“There is nothing regular about the Vistula, nothing sorted out by human work, everything has been designed by thousand-year old natural processes, disheveled, mutually penetrating and interwoven in countless curvatures. Scandalous mess, shocking water engineers and navigators.”

-Wojciech Giełżyński

Saturday, October 7th, 2000
1200 hrs.
Sandomierz, Poland
40 F
Heavy Clouds

Chopper and Switek are the first to arrive on the outskirts of the small city of Sandomierz, once one of Poland's most important but having been reduced in significance over recent centuries to a quaint tourist destination. At least, that was its status before the war. Its current status is somewhat murky, although the Hetman of Tarnobrzeg intimated that Sandomierz was once again becoming a regional force. On Adam's last trip down and back up the Vistula, Sandomierz had been garrisoned by a group of unpleasantly disposed Polish army troops. Since then, the regime had changed, and its mercantile feelers had managed to stretch all the way out to Krakow, precipitating the Visla Krolowa's current trade mission.

On the landward approach to the medieval city, the requisite heavily armed checkpoint bars the way along the highway. An apparently immobile M-113 APC, surrounded by a thick layer of sandbags and topped by a KPV HMG, has been parked along the road about a kilometer outside the city proper. A large truck, similarly modified but unarmed, book-ends the road on the other side. At least a dozen armed men, half clad in civilian garb, the other sporting Soviet uniforms, man the position. At the sight of the approaching three-wheeled "technical", the men quickly take up defensive positions and bring their weapons to bear on the approaching strangers.

From the river, the city looms larger as the Krolowa creeps nearer on its one good engine, the other having been shut down until Jozef has a chance to inspect it thoroughly for damage after the Czech's brief rampage. A much battered medieval fortress, once the stronghold of Polish hero Casimir the Great, overlooks the river from the heights on the southern edge of town. The bridge across the river appears intact, if a little worse for wear. A bunker sits at its midpoint. Peeling white paint adorns most of the bridge, save for two large segments of the span which appear to have been repaired or rebuilt after what was probably an airstrike or two, some time ago.

The city itself is an odd admixture of the medieval and the modern, both similarly abused and neglected in recent years, giving the overall impression of lingering death and slow decay. In its day, it must have been quite beautiful. Now, with a band of thick grey clouds approaching from the north, the city appears unwelcome, geriatric, almost ominous. How the city, with its standing road bridge over the Vistula, and less than a 100km from the seat of the Polish Communist government at Lublin, has managed to avoid WARPACT military cantoment is anybody's guess.

An armed pilot boat meets the Krolowa about a kilometer from the city. Its independent ORMO representative boards the tug and, once satisfied that it is the long-awaited, legitimate merchant vessel from Krakow and not an IPAT Trojan Horse, returns to his vessel to guide the tug to the Sandomierz Boatyard.

The boatyard looks more like a junkyard, a myriad of rusted, derelict vessels bobbing in the river nearby or dragged up and deposited onto the shore. The repair facilities, although reputedly once quite well staffed and thoroughly equipped, look to have been used seldomly in the last few years. Bits and pieces of equipment lie around happhazzardly, the larger machines- compressors, welding equipment, cranes, loaders, and the like- appear to have been commandeered for use elsewhere or stripped for spare parts.

A small welcoming party waits by the slips, a half-dozen armed men surrounding a small, spectacled, balding VIP clad in a black trench coat. An armed footman holding an umbrella over the dignitary's bare pate stands at his side. As the Krolowa is slowly and deftly manouvered into place along the facility's sturdiest looking pier, the welcoming party approaches and, as Walter and Snowy secure the now stationary tug to the stauntions set into the concrete dock, climbs aboard.

Approaching the members of the tug's crew assembled on (or overlooking) the main deck, the small man speaks in a high, lilting, almost efemminate voice,

"Welcome to Sandomierz. I am Nalor Sosin, mayor of Sandomierz. We have been anxiously awaiting your safe arrival. I hope that the folks in Tarnobrzeg did not give you too much trouble?"

The man's smile wanes as he notes the overtly unammused reaction of the tug's contingent to his attempt at levity.

"I see. I am sorry for your... er, trouble. Well, you are safe here, at least. We must speak more of the situation at Tarnobrzeg later. Please, though, do not trouble yourselves about it any longer. You are all free to come ashore. There are a handful of pubs, taverns, and restaurants still in operation within the city. I must insist, however, that all firearms be left on board your vessel for the duration of your stay. Only members of the city guard are allowed to carry weapons within the city. I must return to the castle in order to schedule a meeting with the Commandant to finalize the terms of our trade agreement with the Krakow Rada. He will likely wish to speak to you after his afternoon nap- say, at around three o-clock, or so. In the meantime, you are more than welcome to do as you wish. Please, make yourselves at home."

Actions?
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:27, Sat 03 May 2008.

Griet finished looking over her papers, she had three more hours to prepare for the meeting, she hoped the results were better than her last negotiations, not that the meeting with the Hetman had been a failure, fighting against T'brzeg's prepared positions would probably have killed them all, but even one death left a bad taste in the mouth.

She looked at the ship's inventory and cargo manifest and tried to find a way of meeting all the priorities she had. She rubbed her forehead and stoped for a while. She headed out onto the wheeldeck and found the Major and Kaptain. She cleared her throat and began, "Major, Kaptain, this port of call may be the last chance we have to trade for anything we need on this trip. After this, if you and Adam insist on heading on, things will get ever more difficult. Now, despite my duties to the Krakow ORMO, I have to admit that I don't relish having to try to force a passage through the Hetman's lands again. If this place has a radio powerful enough to reach Krakow, I will reccomend that they send a military expedition to deal with the problem. If there isn't such a radio, we are pretty much on our own. I will try to alter the deal I am authorised to make so that we can buy the things we need to support Adam's dream and defend the boat. At the same time, the boat security unit has accumulated some goods that have value. I would suggest that you use the opportunity to trade offf the extra arms we have for things that will help ensure the survival and comfort of individual team weapons, I will do my best to secure heavy weaponry and ammunition. I would appreciate people's advice on what ammo and arms I should try for."

Hicks slows the Ural motorcycle down and pulls in the clutch, allowing it to coast to a stop. He keeps both hands on the grips. "Well Mr. Switek, I hope that you can talk a pretty talk. I'm sure glad you're here instead of my fellow American. How do you want to handle this?

Bayer digs out his ragged field pad and reads over the list of items they had expressed a need for. He ignored the 23mm ammo for obvious reasons. "I think nobody will disagree that our main interest is 82mm mortar bombs. As far as weapons are concerned, I would much rather spend what we can on mortar and AGS ammunition than more weapons. The weight in ammo is far more valuable and practical than extra guns. Although something cheap with an anti-armour capability may be necessary in the Pact controlled area... a recoilless rifle perhaps."

Nodding to the dock he adds, "You also need to tell them as soon as possible we are expecting to meet some of our people here. We would appreciate some help in getting back together."

Looking at the town he continues, "Changing the topic somewhat again... nobody goes wandering around town alone at anytime. Also, not everyone goes at the same time for shore time. We'll get two shifts going."

Looking back at Griet and the others in the bridge he gets back on track, "Ja. So... thats where I stand. Mortar and AGS ammo. And if anything larger, something simple to defeat armour at medium range... but even then..." he trails off.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:57, Sun 13 Apr 2008.

Griet nodded, "That is wise, Kaptain," she agreed, "if you arrange shore parties and rosters, I'll inform the authorities of our friends immediately."

She gingerly climbed down to the main deck and walked over to one of the guards on the shore, "Excuse me," she began politely, "we have two companions coming here by road. they are in a motor-cycle and side car combination and carrying an American heavy grenade launcher. We would be greatful if they could be allowed to join us as soon as possible. Would you relay that to whoever is in charge of the road entrances please?"

Once she was sure the guard had understood, she went back to working out what they'd be likely to get for their cargo, as well as what they needed. She made her way back up to the Bridge and said to Adam, "I've worked out what we need to get for each person we pick up, it is quite a lot, at least several bicycles per person. Could you give me a rough estimate as to how many you want me to prepare for? It is important as it will impact on what we can trade for in ammo. We need to balance having the firepower to get to Warsaw with being able to cater for the people we are rescuing. This cargo is the last stuff we have that we can trade, with it we need to equip ourselves to get to Warsaw and to return to wherever it is your family needs to settle. I'd advise against Krakow, we are burning our bridges to there as we speak."

After stowing the dead IPAT away and collecting her handcuffs, Quyen returned to the bow to watch the tug enter Sandomierz. After it was moored and the meeting with the mayor concluded, she wandered over to her gear. She was expecting, or hoping rather, for some free time. Digging out what few meager trade items she had left, she imagined what she might look for in any open market she hoped to come across. Smokes topped the list, but wasn't the only thing she was looking for of course.

While she waited for orders, she changed into her her cleanest and most unratty clothes. Slipping on her green Adidas hoody and a pair of US issue trousers that Mariusz had recently washed, she then sits on the railing of the tug.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:55, Sun 13 Apr 2008.

Bayer writes down the names of the team and splits them into two shifts. After erasing and making some minor changes he gathers everyone and assembles them on the forward deck. "Ok. Shift rotation for shore leave... First group ashore will be myself, Griet, Quyen, Dawid, Kasparov, and Stoner. Thats six. We will go ashore for a couple hours, then at 1500 meet with their commandant, before returning."

Continuing, "Meanwhile, Major Soleblume will command the detail on the tug with Milk, Tucker, Snowy, and Mariusz. Thats five and whatever ships crew as well. I won't include Chopper or Switek at this time. Anyways... this group will remain to provide ship security and maintenance. When the first shift returns, the second group will have a couple hours in town so we all get an equal chance."

Looking at the nearly dozen or so faces he adds, "OK? Questions or problems?"

OOC - I split the group simply based on some people being away or won't be posting for a while, or being an NPC (Milks). Thought it'd be easier to post this way. By the time the second group is going to head to shore people should be back to posting I think. Is everyone ok with this or does it not really matter?
This message was last edited by the player at 14:00, Sun 13 Apr 2008.

Sounds fine by me Captain. I can stay aboard if you need me too. Those asswipes outside of T-breg took all my personal trade goods anyhow. Just one question, though. What do we do with the dead bodies? I'd like to see Viktor get a decent burial, but I don't think the locals would appreciate us tossing the other two overboard. Kind of unhealthy, just keeping them on board.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:08, Sun 13 Apr 2008.

Dawid's powerful body was quivering in outrage. He looked like he was holding back from choking the living shit out of someone by sheer force of will alone.

"Shame on you."

"Even suggesting we dump the body of my friend Artur in the river like... spoiled meat. Instead of giving him a proper Christian burial. Even that Czech was just doing his job and deserves better than that."

"I am very well aware that to you, we Poles (and even the Czechs) are bestial subhumans, but in this matter, yes, I am having to insist."

He bent down and with a grunt began rolling Artur's body in the scavenged tarpaulin that he had helped fold not too long ago, while still alive. Trying to make it look like he rubbing his eyes due to fatigue, he wiped his eyes.

"I'll help you bury him,Dawid." Jason says rounding the corner. "As long as Konrad has no objections. The two of us could have him buried in under two hours. Less if others help."
Jason looked down at Viktor. "I should have been there, on that station. I owe him that much."Jason looked about. "I'll play porter after that my friends. I didn;t bring much in trade except the M-60 barrel."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:24, Mon 14 Apr 2008.

Mariusz walked the deck slowly and carefully, watching out for any danger that might threaten the ship.

"The ahh, people here may have procedures and people assigned to take care of the dead. Perhaps we should consult with them first... if anything to ask for a suitable location. Its their land ja?" Bayer says. "Handling this sort of matter may be organized and such here."

He looks back at Stoner and adds, "I split the group, but if anyone does not wish to go ashore thats ok. I was more worried about leaving the boat unattended than anything. Even with no trade goods, I think it might be good for us to get some time off this boat and if possible and not worry about getting shot."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:42, Mon 14 Apr 2008.

"If you do see something you think would help, come back and talk to us. If it's a big ticket item that will help the boat survive, I might be able to talk Adam into including it in the negotiations," Griet said, "if it's smaller or more personal, the stored weapons in the arms locker are the security unit's to do with as they see fit. I'm sure that the Major and the Kaptain would release some unused weapons for trade, unless they are planning to switch to PACT weaponry to help with ammo resupply."

Jason nods to Konrads instructions. "As you wish. May we prepare the bodies for burial, and lay them on the barge for now? Perhaps a small service before we depart, for our fallen brothers?"

"Ja. The only instructions I have, is the duties shift... and being vigilante while on board. Other than that, do as you wish." Bayer says.

Mariusz spoke softly to Dawid, "Comrade, would you search through Viktor's things, there maybe something personal you feel would be fitting to bury him with. As for your friend, Artur, well you know what he liked. I'll prepare some shrouds for the burial and I'll ask if they have any Czech flags we can borrow. There may be an old hotel that has some. The town probably has a cemetery we can use."

He squeezed the older Pole's shoulder and made his way to the galley. One of the preserved fruit jars was a pre-war cherries in kirsch, it should be exquisite to eat and he'd been saving it for a special occasion. He pocketed it and went out to one of the shore guards. He caught the man's attention and called him over. He showed him the jar and watched the man's eyes light up.

"We have comrades to bury," he said solemnly, "one was Czech, if you can find me a czech flag we can borrow to bury him, this is yours. Deal?"

He waited to see the guard's response and then headed to the tool room. He found several lengths of canvas, some string and a large sail-making needle. He laid this next to the bodies and went for some hot water, a sponge and some cloths.

He took off the boots and outer jackets of the three bodies and tried as best he could to clean up the mess around their faces. It was difficult to do much for Victor as the shrapnel had ruined his face.

He crossed their arms and laid each one on a canvass sheet. He sewed up the bottom and the middle until only the faces were uncovered. He put the clothes and boots to one side and laid out the contents of the clothes. Dawid could decide what would be buried with them.

He carried the bloodied jackets and boots up to the laundry and returned to await Dawid.

