Konrad calls to Foster on the starboard side... "Foster! Spec fire on the center of the trench position! Give us about fifty rounds or so."

Max perks up at Bayers call

A short burst of 5 or so rounds as a sighter, is followed by another 4 or 5 bursts of up to 10 rounds each, making 50 rounds heading down range at the trench position.

If anyone shows themselves, Max will try and walk the burst onto them.


Max
Serving up a couple of bursts on the Dushka

"I'll stay with Joost until we get through this unless something else comes up that I've got to move.  Thanks for the help and get back to your position with Milks.  Small arms unless it gets pretty bad, got it?" Tuck says to Dawid before he goes back with Clarence.

"rpg man trying to hide, but on wrong side of tire, range 240 meters wind now 5 mph"

"He's in the clear facing us...."


John will give a target destroyed if Gunny hit it...or a retarget if he missied on the leader target first shot at and for the rpg gunner.






John
Spotting targets with scope
prone with AK-47 laying beside him
This message was last edited by the player at 17:15, Thu 02 Aug 2007.

He nodded, checking to see his rifle was close to hand, although he stayed seated at the controls, aiming the weapon.  "Good show.  Let me know what needs to die, otherwise Milk will engage with small arms.  If we need to reorient the gun, then I will be counting on you and Milk to aid me."


Dawid Piotrowski
82mm Vasilek (5/5 HEDP), AK-74 (30/30)
Forward Gun position
Looking for targets.

Gunny picks out a target- the man prone behind a few loose bricks, a half-dozen meters from the gun truck- and fires. The target's entire body winces as the round cracks by his head. He crawls frantically backwards and at an angle, rejoining his comrades. Through the scope, Gunny (and Yazzie) see the trio break cover to the north and abandon the lock platfrom. A quick sweep of the southern embankment reveals movement in the heavy vegetation bordering the lock platform.

[Rewind] As the Krolowa passes the tip of the island, Max responds to Konrad's request for supressive fire, unloading 50 rounds on the SA-60 pit. The twin grips of the big "Dushka" HMG vibrate in his hands as fat, green tracers speed downrange, tossing up sand and burlap as they tear up the sandbags lining the bunker. There is no indication of the sentry's status after the barrage; neither is there any return fire.

[Synced] A few minutes later, the Krolowa is less than fifty meters from the entrance to the locks. The current is noticeably stronger here. Small branches float past the Krolowa on their way down the canal. The pitch of the Krolowa's engines change- the props are actually backing now to slow the tug's approach.

Actions?

This is your last chance to stop the tug before passing through the locks/canal. I'm not really clear on the group feeling here. I know Anneka, for one, wants to stop at the far end. Please voice your opinion on the matter, either here or in the OOC. Next GM post will go up Saturday PM.

Anneka was becoming increasingly disgusted at the situation developing around her. Although she'd served most of the war with various American units, she'd never had the misfortune before to be involved in actual combat with them - usually she'd been back with the medical units cleaning up the resultant mess...

"Hauptmann Bayer," she called up to him on the bridge. "A quiet word if you will." Laying the butt of the RPK on the deck, Anneka retrieved her Uzi, scrambled to her feet and made for the bridge doorway.
[Private to Cap'n Rae; Konrad Bayer: The subsequent conversation will be whispered (PM's) IF Konrad responds to her request. No need to let the "troops" know she has reservations about command decisions made so far.]
This message was last edited by the player at 23:51, Thu 02 Aug 2007.

Konrad watches for any response as Max fires several bursts of gunfire into the trench position. Nothing.

Lowering the binos he calls up the snipers... "Guns this is sandbag. Send SITREP over. No targets sighted here."

As Anneka enters the bridge he continues scanning the locks and holding the radio, but says quietly "Of course."


Konrad Bayer
Tug's bridge
G36/40mm GL
Scanning for targets

"tug this is john stand by for salute report"


"3 men,,running away,,north of gun enplacement,,,maurders or russians,,,time is now,,,small arms and 1 rpg"



John
spotting targets
ak-47 beside him

Before Anneka can speak with him, Konrad looks to Adam for direction... "Its your boat, your cargo, and you know how to handle this better than anyone. We holding position to launch a guide? If so I want to secure the lock before putting someone overboard in a rubber raft."

