Mariusz still couldn't bring his heavy machinegun to bear. He turned his head to the wheelhouse and said, "Can we steer a more erratic course? The Hovercraft is staying directly aft and the side guns can't can we wiggle?"

Mariusz
Starboard Dushka
Waiting for a shot
Advising Adam to get a wiggle on

Griet lifts the heavy PKM and begins to make her way towards the quarterdeck. After only a couple of steps, her head begins to swim and she is compelled to slump heavily against the rail to keep her balance. Her legs feel suddenly rubbery and she vomits on the deck in front of her. Her spirit is willing and ready to fight, but her body is simply too weak. She slides  any faster.

With a metalic clang, Dawid unceremoniously plunks the Plamya on the wet poop decking and drops to his ass behind it, sighting on the enemy vessel. The hovercraft is regaining its momentum now, its engine noise building back up. As Dawid attempts to quickly lay the barrel of the 30mm AGL on target, Jason fires a third burst of 12.7mm fire at the oncoming hovercraft from the aft Dushka HMG. His lack of experience with heavy machine guns is telling as all of his shots fail to strike home.

Dawid's first flight of grenades arc towards the hovercraft, falling along its starboard side, sending up geysers of spray. One grenade, however, detonates on the starboard side of its camouflaged hull- near an open weapon's port- in a puff of smoke and sparks. The hovercraft lurches again, falling off slightly to port, bringing it into Mariusz's sights. The young man squeezes the twin butterfly triggers of the port Dushka, sending an undulating line of green targets towards the threat. Most pass over, but one round ricochets off of the metal beast's turret. Jason's simultaneous fourth burst kicks up more white water around his target but once again fails to strike the hovercraft.

The hovercraft's barrel swings slowly towards the Krolowa. As Dawid looses a second burst of five 30mm grenades, the hovercraft's cannon booms out in five evenly spaced reports. Only one round hits home, detonating on the Krolowa's stern, just a few inches from the lip of the gunwhale. Minh, setting up nearby to fire Stoner's M240, is knocked backwards by the concussive blast of the exploding 30mm cannon shell, smacking the back of her head on the deck. Momentarily stunned, she regains her balance and sits up, patting herself down searching for wounds. Aside from a growing headache and bruised elbows, she is otherwise unhurt, the fragments from the blast having been deflected upward and outward by the thick Polish steel of the Krolowa's hull.

Dawid's second barrage of AGL fire is by far the most effective response to the attacking hovercraft. Smoke and sparks shoot outward from its upper hull and turret. It swerves sharply to port, spinning on its axis and running half-way up onto the low east bank before dipping back onto the river, now facing south and away from the tug. It accelarates again, chased by a twin line of 12.7mm tracers and harried by another tight group of muddy, 30mm grenade-induced geisers. It retreats at speed, dispersing a cloud of thin smoke in its wind-whipped wake.

Meanwhile, at the junction between the tug and the barge, Snowy, assailed by the desperate shouts of Anneka and Stoner, has managed to cut through almost completely through one of the two thick hawsers that fasten the vessels together.

It appears that the IPAT's trump card has been played. However, it's gamble has failed to pay off. The hoped-for security of Sandomierz is less than an hour away. Switek and Chopper will be arriving at its outskirts shortly.

As everyone begins to "relax", as the rapid physiological crash that follows intense periods of adrenaline-boosted activity is colloquially called, a chorus of furious shouting, followed by a short burst of Kalashnikov fire, echoes up from somewhere inside the tug.

Actions?
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:58, Sat 05 Apr 2008.

Bayer, still at the DSHK, calls back to the team, "Casualties and damage?" After giving a moment for any responses, he adds, "Alright, everyone return to your positions."

Slinging his rifle, he's about to return to the bridge when gunfire is heard within. Readying his weapon once, again, he bellows out loudly, "Snowy, Sergeant Tucker, Stoner... on me now! Remainder to cover your positions."

