Max hams it up with the rest of the NCOs for a little while, before quietly dissappearing outside.  He does a lap of the Queen, as has become his custom.

Without thinking about it, Max finds himself by his Starboard side Dushka.  He resists a smoke.  Max has never smoked, but finds the habit of starting it up gnaws at him constantly.

Sitting alone, Max surveys the country side as it passes by.

"Yes sir, that's what I've been told, although I don't like being coddled like a child! As for the mortar, it is still a powerful weapon-look at the havoc we wreaked!-but getting more ammo should the opportunity arise again is an absolute must."

"Well, thank you for your time, sir, but I must excuse myself."

With that, he saluted and left.  [Private to Griet Niewiadomska: I forgot to mention, he said to Griet, "do not worry about what Yazzie said to you on shore. After all, he's just an American, and therefore doesn't know any better".]
This message was last edited by the player at 16:39, Mon 17 Sept 2007.

As Bayer describes their relationship to Captain Rataj, Maddock's eyebrows climb his craggy forehead, but he schools himself back into proper form quickly. Once Dawid steps away, he knuckles his forehead in a respectful approximation of a salute, and rasps out, "Regimental Sergeant Major Maddock, Special Boat Service, His Royal Majesty's Royal Marines, Sir." He doesn't trouble with formality, but it has the tone of a senior NCO reporting to a commanding officer, all the same.

"Your boys picked me up in that flattened lock house. Seeing as they cut me loose, I'm not minded to hold the shelling against yon Pole. As to how I was getting there, I've been yomping about in the backcountry since AG Cromwell's breakthrough went tits up, beggin' your pardon. Wrong side of a bridge we dropped to cover a withdrawal, and effing months of sleeping in hedges while I work my way out of Red country. Had a few other lads with me, but Ivan's done for 'em a while back. Lost the plot, found my way to the river, then I walked into this lot all fat, dumb and happy. Didn't even have a chance to lace into 'em when I realized they were Ivans doing a bad Pole, and not the other way wither." He scratches idly at his beard.

"Bloody chuffed to see you, though. I thought some of your lads were taking the piss out there, with the carry on and losing the rag in a hot zone. I don't figure I understand how NATO boys wind up merc'ing it, but it's better times than doing what I've been doing, I'd wager."

After a moment, he winds down, apparently a bit surprised at his own verbosity. He shrugs uncomfortably, unaccustomed to the informality.

Adam introduces himself to Maddock, shaking the Royal Marine's hand with a calloused and surprisly firm grip.

"It is a pleasure to meet you. I'm glad we could, er, help you. You are welcome aboard, of course." He adds, almost embarrassed, "I assume you plan to join the security team, no?"

He hurries on to the next topic, addressing everyone within earshot and inviting all those interested to gather around the chart table.

"I travelled the river last, about five months ago. All that I know of this area may have changed since then. I have spoken to others- reliable people- who have sailed the river in recent months and things are much the same. Which is to say: dangerous.

"Here are the locks. We are here. As you can see, this region is mostly farmland, thinly peopled. The area is overun with bandits, however. Krakow has sent expeditions into the countryside here, to the north of the river, but they can hold nothing- there are simply too many bandits about. We are approaching the village of Nieplomice, here, on the south bank. I know a few people there. Their militia has managed to hold the bandits at bay- at least they had when last I received news of them. It would be a good place to stop for the night, if there weren't still several hours of daylight left.

"About 20km down-river of Nieplomice, where the Raba River joins the Vistula from the south, is the town of Uscie Solne. There used to be oil facilities there but of course they were destroyed long ago. The town itself is- or was- abandoned, but visited at times by fools looking for petrol. This stretch of the river is difficult- the Raba brings with it much sediment and debris. There are several other, er, tributaries that join the Vistula in this region as well. The dredges have long since ceased their work so we can expect many... natural obstacles.

"This is much to remember, I know, so I will continue later, once this section of the river has been mastered." Adam adds with a hopeful, but you suspect, half-hearted, grin.

"We have several maps of the river. You are welcome to take one, Mr. Bayer."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:05, Tue 18 Sept 2007.

"Thank you. You were... decisive." Griet's response is guarded but sincere.

She gladly takes the Tantal from Dawid, and sets it in her lap as she attentively watches the young Polish soldier break down the machine gun.

