread sleeping bag.
"Also, we may need to untie the barge to navigate the lockway. If the lock is absolutely stuffed, we're going to have a cataract over the high edge which means we'll have to find a way around. This could be a slow, long day's work with our backsides hanging out. So it makes sense to be cautious and find out what we're dealing with. I can scratch up an OPRDER, with some help, if you like."

Parks interjects after Milk seems done. "I am no expert by any means but correct me if I am wrong Captain.  The tug and barge will have to head through the locks slow as hell. Easily kept up with on foot. And I wouldn't suggest the teams be along side the boat. More clearing ahead. Splitting the teams is only to cover both sides. Unless we plan to leave one flank unguarded. If it gets seriously heavy on a bank then dive in. The enemy will have to expose itself to the boats guns to continue the attack. But again, we only use shore patrols if the tugs to low to use her guns." Parks pauses a second. "I agree with the teams landing well ahead of time if needed. Stay near the boat ans scout as best we can. Sneaking through I don't think is an option. Even if those last two weren't part of this group, we will still be seen coming. How do ya not spot a tug and barge on a river?" Parks turns and nods to Griet for her intel. "This Ivan tank division actually gives me more hope. I doubt they will use tanks against us. If they attack it will be for the gear we haul. Sinking us wouldn't suit them none. Besides, most tankers I have met couldn't fight their way out of a wet paperbag without a half inch of steel in front of them and atleast a 75mm pointed down range." Parks chuckles at his last comment in some rememberance of the past. " I understand we are tired. But deads a whole lot worse. I have yet to see a soldier fall asleep in combat. Let make a few different plans, brief our troops and try to get some rest before this starts. I am still a bit confused though. When you say locks you mean a series of gate that have to be open and close, flooded and drained to get us over a hump right? If the gates have been damaged and the place isn't properly manned then I don't how we're getting through. Or is it more just a canal with gates. No need to flood or drain?" Parks looks to the Captain for answers.

"Snowy, Parks, you guys seem to have the expertise here for waterborne ops so I'm just throwing out suggestions.  I don't know shit from shinola about this whole locks and passage through the canals and stuff.  I'll go along with anything reasonable here guys, and excuse me, girls," Tucker says apologetically to Griet.

"And you're right about not sleeping in the middle of a firefight Gunny.  We're all just gunna have to suck it up just a little bit more 'til we get past the locks," Tucker syas to Gunny Parks.

A shrug was the bulk of her answer.  "Not speaking to them for while.  Cannot say."  She looked at Tucker and shrugged again before turning to hear what Parks had to tell her.

"Is different terrorizing civilians," she told him.  "Real soldiers give them more fight than want maybe."

As it becomes obvious that the security team needs more time to prepare for the passage of the locks, Adam orders Uller and the indigenous crew to locate a suitable achorage site near the shore and moore the tug before continuing to brief the security team.

"I shall describe the locks as best I can." Adam slides a piece of paper and across the chart table and begins sketching the lock and barrage system With a grease pencil.

"The river splits here, about 5km downriver of our current position. This large island separates the main channel, to the south, and the locks, to the north. The main channel was blocked by this low dam. But, it was bombed here, forming a small cataract. I do not believe we could pass through there. The locks are here." Adam pokes his finger at the north side of the island. "They had proper doors but those were blown out by the bombings. The water flows quickly through the locks there, so the channel is deep enough to pass through, but it is very narrow. The barge will just fit through. The control house for the locks is right here. It is damaged but still standing."

OOC: Please check out the new Maps notice. Many thanks to those that have helped with maps, images, and technical advice.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:29, Sun 15 July 2007.

It is now approximately 7:30am, game-time.

The tug is about 5km upriver of the locks. Once underway, it will take about 30 minutes to an hour (depending on your speed) to steam there.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:31, Sun 15 July 2007.

John will stay at his post. The crew and the security team will need a set of eyes to cover them. He will continue to scan in 360 deg 's looking for anything.


"Boss, I'm staying here- will be set of eyes for you all."
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:08, Wed 18 July 2007.

Dawid locked down the Vasilek, then picked up his rifle and headed aft.  Finding Joost taking it easy by the Plamya automatic grenade launcher, he lit a cigarette and offerend one to the other man.  Joost took one and he lit it.

"So, are you familiar with this weapon?  It is easy to operate.  I will shoe you the basic principles, then I shall show you how to operate the Vasilek up forward as well."

Joost yawns again and takes the offered cigarette.  As he inhales, the glow from the embers gives him half a mind to burn the back of his hand with it to ensure that he stays awake.

"I've been checked out on the Plamya, when I was with the Brygada Podhalanska.  But it's been a few years, and - like I told Tucker - I was never much of a machinegunner to begin with.  I suppose it's like riding a bike.  Maybe when we find a more appropriate time I will rattle off a few to get that old feeling back."

He takes another drag off the cigarette, then motions to the fore with it cupped in his hand.

"Now that monstrosity on the bow - that I should get familiarized with.  When I was in the Legion, I was Airborne, then a stint the Second Paras.  My secondary specialty was forward observation for the field artillery.  Been twenty years since I've called fire, but I don't expect much has changed with the basics."

He taps a finger to his temple.

"I was never really so good with all the math but the spatial relations came naturally.  Nowadays it's all computers, anyway - right?"

Joost stifles another yawn.

"Those assholes we passed at the bridge have me concerned.  We're coming up on the locks soon and we will be vulnerable there.  I suppose that's what they're on about up in the pilot house.  We have to stay alert, but I tell ya Davey if we don't sleep soon somebody is going to get hurt."