Bayer will then lead the other three towards the entrance(s) of the Krolowa's interior. "Snowy, where did you put the prisoners? Any chance they could have got out or there hands on the armoury? Are the tug's crew armed?" he asks a quick as his strength in English allows. "Where is the tear gas located?"

- If there is only one entrance, Bayer will have Snowy, Tucker, himself and Stoner (in that order) enter and clear each area in that area.

- If there is more than one entrance, he will have Stoner cover the other doorway, but he will not enter... only clearing in one direction.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:51, Sun 06 Apr 2008.

Quyen sits for a moment, her head hurt immensely. "Shit..." she utters, barely audible... death came close today. Standing up slowly she walks over to Dawid.

"We gotta get back to our station." she says with obvious pauses between each word. Realizing something she says "In the rush of things, I kept the rocket... shit."

She's about to reach towards the drum of AGS ammo when the shooting breaks out below. Instinctively she readies her weapon... although slowly. The pain from her head made her movements lethargic and clumsy. Quyen thinks at first they were under attack again from the shore or another boat. "What is that?" she asks aloud.

When the German officer begins organizing a response, she slowly understands the situation. "Right... yeah Dawid unload that thing and I'll carry the ammo back."
This message was last edited by the player at 07:45, Sun 06 Apr 2008.

If you really want something done, ask a Pole, the thought.

"Ah, Minh and I seem to be alive here, Captain Bayer! Praise God!"

He tried to keep from laughing uncontrollably at the miracle of drawing another breath.

We're alive! Thanks be to God and the Son and the Holy Mother of Częstochowa, we're alive!

"I am also wery glad you are alive, my friend. That was some shock you took! How are you? You were magnificent! Wery brave!"

He looked like he disagreed with the suggestion of moving the Plamya forward, quickly reloading the launcher with the spare ammo can Minh brought.

"It is better to leave it here where there is no heavy weapon, but if the IPAT comes back we'll just have to move it back,."

"At any rate, let us return to our neglected posts. A single grenade in the explosives locker will sink the ship!"

"Again, well done, my friend!"

He threw the Plamya back on his shoulder and started forward towards the bow.

9mm Stechkin (21/21)
Reloading Plamya, going forward lugging the launcher..
[Edit added: Dawid reloads the Plamya, but takes it forward with him.]
This message was last edited by the player at 13:56, Sun 06 Apr 2008.

Mariusz heard the short bark of a Kalashnikov and felt the urge to investigate. He heard Bayer detailing a search party however and decided it would be best to stay at his post. There might still be surprises in store for them and if an attack did come, he would be ready for it.

Griet made sure that the PKMG was safely on the decking and that the belt was not twisted. Once this was done, she took out her canteen and took a long swig of the cold tea in it. She used the refreshing liquid to wash away the taste of battle and fear. They had done it, passed a death trap with minimal casualties, a guy whose name she couldn't even remember.

She felt a twinge at that, she should feel guilty, but all she felt was relief, both at the fact that she was alive and that the people on the boat couldn't blame her because her plan had failed. They were through.

The only problem now was what waited for them at Sandiomierz. She had letters and agreements from Krakow and that would be useful, but sadly they were no garantee that the leaders of the town wouldn't try to rip them off.

She looked at the canteen and shook it, it was empty. She'd drunk it all. Her eyes were heavy and she let her head loll back to rest on the bridge wall. Then she slept.

Dave climbs from the barge to tug, giving Snowy the evil eye as the sound of shots ring out from the superstructure. He has is mouth open to say something when Konrad's rally call comes.  He shuts his mouth gives a slight shrug and heads to Konrads position, muttering "Frying pan, fire. Frying pan, fire" under his breath.

Whaddup, Boss? Prisoners get loose? has asks as he climbs the ladderwell to the Dshk

There's four point of entrance/egress on the main deck, we need to get them covered. We should clear the bridge first and secure that, then come in the single entrance on the upper deck, clearing rooms as we go  he says as the rest of those called for show up. Anybody have any flash-bangs?
This message was last edited by the player at 13:35, Sun 06 Apr 2008.