Well, shit, if it means that much to you I'll help dig the hole.  With that, Dave assist Dawid geting the bodies ready for disposal.

"I think the 23 & 82 Mike-Mike rounds are what got us through this point, the 82 rounds being more potent and packing a bigger and obvious punch.  Dawid's skill on it has made it our main armamnet and we need to stock up on those as much as we can.  I know some were short on .223 caliber rounds for our rifles?

I think if we get our hands on some RPG's or some LAW's, that should cover us somewhat.  I've got a small surplus of 40 Mike-Mike grenades for my launcher.  If we can get some of them and some for our PACT personal launchers, that would set us good for landing parties.  One last thing, I don't think a couple more shotguns would be a bad idea for having on board

Got no problems on taking the second wave into town.  Gives us a little time to tidy up some.  Be safe," Robert says as he reports to Major Soleblume for duty assignment.

Tucker
Slung M-16A2/M-203
On board tug for clean up & maintenance

After Konrad's meeting on the deck, Quyen leaves to stow away her rifle and M9 alongside her bunk space. Throwing her small bag of trade items over her shoulder she wanders over to where Mariusz is working on the dead. "Maybe we should keep their boots. Someone might be able to trade em in town for a drink or meal or something. Just an idea... they won't we needing them anymore."

Looking over at Jason she says, "I'm hoping there's a market. I want to try and trade for some smokes, playing cards, and maybe something fresh to eat."

Then as the idea came to her she points at Griet, "Hey chickens. I'm sure getting some can't be that expensive. Chickens will give us eggs and eventually meat too."

Quyen
Main Deck
Waiting to go ashore
This message was last edited by the player at 16:09, Mon 14 Apr 2008.

Jason smiled at Minh. He had seen her since the firefight, and she was truly a sight for sore eyes. Without thinking, he ran over and embraced her.

"Thank God your ok." he said touching her head. The swelling had gone down, but the lump was still there. "What happened? Thats quite an egg you have there yourself."

Realizing he was holding her, he breaks from his spell and steps back. "Sorry. I was just worried. A market would be a miracle."

He goes back over to Mariusz, helping him shroud the fallen. "Food is a priority, as well as ammo. Perhaps they might even have a way to work off some trade? Maybe some manual labor?"

Jason's actions caught her off guard and she wasn't sure how to respond. Whatever... at least somebody cares, she thought after a moment. Laughing it off she says, "Hit my head on the deck... hovercraft thing shot and I was knocked down. Still hurts a little, but no big deal."

Checkpoint

Switek [NPCed] studies the guards, noting their extreme nervousness. This is the perfect opportunity for Chopper and himself to get themselves shot, he concludes- one wrong word or gesture could provoke a fusilade of bullets in response. He raises his hands, keeping them well clear of the mounted Mk-19, and calls out a greeting, using the chaplain's tone and volume usually reserved for homilies regarding temperence,

"Hello brothers! We are part of a riverborne trade expedition from Krakow. We wish to enter the city."

A man steps out into the road, his rifle held at waist-level but pointed at the motorcycle. He approaches slowly. At about 20m, he yells [in Polish],

"Step away from the motorcycle! Keep your hands were I can see 'em!"

In Sandomierz

The mayor departs with the assurance that the city guard will be notified to allow entrance to a motorcycle/sidecar combo, leaving the Krolowa's crew to await the scheduled 3 o'clock meeting with the city's "commandant". While half of the security team stays busy on board the moored Krolowa under the curious stares of a trio of dock guards, the first shift ashore moves away from the riverside and deeper into the city.

Many of the city's buildings near the waterfront appear unnoccupied, with broken or boarded windows. The few civilians on the side streets quickly and quietly go about their business and seem completely indifferent to the sight of out-of-towners. The population of the city is quite obviously a shade of its pre-war levels.

Nearing the main east-west road through the city (the same road that passes over the bridge), the number of occupied/utilized buildings grows. Several storefronts line the main thoroughfair advertising with crude hand-painted signs all manner of goods and services. Within a single city block the team counts at least two pubs, a butcher, two green-grocers, a bakery, several retail (read pawn) shops, and what appears to be a brothel. Apparently, at least some merchant traffic passes through the city from time to time, bringing with it various appetites and fresh coin to spend.

A small cluster of four armed militiamen, all clad in Soviet fatigues, mill about outside the nearest pub- "The Old Boot", if the translation of the sign hanging above its facade is correct- eying the Krolowa's shore party. The militiamen snicker and converse in rapid-fire Russian, continuing to gawk at the approaching team. The shore party can pick out a few choice words- "Americans" repeated several times among various expletives (usually the first words anyone learns in a new language). From the volume of their voices, the militiamen intend for their unflattering comments to be heard.

Actions?

As the small party walks through the town, Jason covers the rear, keeping close to Minh, for both the pleasure of her conversation and to keep a protective watch over her. Passing the shops, he points out the potential for cigarettes to her.

"Maybe you can trade your egg on your head for a pack of smokes?" he chides, trying to make light of her injury. As they walk by the bar, he keeps a vigilant eye on the Russians standing out front. He makes a point of shielding Minh from their view.

"Captain, perhaps we should take some sort of formation."

Griet's mind was full of the negotiations to come. Juggling resources had never been her favourite task in the Navy and now she found herself preparing to do so once more, this time the resources were scarcer and the stakes higher. If she guessed wrong and they ended up short of something they needed later, people might die.

She heard Kasparov's suggestion of forming up in response to the Russian's insults. She felt that might well be the provocation they needed, if they needed any provocation, to start trouble. They were ashore now and any tenuous claim to authority over the Mercs she had ended at the gang plank. She held her tongue and hoped that the Kaptain would make a sensible decision.

She looked over at the pawn shops and wondered if they had any English Language books, having the time to read would be a luxury indeed and if they did find English books she could practice her English, her speech was getting better, but she needed more reading and writing practice.

"Ignore them. They only want a reaction." Bayer speaks softly looking interestingly at the businesses. "It's not a public market Quyen, but perhaps we can find some things in here." he says pointing to the pawn shops.

As he leads the group inside, he leads Griet into the front with his hand, "Would you mind telling him? We are looking for cigarettes, playing cards, English literature, and whatever else the rest here may want."

Griet gave the shopkeeper her best smile, "Good afternoon, Sir. My friends and I are looking for the availability and prices of certain items, in particular, my friends are looking for playing cards, books, especially any in English and cigarettes. Would you have any of these items for sale?"

Gaining control of himself, Dawid managed a weak smile at Bones.

"Thank you Bones, my friend."

"You would think after seeing so many comrades die, that I would be used to it. Still, death is not my friend."

"Jason, Mariusz, thank you both as well.

"Wasn't Viktor was part of the town ORMO? If so they will probably want some kind of report on him. I didn't know him well enough to judge what he would have felt as special. Perhaps his green infantryman's beret, as he was a Motor Rifleman."

"As for my friend Artur... I will check for some photographs he showed me once of his wife and children. Also, he had a St. Casmir icon (picture) folded up and kept in a pocket."

"These were good men. These were not criminals. Perhaps they believed in the wrong thing, but they had some kind of faith."

He wouldn't allow someone to take Artur's or Viktor's boots, any more than their wedding rings or any gold teeth.

Quyen lays on the table a few of her trade items, a complete set of lockpics, 4 AA batteries, a pair of battered binoculars, three gold rings, a combination lock, an RPG-16 HEAT round, and an unopened, prewar bar of Ivory soap. Pointing to the binos she says, "One of the lenses are broken... but it still works fine."

She thought surely in these post-war times, somebody, somewhere, would see something she has an object of value. She hoped today, if not in this pawn shop, she would meet such person.

"That soap... they don't make stuff like that quality anymore. Make a nice luxury item eh? Good for some wife of the town's elite?" Quyen promoted her stuff. "I've got the combo to the lock of course... and those lockpicks are precision crafted." Holding up one of the rings she continues, "Not fake of course."

Looking over the shoulder of the shop merchant, at his goods, she adds, "Got any hens?"

This message was deleted by the player at 12:52, Tue 15 Apr 2008.

Mariusz nodded solemnly as Dawid made his decisions, he placed the picture in one of Artur'shands and his family picture next to his heart. Viktor's beret went over his heart and Mariusz gently pinned the medals he'd found in the man's pocket book.

Mariusz had already made sure that personal jewelry and gold filling had remained with the person. He saw a few letters written to the Czech soldier and popped those in a pocket. There were others he'd written, Mariusz showed them to Dawid, "What should we do with these? Bury them with them or keep them in case the post ever gets running?"

Clearly touched, Dawid took a few seconds.

"You are very perceptive. I would suppose any letters to him are ones he kept from family and loved ones, and are private. The others, sure, let us see if perhaps they will be delivered."

"I feel in my heart that we must keep alive some belief that one day things will get better for our beloved Poland. That the mail will come, that there will be laws and justice and a fair court (which our people have not see for generations). We must believe that one day good people like Artur will help cast down the petty tyrants, instead of paying to keep them in power with their blood."

He sighed, looking at the footgear and figuring with a practiced eye how much they would fetch in trade.

"As for their boots, while they are perhaps worth a few zlotnys in trade, is it worth stripping away what little dignity they possess? Truly, we have taken everything else away from them. Let's leave them that."

9mm Stechkin (21/21)

The shopkeeper, a man with facial burns and an eye-patch who appears to be in his mid to late thirties, nods, fingering the items Minh has placed on his counter. The counter runs across the width of the building, near the storefront, and a length of chain-link fence extending from countertop to ceiling, save for a small aperture through which most transactions would appear to take place. A sawed-off, double barrel shotgun sits just out of reach of the transaction slot, discouraging would be shop-lifters.

The proprietor dissappears into the darkness of back of the store- piled high with all manner of goods- returning shortly with a deck of 52, an English language Agatha Christie hard-cover, an anthology of sci-fi short stories, and a "bodice ripper" romance novel.

"Booze and cigarettes are next door. Chickens are two doors down." he adds with a chuckle. "I'll take all of this [indicating Minh's goods] and make sure you get a pack of smokes and a nice, plump, egg-laying hen too. Deal?"* Noting the gentlemen among the group he adds, "I've got a couple of Playboys too, if you're interested..."

He glances nervously past his new patrons towards the front of the store. The four Russians the team passed earlier loiter just outside.

Actions?

*OOC: the proffered deal is Minh's soap, binos, lock, pick set, batteries and gold rings, for the playing cards, 3 books, a pack of cigarettes (quality unkown), and a hen.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:52, Tue 15 Apr 2008.

"Well, that seems obvious" Hicks allows the idle to die down, and both brakes engaged, pops the clutch the kill the motor. He raises his arms high above his head and throws his leg over the front of the bike to dismount. He moves a couple of meters away and waits, hoping that he doesn't have to test the bullet proofness of his vest procured by the government from the lowest bidder.

With the smokers Chopper and Dawid in mind, Quyen taps the smokes on the table and flips he hand up showing three fingers. "Take back one book if you want... but I should get three packs of smokes. Those lock picks alone are top shit."
This message was last edited by the player at 07:25, Wed 16 Apr 2008.

Mariusz polished the boots up as best he could and showed them to Dawid, "If they are going to the final parade, they might as well look their best."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:50, Wed 16 Apr 2008.

Griet listened to Minh for a moment and said, "My friend says that she'll not have one of the books if you can offer her three packs of cigarettes. If you cut her a good deal this time, I'll make sure the others buy from you when they come ashore."

Bayer stands off the to the side as Griet and Quyen haggle with the merchant. He mutters to Jason, "Russians outside... looking for trouble." Rubbing the back of his neck he adds, "Apparently it seems they don't get enough action from the IPAT in Tarnobzreg. In any case, lets keep calm."

As the agreement for the trade was being finalized, Bayer leans in close to Griet. "When we leave, tell those Russians up front we have business with the commandante. Maybe he's got his dogs on a short enough leash, that it is all these guys will have to hear to piss off."

After Quyen gets (or doesn't get) her extra smokes, he says aloud, "Lets go collect that big hen ja?"
This message was last edited by the player at 12:19, Wed 16 Apr 2008.

"If it comes down to trouble, we will need to get the others back to the ship quickly." Jason replies to Konrad. "What type of action do you want to take? Perhaps a diversion? I could walk out alone and try to lead them off. Divide their numbers?"

Jason looks at Griet. "Ask how many cigarettes this will buy," he states giving her his 9mm, "and perhaps another hen? Ask him to toss in the other book and some toilet paper and I have three more magazines to sweeten the deal."

"My other companion is asking that if he adds this pistol and three magazines, could he have the book another hen and more cigarettes? He'd like toilet paper as well but I doubt we have that much." she smiled again.

"I don't think it'd be safe for anyone to go alone. Lets stick together and see first if they'll back down once they know we have business with their commander. If not... well we will just do what we can." Bayer responds. "They may only be looking to intimidate. If we remain professional and unafraid it might be nothing. Lets just see."

"Very well. Hopefully the vodka hasn't boosted their ego's to the point of stupidity. It is only mid day."

Jason glances back across the street. "Do you speak any Russian? Maybe you can get a feeling for their intentions?"

Griet looked over at Konrad and said, "My Russian's not great, but I'll speak with them if you want."
She waited for Konrad's anser and thought about what she had that she could trade at the inn the guards were drinking at for some "social lubrication".

"Ja. Once this deal is done." he says.

Tucker will follow up his assigned duties or watches on the tug while the others are out and about in town.  He will go over his weapons and whatever else is assigned to him by Major Soleblume.

Tucker
Slung M-16A2/M-203
Waiting on tug

The shopkeeper snorts in disapproval,

"More cigarettes? This isn't Cuba, my friends. You may be able to get more in one of my competetitors' stores, if you like the Soviet crap variety cut with sawdust- if you're lucky, eh. These are the real deal. Take 'em or leave 'em. As for toilet paper, that's about all these are good for nowadays." he says, indicating the books.