Adam, keeping one eye on the river, responds to Konrad's querry,

"I would prefer to send a pilot boat out but I can't, in good conscience, allow your people to expose themselves so with marauders about. We will all go through together, come what may."

With that, Adam squeezes past Uller to take the wheel himself...

At OP 1, Gunny and Yazzie watch as the Krolowa disappears into the man-made canyon of the locks, leaving them behind, for the time being.

On the boat's bridge, Old Adam crosses himself before placing his gnarled, experienced hands on the Krolowa's controls and easing the tug between the concrete walls at the entrance of the lock canal proper. The tug is moving much faster than it would during a conventional passage of functional locks, the barge caroming noisily from one wall to the other, scraping pale gashes in the filthy concrete. The engines are straining to slow the Krolowa but the current is unaturally powerful here as the already swollen river drops a full three meters in under half a kilometer. Adam does his best to maintain a safe and steady speed but it is clear to all that the Krolowa is moving at a dangerous pace.

There is a slight but noticeable forward cant to the decks as the Krolowa negotiates the passage through the locks. Those on the main deck are overshadowed by the lock walls; there is nothing to see but the damp, grey, algae covered, canyon-like walls. Those on the bridge, however, and the port and starboard gunners can see over them. Snow, on the port Dushka, and Blue on the aft Dushka have a good view of the carnage by the control house. At least half a dozen bodies- some whole, others in pieces- lie sprawled around on the red-splashed pavement. The scene disappears quickly as the Krolowa races along with the current. On the starboard Dushka, Max can glimpse rooftops between the trees on the southern island.

It's hard to tell if it's minutes that pass, or only seconds, before the decks level out and a brown wave breaks over the blunt nose of the barge as the Krolowa emerges from the locks into the last leg of the canal. The Krolowa slows quickly as gravity and the current loosen their grip on the tons of floating metal. Everyone on board can look out and see fields beyond the sparse treelines bordering both sides of the canal.

Ahead, the current has deposited a mass of dead driftwood and other debris against a high point of the right bank. Among the detritus are heeped several bloated corpses, their hands and naked feet standing out starkly pale against their sodden, camoflage fatigues.

On the north bank, the skeletal shape of what remains of an SA-8 Gecko battery's radar unit leans out of large dugout just past the treeline.

On the bridge, Old Adam turns to Konrad and Anneka [anyone within earshot may respond], relief washing over his face, and says, "We are through." He pauses, exhaling heavily, before continuing, "You will want to pick up the scouting team, I am sure. I think I can maintain station here, if you wish."

Actions?
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:57, Sun 05 Aug 2007.

As the tug transits the locks Konrad calls out for Tucker to meet him on the bridge. As we waits, he says to Old Adam. "Well done. While we wait for the scouts, I'd like to land a small party to check the position for anything of value to our mission."

When Tucker enters the bridge Konrad continue to announces his plan, "Sergeant I'd like you to land a small group to check out the position. Yourself, Dawid, and Milk. The snipers will also meet up with you on their way back and lend a hand if you need it. Fuel in that truck, weapons, ammo, the lock building, radios, anything you might think is good to take. Make sure you take a radio. Alright?"

OOC - I choose Dawid and Milk since the mortar is pretty low on ammo and Joost can continue to cover forward with the AGS. Dawid also since he's most familiar with Pact gear. The remainder are high up on the tug and in good all around sentry positions.

If there are no objections from anyone, he'll proceed to tell the snipers the inevitable "Guns this is sandbag. We've just past the locks, move to our position now. Watch for friendlies moving to the enemy position. Over"

OOC - How far are we from the AA truck and the lock building?
This message was last edited by the player at 05:15, Sun 05 Aug 2007.

Looking at the bloated corpses caught up against the driftwood, Dawid lit a cigarete and shivvered in the dawn chill.  "I would guess that's the remains of the ORMO garrison.  I wonder if they stole their boots before killing them, or had them take them off first?" he asked of no one in particular.

"Well, the gun can't be brought to bear on the locks now, I guess I'm free to leave my post and go ask Adam for my pistol back."

He finished his cigarette and with Clarence's leave, left the forward gun position and climbed up to the bridge.

Entering the pilothouse, he saluted Konrad, then asked Adam for the return of his sidearm.


OOC: of course, Dawid is currently unaware of any plans to have him conduct a foot recce, but will respond appropriately when told.