"Most possibly. Or perhaps the crew and that drunkard." Bayer replies.



"Four? Ok." Bayer says and then remembers the other entrance ways he had forgotten. "Very well, we'll do that."

Then looking over his shoulder he calls for assistance, "Milk! Assign the men to secure the entrances to the interior. Nobody enters the tug." Putting a hand on Tucker's shoulder he adds, "We need more men. I need you to go with Milk and cover those entrances ok?"

OOC - Snowy, Stoner and Bayer will clear in that order, following Stoner's suggestion.

Mariusz, you come too. We'll need a little help, Dave says to the youngster.

He leads the group around the back of the smokestack, talking and thinking as he goes. On the poop deck, he sets the MG-3 down and unslings the AK from his back and readies it.

We'll break up into two teams, Captain. Yourself and Mr White, and then myself. I'll go up and clear the bridge, then come back down. We'll post Mariusz at the bottom of the ladder where he can control the hatches to the Captain's office and the ladder to the bridge itself.

I'll take point, we'll clear the Captain's office, chartroom and radioshack. Then down the interior ladderwell to the main deck. Boss, you and Mr Snow work towards the bow, checking the rooms as you go. Then come down the port side. I'll clear the machine shop and equipment storage, then meet you at the ladderwell down.

In the hold, you two clear the engineroom, then work your way forward on the port side. I'll hold the companionway until you clear the engine room, then work my way up the starboard side. We'll either catch them or drive them to the bow and corner them.

Dave looks at each of the men in turn, to see if there is any objections, either to his plan, or his taking the lead. If he sees no objections, he climbs the stairs to the bridge to clear it.

Dave
AK-74, 6 loaded mags,slung across back
BG-15, 3 HE, 1 IllUM
clearing the bridge

Jason releases his grip on the DSHK, the all too familiar shaking starting to grip his body. "Damn if a few of those rounds didn't come close", he mutters aloud.

Stepping back from the weapon, he hears the AK going off below deck. His own weapon left back on the barge, he pulls his 9mm from his holster and chambers a round.

"Anyone wanna tell me whats up? We under attack? Should I stay put?"

Bayer looks at Stoner for a moment without speaking. He didn't want to seem indecisive or unskilled... but figured after a moment it was best to let Stoner or Snowy sort out the plan. He had mentioned in the past about what people should be in command of specific operations, and also where he should step aside. Boats... this was Snowy and Stoner's field.

"Ja... ok. Quickly then." he says after the moment's thought. "Just nobody go crazy in there. That damn drunk might be the one shooting."

G36/HK69 (HE)
Securing the tug
Inside tug (Stoner's plan)

Snowy hesitates, looking at the straining hawser and thing of the mammoth stresses on it. He keys his mike and says "Boss, I was halfway through one of the the lines on the barge when that vacuum cleaner buggered off. Watch the hatches for a second and I'll be with you when I've tied this line off again."

Mariusz readied his G3 and waited at the bas of the ladder, covering the areas he'd been assigned. He was hyped up from the frustration of the last combat and hadn't come down from the adrenaline rush.

Mariusz
G3 (18/20)
Covering the hatch and ladder.

After arriving at his station, Dawid set the Plamya down with a grunt.

His ears still rang, although loud noises weren't anything new to him.  He sat down in the Vasilek gunner's seat, running his hand fondly along the still-warm barrel.

That made four harrowing engagements where this beautiful piece of artillery had proven quite effective at the decisive moment.

Smiling a little and feeling completely wrung-out, he pulled out his binoculars and addressed Minh.

"We must remain vigilant. I fear our troubles are not yet over."

"Please check a side, Minh, and I will check another. "

He sighed, making sure his rifle was close to hand.

Vasilek (5/5 HEDP)
Stechkin (21/21)
Tantal/BNG-15 (30/1 HE)
This message was last edited by the player at 16:20, Mon 07 Apr 2008.