His one good eye darting back and forth between Jason's well-maintained pistol and the Russians loitering outside, he adds,

"You really shouldn't have this here, you know. It's not really my thing but I'll save you all some trouble and take this off of your hands. I'll even throw in a second pack of cigarettes and another hen. You can keep the field glasses, though- I've got plenty of those. That's my final offer unless you've got something else to put on the table."

The Russian soldiers continue to mill around outside, taking turns looking into the storefront, attempting to be subtle, but failing rather miserably.

Actions?

OOC: The deal is the lock, lock picking kit, the gold rings, the soap, the batteries, and the pistol/ammo for the 3 English language books, two hens, a deck of cards, and two packs of 100% tobacco cigarettes.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:29, Thu 17 Apr 2008.

As Dawid and Mariusz are getting the bodies ready for burial, Dave picks up the Makarov pistol from Viktor's body. Looking at the two Poles he asks "Do you mind if I keep this? It came from the ship stores, and I'm without a sidearm." If neither has an objection, he'll stick the pistol in the waistband of his jeans, and pocket any extra magazines. If they object, he'll gently replace the weapon.

After that, Dave goes belowdecks and emerges shortly with a pair of shovels. Looking at the docks, he sees a man obviously with the local ORMO. He climbs ashore and approaches the guard.

Do you speak English? Habla Espaniol? Is there a cemetary around where we can bury some bodies? Two are good sons of Poland, the other is a Czech.

Hopefully the man will give him some directions, and he'll get to work digging while Mariusz and Dawid prep the bodies.

"Bones my friend, the pistol was ours to begin with, if he stole it then he shouldn't keep it."

If he sees David talking to the ORMO, Dawid goes over to talk to them himself in either Polish or Russian (whichever they speak).

"Also, do you know where we may acquire some 82mm ammunition?"

Stechkin (21/21)
This message was last edited by the player at 09:00, Thu 17 Apr 2008.

Jason looks at Minh, as the deal is offered. "Take it.I want the sci fi book, we can use the hens, and I want you to have the smokes."  He slides the pistol and the magazines across the counter.

He sees the shopkeeper glance out the window, and notices the very obvious Russians. "Finish up here." He whistles at Konrad. "We have trouble. I'm going to stand by the door. Give me your input boss."

Griet smiled at the shop-keeper and said, "Thanks. We'll take what you are offering and make sure our friends come here too. We'd assumed there'd be no problem about bringing unloaded weapons in for trading , so thanks for the info there. If we want to trade more weapons, who would be best to talk to?"

She noticed the growing commotion at the door and said, "I'd better try and help smooth things over, I'll come back later, and thanks again."

She hurried over to Bayer and said, "Would you like me to try talking to them?"

Mariusz finished with the bodies and then took a turn of the deck to ensure everything was OK.

"Ja ok. Good deal... good enough anyways." Bayer says quietly. Picking up one of the hens he says more positively, "Eggs. Good idea Minh."

Approaching the door, he says "Ok, outside. Griet tell them who we are dealing with here, the commandant. The rest of us, don't encourage them, but be ready. Jason, take the rear."

Bayer will then exit the store first but step aside once he is outside to allow Griet to follow and quickly speak to the Russians.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:26, Thu 17 Apr 2008.

Griet walked out of the shop with Bayer and walked toward the Russian with the highest rank, she looked up at him and smiled, "Good afternoon, my name is Griet Niewiadomska, I'm the trade delegate representing the Krakow ORMO. I have a meeting with your Commandant at Three O'Clock this afternoon and I'm curious to know what sort of a man he is, you seem interested in us, I don't blame you, I'd keep a close eye on anyone new in town too."

She continued to smile and act as if there was no threat. Throwing weight around often didn't work she'd found so instead of assuming a confrontational attitude, she worked on the assumption that everything was OK. She'd often found that if you appeared confident and friendly, that was what you got in return.

Quyen grabs the smokes and pockets them away. She leaves the books for the others to collect. Picking up the second hen she tucks under her arm and follows Griet towards the door. Stopping for a moment and nodding a thanks to the one eyed dealer. Leaving the pawn shop she stands between Bayer and Griet, paying more attention to the hen than the Russians.

Oh, he didn't steal it, it was part of what we was issued when we came aboard. Those assclowns at that village where you picked us up took all our gear.


Dave
Makarov (concealed under shirt)
2 shovels
Looking for a burial site

"Oh in that case, no harm no foul. Leaving his boots is one thing, but a weapon? We're not Knights of the Middle Ages, to be buried with our swords to soldier for Christ in Heaven. May it keep you safe."

9mm Stechkin (21/21)
This message was last edited by the player at 11:56, Thu 17 Apr 2008.

Snowy cleaned his weapons and then stretched, sore and still a bit wobbly with adrenalin. He put his batteries on charge and dropped in to see how Tadeusz was doing. He crouches besides the older man's bunk and says quietly;
"You alright mate? You sure blew that bloke away, we'll be swabbing him off the roof. Lie still for a while and have a rest, we'll look after the old man for you. If you want anything, just give a shout . . . and no, you can't have a drink."

Stowing the 12 gauge, he goes up to the wheel house to see how Adam is doing. "How's it going mate? You look a bit shagged out, how about a bit of a rest? We'll look after the boat for you while we're tied up. I'm going to do some metalwork, but if you can sleep through it you might want to take the chance. I just popped in on Tadeusz, and even though I can't understand a thing he says I think he's going to be fine. I'll give the decks a good clean up and get everything tightening up when you're in your bunk."

Slinging his helmet off his belt, Snowy settles his blue ACS cap on his head and runs his palm over his unshaven jaw. Writing himself a mental IOU for a shower he heads down to the deck and looks over the wrecked craft for goodies. He's especially interested in maritime mounts for weapons and something to redo his bodgie job on the vasilek. While he's happy to continue to upgrade it the mount, he doesn't mind starting from scratch with a real mount either. The 23mm gun needs a protected mount as well and he never liked it stuck on the barge like that. As well as weapon mounts, armour and other military hardware, he'd really like to hook up an intercom system and is prepared to be more than a little creative; no telephone is safe near him when he's in this mood.

Jason grabs the books and falls in line behind Minh. He silently curses himself for forgetting to ask about the sugar packets. Stepping into the doorway, he raises a book up, attempting to look non chalent as he glances at the Russians.

"What are you going to name her?" he asks.

The Russians look somewhat bemused at being addressed by the diminutive yet assertive Polish military servicewoman. They snicker like schoolboys before the leader remembers his job and answers,

"Your friend can't be carrying that pistol around here. All weapons must be checked with the city guard. You'll get a receipt of course."

After Griet explains the fate of Jason's pistol, the guards relent, appearing somewhat disappointed at missing out on just cause for a good scrap. The shore party returns with their swag- and without further incident- to the moored Visla Krolowa.

Shortly before the shore party's arrival back at the pier, the local dock guard responds to Bones and Dawid's inquiry about the city cemetary.

"It's full up. There's a war on, in case you hadn't heard. You'll have to find someplace else to bury your friends. As for mortar rounds, the city guard has a few. You'll have to talk to someone higher up about that, though."

Snowy, scrounging around the workshops for useful scrap, finds all manner of items which, with a little work, could be integrated into the Krolowa's defenses.

[Private to Trevor 'Snowy' White: Let me know what you want and I'll tell you if it's available. Chances are good with all of the derelict vessels floating or laying about.]

Meanwhile, at the highway checkpoint just to the south of the city, Switek and Chopper, seemingly with little choice, consent to being disarmed and searched. Their personal weapons, as well as the Mk-19 AGl, are confiscated, and the pair are briefly detained, until a messenger from the city arrives with a note sent by some higher authority authorizing their passage into the city proper. A signed, handwritten receipt is provided by the officer of the watch, a small dark-haired Russian, for the confiscated weapons. Unarmed, Chopper and Switek remount the trike and head into the city, angling towards the river where the Krolowa is presumably parked.

Actions?

OOC: If the second shift wants to head into town, now's the time. If not, I can fast forward to the meeting. It's up to ya'll.

There's a war on? The hell you say. Dave looks flabergasted. I must have missed it for all the dead bodies blocking my view. He turns to Dawid. How about across the river on that slight hill right there, pointing past the Krolowa. We can take them across in the rubber duckie.

Dawid looked aggrieved.

"Please, have some compassion. This man, he was one of yours. A comrade. I heard you here were better than those bastards at Tarnobrzeg."

"At any rate, where could I find the city guard? That would be helpful indeed."

Stechkin
[Private to GM: Try a Persuasion check.]

On the way back to the tug, Bayer looks at Jason, "Next time you plan on not following the rules, I just want to know about it beforehand ja? For all I know, I could have been held responsible for any problems because of a weapon. You understand yes?"

Aboard the tug, Bayer places the hen he was carrying on the deck. "No sign of Chopper and the partizan yet?" he asks aloud. Looking at his watch he estimates the amount of time before their meeting. "We are back early, and have not yet met the leadership here for the meet. If you want to go on shore leave now, let it be known and don't go anywhere alone. The local militia seem to be be easily provoked into fighting."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:30, Fri 18 Apr 2008.

Jason nods to Konrad. "Forgive me sir. I forgot I was even carrying it. Any action they would have taken, I would have accepted all responsibility for. My intentions were nothing of malice."

He looked at the hen. "I did put it to good use though, would you not agree?"

"Ja. Its no worry now, and it did come in use. I just want to know things ahead of time thats all. In any case, it's over now." Bayer replies to Jason.

Griet sat down with her manifests and notes, there were many conflicting needs on the cargo they had to trade, ammunition, humanitarian goods, food, equipping the Krowla, the list appeared endless. She looked up at the second shore party, "Stick with Mariusz and Dawid, they can manage the local language, remember, any weapon you are carrying now, even if they are concealed are to be left behind. If you need to take arms ashore to trade, I'll talk to the Boss of this place at Three and try to come to some sort of arrangement. Major, Kaptain, I'll come up with a long list of things we need and I'll show it to you to come up with a prioritised list."

Mariusz said, "I'd like to look at the grocery stores to see what staples are going for, if Griet trades for the basics, we can get some of the luxuries that will make life better, I'm willing to wait until after the main meeting though if no one else wants to go ashore. We also need to find somewhere to bury the dead."

Greit worked hard tallying various coluns and trying to make ends meet. Eventually, when she'd completed that, she made the list of equipment that she thought the mission needed, she had no idea as yet how much of it they could acctually trade for so they needed to prioritise carefully. She wrote the list down, copied it and handed it to the officers for their decisions:

Trading List
1) Humanitarian resources for Adam’s rescue mission (Adam still hasn’t come up with a ball park figure about how many people he wants to pick up)
2) 1 month of food for Krowla’s crew and security team
3) Ammunition for the 82mm mortar: HEAT/HE/WP
4) Ammunition for the AGS-17
5) Ammunition for RPG or some sort of medium range AT weapon
6) Ammunition for BG-1s and M203s
7) Access to scrap yard for working on defences
8) 7.62mmL ammunition
9) Explosives, or the components to make explosives
10) Scout boats

We should also try to sell the ZOO-2 to the ORMO as a “fixer-upper” , we might be able to trade the scrap Snowy wants for that if we’re lucky.

Snowy tools up on metal working kit and heads down the gangway. Anyone stopping him gets a face full of 'strine'; "Jeez cobber, you're as miserable as a bastard on father's day! Ask the old man for me 'curtains-n'-drapers', I've got the okay I reckon. Hey, are you guys good for a beer? How about we get a few suds n' 'ave a chat while I'm doing the hammer work? I reckon we can let the toffs work out the whys-n'-wherefores, we're just working lads gettin' the job done."

He'll start work right away, and will trade for any beer available and share it with the dockside workers. If anyone needs a hand on their tasks, Snowy is quick to lend a hand and happily learns the no doubt corrupt Polish while he's at it.

"Just what do we have to offer these people anyways . It can't be very much, and not able to cover all ten of those things listed." Bayer says leaning against the main deck's railing. He then rattles off his opinion on what he would say the priority is, divided into three groups.

1) Ammunition for the 82mm mortar: HEAT/HE/WP
2) 1 month of food for Krowla’s crew and security team
3) Ammunition for RPG or some sort of medium range AT weapon

4) Ammunition for the AGS-17
5) Access to scrap yard for working on defences
6) Scout boats
7) Humanitarian resources for Adam’s rescue mission

8) Ammunition for BG-1s and M203s
9) 7.62mmL ammunition
10) Explosives, or the components to make explosives
This message was last edited by the player at 13:39, Fri 18 Apr 2008.

"I can't see Adam trading for anything before the humanitarian stuff. You can try talking to him if you want, he wouldn't budge with me," she sighed, "the problem is, the people here are expecting to trade a load of gunpowder for what we have and they've been stockpiling it for a while. Switching it for something new at this short notice is going to piss them off and make them suspicious. We are going to take a big hit to the value of our cargo for that reason. According to my estimates, one of the mortars we have will provide the humanitarian needs for just eight refugees. That takes a big chunk of what we have. Plus we're switching from trading for something they have a surplus of to trading for things they need too. That means we pay top dollar and some on top. Trust me, we're going to be lucky to get half of what's on that list."

"Doesn't Adam realize we still have a long way to go? There will be other time to collect humanitarian things, but without other ammo issue that won't be possible." Bayer asks rhetorically. "I still haven't been given an idea of what trade goods Adam has aboard either."

"I don't understand what you mean about the short notice. We only showed up here. How can there be a "new" deal?" he asks. "Gunpowder? I am quite unsure of this whole trade issue."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:01, Fri 18 Apr 2008.

"I'm sorry," she said, "I'd assumed that Adam had briefed you about all of this when he employed you. The Krakow ORMO commandeered this boat to bring a cargo of bicycles, sewing machines and Wojo-built mortars here. We were to return with a cargo of gunpowder for the ORMO. That was my mission. Now, I have found out that Adam intends to go to Warsaw to rescue his surviving family and their community. As you constantly insisted that we were going to Warsaw, I thought you knew this. That is why I kept insisting that we had to go back. After the results in T'brzeg I have come to accept that heading back to Krakow is impossible and I have agreed to try to convince the Sandomierz council that the ORMO supports this change in trade. That's why all of this is going to be so difficult. As to being able to trade for Humanitarian supplies further down the river, that will be hard to do if we trade all our goods here for defences for the boat. Even if we could find the goods down river, we'd have nothing to buy them with."

