Switek rolls his eyes at the suggestion of a military chain of command.

"If I may be so bold," Switek suggests to the unknown sailor, "We are taught in the Academy that enforcing lip service to a hierarchical rank structure is perhaps the easiest part of military leadership.  I assure you, in my experience as as the ranking officer of the Polish Land Forces present, that the respect of one's troops must be continually earned.  If the leadership is as ... lacking ... as the Corporal here suggests, action may indeed be required to ensure our survival.  One must always have a contingency in place for meeting one's objectives."

The monk continues to clean his weapon.

"As for me, the Hauptmann is free to believe what he chooses as long as he understands I fight for a free Poland and not for NATO.  But enough of this seditious chatter."



[Switek]
Cross-legged on the deck
RPKM + drum 7.62mmS (75/75)
Cleaning his machinegun

" My Friend you must have me wrong here. I just have a plan to leave when we fuck up again. An for you Hicks you just got here so learn what the fuck has happened before you butt the hell in. Understand! I was not talking to you nor will I in the future. Was it not you who told me that the USA has left the building like Elvis after a concert?! That we are now just here on our own? That the EurCom is gone? I bought on this trip under the pay of a now half dead ships Captian. Not to run CIA operations. Oh.... you have not been briefed in on that yet. Well let me brief you. Ever wonder why we have been hit by SF types this whole trip ? Why we have been sitting ducks the whole way? Because someone came on this trip not to get home but to run shit for the Shit Ass CIA! How do I now fall under the Hauptmanns Command with the USA gone? When Milgov who I follow does not fall under NATO ? Because there is no more NATO anymore? Now the Germans are now on there own for the first time in 50 years and I like it that way and I'm sure they like it that way. We elected the Hauptmann our leader, this is a Merc Mission!!! I just now want to be left alone to train this young man, not to listin to you swabbie! The more I train him and prep a team that will listin to reason. I will have the best chance of coming home. Pure and simple I want to go home! And these great Poles here afford me the best option to go home. They listin,there smart and they want to learn the right way to do things. Makes things easy for me. Now you can go some where else. I dont want to talk any more to you."


" Now young Warrior with this Pistol you dont have to double tap the target it has such a big bullet it does it for you. Make sure you have that high firm pistol grip we talked about and slow steady trigger Squeeze. Reset the trigger and start again never let the trigger out all the way just to the reset point. Now lets go over speed reload drills agian. Time me David lets see if our boy is getting faster."


John
Training
SVD/1911

Dawid replied, "yes of course Sergeant. Please excuse my impatience."

"Teach the young one well."

Leaving the Tantal to be have the GL attached (the work of a few minutes) he went below and gathered 6 more AK-74 mags, the Komar and a few days canned food. He dropped off his pack and the spare ammo at the fantail with Yazzie and Mariusz.

Yazzie could see it was well-packed kit, at least for a gun-bunny (artillerist).

Returning, he stopped and listened appreciatively to Stanislaw.

"Well, your qualifications are... wide-spread indeed!"

He offered the man a cigarette and leaned in to light it. [Private to Stanislaw Switek: "The American Marine is skilled, but definitely a malcontent and agitator."]

"If you went to the Academy, you were an officer then. If you graduated."


Tantal/BG-15

"I was.  And I did.  With honors."  Switek confirmed to the artillerist as he accepted the offered cigarette.  "I attained the rank of Porucznik before leaving the Special Platoons.  That rank was restored when I was later volunteered to join the Chaplain's Corps."

[Switek]
Cross-legged on the deck
RPKM + drum 7.62mmS (75/75)
Cleaning his machinegun
This message was last edited by the player at 03:49, Mon 11 Feb 2008.

"Porucznik?"

Dawid came to attention and saluted. He then relaxed and smiled.

"I am only joking. I myself was a Plutunowy. (Master Corporal)."

"You seem like a man of many facets, we will talk more. Anyways, I must go."

"I have more lessons to absorb from Sergeant Yazzie." [Private to Stanislaw Switek: "You should know, I am part of the Armija Krolowa (Home Army, or pro-western Polish government military). Acting covertly. Please inform Major Solleblum that Yazzie plans on jumping ship. He also plans on taking Mariusz with him."]

