Snowy, crouching in the rubber duck, keys his mike in return.

"I read you SunRay, will do. Estimate five minutes to find a spot. Snowy out."

He looks at Tadeusz and Walter and says "Okay lads, we're going to find some slow water to drop the pick. There's unfriendly fellas in this area, so let's get this over with without getting shot."

Keying his mike, Snowy says "Snowy to Ground Team. Milky, do you have your ears on?" Assuming he gets an answer, he says "Mate, I am an estimated five zero zero metres downstream of your position where the channel meets the river. I intend to crawl out onto the sand bar here so I can recon the channel for a tie up point. Can you ask your sniper team if they can provide security while I'm out there? Over."

Bayer stares at the headset for a minute... there is no anger, just disbelief. "Tug... What? What? We are asking for HELP and you are not coming because you've got other things to do? Tell me this is not the case sergeant."

Bayer pauses for a minute to try and make sense of this. What the hell has been happening out there?

"Look, negative. Drop the diplomatic convention you are having. You are in command and will not step down from your responsibility. You will complete the mission now and extract with what you have. Anyone else who wishes to stay is free is to do so, however inform them they may be left behind due to the tug's current situation. And sergeant I want you to think about what should happen if one day you call on the radio asking for help. Out."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:01, Sun 02 Sept 2007.

There would be hell to pay for this mess and Anneka knew she would be receiving most of the flack.
With a grimace and a nod of the head, she acknowledged Tuckers words.
"Sergeant, I think you and I need to sit down and have a quiet word away from hot heads. But first, I really need to know exactly what Hauptman Bayer needs assistance with. If they're under fire, then I believe elimination of that threat would be the best course of action is that not so?"
Her tone indicated genuine interest in his opinion. Although they'd been through a rough few minutes, she respected the man and his abilities. His heart seemed to be in the right place, or it was when she'd last checked....
[Private to Robert 'Tuck' Tucker: Once she's got a few minutes alone with Tucker, she'll express her regret over the current situation and try and explain herself a little more. Until recently she was in command of her own unit and still hasn't gotten used to the fact it's gone. She wants to work with Tucker to resolve their differences but expects her words to be listened to.
"All I ask is that we try and find a way across the channel, deal with the possible threat there, and then salvage what we can. It's the first rule of, well, everything, to remove the danger before dealing with other things."
"Unless the boat is in immediate, clear danger from hostile forces they cannot fend off by themselves, then we should stay and complete the mission."]

Lowering himself into a prone position, Maddock lays out his rifle in ready reach, and then fishes his binoculars from the webbing. "Right, then, hen, let's see what we can see, eh?" His tone is reassuring and solid, and whispers competence, as he settles alongside Griet. He sweeps the AA-hammered scrubline with the binoculars, searching for any sign of movement or downed combatants.

"What's your name, troop? You're Polish or I'll eat my beret. My name is Maddock," he says, in an off-handed but interested manner.


Lock Apron w/ Griet
L86A1 LSW
Searching far bank w/ binoculars

With his head about to explode from the aggravation of the situation with Anneka, Tucker takes a moment to compose himself before replying to Bayer.  "I copy your last loud and clear Tug.  Wait one for Major Soleblume Tug."  Tucker turns and hands the radio handset to Anneka.  "It's Hauptman Bayer ma'am."

"With all due respect ma'am, I tried to have this conversation off to the side with you up by the wooded area where we had our first contact.  I do not wish to have that again until we have completed this mission.  I will be happy to sit and speak to you at that time until then, we still need to concentrate on the job at hand here.  We don't need any further distractions.  However, if you have an idea on how to get the raft back to us and how to get the supplies to the tug, I would most certainly hear your suggestions at this time."

[Private to Anneka Soleblume: No problem.  I'll be glad to speak when we get back to the tug and instead of letting everyone read what was said, we'll PM each other and copy Rae on it?  I think getting across the channel right now is a waste of our resources and we should be concentrating on getting the raft and supplies back to the tug.]

Griet spares a quick glance at the Royal Marine before returning her full attention to the opposite bank.

"I am chief petty officer Niewiadomska of the Polish navy. I serve the Krakow ORMO."

She says nothing more, obviously preoccupied by the threat of renewed enemy interest. Maddock notices that only a few linked rounds dangle from the receiver of Griet's PKM. Perhaps she has not...

[OOC: Between the case lost overboard, and the rounds expended here and in the counter-attack on the ambush on way, the PKM is down to its last 10 rounds. There should still be three 100-round belts back on the tug, though.]