She paused, "I really think you need to speak with Adam, he seems to have kept you rather in the dark."

"No no. Some things were just not very clear. Nevermind." Bayer mutters. "Fine... the humanitarian things. Excluding the civilian dealings, the military arms in that order I mentioned is my opinion."

OOC: I joined during Chapter 2 so I had some incorrect and missing info regarding the "official" mission. I had to go do some research - ignore this confusion.

"When the chance comes I want you to talk to them, for a request from me. While you are working out the trade issues with Adam and the local authority here... I want to be able speak with someone here about downriver information. Someone knowledgeable in intelligence matters." he adds. "If they want something in return, I can offer an intelligence report of my own concerning upriver. I figure thats whats most on there mind here... such as Tarnobzreg."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:20, Sat 19 Apr 2008.

If anyone is going to try and go into the town, Tucker will accompany them just to take a look around and see what is available.

Having returned to the Krolowa, Quyen loiters on the main deck. She watches the hens roaming about their new home for a while before digging out a pack of her recently acquired smokes. Making her way over to Dawid she holds the pack out, "Share a couple with Chopper huh?"

Quyen then approaches Snowy, "I've got some time working on stuff like that.  If you are going to be working on the tug, I can help. Tell me what I have to do."

"Of course! Many thanks!"

He does so, and when notified of the restriction on weapons leaves the auto-pistol on the tug.

Taking his book, Jason heads for the aft Dushka and sits by the rail. Feeling hes done enough damage already, he leans against the deck, and begins to read, hoping to lose himself in another world, far from the hell he is in.

Hey Dawid, Dave calls out. Bring me back an ice cold beer. I'm going to take care of the bodies.

Jason, would you mind giving me a hand real quick. I'm going to launch the rubber boat and put the bodies on board to take them to the other side of the river to bury. I can handle it once they're on the boat, but putting that thing in the water is a job for two men.


After getting the the bodies and a shovel loaded on the rubber boat, Dave heads directly across the river. He takes his AK with the grenade launcher just in case there is trouble. He finds a suitable spot and starts digging.

OOC: the body issue hasn't been resolved yet. If the ORMO will let them dispose of the bodies in the city, disregard this post.

As Milk moves around the tug, advising everyone aboard or nearby that Adam wishes to address the entire team in five minutes on the quarterdeck, Switek and Hicks arrive quayside on the Ural trike.

After those wishing to be present have assembled, the Old man speaks; he seems to have regained some of the vigor depleted when a Soviet anti-tank guided missile tore through the old tug's bridge, nearly decapitating the crew as well as the boat itself just two days ago.

"My friends, I wish to thank all of you for helping us to get this far. It has not been easy and you have sacrificed much."

He pauses briefly, composing himself. Old Adam has also lost much on this journey. Uller may have been a bastard, but he was one of Adam's oldest, closest friends.

"If you wish to stay here in Sandomierz, you will go with my blessing. If you wish to continue on to Warsaw with me and my crew, I will be eternally grateful. Now, I want all of you to be clear as to the nature of my mission. Your decision must be well informed and we need to be on the same page, as they say, when it comes to our dealings with the local ORMO."

He pauses again, regaining his breath.

"I intend to exchange the Rada's cargo for food, medicine, and clothing. We are about to betray the Rada and the Krakow ORMO and therefore, we may never return there. Instead, we are proceeding directly to Warsaw to assist the refugees. Winter is coming quickly this year. Griet has played her part well so far. The Rada had to have every assurance that we would complete the mission that they mandated so it was crucial that they have a trusted representative aboard. However, Griet's true loyalties have always been elsewhere. We were not sure whether any genuine Rada spies were aboard so we have kept up the charade until now. This is the time to end the game. Griet is my daughter."

Adam gives the young woman a brief but affectionate look before continuing.

"She has been in on the plan since the very beginning. Not even Uller knew of her true identity. Now the local authorities here are expecting us to trade our cargo for gunpowder, which they produce in great quantities and reputedly acceptable quality. Griet has forged papers modifying the deal. We must hope that they are accepted as legitimate. If not, we may have some difficulties leaving this place.

"She will conduct the negotiations. I am still too weak to go ashore and we must be ready to leave at once, should the ruse fail. Our main objective must be acquired the maximum amount of supplies for the refugees but I have witnessed the value of the Soviet mortar so more ammunition for it will also take priority; a portion of the value of the cargo will be allocated to that end. The weapons that you have acquired on the voyage are yours to do with as you choose.

Please, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask. There must be no more secrets among friends."

[Private to Dawid Waldus Piotrowski: I will roll a persuade check to see if the guard will allow you to bury the dead in the city cemetary. It is truely overcrowded, but some extra space could be found. Also, if you wish to use you second contact now, that is fine. Griet will be attempting to negotiate for more 82mm ammo with the city commandant so it's not really necessary but if you want to see if you can work something out under the table with a contact, that's up to you. ]

Bayer greets the two motorcyclists, "Well done. We are pleased you both made it through. We were fortunate ourselves... little damage and only the new Polish man was killed. Your fire support was helpful."

After Adam speaks, Bayer is the first to respond, "I expected to go all the way to Warsaw. Of course I honour my contract to remain." Continuing he adds, "I understand more now about the needs of the trade."



"Ja" he says aloud. "I am going to tentatively submit this for trade. Different munitions or weapons you may have in mind, tell me. Keep it realistic... this is not Krakow."

82mm HE (4 x case of 5 rounds, 20 rounds) - 300 X 4 = 1,200$
82mm WP (2 x case of 3 rounds, 6 rounds) - 300 X 2 = 600$
30mm HE (2 x drums of 29 rounds, 58 rounds) - 75 X 2 = 150$
40mm HE (1 x case of 72 rounds for M203) = 200$
40mm HEDP (1 x case of 72 rounds for Mk19) = 250$
Domestic Food (3 days for 17 people - 102kg) - 4 X 102 = 410$
Field Phones (2 x sets, price based off small hand radios) - 250 X 2 = 500$
RPG-18 HEAT (1 x case of 3 rounds) = 50$
Armour plating/scrap metal plating = Unknown cost

Total worth - 3,360 (+plus armour plating costs)

Trading With...
ZU-23-2 Damaged - reg/15,000 - hoping for around 10% value for damage = 1,500$
AKM Rifles (x5) - 300 X 5 = 1,500$
AK-74 Rifles (x6) - 300 x 6 = 1,800$
Bayonets (x9) - 20 x 9 = 200$

Total worth - 5,000$
This message was last edited by the player at 17:43, Sun 20 Apr 2008.

Quyen didn't have to think twice... stay here? Forget it, she thought. "I have no reason to step off. You and the Hauptmann have my loyalty." Quyen says.

After Bayer lists off the armaments, Quyen adds, "82mm HE.. good, they might have some WP too."

After a moment she adds, "Perhaps a raid may be an option. To acquire more that we may not be able to trade for here." She figured most everyone would be aware that with the deteriorating resources and supplies, both sides of the war raided to capture weapons and munitions. "On an isolated IPAT outpost, or bandit camp the locals here may know about."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:36, Sun 20 Apr 2008.

"I'd rather see more than three days of food bought. We would then only have five days supplies, in the last six or more days you haven't been able to resupply, so the same problem may occur." said Mariusz, "I'd say we need at least two weeks of supplies, enough to get us to Warsaw. If we can resupply later, that'll be a bonus. Let me shop around, I might be able to get a good deal by buying cheap ingredients that I can make tasty."

Griet noded, not trusting herself to speak after being recognised in public for the first time by her father. Her eyes glistened and she wrote everything down carefully as she blinked away the welling tears.

"Yes, I only started with a modest amount. We also haven't had resupply since we haven't been practicing acquiring more on our own account. By that I mean foraging, hunting, and the likes." Bayer says. "I also wasn't sure if food was on the trade regarding Griet's work, nor am I aware how much armour plating costs... so I had to list a small amount for the moment. If you can help out as you said, that would be gute."

Nodding to Quyen, he says, "Ja. It is an possible option. Profitable if the target is chosen well. Noted." He then scribbles down 82mm WP on the list.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:45, Sun 20 Apr 2008.

I'm fine with going to Warsaw. I'm a little worried about radiation, though. I've picked up so many rads over the last few years I'm surprised I don't glow in the dark.

My main goal is to get back home. I figure the easiest way is downriver to the coast, then maybe get lucky and find a ship. So I'm in.

As far as the food goes, I'm no hunter, but we could rig some lines at the stern and try for some fish to augment our supplies.

Jason nods to Bones, and helps him load the dead and carry them off to the raft.  While preparing to move out, he waves bones to stop to hear what Adam has to say. When the old man is finished, Jason raises his hand to speak.

"Adam, while its nobel of you to bear this cross, perhaps your not looking far enough ahead. Warsaw and  the Ormo will try to hunt you down. Perhaps that is a battle you choose to fight, and a nobel one indeed, but they may also take their revenge out on those you wish to help. Think on that for the moment. Now, have we consider getting some fishing nets for this boat? Perhaps we can bring your countryman some salted fish, clams and such. We can raid the russians for supplies, you keep your good word and your honor, and when the mission is over, you repay us by helping us get back home. I don't think anyone here would disagree with that "

Like clockwork, at 1500 hours, a black, eastern European passenger sedan arrives dockside, accompanied by a UAZ light truck. The mayor of Sandomierz emerges from the civilian car and approaches the Krolowa, escorted by his armed, umbrella-weilding footman.

"The commandant is ready to receive you. Any of you who wish to attend are welcome."

The mayor accompanies the Krolowa's representative[s] to the vehicles which, once boarded, pull away from the docks. Under a canopy of dark clouds, they weave through the old city and climb the promontory to the castle.

Its walls are pockmarked, scarred by the impact of heavy artillery and air-dropped bombs. Fortunately for the old fortress- and the city as a whole- the attention of the contesting armies did not long fall upon it. The fight was short and sharp, and circumstances outside of the city necessitated its abandonment as a focus of further unwanted martial ministrations.

The convoy enters the castle through a large gate and long entryway and emerges into an interior courtyard where the vehicles pull to a halt. A heavy rain has begun to fall, darkening the upper walls as the water slowly penetrates the old stone, concrete, and plaster. The sound of a gasoline powered generator echoes through the area, soon grating on the nerves. The group enters the castle proper and weaves through its passages, the older ones long and claustrophobic, the newer ones (a relative term), spacious, direct, and ornate. After what seems like a few minutes, the party emerges into the great hall, cavernous, and still adorned with tapestries. A fire burns brightly in a large fireplace set into the back wall. At a long table set upon a long, raised dais on the left side of the hall, sits a tall, lean man. His narrow face is topped by a cul-de-sac of grey stubble. His eyes are a strikingly youthful ice- blue. He deigns to look up at the entrance of guests, his attention devoted to a roasted drumstick. After a few minutes of awkward silence, he speaks, his voice sharp and nasal, his Polish course and pedestrian,

"It's nice of you to finally show up here."

He takes another bite of chicken, achieving a level of modest retribution by forcing his guests to wait.

"The gunpowder is ready to load. The mayor assures me that you've brought the trade goods we agreed on. But, before we finish here, I have a proposition to make. You met the 'Hetman' of Tarnobrzeg, I hear? He is a madman and a threat to the people of this city- of this whole region. I want to hire your boat to take a heavy raiding force of my people back to the city and provide them with fire support. We will provide the ammunition for your mortar. If you agree, we'll add 10% to your commision. As I see it, it's an offer you can't refuse. Getting back past the town- against the current this time- will be damn near impossible unless his warband is dispersed. What say you?"

Actions?

Wearing his red-and-white armband and green beret, Dawid cut as impressive figure as he could under the circumstances.  As there was time to shine his boots, wash up and shave, he did so. The rest was in the hands of the Allmightly.

"Yes, comrade Mayor."

"This man is a grave threat to the region. His men may be disciplined, but he is still a tyrant at heart and thus to be even more feared."

"To be clear, I cannot speak for my comrades, as they are either foreigners, or serve foreigners, or serve Old Adam."

"I am an expert artillerist, and in the name of God, and for the freedom of the Polish people, though it may cost my life, I will fight!"
This message was last edited by the player at 11:02, Tue 22 Apr 2008.

Way to blow everybody's cover, Dawid, Griet thought, thinking quickly. The guy thinks we're representatives of the Krakow ORMO and now has been told that we're a bunch of feckless freebooters. She stepped forward and said, "I know that the Free Government doesn't recognise the Free City of Krakow as a sovereign state, I still represent them, no matter who Dawid chooses to recognise." she paused for a moment hoping that it got through. Without the protection of the Krakow seal, the boat and crew were fair game for anyone. "I have to admit that your idea has merit. I will obviously need to discuss with you some unsheduled changes that have been made to Krakow's plans, but your suggestion for an attack on the Hetman does not run counter to these plans, as they involve keeping the river open for trade. We have several things to discuss and I'm sure that the trade expedition's tactical commanders will alos have comments to make. As for Old Adam," she injected as much cold disdain into her voice as she could, "he is a pawn in the game of politics, he will do what we decide or he will be removed."

Dawid nodded in affirmation; she was only speaking the truth.

"Of course. I speak for no one but myself. My apologies if this was taken any other way."

He smiled in his charming way, chuckling a little in amusement. "I did not "choose" to serve God and the Polish people, I was called to do so. You make it sound like this is up for debate, yes?"

"I apologise for the interruption, my friend, please continue."

This was a rhetorical question, and he let Griet continue.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:09, Tue 22 Apr 2008.

"Speaking on behalf of the security element... and omitting any political considerations, I have some issues with this." Bayer says when it is his turn. "The requirements of munitions for further "regular" travel has put us in the position where would very much like to make an minor arms trade. Namely assault rifles for a small amount of various ammunitions. Now thats for "regular" travel mind you. A deliberate attack on a well dug in force is going to require us to replenish more than just mortar ammo and what I was originally hoping to trade for."