Tantal/BG-15
This message was last edited by the player at 14:44, Mon 11 Feb 2008.

Hicks just shakes his head and keeps walking aft. "Corporal, whether NATO exists or not, the United States of America still exists, and so does her military services. That means that whether or not you like it, you're still in the Marines. And the Marines, like they've been for over two hundred years, are part of the Naval Service of the good ol' US of A. To cap things off, you're a corporal, and I'm a petty officer 1st class, which puts me two pay grades above you. Last I heard, ain't no one been discharged, so you're either still one of Uncle Sam's Misguided Children or a deserter. Which is it?" In addition to the pintle, Hicks has a canvas bucket with a drill and a selection of lag bolts that he's hoping he can use to mount the Mk 19. He looks around for the best place to give a good field of fire.

Mariusz let the discussions between the Americans go over his head. At that moment in time he was interested in staying alive and at present, the best bet was the tug, getting trained by Yazzie was a bonus, a considerable bonus and he worked hard at the drill John set him, trying to get better every repettition.

Tucker takes another pull from his cigar and smiles to John, "I see yer point Yazz.  No problems from me, it makes snese gettin' the kid up to speed.  If you do need me though, you know where to find me!"

OOC: See my OOC post

The next two-and-a-half hours* pass uneventfully. The tug continues to steam through a bucolic landscape of fields and pastures, none of which appear tended. Aside from a rusty tractor adorning a field of assorted weeds and grasses there have been no signs of human occupation. Those team members not on duty busy themselves about the tug as they see fit. Despite the peace and quiet of their surroundings, there's a tension on board that is almost as palpable as the early winter cold.

The tug approaches the town of Gawluszowice, situated on the south bank of the Vistula (off the Krolowa's starboard side). From a distance, it appears completely deserted. Those buildings still standing show obvious signs of fire damage.

It is now approximately 15:30 hrs local time. The village of Baranow Sandomierski is roughly 15 river kilometers further downriver (an hour-and-a-half's journey at 10kmph).

OOC: *During that time, Minh has built a low but thick sandbag wall around the AA gun on the barge, Chopper has mounted his MK-19 aft, and Snow has fastened most of the salvaged armor around the bridge. Dawid's earlier geiger sweep of the drowned PBR reveals only slightly elevated levels of radioactivity. But, considering the river debris litering the half-sumberged boat, the origin of the "extra" radioactivity is not entirely clear.

Actions?

Jason sleeps peacefully, cold and alone.


Jason Kasparov
Sleeping

Pleased with her efforts Minh sits on the low sandbag wall. Taking a break she watches the countryside pass by. After a couple minutes she picks up her rifle and webbing which had been set aside as she worked, and returns to the Tug.

Her gear hanging off one shoulder, she looks for Konrad. "Anti-aircraft gun protection is complete. I left the cover low so it can engage ground targets and used the left over sandbags to build outwards. I traded height protection for penetration protection. Whoever station it is will be ok... they just have to keep low. Anything else you need done boss?"

If Konrad has no tasks for her she returns to her gear, near the mortar. Laying on her back on the Krolowa's deck she listens to the engines and stares up at the sky above. If sleep comes she won't fight it.

As the tug was only thirty five metres long, it was difficult not to hear at least part of each conversation going on around the vessel. Doubly hard since her duties kept her constanly moving from place to place whenever she wasn't able to sit in her position just forward of the bridge for a while.
Seeing that only very few of the group were contributing to the heavy work still to be done aboard the tug and barge disgusted her, but there were plenty of senior NCOs to take charge of work parties and arrange sentry rosters... She'd have to have a private word in a few ears later when she got the chance - there was no need to say anything in front of the ORs.
Heading below decks to retrieve her own recently cleaned clothing (and very grateful to the boy who'd taken on such mundane but vital tasks), she unexpectantly encountered Konrad doing the same thing.

Bayer is in the wheelhouse when Minh finds him. Before that he had heard some heated discussion from outside. Assuming it was the men blowing off some steam, he ignored it. He hoped that if it was something serious, it would be brought to his attention.