[Private to Dawid Waldus Piotrowski: OOC: How much more ammo do we have for this thing?]
This message was last edited by the player at 00:18, Tue 18 Sept 2007.

On the starboard companionway, Max is surprised by the sudden appearance of a lone figure emerging from the underbrush near the south bank of the river.

The man is dressed in cold weather civilian clothing and appears to be carrying a slung rifle of some kind, likely civilian as well. He waves both arms frantically in the tug's direction. As the tug continues down river, the man jogs along the uneven ground at the top of the bank, waving and yelling something unintelligable in what sounds like Polish. He does his best to keep pace with the tug, by all appearances desperately trying to flag it down as he stumbles alongside.

Actions?

OOC: Since returning to the Krolowa, all PCs have had chance to grab a quick bite to eat and Yazzie has even managed to catch a few winks.

He replied, "if you hesitate, you are lost! Of course, hit the dirt or find other cover, but always take the fight to the enemy if you can." With that, he reloaded the PKM, and cleaned and stripped their weapons. Also, he fetched a 3-cell "Lifchika" chest ammo harness and 6 spare AK-74 magazines. "This should do nicely."

[Private to Griet Niewiadomska: The Tantal shares the same ammunition and magazines with the AK-74, so there should be plenty of ammunition.]
This message was last edited by the player at 16:21, Tue 18 Sept 2007.

The sickening crack of Parks' knee was all too familiar to Anneka. There was little doubt in her mind that something had snapped, either a bone, or worse, ligaments. Either way, he wouldn't be out sniping for a month or two.
"Thanks sergeant," she said gratefully to Tucker once Parks had been settled in the mess. A shot of morphine later and Parks' troubles where a distant memory - to him anyway.

Bandages and splints later (plaster was a little hard to come by of late), Anneka removed herself and took care of her own needs...
[Private to GM: to be continued once I get home from work]

Max see's a person running along the bank, trying to attract the attention of The Queen.  He watches amused for a second or two, before realising he's not watching a movie here ... he has to act.

Max stands up and takes a sec to confirm its only the one person, and determines the threat level as low.  He steps into the middle of the Queens deck and waves two hands up at the watch/bridge of the Queen, hoping his movement brings attention to himself, and he can then direct peoples eyes to the person on the side of the Queen.

I hope someones up there, and they're not all playing checkers in the lounge, he mumbles to himself.

Having attracted someone elses attention, max turns to face the person again.
I'm sure we did a head count before moving off from the lock, he deadpans for his own benefit.

Max is guaging how close the person is to the Queen & how fast they are moving in relation to himself.  How much time does Max have before the person falls behind or out of view????  This will determine his next actions.


Max
Trying to gain bridges attention
Cautiously watching the unidentified person

Clarence makes his way back to the forward gun turret from the galley, mulling over the day's events as he munches on a piece of cold chicken. The team performed well, all things considered. The flap back at the lock house was an embarassment- one he played no small part in. He lost his cool under fire and it shamed him. He's have to smooth things over with Anneka at some point. Swallowing his pride would be difficult but, with so many miles still ahead, it would be foolish on many levels not to try.

Back at the gun, Clarence set aside a hunk of chicken wrapped in brown paper for his gunner. The kid was off somewhere, a flury of boundless energy. He should be in bed, taking it slow and easy after being wounded- in the head no less! But, he had things to do and people to see, it seemed. Clarence could faintly remember when he was that young. He'd of done the same.

Man, that was a long time ago...

He leaned back against the inside of the gun tub and shut his eyes for a few moments. He was sleepy, but with no watch routine established, keeping watch couldn't just be someone else's responsibility. He looked up towards the bridge. Griet wasn't at her post. Max, however was up on the starboard Dushka and he was waving emphatically at something or someone. Clarence stood up to take a look at what had Max all worked up and there, on the shore, was a civilian, desperately trying to get flag down the tug.

Here we go again...

Blue sat having a chat with Snowy, he noticed Max waving at someone and said "Friendly bloke isn't he Snow.  Ya reckon he's spotted a sheila or something and wants the Capn to pull over.  Maybe he thinks he'll get lucky"

Snowy raises an eyebrow and says "Bloody hell Blue, do you think he can really score out here? Nah, I think you're dreaming. What's it worth to ya?" He grins at Bluey and tries to see what Max is waving at.