[Private to Dawid Waldus Piotrowski: Please update the ammo for the PKM on your char-sheet. Thanks.]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:51, Sun 02 Sept 2007.

Clarence circles back around the lock house, completing his search for bridging materials. He's cooled off considerably, but he doesn't look forward to briefing the major. He tries to corner Tuck first, to have a private word with him before reporting to the ranking officer.

[Private to Robert 'Tuck' Tucker: "I'm gonna brief the major here in a minute, but it's just for appearances- you're in charge here. There's really nothin' around here we can use to cross the canal. It's a dumb-ass idea anyway. We've done what we came to do: link up with the recon team and grab as much gear as we can. Stayin' here serves no purpose. That's my two cents, Sergeant. I'm gonna try a trick I used to pull on my wife until she figured me out- make the major believe that loading up and moving out is her idea. If that don't work, you're gonna have to make the call."]

When Clarence finds Anneka, he addresses her in as calm and professional manner as he can muster,

"Major, there ain't much we can use to bridge the canal. There's a downed telephone pole 'round the back, but it looks to be a bitch to move. You given any thought to grabbin' what we can and heading back to the inflatable? We can probably load up the UAZ and push it down the hill we had to climb to get here. Dawid says the motorbike runs too. We stick around much longer, and more marauders show up, we're gonna have a hell of a time gettin' back to the boat. You've completed both parts of our mission: link up with the recon team and grab as much gear as possible. It's time to quit while we're ahead."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:22, Mon 03 Sept 2007.

"Easy peasy, let's stay calm. You're low on rounds there, Chief. What say I pass over my glasses, you spot, and I use my beast here?" He slaps the stock of his L86A1, with a mix of affection and mockery, while offering the binoculars with his off hand.

"Pardon my asking, being the new man and not wanting to spit in the jam, but is this normal conduct for you lot, having a row mid op?" Maddock is clearly trying to sound inquisitive rather than judgemental.


Prone beside Griet
L86A1 LSW
Observing

This message was last edited by the player at 14:40, Mon 03 Sept 2007.

Overhearing Snowy's request, Bayer attempts to do some further coordinating... "Guns, Tug. Can you acknowledge anchor team's request? Once completed, relocate to hillside and establish OP... maintain eyes-on lock and island. Do not engage targets at that time. Confirm your linkup but you are still seperate unit from Team Tucker. Do you copy? Over."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:18, Mon 03 Sept 2007.

To the Boss "Sunray,,Guns,,,Going to position and holding"

To team members"gunny they want us to move lets go"


To team tucker "hey fuckers cover us while we move"



once they set up to cover john and gunny will move to the position Sunray wanted to hold cover nad observe.



John
moving to position
ak-47 ready position

Anneka accepted the radio from Tucker with a small sigh. She'd hoped it hadn't gotten to this, with the team apparently divided into those who respected rank and those who seemed to think they were no longer a part of the command structure.
Putting those thoughts away for another time, she squeezed the radios button to talk.
"Sunray this is Starlight. Request sitrep over."
With luck Bayer would let them know what the problem was aboard the tug. So far all those on dry land really knew was that the tug had moved downstream for some reason, been fired upon and that there was another small boat form the tug in the water.

"Thankyou Clarence," she said with honesty in her voice. "That's really all I needed to know."
"Sergeant Tucker, unless you can think of a way to shift that, I don't believe it's worth the effort."
And so it wasn't. Who in their right mind would consider trying to shift such a large beam with their limited resources?
"Had to know for sure though," she continued resigned to the fact that her idea hadn't panned out.

"Now, as to my idea. Do you have a map on you?" she inquired before continuing on regardless of the outcome.
"I beleive there is a bridge not too much further downstream. I suggest that Dawid be given the time to repair the UAZ, it be loaded up with everything we can pry loose and head down to it. If possible we could send a small scouting team ahead either on foot or with the motorcycle."
Once there we take some rope from the tug and lower the supplies directly down onto the deck. Even the bike could be salvaged in this way and we limit the risk of losing stores from a small boat."
The loss of the PK ammo on the way across was still fresh in her mind. Loading stores aboard it again and fighting the waters held little appeal to her.
"If possible, I would still like to clear the island, perhaps landing by boat if there is time later, and search for any mortar ammo that may be there."

"What do you think? she asked both Tucker and Milk.

Bayer squeezes the handset "Tug. Sitrep... have mechanical difficulties, 200 meters from last position, awaiting reinforcement, enemy present but limited."

