“Barbarism is the natural state of mankind… Civilization is unnatural. It is a whim of circumstance. And Barbarism must always ultimately triumph.”

-Robert E. Howard, Beyond the Black River
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:01, Sat 15 Sept 2007.

Tuesday, October 3rd, 2000
-1430hrs.
Vistula river, approx. 20km downriver from Nowy Huta, Poland
60 F
Light overcast

The Krolowa steams smoothly through the brown water at a leisurely 5 knots (Adam  wants to ease the newly repaired engine back into action). The current has slowed considerably as the landscape returns to level. Flat fields, uncultivated and overgrown with weeds, line both banks. Scattered clusters of naked trees break up the monotony.

You start to feel the cold. The adrenaline in your system has dissipated and an overwhelming feeling of exhaustion falls upon you. But, you're no stranger to this post-combat phenomenon. After some food and water, and a little light duty, you'll be fine. There's still three or four hours of daylight remaining and the captain wants to make up as much ground as possible before anchoring for the night. This area is lousy with marauders...

OOC: Gunny's on a cot in the tug's makeshift sickbay and Griet is on the bridge with Adam. Let me know where your character is when you post by putting in the subject line. Now's the time to talk IC and take care of any routine maintanance or other business you would like to on board.

Actions?
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:16, Thu 18 Oct 2007.

Upon completing the transfer from small craft to tug, Maddock finds a corner to deposit his gear so that it might be reasonably secure but also out of the way. Carefully and deliberately, he releases the current magazine from his L86A1, renders the rifle safe, and tucks the mag into his webbing. The heavy rifle is then set with his pack, leaving him obviously unarmed.

That task completed, he finds Dawid. Assuming that the Polish artillerist is still standing under his own power, Maddock will draw him aside for a quiet word. "Dawid, my son, I've a notion that you should be taking me to meet your headman, yeah? An introduction, all polite like, so that he knows who's come aboard. Lead on, old son, lead on."

From somewhere inside his Royal Marine fatigues, Maddock produces a battered, stained and torn beret, badged with a sword rising from the waves, and sets it parade-perfect on his balding head.


On Deck, Aft
Unarmed
Speaking w. Dawid

When Tucker finally gets back on the tug, he drops his MOLLE vest and weapon on the deck as he begins to help onload all of the gear that they got from the lockhouse area.  He knows that most of the crew/team is working overtime and their bodies are close to wearing down but, once the supplies and shore party are back on board, some can begin to rest easy.  Tucker makes a twisted face as he hears Gunny Parks' knee twist and pop and rushes next to him as he hits the deck.  Rob grabs Parks under one shoulder and helps get him down below so Anneka can take a look at him.

Tuck goes back to the main deck and to gather his stuff where mostly everyone probably still is.  He turns to Clarence and Dawid, "OK guys.  Make ready and secure the eighty-two before we get under way.  Weapons and personal gear next.  You know the routine Clarence.  We'll sort through the new shit after that."

After he gets his detail set, Tucker will appraoch Bayer.  "You want a debrief now or after we secure this stuff Major?"

Snowy makes the last line fast, stretches his tired frame and heads into the forward accomodation area where the packs were stored. Lying his M4 within easy reach, he plops down in his wet gear on a chair and strips his armour and rig off, lying it beside the weapon. Wearily, he strips off his clothing and rubs himself dry with whatever part of it is the least damp. Opening his pack, he shivers a bit and pulls on a blue-black set of combat overalls and slips a similarly coloured woolly-pully over the top. It's not until he's pulling on dry socks that he realises he feels a whole lot better. He replaces his webbing and armour, but hangs his helmet off his webbing and puts on a light blue 'UN' baseball cap instead. He feels so restored in fact, that he's whistling while he hangs up his damp bunny-cams to dry. Gathering up his weapon, he clears the chamber and safes the action before heading up to the top deck to see Max and Blue.

John watchs gunny fall and lets out a soft "fuck" under his breath. He takes his gear and weapon and moves to the top deck to clean up and rack out. once he reachs the top deck he breaks down his AK and field strip cleans it then does the same with his pistol. after cleaning his weapons he reloads them and starts cleaning his gear. once the gear is clean he will move to the medical area and drop of the meds he was carrying minus two bottles of pills for his own use. he wont talk to anyone he dose not have to and will climb back up to the top deck. once there he will pull out his ponco liner curl up and fall to sleep.