Now, looking out the window at the now fortified ZU position Bayer says, "Well done. No... enough for now. Carry on with daily routine." When she leaves, Bayer returns to idly watching forward.

When the village of Gawluszowice comes into view, Bayer unfolds his map to reestablish their position on the river. Nodding to the helmsman he asks, "Gawluszowice?" As they draw near he trades the map for his binos and looks closely for anything of interest, tended gardens, camp fires, etc.

"Don't stop." he says quietly to the helmsman.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:39, Tue 12 Feb 2008.

"Chicken wire," Anneka says simply as she heard Konrads instruction to the helmsman from he usual position.
She and Konrad had had a very disquieting conversation before returning above decks. It had left both of them with much to think on....

After their discussion, Bayer smiles... Chicken wire. She was right in that they could use it, but he wanted to put some distance on.

He says to her as she's leaving the bridge, "From what the pimp said, I think the other village will be much the same as this one. It'll be close to dark and stop time. We can send a team to scout the area for things like that."

Bayer then went off looking for Clarence.

Rob listens to Yazzie tell him and Dawid to go and get the items he wanted for the packs.  He looks at Yazzie first, "I get it John, no problem.  Just thought it may help out some but, I do see your point!"

Tucker then looks to Dawid, walking away from Yazzie and the young Pole.  He says to him in a low voice,  "Well Dawid, let's go get the stuff so we can get it set up for the next stop.  You good with what Yazzie's suggesting Dawid?"
[Private to Cap'n Rae: Tucker can hear the conversation between Chopper & Yazzie correct?]
This message was last edited by the player at 16:48, Tue 12 Feb 2008.

"you will look at the sailor and say..


"Dont confuse your pouge navy rank with any type of leadership or respect from me . Your a punk! Now go away and swab the deck Seaman..You dont want any of me or whats over here. Yes I'm a marine until death. But follow you or your orders ,shit that means nothing to me.You can say all the moto shit you want but we were left here america is in two pieces. You have been on a nice clean navy base for the last few years when I have been out here doing Horrific things. Keep that in mind for the next time you pipe up.Now go away and never talk to me again ever! Understand? Now we will get back to our studys young man."


John will now Ignore with rudeness anything The sailor has to say for now on. He will do everything in his power to help the Poles and there young scout get betterH he will help pack there gear and service there weapons. He will keep calm and understand that all tempers are high and he just needs to be doing a mission and keep focused on going home.


John
Instructing
SVD/1911

He stopped for a cigarette. As always, the option was open for the other man to have one as well.

"Let's just say that this trip has been very unpredictable."

"The attacks we have suffered due to things happening beyond my knowledge or control have made survival much less likely."

"Not that I particularly blame Hauptman Bayer or Major Solleblum for this. However, the bullets won't care either, and neither will I if I'm dead!"

"Let's just say I'm tired of being treated like a moving target in a carnival." [Private to Robert 'Tuck' Tucker: "Well, I certainly wasn't going to disagree to his face! Yazzie is a dangerous malcontent and agitator. Maybe my agreeing makes it more likely he will commit to leaving, and who knows what will happen when the time actually comes?" He winked at Tucker.]
He smoked for a while.

[Private to Anneka Soleblume: He whisperd in passing, "Anneka, Yazzie plans on jumping ship. I am going along for now as this makes it more likely he will follow through. I will not be accompanying him."]

Hicks uses the base of the pintle to layout the template for drilling. "You can always tell a jarhead, but you can't tell them much. This ain't over, Corporal. Not by a damn shot". The SWCC boatman finishes installing the mount, then lifts the Mk 19 up off of its tripod and installs it on the pintle. He checks the fit and LOS, then loads the weapon. Hicks stores four belts of 40mm HV near by and heads forward.


Hicks
M21/1911A1
Forward

Clarence listened in from overhead to the terse exchange between Yazzie and the sailor on the deck below. The Marine had, in effect, just declared himself a "free agent" subject to neither NATO authority, nor U.S. military jurisdiction other than that of the USMC. Clarence had almost grown used to Yazzie's outbursts but the present danger implied in such behavior now seemed greater, especially with others- most notably the young Pole Mariusz, Sgt. Tucker, and possibly Dawid- apparently falling under his thrall. Not only was a potential mutiny brewing, but RESET was on the table. Clarence had only told Switek what RESET actually was (he was the only one who'd come out and asked) but anyone with half a brain could figure out that it must be important. The Soviets had already expended- to no avail- what was probably a full Spetznaz tactical team and an extremely rare Mi-17 helicopter in an attempt to obtain it. Milk considered stepping in but Yazzie had already expressed contempt for anyone and anything affiliated with CIVGOV, so he held back, watching and listening. Something would have to be done... and soon.