[Private to Cap'n Rae, Konrad Bayer: Psst: This is an excellent time to mention the duty roster to Tuck and have him take care of it.]
This message was last edited by the player at 11:48, Sun 05 Aug 2007.

Tucker watches as 'Old Adam' navigates his tug through the locks next to Joost on the grenade launcher.  He sighs and then smiles taking out a cigar from his pack and lighting it, offering one to Joost in celebration of them getting through.

Before he can get it lit, Tuck here's Bayer call him up to the bridge.  He gets up from his prone position next to the AGL and makes his way up to the bridge.  Tucker gets himself up there fairly quickly and stands in front of Hauptman Bayer, without saluting.  "Nice job getting us through Adam!" he says before addressing Bayer.

"Very good sir," he says to Konrad as he gives him direction on taking the inflatable ashore to assess the damage, scavenge, pick-up the Marines, and then return.  "If I may Konrad?  We're not taking on any POW's or WIA's are we sir?  If that's the case, how should the shore party deal with them?  I don't want another Mexican Standoff like we had before we even got on the boat with Dawid!"

Speaking of Dawid, Tucker sees him coming up to the bridge area and he raises a friendly hand to him not to come closer until he finishes talking to Bayer.  "Just give us a minute or two more please Dawid," he says politely to him until their conversation is completed between himself and Bayer.  When they're done, Tucker will say to Dawid in passing, "Get your stuff, we're going ashore to pick up the sniper team and have a look around.  Bring your RPG with you, just incase.  I'll get Clarence now and meet you on deck in five minutes!"

Tucker makes his way down and forward to Joost's position on the Grenade Launcher.  He yells down first to Clarence and then speaks to Joost.  "Clarence!  Get your shit!  We're going ashore!  Joost, you've got our cover while we're out!"

Tuck
M-16A2/M-203 GL
Getting ready to go ashore with Clarence and Milks

"Avoid it if you can." Konrad says quickly and quietly to Tucker. "You'll know what to do... we just want supplies."

As Tucker is turns to leave Konrad adds, "Don't get stuck in a fight. Radio any contact, and ensure you can extract yourselves from any problems. I don't want anyone hurt salvaging ammo."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:08, Sun 05 Aug 2007.

Aw shit, here we go again... Clarence didn't want to go. He knew his ultimate mission would end in abject failure if he should be killed in some random firefight ashore. But the others on the team couldn't be expected to take any risks on behalf of his mission if he didn't put his butt on the line for them. The recon team was about a half-kilometer away and there were likely still tangos on the ground between them and the tug. It was time for a little investment in the good will bank.

"I'll be right there, Tucker. I'm gonna help Joost manhandle the AGL back to the stern of the boat."

Milk slips his rucksack straps over his shoulders and tucks the radio handset into his web gear for easy access. Slinging his carbine, he approaches Joost and grabs the front leg of the AGS-17's tripod,

"Ya got it, man? Come on, I'll take the lead."

OOC: Is Joost still a PC?

Clarence makes his way aft, avoiding the various ropes, chains, and other sundry deck fixtures under foot. At the stern, he helps Joost situate the grenade launcher to cover the shore party before joining its other members by the inflatable.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:54, Sun 05 Aug 2007.

As the tug entered the lock, the opportunity to speak quietly with Konrad evaporated. The noise of the steam engines reverberating from the concrete walls and water rushing through the narrow channel made all conversation next to impossible.
"Nevermind," she said simply as the noise died down. "But may I suggest that next time, we try smething a little less....aggressive?"
The next orders she heard were quite welcome.
"I'll tag along with the salvage team. There could be wounded and I've more than a little skill at "finding" things."
Ready for combat as they all were, there was little she needed to grab beyond a few extra basic medical supplies. Although equipped to help any wounded, she sincerely hoped there wouldn't be any...
This message was last edited by the player at 05:44, Mon 06 Aug 2007.

Konrad turns to her and tells her with a smile "Don't worry I don't intend on shooting everything that moves on our voyage. However, you should feel at ease knowing those people (jabbing a thumb over his shoulder) ...can only be dealt with one way. Otherwise it would be you floating in the river with no boots on."