"Strewth mate, I reckon even an ugly mug like yours has a shot out here, can't be many eligable batchelors like you too floating past." He scratches at his beard, "A case of Crownies when we get back, says if it's a shiela he'll score.  If it's a bloke & he scores then that's two cases.  How's that sound mate?"

Snowy, shading his eyes, says "It's a bloke, I may be in for two cases at this rate. You wanna saunter up there and see what's going on? I'll look after your gun for you while you're off being colonel general sergeant major."

Bayer is thrown off guard from Dawid's salute.  He can't remember with any degree of accuracy when the last time he was saluted.  He snaps one back to the Pole as quick as he can, at the same time trying to make sense of Dawid's response.  He wonders if he insulted Dawid in any way, but can't tell.  Surely he wasn't coddling him or downsizing the importance of the mortar.

With Dawid's sudden departure Bayer turns to Adam and the two converse about the route ahead.  He accepts the map from the old Captain and slides it into his map pouch of his webbing.  He catches sight of his old dogged eared map of Eastern Germany and immediately pushes old memories out of his thoughts.  Returning his gaze to Adam he thanks him for the info he provided.  "Danke, as I said, any amount of information is valuable."

The two men then turn their attention to Maddock, patiently waiting for introductions near the entrance of the bridge house.  He returns Maddock's slaute, ready this time for it.  What followed for speech from Maddock seemed like a record being played backward to the German, unfamiliar with much of the English terminology.  While he struggled to make sense of what he was being told, he nodded, in an vain attempt to mimic understanding.  In the end, he simply decided Maddock was definitely British and seemed a good enough fellow to trust.

Besides catching the occasional words it sounded like he was covering a withdraw but was left behind because he was sleeping.  Then he got lost but was happy about it.  Surely this wasn't accurate, so he gives him the benefit of the doubt.

Bayer does however catch the words "merc" in Maddock's speech and points it out as friendly as possible... "Despite our situation and what we may or may not be doing here, I'd perfer not to label ourselves mercenaries.  We are simply cut off and working on staying alive through whatever means."  Whether he was naive or not, he still considered himself an officer of the German Army.

Bayer, seeing the man was probably interested in settling down for a bit, excused himself from the conversation. "Alright. Well as I said, you are welcome to lend a hand.  I'd appreciate full cooperation with the other NCO's... but if there is nothing else, feel free to stand down."

With that Bayer makes his way down to the main deck in search of Tucker and the other Sergeants.  "How are things coming with the duty roster men? The Australian, up there on the gun has been there since this morning, he should be relieved as soon as possible ja?"
This message was last edited by the player at 09:32, Wed 19 Sept 2007.

Max gives up the waving.  Either someone has seen him by now, or its too late anyway.

Well, chalk another one up for the security team.  We're a sharp bunch, arnt we?  Unless we get bit in the friggen arse we're simply not gonna know about it.

max takes another desperate look at the person on the bank.  A civilian?  Mebbie.

We're all soldiers now, of one kind or another.

Max grips his AK-74 and fires a single shot into the air.

Lets see what happens now ...


Surveying the Queen for signs of life, Max shrugs nochalantly uppon seeing both Blue and Snow looking in his direction, but he looks embarressed when he see's Clarence, is that his name?, looking mystified at Maxs firing of his weapon as a means of communication.

Max holds both his arms out from his body at each of the parties, silently asking What we doing????


Max
Looking for direction

OOC: Continued from previous post.
IC:
Anneka soon fond herself back in her self appointed position just forward of the bridge.
"Have to get myself a deck chair," she quipped to herself as she began inspecting the RPD she'd salvaged. An old weapon, nearly fifty years had passed since it's construction, but still servicable albeit with a little extra care and attention. Too heavy really to be carrying about and not the most accurate, but it would do to suppliment the PKM Griet would soon be bringing back to the same location.

An hour or two later and her personal needs had been met, weapons cleaned and Uzi reloaded from the meagre 9mm stores. She'd even found a few minutes to stitch up Dawid's headwound.

Finally able to relax, she'd almost drifted off for a few minutes doze when a shot rang out just metres away behind the bridge.

"Who fired!?" she roared. "What's going on?" Her position on forward section of the sandbagged upper deck didn't allow for vision to the rear. It did however provide an almost perfect overveiw both forward over the barge and to each flank...
[Private to Max Fosters: In other words, she can't see you without moving from her position.]