He continues, "On a military standpoint, it will be necessary for the following; A donation of said 82mm mortar ammunition... the trade of what I have listed here... and an additional small provision of various ammunitions for the tug's defense during the raid. Think of it as an expense cost, or rather an insurance cost to keep our boat afloat."

He then passes the man the list of his trade...
82mm HE (4 x case of 5 rounds, 20 rounds) - 300 X 4 = 1,200$
82mm WP (2 x case of 3 rounds, 6 rounds) - 300 X 2 = 600$
30mm HE (2 x drums of 29 rounds, 58 rounds) - 75 X 2 = 150$
40mm HE (1 x case of 72 rounds for M203) = 200$
40mm HEDP (1 x case of 72 rounds for Mk19) = 250$
Domestic Food (3 days for 17 people - 102kg) - 4 X 102 = 410$
Field Phones (2 x sets, price based off small hand radios) - 250 X 2 = 500$
RPG-18 HEAT (1 x case of 3 rounds) = 50$
Armour plating/scrap metal plating = Unknown cost

Total worth - 3,360 (+plus armour plating costs)

Trading With...
ZU-23-2 Damaged - reg/15,000 - hoping for around 10% value for damage = 1,500$
AKM Rifles (x5) - 300 X 5 = 1,500$
AK-74 Rifles (x6) - 300 x 6 = 1,800$
Bayonets (x9) - 20 x 9 = 200$

Total worth - 5,000$

OOC - This does not include what Bayer would like to have donated as an expense cost for the raid.

Quyen watches the small negotiating team depart for the meeting. She would have liked to have gone just for interest sake - to see the boss and his home, a tour of the town in a motor vehicle, and to watch the negotiations pan out. But ultimately decided she'd be better off providing security and helping out with any work.

The meeting with Adam had interrupted her earlier attempt to get some hands on development for the tug. Finding Snowy, she brings up the offer again, "Yeah. As I was saying before Adam's brief... I can handle the tools on board and got a bit of know how for what you are doing. If you want some help, just give me a task."

His words to Adam lost to the sudden arrival of the mayors vehicle, Jason returns to the burial of the dead.  Climbing into the raft, he sits silently as they make their way across the shore to bury the fallen.

Tucker lights up one of his cigars and sits and listens to what Adam has to say and his jaw drops when he hears that Griet is his daughter and what their true intention of the trip to Warsaw is for.

"Well, this is certainly different then what I was expecting.  Ain't this a sunuvabitch!  Well, I signed on in Krakow to go to Warsaw with you Adam and I at least plan to go with you that far.  Whatever your cause is, that's all fine and dandy to me!  I'n still in," Tucker says as he takes another pull off of his cigar.

Tucker
Colt Python in shoulder rig
On deck listening to Adam's speach

"Now that Kaptain Bayer has agreed in principal to a joint venture," Griet began, "I am able to reveal the change in plans that the Krakow ORMO would like me to negotiate. They have been surprised by the amount of banditry rife along the river and realise that if it remains, all trade will be choked. They are particularlly concerned about the Hetman. The Council informed me that the nature of our mission was to change. Instead of returning with the gunpowder, they would like us to explore more of the river and establish trading centres. They also want us to destroy as many bandit elements as we can."

Griet waited for this to sink in and continued, "To this point, the ORMO have authorised me to negotiate a change in our agreement. Instead of the gunpowder, thye would like us to trade for more arms, munitions and the wherewithal to help us fight our way down river if necessary. We will of course be willing to help you destroy the nest at Tarnobrezeg, but we will need you to help us by being ammeanable to the switch in trades. We are aware that some of our requests will be difficult to meet but I am sure we can come to some sort of arrangement. Kaptain Bayer's list and his offer to trade small arms for them should be seen as a minimum starting place for our negotiations as we will need much more if we are to continue our mission. If possible, we need to trade for as much of the munitions in the calibres that Kaptain Bayer has mentioned as we can, we will also need to trade for more food and goods that we can trade down river to help us in our mission. A mission, may I add that benefits you as well, if we can open up the river as a trade route you will feel the value too. Now, if we can come to some sort of arrangement as to the trade changes, I am sure we can begin planning the raid."

Snowy raises his the protective goggles from his eyes and smiles. "I can always use a hand Minh, how about you grab a grinder from below and we'll cut these plates. I reckon that we should get as much raw materials first as I've found I can upgrade the tug as we go along." He looks across the tug and mentally tallies the ongoing work. "I reckon we should do the gun tubs first. I'd also like to find someone  to install the comms as well, we can make up phone boxes as required. It's going to be a twenty four hour effort for the next few days I guess."

"What am I to do with all of this gunpowder, then?"

The commandant's brow wrinkles as he considers the unexpected alteration of the trade agreement. His adjundant takes Griet's carefully forged Krakow documentation and hands it over to the commandant, who gives it a cursory glance. Slapping it down on the table, he takes another bite of chicken and chews it angrily, finally washing it down the mouthful with a long draught from a tall, ornate beer stein.

"Never mind. If I am able, I will comply with Krakow's request. Give my adjundant your list and he will see to availability and such. Now to the matter of Tarnobrzeg. You will provide fire support for the main attacking element, advancing alongside them as they make their approach overland along the east bank. Your mortar will bombard the town in preparation for the final assault. Now, you must tell me everything that you know about the Hetman's defenses- numbers, heavy weapons, armored vehicles, strong-points... everything. None of my scouting parties have returned."

OOC: The commandant will agree to trade the following for the damaged ZU-23-2 and the small arms offered by Konrad. He will provide additional ammo for the attack on T-breg.

82mm HE (1 x case of 5 rounds) = $300
82mm Illum (1 x case of 3 rounds) = $150
82mm WP (1 x case of 3 rounds) = $300
30mm HE (1 x drums of 29 rounds) = $75
40mm HE (1 x case of 72 rounds for BG-15) = $200
Dynamite sticks (1 x case of 100 sticks) = $750
Domestic Food (3 days for 17 people - 102kg) - 4 X 102 = $410
Field Phones (2 x sets, price based off small hand radios) - 250 X 2 = $500
Armour plating/scrap metal plating (all you can salvage)= Free

Total value of trade goods offered = $2685

This message was last edited by the GM at 23:58, Tue 22 Apr 2008.

After Jason and Dave bury the bodies on the other side of the river, Dave spends his "off" time cleaning his weapons, including the Makarov pistol he recovered from Viktor's body. He also arrainges the medical bag he got from Hicks to his personall idiosyncrosies, putting this here, and that there. After his chores are done, he strips down to his shorts and lays out on the aft deck, enjoying the sun.

Quyen smiles, pleased her help has been accepted. "This one?" she points at the grinder. Picking it up she nods, "Yeah ok. Mark the size you want and I'll get cutting." After being shown the details of her job, Minh puts on a set of goggles and begins cutting. After the first plate is cut she offhandedly says to Snowy, "Hauptmann said he is going to try to get some salvage metal as part of his arms trade. This beast is going to be like a battleship when were done." She then continues cutting.

OOC - Rae, do I need machinist or metallurgy for this action. If so I will spend skill points.

Bayer skims over the list of trade the local authority was willing to deal. He hides his disappointment. He knew this was a small town, but had hoped for a little more. Further, the amount was worth much less than he was putting up. He was not much of a negotiator and much less a merchant. Looking at Griet, Bayer makes a face saying "work on this".

"May we have a list of munitions to be provided for the attack?" Bayer asks the adjutant.

"I can provide a proper intelligence report on the IPAT in about an hour." He says to the commandant. Already prepared for such, he places his field book on the table and selects a pencil. I hope we get something similar on the downriver area he thinks as he begins to write. He will continue to write as Griet negotiates. If the meeting finishes before he's done, Bayer will return to the tug to complete the report.

Griet began to brief the ORMO on what she had seen inside the town and the vehicles they'd seen outside, she sketched out the dispositions and asked Bayer to correct anything based on his greater experience.

As she did this, she broached the topic of the cargo, "I assume that you'd still like to trade for our cargo," she said, "We'll need to talk about what we need in return. I realise that you might not have everyting we want, but we can work that out as we go along."

She handed the boss her list:
30 sets of clean clothes
30 parkas or winter clothes
30 set sleeping gear
30 Personal Medical Kit
30 Months preserved rations
10 4 man tents
3 doctor's medical kits
10 sets of basic tools
10 sets of construction tools
10 sets of excavation tools
10 sets of agricultural tools
Seeds for planting

In addition, we would like any extra 82mm ammunition and 30mm grenades that youcan afford, otherwise, we propose setting aside 25 bicycles to try to trade further down the river.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:35, Wed 23 Apr 2008.

As the others on the baot went about domestic or repair duties, Mariusz stayed on guard, keeping a close eye on the sentries on the dockside.

After the burial, Jason returns to the ship. Seeing Maruisz, he walks over and pats the boy on the shoulder. "Hello, young soldier. Where have you been?"

"Not far, "Lawn Dart"," Mariusz replied, "the negotiations party is ashore and everyone else is doing something on the boat. I thought I'd keep an eye on these guys. You never know what'll happen next. Did the funeral go well?"

"Lawn dart?" Jason replied. "Thats a new one. Can't say I get the reference, but oh well. The funeral was simple and solemn. I thought Dawid would have attended. I wonder how Stanislaw is doing."

Jason looks out across the river. "I traded for some English languge books, if your interested?"

Anneka nodded her agreement to the plan to take the fight to the warlord. If it gave them more supplies, and dealt a blow to tyranny, then she was all for it.
"I assume that the barge would be left here during the attack?" she asked rehtorically.
"As we've discovered previously, it's a bit of a lodestone when it comes to combat."

Her own list of goods and equipment mirrored what had been presented although she would have prefered a stronger emphasis on mortar ammunition, food and chemicals to create explosives. Although not something she was particularly comfortable with, she was also willing to create poisonous gases to tip the balance if it were deemed necessary.

"When is the attack proposed to take place? How many of your soldiers are to participate and how many are to be aboard the tug?"

Griet sat with the Commandant's adjutant and explained the humanitarian item as trade goods for the trip down river, as this left a surplus in the trade, Griet quietly tried to persuade the adjutant to release more munitions to the unit. She particularlly stressed the need for more 82mm ammunition and she also enquired about the possibility of obtaining an auto-cannon and some ammunition. She worked him hard, hoping to gain an edge for the Krowola.

[Private to Cap'n Rae: Griet will have about $5,000 surplus to play with and would really like to try for some more HE and WP for the mortar. She'd also like to find an auto-cannon if possible, it would be a really useful addition. As Anneka said, we could trade some 12.7mmB if we needed to. That might be more useful to the town than an autocannon with limited ammo. If we can't get anything else, she'll try for some gunpowder to trade downriver. Also, Griet's position is that once the battle is over, the Unit will be able to claim 1/3 rd of the loot and would have first choice of heavy weapons.]

Bayer looks up from his ongoing report. "RPG rounds." he says just barely loud enough for Griet to hear. He wasn't satisfied that any place in Poland couldn't put up spare RPG ammo. Looking back down he continues to write.

OOC - I'm not disagreeing with the GM here on RPG ammo availability. It's just Bayer's feeling.

"Back when there were some GIs tagging along with the partisans, they called the helicopters that resupplied us occasionaly, "Lawn Darts"," Mariusz explained, "when I asked them why they said it was because they always ended up nose first in the earth. I thought they were lying until I saw your chopper. You have something to read? Wonderful, may I borrow it after you've finished reading, please?"

As greit and the adjutant went through the final details, Griet pointed out, "At present, the armament we have means we won't be able to provide close fire support and standing off firing one mortar a few times before we run out of ammo isn't going to make us very effective. If you help us reconfigure, we can risk getting much closer. If we can do that, we can bring a larger amount of firepower to bear. If we had more rounds for our RPG, our AGS-17 and maybe, an autocannon, we could really get stuck in and help your people. It's the difference between being a glorified bus and really contributing to the battle. The troops of the IPAT have a good organisation and an excellent position. Having a heavy weapons platform like the Krowla could be a real asset, even if the autocannon was a temporary lone, we could make more of an impact."

Anneka nodded along in agreement to Griets arguement. More effective weapons would also help minimise the casualties she'd be forced to deal with by effectively supressing enemy fire. If however adequate weapons weren't available, hell, even if they were, she'd be pressing for assistance in armouring the tug and it's barge.

Robert goes up to Snowy and Bayer, "I'm not much use when it comes to specific building tasks but, let me know what you need to do guys."

The commandant looks a little bit irritated as Griet pleads her case.

"I'm aware of all of this. The ammunition I mentioned earlier is for your own private use. The militia will provide the mortar and grenade launcher rounds for the attack. You must realize that our resources here are finite. We may be able to dig up the sulfur and manufacture explosives, propellants, and such but turning it into mortar bombs, rocket propelled grenades, and cannon rounds is beyond us at the moment. What I've offered to trade is what we can afford to spare. In fact, that was something I wanted to talk to you about- to arrange for the next trade mission to Krakow. But, that can wait. How long do you need to make preparations for the attack? It looks like the weather's about to turn so we need to move quickly before the river rises and the roads turn to shit. I will send over a liason team before the end of the day. They will help coordinate your actions with the ground assault. Please give them your full cooperation. If that is all..."

After Griet gives her answer as to the Krolowa's readiness timetable, the commandant dismisses the party. They wind their way back through the maze of fortress passageways to the courty and reboard the two-vehicle convoy. Along the way back to the docks, they pass a two-wagon convoy moving slowly through the rain in the opposite direction. The first wagon is more of a cart really, drawn by an old nag and occupied by two armed men. The second is much larger, crewed by another armed pair, and drawn by four large horses. The back of this wagon can best be described as a low cage, about four feet from floor to barred ceiling. About a dozen people, all clad in soaking civilian attire, are held inside. It's one of the more dejected and downtrodden groups the party has encountered since arriving in Krakow, weeks or months earlier. In a few seconds, the curious caravan is left behind and the Vistula is once more the dominant feature in view.