Bayer leaves the bridge and heads below decks to check on Adam.
[Private to 'Old' Adam Rataj; Anneka Soleblume; Cap'n Rae; Clarence Milk; Dawid Waldus Piotrowski; Griet Niewiadomska; Jason Kasparov; Jay 'Chopper' Hicks; Minh Quyen; Stanislaw Switek; Trevor 'Snowy' White: Knocking on the door he waits until a response. He expects Griet to be there.

Shutting the door behind him he speaks quietly "Adam, I believe we have a problem that needs to be taken care of. Major Soleblume has informed me that Yazzie has been causing dissension amongst some of the security team. There has been talk of desertion and seditious talk about the leaders."

"Much of this talk has been directed to the partisans. This may lead to serious trouble. We have not yet established their trust or loyalty. I'm sure Griet would agree that any kind of talk such as this to them, is particularly dangerous."

"The doctor has recommended we contain the problem immediately and take military justice style action. I believe we should give him the option of leaving. Any make-do justice may prolong the problem. Either way, I need your approval to take action. If he refuses to leave, then I and the Major will insist he is disarmed and isolated from the partisans."

After he is given a response he leaves and shuts the door behind him.]

Satisfied of Adam's well being, he returns to the upper deck. He checks on the day sentry and briefly observes the country side.

Anneka moves about the tug, chatting with the crewmembers.
[Private to Minh Quyen: "I understand you and White are, or were MPs?" she said quietly.
"Please be prepared to draw upon those skills again shortly, unfortunately there may be a problem that requires military justice."]
[Private to Trevor 'Snowy' White: "I understand you and Quyen are, or were MPs?" she said quietly.
"Please be prepared to draw upon those skills again shortly, unfortunately there may be a problem that requires military justice."]
[Private to Konrad Bayer: "I've given a warning order to our MPs, White and Quyen. Haven't told tham anything specific yet though, just to be ready."]

HP-35, 3x13 rnd mags

Switek stands watch at the starboard machinegun mount as the tug sails past the burnt-out husk that was once the sleepy village of Gawluszowice.  He peers through his Soviet-issue field glasses and briefly wonders what might have become of its former populace.  Deep down he knows exactly what happened, but maintaining a veneer of uncertainty - if not outright denial - was an important psychological defense.  Keeping up appearances was a major component of leadership, and he had fallen short in that regard more than enough times the last few days.

The burden of command.

His survey of the shore was interrupted by the Major, who stopped at his post and spoke at length with him.  The monk listened intently as she outlined her concerns and expectations.

"I might not be the best man for that job, Major," advises Switek,  "but I might well be the best you have.  I will see what I can discover."

He returned to his watch and continued his observation.  Once the tug had passed the ruins of Gawluszowice, Switek slung his RPKM and went aft seeking Milk.  Finding the American operative at the aft machinegun mount, he approached and began to speak in a lowered voice.

"I have concerns regarding allegiance to the mission at hand.  I suppose that if my band and I are to stay aboard, we must at least nominally abide by the will of the NATO officer staff and the captain of this vessel.  I can arrange that.  First, I will need to know where you stand in regard to completion of RESET, for your mission is my own and my primary allegiance is to you, irrespective of the NATO rank structure agreed upon by the others.  Allow me to make clear again that I fight for a free Poland, and RESET is thus my priority."

Switek pauses and takes in the wake left behind as the tug knifes its course through the water.  The breeze across his exposed face is brisk, but refreshing.

"Tell me how you want to play it, Milk, and brief me on what I need to know to continue your mission should you become unable.  I can gather the team later, perhaps after dinner.  I believe Kasparov is still with me, but I am concerned about the boy."

The monk nods toward the deck below.

