At the mortar, Dawid righted himself, quickly re-assembling his Tantal. The lesson with Griet had gone well, she was familiar with the Kalashnikov but being in the Navy hadn't had much experience with the newer Tantal. After about 45 seconds he had it back together and he pulled back the cocking lever to charge it, then made sure the safety was off and the selective fire lever was set it to single shot.

Taking his binoculars from their battered case, he scanned the riverbanks, looking for threats and danger. Gunfire echoed across the water, bursts and flurries of pops, with the occasional loud boom.

"Er, it depends on how badly we are stuck. We will probably need to send out a small boat with the rock anchor and kedge ourselves off."

Walter enters the bridge, seeking instructions. Adam provides them in rapid-fire Polish with a riverman's accent too difficult to follow. As Walter leaves, Adam turns back to Konrad,

"Walter and Tadeuz are going to drop the rock anchor. It would be wise to have the other boat standing by in case of emergency. The river is slow but treacherous here. Perhaps Mr. Snow could be put in charge of that. He did a fine job at the locks yesterday. Maddock is a boatman too, is he not?"

As if Konrad didn't have enough on his plate at the moment, Adam adds,

"And the gunfire. That is not good. You will make sure we are ready in case of attack?"

Anneka had, as usual, spend the time since meeting the other boat attending to her personal needs, inspecting wound dressings and working on the tugs defences.
The sound of gunfire as they drew closer to the town of Ulcie Solna sent her scurrying back to her appointed position forward of the bridge.
Sitting down in her position, she brought the RPD's stock up to her shoulder, just in time to be thrown forward into the sandbag wall!
"Shit!" she swore loudly, rubbing at her bruised left shoulder.
"What was that?" A glance up to the bridge showed she was unlikely to get a reply from them for at least a few minutes - they obviously had more important things on their mind than answering similar queries from everyone aboard.
As the situation unfolded and it became evident they were stuck fast, Anneka stood and spoke into the bridge.
"Konrad, seems like we're stuck for a while. Could I suggest sending a landing party ashore to set up a screen while the crew get us unstuck? Might also be an idea to scout out the firing and see what's happening."
Sitting on the tug and allowing any hostiles to sneak up on them didn't seem a very smart thing to do. Far better to send a team or half a dozen or so to secure the immediate area and any cover that could be used by snipers and the like.

Konrad shakes his tired head, they never seem to get a break. Looking at Anneka and Adam, "Right. Let me collect some people." Without bringing everyone to the bridge from their duty stations he only grabs Maddock, Dawid and Tucker - they can inform the others whats going on.

Once assembled he gives out a short set of frag orders, "Alright. We are grounded as you probably know. A raft is going out with the crew to work on getting us off the sandbar. We're going to put ashore a small cover team, and provide a secondary boat team at Captain Rataj's suggestion."

"Sergeant Tucker, its your turn again. Yourself, Thompson, Fosters and Quyen. You'll be put ashore to set up a standing patrol near the river's edge. Don't get drawn into the battle in town, its important we keep those in town uninvolved. You are more a mobile force to ambush anyone who makes a move on us. Stay low. Ensure your team has one radio and report all contacts. Call sign Raider."

"Sergeant Major, (looking at Maddock) you and Mr. White can both handle a boat so thats where we need you. Adam would like to to be able to assist with the recovery and any emergency since the river is ah... treacherous here. Land the shore party first then standby to assist wherever. Make sure your team has one radio."

"Everyone else, including myself, will man the heavy weapons here and provide a reserve element. I'll have my radio."

"Dawid. Do we have any options for indirect fire support. The mortar or AGS? In case our machineguns can't hit the their targets. What do you recommend."

"Any questions or suggestions on this? Let me know now." he asks everyone, looking mostly at Maddock and Soleblume.

OOC - Is Yazzie back or is he away?
This message was last edited by the player at 12:04, Sun 28 Oct 2007.

Maddock nods readily enough. "I'll land the shore party and circle the work crew, who will be under Mr. White, aye, Hauptman." He checks his rifle and webbing while he waits for the orders to be confirmed and the meeting to break.

"Correct. Also be ready for either a hasty extraction of the shore party or possible the landing of the reserve force if necessary."

Daeid replied, "well sir, that's about the size of it. Both can be used for indirect fire. We have more ammunition available for the Plamya, but of course the 82mm is more accurate and packs a bigger punch. It depends on who is calling the shots when it comes to indirect fire. I would suggest we not make barrages a habit, save that for a "high value" target."

"Simply put, keep the Vasilek loaded out with WP so we can quickly create a smoke screen for anyone on shore who needs to break contact. If we discover a raider camp, then dump the rest of the HE on it. Other than that, we can try out the Plamya in an indirect role."