John
sleeping
weapon slung to right leg
sleepPPPPPPP

Clarence collects his radio from Tucker and returns to his post in the auto-mortar gun tub. He's dog-tired. The stress of combat and the clash of wills at the lock had taken it's toll on his body but, even more so, on his mind. He eases into the makeshift armored cupola, slinging his AKSU within easy reach. He plans on keeping it handy as it'll come in handy in a boarding situation. He removes his helmet, pulls his brown knit cap over his uncomfortably long, curly hair, and replaces his helmet, leaving the chin-strap unfastened. He checks his radio carefully before turning it off- no use in running down the battery. He'd already used it far more than he'd planned; at least it hadn't been damaged during the day's excitement.

Clarence lays down an oily rag on the deck in front of himself. Sitting cross-legged, he proceeds to field strip and clean the AK-74 he'd selected from among the captured weapons (OOC to Rae- preferably, the nicest one: maybe a newer M model if possible). He works quickly and diligently, reassembling the sturdy weapon as quickly as he'd taken it apart. It is then, as he admires his handiwork, that it hits him. His stomach rumbled painfully, tightening up on itself in protest to the long and eventful period that had passed since its last job. Slinging his squeeky-clean new rifle, he gets up and heads aft, looking for a belated lunch.

"Unless there is anything pressing you have to tell me, lets wait until night when we anchor. We can have a O Group and general meeting in the galley then. In the meantime as you said lets get on with basic maintenance. I see most are already on top of things, however we should have a little organization, if for anything security. So here are some taskings alright?"

OOC - I'm not trying to throw around leadership weight, just thought it might be good to get things a bit organized. If you don't like it please tell me OOC and I'll step back.

Looking at the NCOs Bayer continues "Either you, Milk or Blue make up a sentry roster for those who are not injured. At the very least the forward machinegun must be manned at all times. If you see fit add another sentry."

"We'll keep our battle stations but now that Joost is dead. We need someone assigned to his AGS. We'll take care of his body and gear later."

"We don't need to babysit the men, but they should be taking care of personal weapons and kit maintenance first. After that they can do whatever they wish... eat, sleep, whatever."

If there are no questions or any other suggestions, Bayer will leave the NCOs to themselves to sort out the after op routine. He'll make his way to the bridge where he assumes Adam will be.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:23, Sun 16 Sept 2007.

"Tonight will be fine then sir.  It's nothing that can't wait but, it does need to be addressed accordingly!  Also, the new guy, Maddock, you want to speak to him later as well?

I'll get with Blue & Clarence about getting a watch schedule going and I think we should have one sentry on duty at night along with the foward machine-gun.  Outside of pulling a watch, we've got enough expereinced operator's here who know how to take care of themselves and their gear.  If that's it then Major, I've got my own shit to see to," Tucker says stepping back to see if that's it and then dismisses himself to get on with his own maintenance.

Tucker will first approach Snowy and then Clarence and give them the same earful, "Konrad says it's up to us three for a watch schedule for the crew.  After we're all cleaned up, let's come up with something and knock this out quickly.  We're staying at battle staions for the time being.  Sound good?"

Once Rob has finished meeting with Bayer, Snowy, and Milks, he tries to find himself a dry part of the deck where he can go over his equipment and weapons, more so the two new ('new' meaning never owned by him before) assault rifles he found.  He cleans up the M-16 and the AK-74 before he goes over his own weapons.  Once he has completed that, he picks up his gear and heads below decks to where the rest of the boat's gear is being stowed (and his) and places the two rifles into the armory with the magazines inserted into the weapons and the chambers unloaded and on safe.

He finally reaches his big pack and duffle and starts to get out of his wet and dampened clothes and changes into a fresh pair of BDU's.  Tuck takes his wet clothing over to where the boiler room is and sees if he can put his clothes near there, out of the way, so that they are able to dry off.  Tucker leaves his MOLLE rig with his other gear and puts on his shoulder rig holstering his Colt Python and spare speed loaders (2), kevlar vest and helmet, a bandoleer of mags for his M-16 before he heads back up to the main deck.

Tucker
M-16A2 w. [1] mag 30/M-203 w. [1] HE loaded
PM of weapons and gear before changing and coming back up on main deck

SLEEPPPPPPPPPPP


SLEEZZZZZZZPPPP




John
sleeping
weapon slung on leg

Grzyech chases Tucker out of the boiler room, brandishing a large wrench and spewing forth a stream of Polish expletives. The man is obviously quite protective of his work space!