"He is capable of much, yet quite impressionable."

Following his chat with the Warrant Officer, Switek made his way down to the rear deck where the Marine scout was busily instructing Mariusz in the ways of the modern warrior.  The American sailor had finished mounting his grenade launcher and gone fore.  Switek was pleased to see that the earlier dust-up seemed to have blown over, at least temporarily.  He waited for a lull in the lesson and asked the Marine for a moment of his time in private.  It was the first time he had ever actively excluded Mariusz from a conversation.

"I appreciate you taking the time and effort to train the boy Tokarski.  Poland needs warriors, now more than ever, and it seems I have reached the limits of what I have to offer him.  They call you Yazzie, yes?  May I call you that?  Is that a given name or a family name?  If you don't mind, I won't call you Corporal.  I mean you no disrespect, as I am sure you have earned your rank. But rank is not relevant to this conversation.  We can talk man to man, yes?  I am Stan."

Hoping to have established some semblance of rapport, Switek extends his open hand to the Marine and continues.  As he speaks, his tone changes and his knitted brow betrays the depth of his concern.

"I understand I am late to this party, but the road here was a costly one for me and my men.  I counted seven graves back at the last stop.  One was my rocketeer, and two the sailor brought with him.  So by my estimate, four of them were your comrades."

He hoped he was not being too direct, but sometimes a blunt object was the most appropriate weapon.  The Marine did not strike him as a man who needed things sugar-coated or who would tolerate much in the way of posturing or bluffing, so the monk played all of his cards.

"The Major asked me to assess your mental state.  I told her I didn't need to because it was obvious that you are angry.  And probably not without righteousness.  So I won't insult you with a ham-fisted psycho-analysis or any appeal to a religious dogmatism that we may not share.  I will tell you that I have been at this for a long, long time.  I have seen some horrible shit and I am all done burying friends.  So tell me, Yazzie, before we get too much farther down river, what kind of mess have I stepped into?"

The monk pauses for the scout's assessment of the tactical situation.  He then clears his throat and appears almost apologetic for what he is about to suggest.

"I need to know I can trust you with the boy.  I cannot wake up and discover he has absconded with you in the night.  I saved him from the hand of slavers, and in my culture that comes with a debt of obligation to concern myself with his welfare.  He is an eager young man, but he has much to learn about the ways of the world.  We have a mission of our own.  A mission to free Poland.  I need to know I can trust the leadership here, but more importantly I need to know I can trust you, the real fighters.  The open talk of desertion has many concerned, myself included.  I just need to know where we stand, Yazzie."

He sighs, and pats the Marine firmly on the shoulder.

"I thank you for tolerating the anxious rambling of an old warrior.  I will speak with you again soon."



[Switek]
Leaning against the rail
RPKM + drum 7.62mmS (75/75)
Chatting with Yazzie

Quyen lies on the deck, still staring up at the sky when the Doctor comes by her. She doesn't speak much, but listens to anything that Anneka has to say.

[Private to Anneka Soleblume; Cap'n Rae; Clarence Milk; Dawid Waldus Piotrowski; Jason Kasparov; Jay 'Chopper' Hicks; Konrad Bayer; Stanislaw Switek; Trevor 'Snowy' White: Quyen replies in a confident tone - "I'm ready." Rolling over to her webbing she fits it, and checks to ensure the status of the M9 in it's holster. She also verifies her handcuffs are in their pouch. Moving to the bridge, she will keep watch downriver and wait for further instruction.]

After working with Yazzie to get his kit in order, Dawid takes his turn at watch. Then, he makes sure his weapons are clean and ready for action. He waits for anyone to give him a specific task to perform.

He also made sure the batteries in his NVGs were charged and ready.

Tantal/BG-15[Private to Stanislaw Switek: "I mentioned I am part of the Polish government's Home Army, and asked you about the CIA plans and what we are doing about it. So what can you tell me?"][Private to Clarence Milk: "You mentioned that the reason we are in such danger is because of your mission. What is it? What will it do? What do the Polish people get out of it? I am looking for a reason to stay, because I do not cherish the idea of running off."]
This message was last edited by the player at 11:13, Wed 13 Feb 2008.