He releases and thinks for a moment. "Guns has their orders and so does Team Tucker. Extract and return to your boat immediately. Over."

WIth that he waits for an acknowledgement.

"All units, Snowy is moving. Over."

Snowy turns around to the two Poles and says "Well guys, I'm just gonna crawl out onto the sandbank for a bit so I can get a good view of just what this bloody channel is playing it. I'm going to tie a line to my leg, so if I get zapped you guys can haul me back here without adding yourselves to the bodycount." Snowy puts his words into action, tying off a light line to his left ankle. "I'd appreciate it if you guys would stay alert and not let anyone sneak up on you. Stay here, but a little seperated so a grenade doesn't ace both of you at once. I should be back soon. Oh yeah, if it all goes pear-shaped and you can't extract me, save yourselves and get back to the tug."

Snowy lets his M4 hang from its strap but holds it in his hands, and crawls out onto the sandbank to see what's visible. If his head is too close to the waterline to see anything, he takes a deep breath and sits up, sweeping the channel with his binoculars.

Pressing the button once more, Anneka transmitted a simple message.
"Wait, over."
She really needed and answer from Tucker and Milk before commiting to any action that could result in a lost opportunity.
"I think we really need to have an estimate on repairing the UAZ," she said to those nearby.
"Does anyone besides Dawid have mechanical skills here?"

"Tug, roger, over." Bayer walks out to check up on the Australians as he waits for a return. He stays somewhat low but his mind is elsewhere than on getting shot.

Not forgetting they were pretty much in the dark about most of what was going on, he filled them in. "Still quiet? Just waiting on word from the teams. Snowy is planting the anchor, Guns is moving to cover and then setup and OP, and I told Tucker to return with their catch. Seems they had some issues out there."

Bayer takes a quick glance a the shoreline and says offhand "Fosters, do me a favour... find Adam and ask him how things are going below decks?"

[Private to Max Fosters: Its kinda boring for us right now. I had Bayer ask Fosters to to this to give you some RP action. He isn't using him as a lackey or anything. Just so you know.]

Tucker moves off to the side, out of view from the others and speaks to Clarence.  [Private to Clarence Milk: "Thanks Clarence.  We'll try to get this all straightened out on the tug once we get back and I appreciate your support.  Tell her what you have to so we can try and get the fuck out of here sometime today and we get caught up in a long, drawn out fight with these suck-bags wanting their shit back!]

"Make you're move Yazzie!  We got you covered," Tucker calls out to him and then to Maddock and the others.  "Team Guns moving out, let's cover 'em!"

Moving over to where Milk went to go speak to Anneka, he had hoped that they had taken up a position of cover so that Team Marine can get to their new shooting point to cover the repairs on the tug.  "I think it would be a great waste of time to move that pole over and get across it.  We could still run the chance of someone slipping and falling too.  We got lucky with Dawid only being slightly wounded, I don't wish to push that luck right now.

Now as far as fixing up the UAZ, I think we might be wasting our time too.  If we could get the bike, that would be much easier to get onto the tug or barge and it could be used for scouting much easier than the jeep would and use less fuel.  I'm no mechanic Major and I think we should be concentrating on getting these supplies out of here.  I would say scrap the AA gun Dawid's on and take the ammo for trade along with the other weapons.  We'll do the same for the UAZ.  We're going to have to hump most of this shit out between us so it may be slow going but, we need all of this stuff and will all have to suck it up for a bit until we get it back!  We can pack the heavier and canned items in the side car of the bike and just split the rest up amongst ourselves.  If your feeling taxed now with your load ma'am, I would suggest that you take the bike and handle the supplies in the sidecar, you won't hear any complaints from Clarence or myself.

As far as the bridge goes Major, I think we shouldn't extend ourselves too far past where Gunny and Yazzie are until repairs on the tug are completed.  I like the idea of using it to get the bike onto the tug if that's easier but for now, we should stick with linking back up with the tug.  That's all I have ma'am," Tucker says to her and Clarence outside the ruined marauder lock building.

OOC: I don't think any of us had a map with us?  Correct me if I'm wrong?

Snowy eases out on to the sandbar. A Polish soldier lies nearby, decomposing where a surge deposited him- by the looks of the corpse- weeks earlier. Snow can look up along the walled canal where it passes through the locks. The current is exptremely strong here. The river decends approximately three vertical meters between the canal entrance and the sandbar. With the river somewhat swollen by the light but steady rains of the past few days, it would be suicide to try and navigate an inflatable up the channel. The Krolowa might be able to handle it if it weren't for the barge and whatever issues remain with the tug's rebuilt propulsion system.