Tucker is trying to get with the other Sergeant's to get some kind of duty roster started for at least the rest of this day when Konrad walks up from behind him.  He turns responding, "I'm trying to get with them now Major.  Everyone's tidying up their gear and as soon as we can, we'll get the proper people relieved."

Tucker responds to Max's single shot with a flinch after he calls out about the figure on the shore.  "Jesus Christ!  We gettin' shot at aready?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:10, Wed 19 Sept 2007.

This message was deleted by the player at 16:56, Wed 19 Sept 2007.

Bayer gives a simple "Ok" and affirming nod to Tucker and steps away from the NCOs, giving them some room to do their job. Deciding to check on the rest of the crew he makes it only half way to the mortar when the shot is fired.

He crouches down to the deck for a moment to try to take in what was happening. Being only a single shot and not a volley of continuous fire or even a burst from a DSHK, he thought it was probably an accidental discharge from somebody's weapon. However, not taking any chances he unbuckled his helmet which had been attached to his webbing and seated in onto his head.

He hears some yelling, one of the Australians, but can't make out what is being said. Making his way towards the other side of the tug he finds Fosters holding his AK-74... and looks to be the obvious shooter. "What ist happening?"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:47, Wed 19 Sept 2007.

SLEEP>>>>>>SLEEEPPPP

The man on the shore flinches as Max fires his warning shot, but he makes no move to unlsing his weapon. After a moment's hesitation, he continues his desperate pursuit of the tug, trying to keep pace as best he can, waving and shouting now almost frantically. You can see that he's flagging now, struggling to keep up. The tug will be leaving him behind soon. As the tug's security team's attention turns to the stranger, those with a working knowledge of Polish can make out some of his hoarse cries,

"Stop! Help! Village! Stop!"

Adam moves to the starboard side of the bridge and raises his binnoculars to his eyes.

"Could that be?" he mutters to himself. Then, he shouts at Uller,

"ALL STOP!"

Uller immediately throttles back and the tug slows almost imperceptably.

Snow and Blue, near the rear Dushka position (?), notice two more men approaching from the west and a bit inland (your right as you face the southern shore on the Krolowa's starboard side). These men are mounted on horseback, and wear camouflage uniforms. They are moving at a gallop, on an apparent intercept course towards the tug's pursuer. They are about 200 meters away and closing fast. One of them raises an AK series rifle and takes shaky aim at the man on the riverbank...

[Private to Anneka Soleblume: Your diagnosis of Gunny's knee injury is a torn ACL. His knee needs to be immobilized as much as possible. He won't be going ashore anytime soon! Also, sounds like Anneka is stationing herself where Griet is located. That's fine. The two can split shifts or double up.]

[Private to Dawid Waldus Piotrowski: How much PKM ammo is left? Also, your AK-74 is zeroed; the Tantal is not. Do you want to keep the AK-74 for a bit, until you get a chance to zero the Tantal? After that, the AK-74 goes back into the swag pool?]
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:47, Thu 20 Sept 2007.

As Max explains of the man on the shore, Bayer looks over his shoulder to the see the man struggling to keep up along the banks of the river.  Adam's sudden order to stop the tug however causes a look of alarm on his face and he leaves Max, rushing up into the boat house.

Assuming Adam is stopping for the man he calls "Stand too! Stand too!" He is unsure if the crew are either aware of what is happening or if they manned their posts in anticipation anyways.

Stumbling into the bridge house... "Captain Rataj! Wait, it could be a trap. We should be stood too before we halt for this man."

Bayer moves next to Adam and digs out his own field glasses.

OOC - Bayer is unaware of the horseback fellows.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:27, Thu 20 Sept 2007.

"Ah Fuck.  Here we go again mate." says Bluey as he jumps onto the Dushka and opens up at the two mounted men. "Fancy fresh meat." Blue adds looking at the two horses down the sights.

Rear Dushka
Opening fire
This message was last edited by the player at 00:31, Thu 20 Sept 2007.

Tucker will reach down for his newly acquired binoculars, compliments of the marauders, and tries to focus in on the man on shore.  Tucker will yell up to Yazzie, "YAZZIE!  POSSIBLE TARGETS ON SHORE LINE!  YOU'RE THE LONG GUN NOW!"