With that he heads down to where the inflatable was being prepped for launch. As the men assemble he announces "Ok. We'll hold here, but be as quick as possible. Its just a snatch and grab, we are not in dire need of anything. And, remember, don't get caught in something you can't get out of. Stay sharp and good luck."

Nodding to Tuck, he answered, "very well.  I have to finish getting my sidearm back from Adam, as I'll be packing the PKM."

"Speaking of that, I would suggest Griet accompany us to be my assistant gunner.  She said she can handle a machinegun and she'll be left without a weapon here, anyways.  Also, she'll probably want to verify what happened to her people at the locks.  The Rada will want a report."

Leaving the bridge, he passed Griet.  "I would strongly urge that you come along.  I will need assistance for the gun.  Also, you can least check up on the conditions of the lock and the fate of their men for the Rada.  Be quick!"

Once on the upper deck, he went around to the front and picked up the PKM GPMG by its carry handle, and the ammo can with the spare belt in the other.  Moving down to the main deck, he put his gear down by the inflatable, checking his heavy flack vest and tightening the strap on his steel helmet.  He would leave his AK and RPG here on the boat.

"Okay, I am ready to depart."


Dawid Piotrowski
PKM GPMG (100/100, + spare belt), Tokarev(?) (8/8)
Main deck by boat, getting ready to depart

[Private to Cap'n Rae; Griet Niewiadomska: Dawid whispered to Griet in Polish, "Griet, you REALLY need to come with us.  You must insist!"]
This message was last edited by the player at 13:22, Mon 06 Aug 2007.

Max is relieved when the boat finally finds an even keel.  For a while, Max could see the boat toppling over as it waned over at such an ... un-natural angle as it passed through the lock.

Having regained his equilibrium, he yells out to Snow above him.

"Snow?  You jumping in the tinny to go back and get our lads?

Or are you hoping they do a loot-n-scoot and have them roundavouz with us?"


After getting whatever reply from Snow, Max turns to look at the crew of the Vasilek, gives them a grin, and exagerated nod of respect for their fire.



Max
Scanning his sector for danger
Calling the shots for the recon team

Dawid smiled up and jokingly waved it off, pointing instead to Clarence and giving the thumb's up as if to say, it was all his doing!

Waiting for the inflatable to be readied, he slung the PKM over his shoulder so that is was hanging at his hip.

He said to Tuck, "if that truck is drivable, let's load it up with what we can and drive it back here so we can recover the gun as well as anything else.  Not to mention let's see if that bike is ridable."

He went below to see if there was a tool kit he could borrow.


OOC: Rae, just let me know if Dawid has his sidearm and can bring some tools in a puch, like a wrench and socket set (metric, of course!) duct tape, etc.


Dawid Piotrowski
PKM GPMG (100/100, + spare belt), Tokarev(?) (8/8)
Main deck by boat, getting ready to depart
This message was last edited by the player at 13:21, Mon 06 Aug 2007.

When Dawid went below, Griet picked up the spare belt for the PKM.  It was a heavy steel snake, eager to bite with its single pointed teeth.  She draped it around her neck and spent a moment arranging it to be if not comfortable then not painful.  That done, she set about helping ready the boat.

She'd seen the bloated corpses stuck in the driftwood like human lizards impaled by a cruel shrike.  Distance was too great for Griet to make out whether or not they were ORMO, but she would not be surprised.  The fact their uniforms hadn't been scavenged said a lot to Griet about how those who controlled the locks looked upon the local populace.  There might be a few of them in the mix of bodies too.

Griet Niewiadomska
AKR + 6 Magazines / spare PKM belt
Helping prep the inflatable

Coming back topside, Dawid nodded to her and said, "it's good to see you're going.  You can carry the belt in a can or sling it around your shoulders.  I guess in the Navy you probably never had to actually carry those around in the field."

Dawid Piotrowski
PKM GPMG (100/100, + spare belt), Tokarev(?) (8/8)
Main deck by boat, getting ready to depart
This message was last edited by the player at 15:52, Mon 06 Aug 2007.

Dawid spoke in English, but she replied in their native tongue, not caring if she excluded the others.  "In the Navy, we considered five inch small calibre," she joked, though only the merest lift of her lips suggested a smile.  "You just make sure you don't drown on the way to shore, farm boy."

Griet Niewiadomska
AKR + 6 Magazines / spare PKM belt
Helping prep the inflatable