At the locks, Gunny and Yazzie reposition so that they can provide overwatch for the tug, Snowy's boat team, and the recovery team's withdrawal. This, however, leaves the group at the lock unprotected on the northern flank.

At the locks, all is quiet. The enemy have apparently had enough and have withdrawn to the interior of the small island.

On the tug, Adam notifies Max that the repairs are well underway. The ruptured steam line needs to be replaced, but, fortunately, additional lengths of the appropriate sized pipe had been stocked for just such an eventuality. It is just a matter of cutting out the damaged section and welding in the new one. Repairs should be completed within an hour and the boiler brought back up to steam a half hour after that. In fact, with every expectation of returning to operation within the next two hours, it may not even be necessary for the Krolowa to drag itself back upriver.

Actions?

Prompted by Maddock's observation, Griet looks at the short belt of ammo dangling from the PKM. She sets the MG's pistol grip down, the muzzle still propped on its bipod, and unslings her AKSU. She reaches out to receive Maddock's binoculars.

"Thank you, Sergeant." She says with a mix of embarrassment and genuine gratitude. Slightly more at ease, she replies to the Royal Marine's inquiry.

"Row is to... argue, no? I hope it is not normal. Problem of group of many nations- and egos."

Clarence is quiet while Tucker responds, mulling over the Major's plan in his head. When Tucker finishes, Clarence responds,

"Using a bridge to load the tug is a great idea, major. We're gonna have to file that away for the future. But today, I think the wisest course of action is to load up with as much gear as we can carry, burn the rest, and head back to the inflatable. If we had twice as many bodies, I'd be tempted to try your plan. But, the tug has hardly enough crew left to fight and sail it. Those marauders we scared off at the top of the hill probably took off down that road. If they went for help, we could run into the rescue party on our way to the bridge. If we lose coms on the road... There are just too many variables. The best plans don't survive contact with the enemy. Anyway, I'll quit talkin' your ear off. You know what I think."

Snowy lies flat on the wet sand, and looks at the dead Pole with more than a little disgust. He says to the corpse conversationally "You know mate, you really stink. Did you have to lie here to do it?" Shaking his helmetted head, he keys his radio.

"Snowy to Sunray. No boss, it's no good. We were lucky not to get a gutful of water coming down, and there's too many sandbars to get ourselves back up without repositioning the pick every hundred metres. We could do it in six hours, maybe four, with a ground team onshore and everyone else working like maniacs." Snowy scans the area again and adds. "There's an assault boat that looks to be in good nick and worth pinching, but I can't do anything about it with the pick onbard. I suggest I take the pick back to the tug, drop off my help, then run back upstream to grab that boat and pick up the away team. Otherwise, I can see if I can get to the assault boat with the pick and then send the zodiac back and grab the team with the assault boat. Over."

Feeling a little better know the sniper team has him on overwatch, he spends a little time carefully assessing the area while waiting for a reply.

Bayer mulls over the change of options the assault boat adds to the situation. He considers for a brief moment where everyone is, the methods of transport they have, the state of the tug, and where any known enemy might be. No matter how is looks at it, it seems to have consequences either way. Team Tucker still hasn't responded yet either.

"Tug, roger. Cancel anchoring op. Snowy, isn't it possible to just tie off and tow back the assault boat? If not possible, return to original position. We'll proceed from there. Over."

Snowy looks over at the assault boat and thinks on the problem, then keys the mike again. He says to himself "use your bloody initiative Snowy me-lad."
"Snowy to Sunray. Sorry boss, I've been stupid. I know how to do it now. If the boat works, I'll be back to you quickly. Snowy out." He then goes on to say "Snowy to ground team and long gun. I'm going to temporarily drop the pick here and scoot over to you. Can I have two individuals with automatic weapons ready to embark to secure the assault boat? Long gun, can you cover me while I move? Over."

"Tug roger. Possible to pick up ground party as well? Transport all back to tug? Over."

" SunRay this is Guns,,In position coving areas you specified"

"awaiting further orders"




John
in combat op
ak-47 at ready

"Snowy here Sunray. I'll be able to tell you when I check out the boat. From where I am there seems to be about a hundred dwellings on that island - a company job to clear them, at least. We'll have to nab the boat and scoot back to the mainland. Snowy out."