Tucker will finally relax some as they gain distance from the IPAT hovercraft and make way on the river.  Robert lays the PK MG hard on the deck when he hears the AK firing below decks and looks to Konrad to see where he wants him.  He rushes down and unslings his M-16 before they enter the tug to discern the problems below.  "Hopefully, we don't have to kill the drunk!"

Tucker
M-16A2 (27/30)/M-203 [HE]
Getting ready to go below decks to find the source of the firing.

The impromptu clearing team proceeds to enter the superstructure. The bridge is already secure with a newly energized Adam at the wheel and Walter, Makarov in hand, nervously eyeing the new entrants.

A deck below, the radio shack is a bit of a shambles. One of the hovercraft's 30mm cannon shells detonated against the exterior wall at the back of the room. Not much of the projectile managed to penetrate the thin steel of the Krolowa's superstructure but what little did, in concert with the blast effect, managed to destroy or badly damage some of the team's accumulated wealth in small arms*.

Snowy, having made sure the barge is once again securely fastened to the tug, joins the clearing team as it prepares to sweep the lower deck.

Below decks, just outside the mess, the clearing team finds Tadeuz, slumped against the narrow corridor wall, bloody hands clutched to his belly. Across his blood-soaked lap lies his AKM. At his, feet among several spent cartridge casings, is Artur Boruc, Dawid's one time acquaintance, recently dead. A butcher's knife, its blade stained red an inch from the tup, lies a few inches away from his still-cuffed hands. How he managed to get his hands out from behind his back must remain a mystery. There is no sign of the Czech. Tadeuz speaks up, his speech slurred, whether from the copious amounts of spirits he's managed to consume over the course of the still-young morning or due to the blood he's losing from a stomach wound, it is hard to tell.

"He's... he's gotten away. That Czech sonofabitch..."

He's cut off by a loud clanging emanating from the engine room just a few meters aft.

Actions?

*OOC: Destroyed and/or damaged small arms are listed in the Weapons Locker subsection of The Hold notice.

"Stoner, the crewman... Snowy, take over and lets go. Schnell!" Bayer says, indicating further into the tug's interior.

Bayer raises his radio and frantically calls up to Milk, "Buddha, Sunray. Confirmed PWs has escaped... one dead and one unaccounted for. One crewman wounded. Keep all hands above decks either watching the entrance ways or maintaining routine shore watch. Out."

Snowy slings his M4 and brings up his shotgun, switching on the tactical light.
"No one even think of using a rifle down here; if the ricochets don't kill us they may hit the boiler instead. Handguns and shotguns instead."

Snowy
Clearing aft towards the boiler, slowly and carefully.
Remington tactical (buckshot)
Galley.

Bayer complies and slings his rifle. He arms himself with his P7.

Bayer
P7
Tug interior
Clearing behind snowy

I'm on him, Dave replies to Konrad, kneeling by Tadeuz side. He lays his rifle close and opens his aid bag and goes to work on the wound. Ya'll be careful.

Dave
AK-74, 6 loaded mags
Patching wounded crewman

Since the tug was still moving, Anneka was forced to remain at the bow of the barge keeping watch on the river. They had to reach the relative safety of Sandomerisz as soon as possible aso it was imperative they avoided any obstacles hidden in the water .
Sure she'd have prefered to be elsewhere, involved in the events unfolding in and on the tug, but she had to admit there were others more suited to deal with current events....

Keeping watch on the river ahead
F88/M203
HP-35

Mariusz heard the comotion coming from below decks but stood at his position. In these circumstances it was better to stick to assigned positions than go haring off into a friendly fire incedent waiting to happen.

Griet continued to sleep, oblivious to the noise below.

'Right," is all that Tucker says as he transitions from his rifle to his Browning HP 9mm.  He makes sure it is slung in back of him so his range of movment in front of him is basically unobcurred.

Tucker
Browning HP [13/13]
Clearing behind Snowy and Bayer