"Alright Dawid, we'll go with that. AGS unless absolutely necessary and 82mm smoke available for hasty extraction."

"Just that I think the shore party should clear and occupy overlooking positions to prevent their use by possible hostiles. They shouldn't need to move far out of our line of sight."
Most likely they'd be able to remain visible, at least from the river while denying cover and concealment. They may even be able to covertly observe the nearby fighting from those same positions.
"I'm sure the crew don't need anyone taking pot shots at them while they work."

"Ja, agreed. They needn't move out of sight or too far. I'm sure they will make good use of the ground once they've landed. I only worry that they will get drawn into the conflict. I'd rather quietly get us unstuck and be on our way without the others interfering with us."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:39, Mon 29 Oct 2007.

"Then they should be instructed to remain concealed unless either the tug is under threat or they are discovered and fired upon."
The plan appeared to be falling into place, but like all good plans, it would only survive until contact with hostile forces.
"Now, as for us, only the DShK's and AGS need to be crewed for the moment? Must make sure we have at least one set of eyes watching each direction. In fact, I would advise the majority of those left on the boat watch everywhere but the shore parties direction - they can take care of themselves for now."

"Ok, sorry I must not have been clear enough, but good to clear it up now. Ja, the standing patrol acts like an OP, concealed and silent. But different in that it is capable of combat IF necessary, like as you said, if the tug is under attack."

He looks at Tucker to make sure all were in agreement and all was understood.

"Ja, for the tug. Heavy machine guns and AGS are manned. I'd still like the DSHK facing the shore party to be manned, for combat use. Lets have Dawid on the AGS, Clarence, Griet and perhaps yourself on the DSHKs? Gunny parks is also on the roof for precision fire. How does that sound."

Sleep...



...




John
sleeping

"I'd like Yazzie to go with the shore party too. His scounting abilities would be best utilised there and will still leave myself, Clarence, Dawid, Griet, Parks and yourself available to crew the weapons."
"Additionally, gas masks should be taken by the shore party to enable us to cover their withdrawal with tear gas if it becomes necessary."

Tucker is jolted from his resting place as he feels the tug come to an abrupt halt in the water.  He immediately grabs his M-16 and heads for the main deck to see what is going on outside, hoping that they haven't damaged the hull of the tug.  He'll muster anyone beleow to report to the top deck if they're near him or in earshot.

When Tucker gets to the main deck, the first thing he hears is the gunfire in the distance and then probably the yelling in Polish as Adam's people try to figure out what is going on.  He then has his attention grabbed by Konrad calling him up to the bridge.  He makes his way up there as fast as he can taking in the landscape all around them.  "I take it we hit one of those sandbars they were talking about before?  Shit, now we got gunfire out in the distance too?" he says aloud before Konrad tells him that he's leading another shore party.  Rob nods in approval, "You got it sir.  Call sign 'Raider' should be ready in about 1/2 hour.  Can we get Clarence's radio for the OP?"  Tucker stays to listen to any other comments, suggestions, or questions that come up before going down to the main deck to get his shore party ready to go.

When he gets down to the main deck, he begins to loosen up the ties on his shoulder rig carrying his Colt Python.  "Thompson, Max, Quyen!  Front and center, shore party up!"  Rob wiats for all of them to assemble on the deck and simply tells them, "Konrad's got us going ashore to as a cover party while they work on getting the tug off this fucking sandbar we're stuck on.  We're going in, taking a quick look around and secure us a nice, defndable spot and holding it until we can get underway again.  Maddocks our drop off and pick up when we're done.  Our call-sign for this OP is 'Raider.'  Nothing we don't need.  Safe side, water and something light to eat in case we're there for a little while.  Heavy on ammo and grenades.  Max, you'll have the radio and are with me.  Thompson, you and Minh pair up.  Questions, suggestions, or comments?"

Minh Quyen is awoken when the tug grounds itself. She sits up and pulls down her hood, trying to hear any voices. There is some shouting topside but she can't make it out. Two minutes later she is positioned near the mortar.

Tucker's call gets her moving and after receiving her orders moves off to quickly sort out her gear.

Digging through her pack she grabs some extra frags and WP grenades and her two mines; a claymore and a POMZ-2, just in case. After strapping the mines to her webbing with her bungee cords she moves back to Tucker to report for action.

Placing her bush hat on her head she says - "I'm ready." to Tucker and nods an acknowledgment to Bluey Thompson, her fireteam partner.

"Don't forget gas masks," Anneka said, grabbing Tuckers arm.
"We'll only use the tear gas if necessary but better to be prepared."

Bayer climbs up to the rooftop where Parks and Yazzie are perched. After explaining the situation to the two Marines he adds, "Yazzie, I could use you to get a little closer to the town for some extra early warning, and maybe some info if possible. I can't offer you much backup or support, if any, so you'd have to take extra care to stay out of sight. What do you think? You just have to get as close as you think is safe enough."