The party is deposited at the docks, in the pouring rain. Everyone is quite tired. Working on tug/barge fortification is not going to be easy under these conditions, but the large covered boat repair sheds offer a good-sized, covered workspace.

Actions?
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:18, Fri 25 Apr 2008.

Jason smiles slightly. "Thank goodness Bear was there to haul my sorry ass of that downed bird."  He thinks back to the flight, his last flight and considers how useless he has become.

He pulls the Agatha Christie novel out and tosses it Mariusz. "Tell me how it turns out. I'll trade you for the Sci Fi stories when I finish it."

Taking his book, Jason heads for the aft Dushka, curls up on the deck beneath it and tries to get some sleep.

Bayer approaches Snowy, working with Quyen. "We are back." he says. "The commandant here wants us to participate in supporting an attack sometime within 48 hours... maybe much earlier. We have permission to salvage scrap metal. Commandant's adjutant said... free all you can salvage. I'd like you to take command of the party. Organize work shifts, and assign tasks. Whatever you think you can get accomplished prior to the attack."

He finishes, "Ok with this Mr. White?"
This message was last edited by the player at 10:44, Sat 26 Apr 2008.

Quyen stops the grinder and lowers it so Konrad can speak easily with Snowy. Taking the opportunity, she digs out her pack of smokes she won in town. Sliding the protective goggles up over her forehead, she lights the smoke as Bayer appoints Snowy in command of the prep.

After they are done she gives an upwards nod to Snowy, as if to say... you already got me busy.

Quyen
Grinding metal scrap/on break
Grinder/Smokes (11/12)
Tug

When the sky begins to cloud up, Dave gets up from his resting on the rear deck. He wanders over to where Snowy and Konrad are and listens to thier conversation.

I've got more experience at blowing things up than constructing them, but I'm willing to help, he tells them.

Smoke dangling from her mouth, Quyen says, "Not up to me. But just getting materials here is going to need regular manpower... the shit is heavy."

Griet returned to the boat and made sure that everybody knew not to unload the tow's cargo until the Council had decided what they would offer in trade for it. She walked over to the engineering party and offered her services to anyone who needed them.

Mariusz noticed the planning going on around the engineering party and walked over to them, "Is there anything I can do to help?"

Dave smiles and strikes a weightlifter pose All muscles, no brain, that's me. He looks at the ciggarette with distaste and tells her As your health care provider, I fell I must tell you smoking is hazardous to your helth. He winks at her and adds But so is traipsing around three hundred klicks behind enemy lines, so enjoy yourself.

Quyen laughs and rolls her eyes in a friendly way. "Well you are perfectly suited." she jokes.

Removing the smoke she holds it behind her out of sight, with a hint of guilt across her face. "I've but one vice I suppose. Just that one. And I keep fit to keep everything balanced. Thats how it works right?"

Taking the moment to socialize until Snowy gears everyone up, she continues, "On the topic of health... I did alot of Judo and Jujutsu for a while. I even did rock climbing sometimes too, when I wasn't running. So yeah, I smoke, but keep active at the least." Pointing her smoke free hand at Stoner she adds, "You. You I see you like a surfer or something. A lifeguard, maybe. Or standing shirtless on a beach, spinning a volley ball on your finger - Top Gun style."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:14, Sat 26 Apr 2008.

Daves laughs out loud Geeze, you've got me pegged. I'm the original surf bum thrill seeker. I grew up in San Diego, life guard, kayaking, scuba and snorkeling. Plus running and distance swimming. No wonder I ended up in the Navy. My vice is drinking, when there's real booze available. Drinking moonshine can make you go blind, if you get the wrong stuff. I'm not an alchy, but a couple ice cold brews go down real nice at the end of the day.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:21, Sat 26 Apr 2008.

Dawid appeared shocked.

"What, cigarettes are bad for you? That is foolish. Poland was Europe's top tobacco-grower before the war, better not let anyone hear such crazy-talk."

Clarence paces the deck, AK slung over his right shoulder. He's wearing his body armor but has replaced his helmet with his well-worn bush hat. As the rain starts coming down harder, he retreats under the awning covering the quarterdeck. Jason dozes off nearby. The rain trickles through the torn section of the awning directly over the aft Dushka, where arial rocket fragments from the hit on the aft hatch sliced through it just a couple of days before.

When Griet approaches with instructions about unloading the cargo, Milk nods and asks,

"When are we planning on leaving, Chief?"

OOC: Milk doesn't yet know about the Krolowa's participation in the planned attack on T-breg.

Two large Ural trucks pull up to the dock. The tail gates slam down and men begin emerge into the rain. The first few are armed militiamen in rain ponchos. The rest of the group- the actual loading/unloading party- consists of civilians. They don't look terribly enthusiastic about the job and there is a hint of fear and resentment about them as well. The militiamen stand guard and bark orders as the civilians begin unloading the first truck, crates and bags piling up among the puddles growing on the rain-darkened concrete.

Griet nodded at Milk and explained the situation to him, "It's not ideal I know but beggars can't be choosers and it does represent a chance to pick up some more heavy weapons and ammo before the trip down river. What the ORMO here has to spare and has traded with us is hardly work unloading the trade goods for."

She shrugged and caled a team together to load the goods, the Captain's cargo went into the tow and the ammo and ship cargo went onto the boat. griet saw Mariusz standing around and asked him to help.

Mariusz smiled at Griet and started to lug supplies to the tow.

Milk, normally cool as a cucumber, can barely contain his surprise and dismay,

"We're going back there? Shit, I know we could use some more firepower but we already lost one man there... Does the old man know about this?"

Robert will go and take off his kevlar vest and retirve his vinyl rain poncho from his rucksack and comes back on deck with his kevlar helmet and Colt Pythin in his shoulder rig.  He walks up to where the supplies are being stacked and looks around, "I guess we did good on trading huh?  Well, this shit ain't gunna move itself!"

Snowy nods and puts down his grinder. He looks past Konrad out into the rain for a second and says "Sure thing boss." He pauses and says "I want to tell you though, I'm getting off here. You're a good commander and I've had no problems with your calls, but I gotta start moving back to my people and I'm going to see if I can get work here in the militia and the dockyard. Hopefully I'll be able to get a shallow draught vessel worked out and head back to Germany by the canals. Once there I'll try and get back to my own people. If it's okay with you I'll be taking the effects of Bluey and Fosters with me."

Quyen's joking and friendly socializing disappears as she overhears Snowy. Jabbing the smoke back in her mouth she lowers the protective goggles back over her eyes. Walking back over to her unfinished cutting job, she picks up the grinder again. "You are making a mistake." is all she mutters to Snowy before turning on the machine and resuming the cutting.

[Private to Trevor 'Snowy' White: C'mon Snowy! Say this isn't true. Why?!?! I really hope you reconsider.]

"Hauptman," Anneka speaks quietly as they make their way back to the tug.
"If I may suggest, you should inform everyone what we've agreed to, and let them know the reasons why."

As it stood, only those in the small group who'd been at the meeting knew anything at all - the rest would very quickly start to wonder and rumours would soon be running out of control.

"We should leave Griet to handle the cargo issues, you to work with the locals on the plan, and I'll organise the men to repair and fortify the boat." Her everpresent notepad appeared in her hand as the Wisla Krolowa came into view.

"Leaving out the two of you," she continued, refering to Konrad and Griet and after studying the notes for a moment, "and Adams crew, I would suggest we split into two teams. The first team will be responsible for scrounging materials and supplying extra labour when required. In this team would be Dawid, Stan, Mariusz, Stoner and myself."

"Snowy, Hicks, Jason, Minh, Tucker and Milk would remain aboard as the "Fabrication" team - it's their job to use their skills to turn scrap into whatever we need."

She had a feeling Tucker might disagree with her assessment of him as a skilled "tradesman", but as the only trained gunsmith they still had, it would be his job to strip down, check and maintain all their weapons. Field maintenance was all well and good, but as they were about to head into trouble, it was probably best for him to carry out the checks, especially since it had never been done on much of their equipment since it had come into their possession.

"You and Griet should probably chip in when your free, same with Adams crew but I think they'll be flat out with the engines and general maintenance for the next day or two."

It was amazing how much could get broken in just a few short days, but then they had been shot at a few times so damage was to be expected she supposed.

"I'd like to see if any of the locals can help out too, but not if they're going to be forced into it." The sight of the civilians caged on the back of the wagon was still very fresh in her mind. Although probably criminals of some sort, they could just as easily have been slaves with the way the world was now.

"Should probably also stick to working only in daylight, at least for the scroungers. I'd rather avoid any accidents in the dark if possible and make sure everyones well rested."

Bayer nods to Anneka on the return to the tug, "Ja, sounds good to me. I'll use this plan of organization from you."

Back aboard after speaking with Snowy, he expresses his regrets at seeing the Australian go. "If there was anyone who was of great value to this venture it was yourself. For your unfading cooperation and efforts, I must thank you. You are free to leave when you wish of course, and take the personal effects of your comrades."

He then musters the group to the main deck. "Team. Attention please. As part of our ongoing mission, we will be participating in a supporting role for an upcoming attack on Tarnobzreg. We must do this to fulfill our need to acquire a friendly base, and a place to trade for munitions and provisions."

Bayer, waves a hand towards Snowy, Griet, and Soleblume, then continues, "In preparation, we will need to issue groupings and tasks. I've asked Mr. Snow... who has expressed the need to discontinue his contract with us... to organize and plan improvements to the tug's protection before he leaves. Major Soleblume will coordinate with him and help supervise the team."

"Griet, as chief negotiator and liaison to the local authority as well as with Captain Rataj and his men. We need you to facilitate the transfer of cargo, and the munitions we are to expect. Due to your naval expertise you are free to provide advice to Mr. Snow and Major Soleblume as well. But in any case, we need someone to supervise the handling of cargo and trade goods with the locals here."

"For the rest of the team. Dawid, Mr. Switek, Mariusz, and Stoner... you can report to the doctor for materials acquisition duty. The rest of you, Hicks... er Chopper, Kasparov, Quyen, Tucker and Milk... you can report to Mr. Snow to work on improving the ship's defenses."

Getting back to the attack, Bayer adds, "The time of the attack is not confirmed. It is expected within a 36-48 hour timeframe. Until then, we must plan on making as much use of Sandomierz's assets here, and rest. Any questions or problems?"

[Private to Jason Kasparov: Jason, check PM please.]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:37, Mon 28 Apr 2008.

"Snowy, it is a shame that you have decided to seek your fortune elsewhere, but I am glad that you have decided to help the Polish people here. We will need more like you to help recover what has been lost. Perhaps your mind will change about the chance of rebuilding our nation, perhaps you yourself will be the key person to do it!"

"Okay then, let us do what we can to improve our vessel."

He got ready to go with the rest of his assigned work team.


OOC correction: my mistake, I guess Snowy did tell people after all.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:44, Mon 28 Apr 2008.

Minh attends the team's meeting, and again shakes her head in disagreement when Bayer mentions Snowy's intentions. Gotta stick together, she thought. When her name is mentioned for the construction party she acknowledges with a raised hand.

The thought of returning to Tarzanburg, excited her. Their last battle with the IPAT seemed unresolved. It was too much of a draw, with no clear winner. The idea of the tug, the last thing they'd expect coming back, and wrecking shop with a lot more manpower, was a strong motivation to work on the Krolowa. Nodding silently in agreement to Dawid's comment, she waited until the group was dismissed before heading back to her workstation. There she will use the grinder or whatever else tasked to do.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:53, Mon 28 Apr 2008.

You're taking off on your own, Snowy? Well, bro, best of luck to ya.

Despite the pouring rain, the team splits into two groups and begins work fortifying the tug and barge. Meanwhile, the locals continue the loading/unloading process, removing the Krakow-manufactured trade goods and replacing it with the humanitarian supplies requested by Griet. In addition to the food, clothing, and medical supplies, several ammo crates of 82mm mortar rounds and Soviet 40mm grenades are loaded aboard the tug. A few of the militiamen then oversee a civilian party in the removal of the damaged ZU-23-2 from the barge. When one of the civilians drops a corner of the AA gun on his foot, triggering an eruption of curses, one of the guards replies with a guffaw and a sarcastic shout,

"Would you rather be in the sulfur mines with your neighbors? The pits are probably starting to flood right about now." OOC: Anyone nearby with reasonable Polish language skill can hear this.

The scrounging and construction teams make good progress, despite the lousy weather and their own fatigue. By the end of the day, everyone is physically exhausted but much work has been done. Being in what is widely thought of as a safe port, the watch schedule is altered so that everyone can get an additional few hours of sleep during the night. Everyone seeks a warm, dry spot to bed down, makes him or herself as comfortable as possible, and attempts to get some sleep. The night is cold and dark, the moon and stars hidden by a wet blanket of clouds. Rain gives way to sleet. In the morning, ice has formed on and around the Krolowa. The overcast is still sitting threatingly overhead, but the rain and sleet have granted a respite.

Actions?

OOC: At least half of the planned wood, corrugated tin, and earth pillbox on the barge has been completed. It will be difficult to add much more protection for the port and starboard Dushkas given the narrow companionways where they are located. The best that can be done is adding corrugated metal sheets to the outside of the railings to supplement the sandbags already there. All three Dushkas already have steel gunshields capable of stopping (or at least slowing) small arms rounds. The aft Dushka can be further fortified given the additional space there. I'm still waiting for confirmation of where and how the AGS and MK-19 are to be emplaced. Given another day, all tasks (barge pillbox, gun tub for aft Dushka, supplemental armor for port and starboard HMGs and both AGL positions) can be completed, if everyone pitches in.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:06, Tue 29 Apr 2008.

Robert will approach Snowy and shake his hand and placing his other on his shoulder.  "Best of luck to ya Snowy!  It's been cool working with you, you'll be missed," Tucker says as he bids Snowy best wishes in his new port of call.