[Private to Robert 'Tuck' Tucker: Don't worry- I'm not trying to give you a hard time; I'm just trying to develop the Polish NPCs a bit more. Tuck will be ablet o hand his clothes on a steam line somewhere other than in the engine room. Thanks for the quick reply on the captured weapons.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:47, Sun 16 Sept 2007.

Griet lugs the heavy PKM back up the stairs to the foward railing overlooking the main gun (Vasilek) on the foredeck. She's exhausted, both physically and mentally. Ground combat is still relatively foreign to her and, this day, she has seen more of it before lunch time than she has in this whole damn dirty war.

She stares at the PKM with a feeling of almost helpless frustration. She's never cleaned such a weapon before and it bothers her that she's going to ask for help to do so. Dawid seemed friendly enough, but he did get awfully frustrated with her back in the field during the firefight on the way to the locks.

She leaves the gun on the deck behind the low wall of sandbags and climbs the short ladder to the bridge. Adam is there, standing next to the stony-faced Uller, who sits in a tall, padded, barstool-like chair behind the wheel. She calls Adam aside and the two converse quietly in Polish.

When Griet sees Dawid again, she will ask him for help cleaning and loading the PKM.

After washing off blood from his face, Dawid had Anneka re-dress his scalp wound. His own Polish army beret sat on his head, green with a silver eagle flash.

At Tucker's order he quickly double-checked to see the Vasilek remained secure but ready for action, noting that it should be serviced as well that day before bed.

With Clarence by the gun tub he cleaned the Tantal and then battle-sighted it. He said cheerfully, "well my friend, when we last parted you seemed concerned we would never meet again. It is good to see your fears was unfounded!"

Mad asked him to convey him to the "headman", and Dawid nodded. "The Captain of this, noble vessel "Vistula Queen", is "Old Adam". He has hired Hauptman Bayer to lead his security forces for this trip. I will convey you forthwith." They headed aft and then up the stairs to the bridge.

Once there, he introduced Maddock to Bayer and Adam.

He then commented to Konrad, "things were very successful today, all things being considered. However, until we pick up more 82mm ammunition, I would advise against further indirect fire missions. We should only engage targets we can see to make most efficient use of our ammunition." [Private to A. 'Mad' John Maddock; Cap'n Rae; Konrad Bayer; Robert 'Tuck' Tucker: "I believe Mr. Yazzie's fire direction was more luck than skill, and he is wasteful. We should see who else is better at the task."]

Finding Griet afterwards, he handed her the other Tantal.

"Listen, you did very well today. You learned the most important things for an infantryman: don't run, and you must fire at the other fellow. Now, I will show you how to strip and clean this weapon, and the PKM. Plus operate the mortar so there will be backup."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:21, Tue 18 Sept 2007.

Bayer leaves the party to their business of personal maintenance and rest. Since his time as a Leftenant this was a time he felt that officer's were not needed to be about... interfering as it may with the NCO's jobs. Such a veteran crew didn't need much supervising anyways.

In the bridge house Dawid informs him of his opinions on the mortar... "Yes, I understand. It was unfortunate that we didn't acquire more ammo. However, such a common round as you know, I'm sure we will be able to sometime soon. Don't worry, but thank you for telling me. In the meantime, what about your head? I take it you are restricted to light duties and nothing more serious?"

[Private to A. 'Mad' John Maddock; Cap'n Rae; Robert 'Tuck' Tucker: Bayer's Forward Observer is 4... what about you guys and the others?]

After Dawid's response Bayer excuses himself to speak with Adam. "I would like to discuss with you the route ahead. What are we expecting... towns, woodland, farms? Do you know of any armies of any sort? Bridges, obstacles... anything you can tell me will be useful."

[Private to Cap'n Rae: Is there a map Bayer can take?]

As Adam responds Bayer notices the new passenger had entered behind Dawid. He gives him a quick nod as Adam speaks, acknowledging his presence and letting him know he'll be with him in a moment.

After discussing the route ahead, Bayer turns to Maddock and addresses him. "This is Captain Adam Rataj, the skipper of this boat and our employer. I am Captain Bayer, tactical commander. We also have a US medical Major and an attached Polish Chief aboard along with the NCO's and men."

Bayer takes a moment to look the man over as he introduces himself in turn. He doesn't recognize the beret badge but the waves and dagger clearly suggest to him he is a Marine Commando of some sort. His professional bearing he impresses upon Bayer is enough to convince him his rank is genuine.

"I am interested to hear how a man of your rank and unit became captured by bandits in Poland. Would you care to tell us of your... ahh.. story?"