Yazzie seemed to like to work solo and this was his sort of deal, but Bayer left it at that.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:03, Tue 30 Oct 2007.

Ditching his helmet, Maddock checks to ensure that he is only carrying fighting kit. The heavy, long-barreled L86A1 is left behind, it's range and stopping power traded for the lighter and more manageable Sterling again. An exchange of ammunition follows before he is ready.

He heads to the point where the small boats are fastened, calling out to Trevor White as he gets there. "Mr. White, seems we're the boat party today. What's say we get these ladies into the water 'afore that lot come to pile in?"


Moving Aft
Silenced Sterling
Prepping the boats

This message was last edited by the player at 02:40, Tue 30 Oct 2007.

Patting her carrying pouch, Quyen says "Got mine."

Minh Quyen
AK-74 (5 Mags) + 4 Frag, 1 HC Smk, 2 WP Smk
Ready to load up into the inflatable
This message was last edited by the player at 02:47, Tue 30 Oct 2007.

The landing team loads into one of the inflatables while the wounded Walter -putting on a display of toughness- and Tadeuz load the rock anchor into the other.

The landing team pushes off and heads to shore. The water here is not swift, but the numerous mudflats and sandbars lurking just above and below the waterline create cross currents and eddies that are tricky for even the most experienced boat handlers to spot and manage. Fortunately, Snow and Maddock are up to the task and the landing team is deposited safely ashore. The team clambers out of the boat and begins moving across the cracked and pitted concrete towards one of the industrial buildings that mark the southernmost point of the town of Ulcie Solne. Maddock and Snow drag the boat ashore and make it fast before setting up behind cover to monitor the progress of the both the kedging crew and the landing team, ready to respond in an emergency. In the distance, the sporadic crackle of gunfire continues.

The landing team approaches an old, rust-streaked tanker truck parked about 30 meters from the first building. Its wheels long ago stripped by scavengers, it resembles a giant, mottled beetle carapace. As they prepare to make the last bound past the truck a lone figure emerges from around the far corner of the building. He's clad in the Russian woodland pattern camoflage that you've grown accustomed to seeing over the last four days. His rifle is slung on his back and, in his right hand, he carries a stick with a dirty rag tied to the end. He rounds the corner tentatively, waving the rag gently and lifting his left hand in a gesture of non-aggression.

Actions?

"Keep watch of your arcs people, let the shore party take care of the Russian."
Good advice she thought. The whole point of them watching everywhere but the shore party was to secure the rear. They'd know soon enough if they needed help and it was only a few short metres from one side of the tug to the weapons installed on the other...

Soleblume seemed to have things in hand with the boat's security team, so Bayer decides to climb up and join Gunny Parks on the rooftop. Lying low he pulls out the fieldglasses he took earlier from the bridge and observes the town and its shoreline where the shore party was.

Konrad Bayer
G36/HK-79
Rooftop
Observing town

"Sergeant, at the corner! One man." Quyen calls quietly to the team in case not all have spotted the Russian. "I can handle him... yeah?" she asks.

Minh Quyen
AK-74 (5 Mags) + 4 Frag, 1 HC Smk, 2 WP Smk
Shore party's location
Awaiting to deal with the Russian

As the boat is getting ready to push off from the tug, Tucker makes sure that everyone's got everything they need before they get on the raft and go to shore.  "Can't use it if we ain't got it and there's no FedEx to deliver it to us if we forget it!  If everyone's good, lock and load and let's do this.  We take care of our own first.  We make sure we get out., all of us!  If we're fired upon, fire back."

As the boat closes to the shoreline, Tucker begins to concentrate more on what's around them as they approach.  When the raft hits shore, Tuck gets himself out of the raft and takes a position of cover while the others do the same and Maddock and Snowy bring the raft back out into the river.  He looks around to make sure everyone is good and they're ready to move.  When they're ready, he signals to Bluey and Minh to head out with him following them and Max as the 'tail-end Charlie.'

Approaching the burnt out truck and getting ready to make the last bound to the buildings, he catches sight of the person in Russian fatigues holding a white flag and trying to signal to them.

(Minh: "Sergeant, at the corner! One man." Quyen calls quietly to the team in case not all have spotted the Russian. "I can handle him... yeah?" she asks.) "Got it!  he's yours Minh if it gets funny.  Anyone speak Russian?" Tuck says aloud as his rifle comes up to cover the flag holder.  He looks back to Fosters, "Cover up behind the truck Max.  Keep an eye out and get ready to call the tug."

Tucker
M-16A2 [27/30]/M-203 [HE]
Encountering person with flag