Tucker will go and start his work on servicing the tug's weapons after Konrad has put him in charge of them since he's the only certified gunsmith on board.  "I'll do what I can Konrad.  I should be OK once I get to know them a little better so just bear with me.  Anything more than basic cleaning and manitenance right now might be a little out of my league, especially without manuals.  I'll give it the old NATO try if need be however, no guarantees!"

Tucker will find a place to take it down after he's done for the day.  He'll look to take a shower or bath and change into another set of BDU's and get his other dirty one's cleaned.

Tucker
Colt Python in Shoulder Rig
Servicing Tug's weapons

Anneka toiled alongside everyone else, lending a hand wherever it was needed. Although they weren't allowed weapons ashore, Anneka was rarely unarmed. With a crowbar or a hammer, even a lump of twisted steel never far out of reach, anyone thinking to take advantage would have very quickly found themselves in a great deal of discomfort...

"I think the barge will be left here during the mission," she stated during the day to various people.
"Although we should certainly find materials for it, work should probably concentrate on the tug itself."

With the actual plan still not finalised, it was difficult to know exactly what role they would be playing, or how many of the local ORMO might be alongside them. Even though they were ostensibly allies, Anneka still had nagging doubts about their trustworthiness. Who was to say, especially in light of the AA incident, that once their "improvements" were complete and the battle fought, the ORMO aboard wouldn't simply turn their weapons upon them?

"Hauptman Bayer," she called, seeking to speak privately with Konrad during a brief rest.
"I'm concerned about what may happen after the battle. Would it be prudent do you think to limit the ORMO presence aboard the tug to just a handful. Say, a liason, radio operator, and a few soldiers to round out weapons crews?"
"Perhaps it would also be best if they were not allowed below decks without an escort too."
Having some stationed in the engineroom for example could prove their undoing if betrayal was planned. Best to keep the unknown personell out of the critical areas, at least until their intentions were clear.

"Griet, have you had any luck getting more ammo for the MG-3 and M240? Tripods would be nice too if there are any about." Tripods for all their medium machineguns would be nice actually, something which given time she was sure Hicks and Snowy could fabricate, but time was something they were just a little short on....
"If you're having any difficulty with prices, ask Stan to assist. I'm sure as a priest he knows a thing or two about persuasion." And if it really came down to the wire, he could pull out the religion card against the predominately Catholic people. Underhanded perhaps, but with the world in the shape it was in, every little advantage had to be taken if rebuilding civilisation was to be sucessful.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:26, Wed 30 Apr 2008.

"That is good Tuck. Basic cleaning and maintenance is sufficient. I appreciate any checks and routine work you can provide." Bayer responds.

He spends most of his time finishing off the intelligence report concerning Tarnobzreg. He look it over... He was quite pleased with his work. Not his best report, but still he was rather happy he'd been able to actually write one, the last being such a long time time ago it seemed. It reminded him of being a professional soldier again, a active member of the Bundeswehr.

Satisfied, he approaches Griet. "I need you to speak to the dock security detail for me. I have the intelligence report the local authority had asked for. It needs to be delivered. In addition, we need to inform them that we cannot fully prepare for combat without knowing how they intend on attacking. That adjutant should be here as a direct liaison."

Watching the work detail, but staying out of the way he nods to Soleblume's approach. "Hmmm. Ja. We shouldn't let ourselves get carried away with how much trust we give these people. Until I get an idea of how they plan on attacking though, I am in the dark. What I would like to know is, are we required to provide a ferry capacity for their force. And if so, how many? If it is a lot... then as you say it is a risk. However, they may have a small barge here. One we could cut lose for maneuverability once they've dismounted from it. But once, again... thats just guessing their intentions. I have an idea of how I would like the team to operate, but I won't issue anything until the answers I need are given."

Remembering what else she said, he adds, "And below decks, yes. That must be a given for all situations. The main reason to possibly use one of their barges."

Griet repiled to Anneka's observations, "No , there is no more ammunition forth coming than the stuff that's been already traded for. As for getting more, we're fresh out of stuff to trade and the locals are unco-operative. We've been stiffed in every trade we've made and if we do much more, we'll probably end up owing them."

She nodded to Bayer and walked over to the dock patrol, she hanede him the intelligence report, "This needs to get to the commandant, he wants it immediately, also, we need to know more about the plan of attack if we are to support it effectively. Ask the Commandant's Adjutant if he would be so kind as to come down to liaise with us."

Mariusz worked hard all day in the soaking rain. He humped supplies and then earth, wood and iron. Eventually, he colapsed in a heap, a sodden, exhausted wreck.

Snowy looks up at Minh and answers "I've gotta get going Minh, I'm not cut out to be a merc. Take care and keep your head down."



Snowy nods sombrely and says "You too Bones, perhaps we'll meet up again in Germany."



Snowy shakes Tuck's hand ruefully. "I feel like I'm letting you down Tuck. Please watch out for yerself, there's no need to go and get killed now. If I get back to Germany I'll let the people there know you're not KIA and maybe let anyone back home rest a little easier. Make sure you're not left high and dry at the end of this; they owe you a ticket home if they can." Snowy looks sad "I gotta let the people at home know that Bluey is gone, and I have to find out if his wife is still alive and still with the 8th US Marines so she can hear it from someone who cares. Look after yourself mate."

Snowy says farewell to everyone else, and pops up to see Adam in the wheelhouse. He salutes him and says "So long captain, I'm proud to have helped you get this far. I think you're doing the right thing, which to me is more important than doing the easy or safe thing. I hope your luck holds out, you serve that much." He leaves and goes back to the main deck. Carefully he takes his kit and counts out the ammo so he leaves with what he came with. He packs Bluey's and Foster's things into their drag-bags and hoists them onto his shoulder. He looks over the grim little vessel and his eyes unfocus, he can almost hear his mates talking to each other up on the bridge wing, chatting about nothing and gently insulting each other. He shakes his head and goes to find Konrad. Nodding to him, because he can't salute him outside, he says "Permission to go ashore sir?"

"You've more than earned it Snowy, and you are of course a free man. Thank you again and best of luck." Bayer says quietly. He then shakes the man's hand and watches him go. "Be careful." he calls after him.

"OK, then.  Like I said, if we could get some manuals somewhere along the line that would be good, more so for the PACT stuff we got."


Tucker smiles at Snowy, "You're not letting anyone down Snowy.  You got to do what you think is right and if getting off here is that thing, than you got to follow your gut feeling.  I'll watch my six, you just make sure that you watch yours extra good, you hear?

Don't know if anyone's left alive that may give a shit that I am alive but, I appreciate it bro.  You're a good trooper Snow, behave yourself now," and bids the Australian farewell as he exits the tug for the shore.  Tucker watches Snowy make his last farwells and then gets back to work on servicing the machine-guns and other weapons.

Dawid reminds all the foreigners that perhaps giving Snowy a personal letter to mail home or at least carry to what passed for the NATO command might be a good idea.

"Mister Snowy, I am not sure that you will arrive before anyone else, although who knows? Also, any letters may contain personal information people may not want to get into the hands of some unknown enemy, although it is uncertain if anyone could make use of such information if they did find it. Or that the destinations that they are intended for still exist. And so on."

"Yet, it would be a useful signal, a declaration of sorts that these brave people were here, and that they existed."

"As I have mentioned to young Mariusz, we must act, even believe on faith alone that things will get better, that one day there will be something as unlikely and "civiliased" as mail service one day."

"For if we do not believe, we are all lost."

Quyen spends all of her time devoted to cutting the metal. Following the final instructions from Snowy she's fairly confident of her task. Ignoring the rain, she labours on, cutting with the grinder. Soaked, she looks up and stops cutting when Snowy is about to leave the Krolowa.

Remembering what he said to her, she finally accepts the inevitable. Pulling off the goggles she places the grinder on the deck and approaches. "I still think you should stay on. But... you know whats best I guess. Take care of yourself as well."

Returning to her workstation she leans back against the railing. Digging out her smokes, protected from getting spoiled from the rain by a old plastic wrapping, she carefully digs one out. A cloud of blue, smoky haze soon floats overhead.

Somewhere between the rain and the grinding, Jason finally realizes that sleep on the cold hard deck only lasts for a few hours. Walking back to the ship, he sees the group huddled around Snow, and cutting up parts of the wrecks.

Spotting Minh, he walks over and sits beside her. "Whats the good word? Need any help here?"

Standing against the railing, Quyen smiles and shakes her head. "Cuttin." she says casually. Looking at her broken watch she tries to figure out how long she's been working. She'd had lost track of time between concentrating on the task, thinking about the upcoming battle, and wondering about Snowy.

Flicking the smoke overboard it arcs through the air until dropping into the slow moving Vistula. "I'm pretty good here... with the cutting. I guess you could start to move the sheets I'm done with to where they are going to be put in place. Its not my show though... I'm just a cutter."

Wiping some of the rain off her face, she adds, "When we went to that merchant, I got a pack of playing cards. After sundown when works done for the day, we should get the guys together and have a couple games in the galley."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:41, Wed 30 Apr 2008.

Sunday, October 8th, 2000
0700 hrs.
Sandomierz, Poland
40 F
Heavy Clouds; 75% chance of rain


Exactly one week has passed since the Krolowa and its original complement departed from Nowy Huta. Everyone marks this anniversary in his/her own way.

A church bell- a clarion of at least superficial normalcy- signals the call to morning mass.

The barge is loaded with its consignment of humanitarian supplies, the closely supervised and likely unwilling civilian laborers have been loaded on to their trucks and hauled away to God knows where. The Krolowa has received its modest proprietary allocation of 82mm mortar and grenade launcher ammunition and, in exchange, has been relieved of its damaged Soviet twin 23mm AA gun and most of its captured small arms.

Work continues apace on the barge's new fortified, earth, timber, and sheet-metal pillbox. Although crude and not at all attractive in a nautical sense, it promises comprehensive protection from small arms fire and suggests at least limited resistance to heavy machine gun fire, as well as all-around fields of fire for the defenders. Clarence completes an intercom system linking the tug's bridge to the barge, the Vasilek, and the aft Dushka position and begins shifting sandbags formerly located on the barge to the bridge roof for another pet project: a look-down, shoot-down AGL position with nearly 360 degree fields of fire.

As the various work parties continue to busy themselves creating an ad-hoc riverine dreadnought, the mayor's sedan and the escorting UAZ arrive at the dock. The commandant's second-in-command emerges from the car and and calls for the tug's command element.

When they arrive, he briefs them perfuctorily,

"We will attack this afternoon at approximately 1500 hrs. Four platoons with our BMPs and our BTR will attack along the main north-south road to Tarnobrzeg, supported by a fifth platoon with our new WOJO mortars. You will advance alongside us on the river. You will send a forward observer party along with our main attack force to direct your gunboat's fires. I will return with a more detailed plan in a few hours along with more ammunition for your mortar. If there's anything else you will be needing, you'd best let me know right now. Regardless, you must be ready to depart at 1400 hours. Is that clear?"

Actions?

Bayer shakes his head in understanding as the man spoke. "Just to confirm, we are not required for troop transportation?" After the answer is given he nods, "Understood. We will be ready to depart at that time."

After the team had finished eating breakfast and sorting themselves out for the day's activities Bayer musters everyone on deck for a quick briefing.

"Attention, please. Warning Order. Sandomierz militia confirmed to intend to conduct a deliberate attack on Tarnobzreg. Tentative h-hour is at 1500 hours today.

Mission, to provide direct and indirect fire support to the assaulting ground forces. Again. Mission, to provide direct and indirect fire support to the assaulting ground forces.

Groupings and tasks, myself, Sergeant Tucker, and Mariusz will deploy as a forward observer team. We will provide close target acquisition and relay back via radio to the tug. Major Soleblume will command the full remainder onboard the Krolowa, which will be providing the fire support. Griet, be prepared to assume command if the Major is required for medical duties.

Administration, no move before 1400 hours. Senior NCOs supervise the following;

continuing defensive preparations,
receive and store additional ammunition,
relocate the AGS-17 to the rooftop perch,
detach the barge from the tug,
and routine battle procedure such as radio and weapons checks.

Final orders will be issued and confirmed at 1300 hours. Questions or addition tasks necessary you feel should be added."

OOC - I didn't assign specific tasks for the prep so you can RP what you'd like.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:22, Thu 01 May 2008.

Anneka was a little concerned at losing three of their people to shore duty. Although they had made great progress towards preparing the tug for battle, and they wouldn't be dragging the heavy barge with them, they were still short of crew for their heavy weapons.
"Do you know if we will be receiving any soldiers to round out weapon crews?" she asked, painfully aware that without extra bodies, their combat capability would be severely restricted.

Bayer shakes his head, "No. They basically just gave me a warning order with limited info... just what I passed on. I expect they will give a regular set of orders sometime around noon."

"I can request some if you think it would be best here. What, say around two maybe three?" he adds.

Jason walks up to Konrad, and salutes the man. "Permission to speak freely sir?"

"Err... ja. Of course." Bayer says a little defensively.

Anneka thought for a moment.
"Let me check my notes before setting a number. It might end up being a few more than we think."

"You don't think this is a trap? I mean, suppose they are setting us up, selling off the ship as a protection fee? I find it strange that all they really need from us is to supply long range support from a river. Do you get that impression?"

"No... no, I don't." he says after thinking about it. "If they wanted the tug they could have taken it when half the team was ashore I think. We really haven't been too vigilante since our arrival. It be safer then acting with us all manning our weapons and ready for imminent combat ja?"

"I can understand the need too. IPAT forces are spread out quite a ways from T'berg. We learned that with the standoff you were in. They may not have the means or expertise to keep their mortar crews bounding quickly enough behind their offensive units (so they remain in range of the targets), and being able to setup and fire quickly enough. With a mobile mortar we don't have that drawback.

Their medium mortars are great and simple for defense, but to keep them participating in a battle with a fluid front line, or at least supporting mobile units which advance outside of their range, is something that requires skill and training."

"You have the right to be suspicious. And to raise those opinions. I believe we shouldn't be too trusting... however, I trust their intentions at the moment." he finishes.

Of course, Dawid attended mass.

He pondering on what he'd seen and done, but took comfort in the ritual and connection to something higher. Who, if anyone, was better between here and Tarnobreg? For that matter, he recalled other conscript labour at Krakow, the robotniki labourers in the field, filthy and almost starving.

Under captialism, man oppressed his fellow man. Under communism, it was the other way around.

When confession came he made sure to truly repent for his sins. After it was over, he asked the priest for a special blessing for himself, the boat and her crew.

He also asked, "is there hope for the people here? Is the fight with Tarnobreg merely between 2 different tyrants? These foreigners, they are brave and I believe once they fought for good. Now, it is like they have given up... will we become this way as well?"

"Excuse my concern sir, but sending back the tug, loaded with supplies and the men who killed their compatriots would be quite the offering to the warlord. They keep their noses clean, take our goods, hand them their castoffs, with the tug and its crimminal crew, and their men get pleasure of slaughtering us as revenge. If they have vehicles and mortar ammo, they have the capacity to perform what we are about to do. The simple reason they didn't take us out upon our arrival is  they wanted our goods, and we did just fight our way here. But perhaps I am being paranoid."

Bayer runs his hand over his dark blonde hair, "Vell... I suppose you can say that about pretty much everyone in Poland. Who do you trust, and how do you know when not to? Looking at this place, I am not too sure who ist the lesser evil of the two... Tarnobzreg or Sandomierz. Maybe both are pretty much the same deep down.

"One thing though, is at least here we have been given free options. Options to trade, and the option to leave with our tug and processions on our own account. We never got that in T'berg, and we need someone to be on our side... even if just a little. I think this is the best we going to get, and we are going to have to take a chance."

The old priest- a man in his early 70s, at least- takes Dawid's confession and, after prescribing a rather weighty number of Our Fathers and Hail Marys, performs a brief blessing, as requested.

He then responds to Dawid's question,

"All men are tyrants in their hearts. The Russian, he is no different. The people of this town are safe and they are grateful. They live in peace and relative prosperity because of the labor of others who are not so fortunate. Human bondage is a sinful practice, to be sure. But the commandant has assured those of us who have raised objections that the laborers are simply serving out a kind of indenture. They are fed, clothed, given shelter; a year of labor in the mines or the fields and they will be given citizenship. We shall see. I visit their camps and they are, on the whole, cared for... adequately. From what I have heard, Tarnobrzeg certainly has no claim to moral high ground. Yet I fear a contest between the two strongmen. This area has been quiet for many months  and more death benefits no one but Lucifer. Your group should leave here and be on their way before more blood is shed."
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:58, Thu 01 May 2008.

After Konrad's warning order, Dave voices his own concerns. Captain, they want to start the attack in the middle of the afternoon? With three to four hours of daylight left? Wouldn't a dawn attack be more feasible? I know it's a cliche, but there's reasons for the whole "we attack at dawn" thing. Hit them early enough, and maybe they won't be up and about yet. Plus you have all day to do any mopping up. We could position our forces under the cover of darkness, possibly reducing the the chance they notice us, and lessening the time they have to react.

And from a personal standpoint, I'd like to be ashore when the attack happens. Those bastards confiscated every bit of gear I had left. I was left with the clothes on my back and my boots. I think they would have taken my boots too, but they don't have anybody who could fill them. I know my stuff is gone, but I would like to start building up a stake, in case we lose the boat, and for after this job is over.

"I don't have any say in the timing of the attack. It's not our show ja?" he says. "But look. We are in a supporting role here... behind the action. Any thing bad happens, its likely we won't be taking it or at least surprised by it. Thats the only way I can say to look at it in a positive way... its weak I know, but we don't have much choice."

"As for joining to FOO party, well... The tug is going to need its weapons manned and its already shorthanded. But I understand. Tell you what... if we can get a few locals to assist aboard like we hoped, I won't have a problem with it. The major is going to be in command so I'll leave it up to her to decide if she can operate with the manpower she'll have. OK?"

Anneka sought out Konrad after she'd spend some time assessing their manpower needs for the coming battle.

"Although we can possibly make do with the few we have, I think we should ask for at least six of the ORMO."

"At least one for a DShK, one for a PKM, two more as assistant loaders for Dawid and Minh, and the remainder as number twos on the DShKs."

"I'm not yet sure who'll be assigned the AGS, but as we'll have both the mortar and Mk-19 operational, I'm not too sure it'll be necessary under normal conditions."

Normal conditions. Whatever that was! In Annekas mind it involved them staying out of the raging battle and supplying only supporting fire. In that event, it was quite possible to shuffle some of the machinegunners around to operate it.

"Even a couple of civilians might be of some use, to help with loading, damage control and operating the tug."

After all the work had been done, Mariusz spent some time stripping and cleaning his weapons, checking his combat gear and then settled to cook a meal for the crew.

Griet spent some time below checking that the black crew knew what was going on and that they were prepared for damage control if necessary. When she emerged back on deck, she heard the Major talking about bringing extra crew on board. She understood the need and said, "More crew is a good idea, but six would be the maximum we could handle in case of trechery. Instead of asking just for ORMO or civilians, maybe we could ask at the pubs for any mercs around, if merchants trade here, there might be a merc scene, we could look at short term contracts or at hiring on new blood, maybe?"

"I am not keen on hiring a third party. And I do remember you and Adam were shared the same feeling when Switek and Mariusz came aboard." Bayer says. Looking at both Soleblume and Griet he continues, "You will be in command of this element so you should decide yourself how you wish to employ anu addition manpower. If possible, replace Stoner so he may join the FOO party. Same goes for the AGS... decide on its use or not."
This message was last edited by the player at 07:32, Fri 02 May 2008.

After the meeting, Quyen approaches Tucker - "Hey sergeant. We gotta some stuff to do it seems. What do you want me to do? Keep working on the defenses, get on the radios, or something else?"

After getting instructions on how to help with the preparations, Quyen will look to the others and say in a joking manner - "Alright there all you lazybones, lets all get to work huh?" Things have been solemn on the tug with Snowy's departure and the tension of the upcoming battle. However, Quyen's spirits were high, motivated and excited.

Well, if don't happen, it don't happen. I'll live with it.

Dawid nodded, troubled.

"Thank you, Father."

"So many have died, yet still we fight among ourselves."

"It is good that at if the labour is conscripted, the people will be allowed a better opportunity. If God allows, I will return one day to see if the Commandant has kept his word."

"I will take your counsel and ask my fellows to not aid in this attack. Go with God."

He thanked him and left.

Once back on the boat he sought out Anneka and Konrad and related what the Priest said.

"...so it seems the labourers are conscripted, but in exchange for food and shelter and citizenship."

"The Priest advised we not take part in more senseless killing. Is pulling out an option, whether or not the Commandant knows ahead of time?"

Tucker looks at Minh, "I'm not sure.  I think Major Soleblume is in charge of the tug for this OP.  Me though, I'd say keep working on the tug's defenses while we have the opportunity.  We lose the tug, we're shit outta luck when we  got to leave here.  Might not be a bad idea either to have yourself or one of the others work on the commo lines for the ship.  It'd be nice to have them operational before the attack.  That's just me though.  I'm not trying to step on the Major's toes here Minh, I got into it with her before and I'm not looking for that to happen again!"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:08, Fri 02 May 2008.

Dave helps sort and stow the ammo brought aboard by the consctipts. Thinking about it, he finds Anneka.
Hey Boss-lady, he says. I'm going to grab some of these 40 mm grenades for my launcher. You think half a dozen will be enough, since we'll be on the tug? I don't know what weapon you'll have me on, but I want a few with me in case I have to leave my station to reinforce or treat someone.

After finding out her answer, he makes his rounds of the party, checking on each to make sure thier personal first aid kit is stocked, and easly accessable.

H-hour for the oddly scheduled afternoon attack on Tarnobrzeg approaches. During the preceding hours, the Vasilek position has been improved with extra armor, the AGS-17 has been mounted on the bridge roof behind a low, broad, sheet metal-reinforced sandbagged wall, and the aft Dushka and Mk-19 positions have been strengthened with sheet metal and surplus sandbags from the old barge gun position.

A light rain begins to fall as the full security team assembles for a briefing on the attack plan. Everyone has been well fed and the previous night's rest has the team energized and thinking clearly. Belowdecks, Grzyech and Luboslaw begin to prep the engines for action. Walter and Snow- in his last act as part of the Krolowa's party- detach the barge with its new bunker- resembling a squat hatbox resting atop an overturned baking tray- from the tug. Looking southwards, the group can see and hear the Sandomierz militia's BTR and BMPs, along with a few trucks and UAZ jeeps, crossing the bridge to assemble on the east bank of the Vistula.

Actions?
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:29, Sat 03 May 2008.

Griet took up her position on the PKMG and checked her kit was all ready. She firmly secured her helmet under her chin and turned to wave at Adam. This venture was a risky one, but hopefully it would help secure the future security of the boat. She looked at the sketch map she had of the battle zone. Thinking for a moment she leant over the rail and called to Dawid, "Dawid, how much WP do we have left? I was thinking that if we hit the Recoiless Rifle with a WP cloud we might drive the crew away. If we hope to secure some heavy weaponry out of this, we can't go blowing it all up."

"Tug this is 29 savoy, radio check over."

"I will be your laison for the attack. "

" Will call for fires when needed"

"you are cleared for all fire on the three shore bunkers"

"after that call to confirm with me so there is no blue on blue"

"29 savoy out"

Dave cracks open the case of Soviet 40mm grenades and stuffs 3 into his pockets. That gives him a total of 6. He makes a quick function check of his AK, and ensures his aid bag is out of the way for access to his ammo, but still within easy reach.

He approaches Anneka and asks "Major, where ya want me? And don't tell me naked in your rack, we don't have time that that foolishness", he says with a smile and a wink.

Dave
AK-74, 6 full mags
BG-15, 6 HE, 1 Illum
Bayonet

Jason collects his AK-74, and a dozen extra magazines from the hold. Strapping on his helmet, his combat gear and a few grenades, he heads to the deck and looks for Minh.

"Did the assign us positions while I was sleeping? My old position is kinda destroyed. " He smiles at the girl. "Never did have that card game, did we?"

Tucker assembles on deck and watches the work crews take off the barge that has limited the tug's ability for evasive actions.  He is in his full combat MOLLE gear and body armor with his M-16/M-203 (loaded HE Round) slung over his shoulder.  He carries only the essentials; weapons, ammo, medical supplies, & water on his person.  Even though there is still a light rain, he still wears his vinyl poncho to keep the chill off his body.

Robert looks to Jason (if he's around), "Looks like we're going to have to hold off on cards until after the OP is over now Jason!"

Tucker
M-16A2 [27/30]/M-203 [HE]
On deck assembled for briefing

Mariusz was not totally sure if there would be a shore party or not. As this was the case, he did what troops in memorial have done, he satyed at his post and waited for someone higher up the food chain to tell him what to do. He spent the time checking over his DUSHKA and wondering if Snowy could chrome it for him.

Dawid examined the gun tub, satisfied that it seemed a little more reinforced than before.

There still wasn't a lot of ammunition, Especially if they were to be performing regular fire missions; they would be out of action in far less than a minute. Oh well, a lot could happen in a minute!

He loaded 1 clip of 5 fragmentation (HE) shells into the Vasilek's magazine and brought the second up to the "ready" position, along with a clip of anti-vehicle (HEDP) in case the hovercraft showed up. If smoke or illumination rounds were needed, they could be handed up from below.

Checking the 2 RPK-74s sitting on their bipods nearby on deck he placed a spare 40-round magazine by each (reloading the second one), plus 2 belt pouches with 6 30-round magazines per weapon. (2 6-mag ammo pouches per RPK-74.)

For himself, he made sure he had 6 spare magazines for the Tantal, plus 6 rounds of spare 40mm HE for the attached BG-15 in the pockets and pouches of his lifchika chest ammo harness that was over his webbing and Kevlar vest. Stechkin was in its holster/stock, clipped to his belt.

Smoking a shared cigarette with whomever else was there, he waited nervously for the now-nimble tug to begin its journey. At the moment he had on his beret, sitting on his salvaged Kevlar helment. Idly, he wondered if the hovercraft was fixed and if they would face it again on the river.

Also, while all war and killing served Lucifer, what did that say about what they were going to do? Trade was important, and the leader of Sandomierz seemed to be more self-interested and concerned about the community, instead of building an empire like the Hetman of Tarnobreg. Should the time come to institute a democratic government, perhaps the commandante of one town would be more tractable than the hetman of the other.

Again, there was a foreigner leading the ORMP there, and another leading the ORMO here. Would we ever be free of the outsiders?



Dawid Piotrowski
Tantal + BG-15 (30/30 + 6 30rd mags, 1/1 HE + 6)
Stechkin (21/21)

Vasilek 5/5 HE, + 5 HE, 5 HEDP

2 AK-74 (40/40 + 1 40rd mag, + 12 30rd mags ea.)

[Private to Cap'n Rae: Dawid took magazines from stores in the hold to provide spare ammunition for the RPK-74s, as well as some 40mm for his own needs.]
This message was last edited by the player at 08:55, Mon 05 May 2008.

"Take what you need," she replied absently, still trying to work out how she was supposed to use the limited number of available people to crew the many postitions in need of filling.

Scratching out yet another draft, she decided that as the plan called for the tug to stand off and stay out of effective small arms range, there was less importance on the machineguns.
"You're assigned to the AGS-17," she frowned. Here they where, shortly heading off into danger once more and he was actually flirting? If he'd not actually been her type, she might have had to say something - probably should anyways since she was an officer and he enlisted.
"I'd suggest locating it on the upper deck, somewhere near the rear DShK, but I'll leave that up to you."
Up on the roof of the bridge felt too exposed to Anneka, especially as Stoner was second medic and would need the ability to rapidly move about the vessel at will.

Gathering her notes and equipment, she moved about the tug, informing those who where staying aboard their assignments for the attack.

"Dawid, Minh, I don't think you need to be told you're going to stay with the mortar on the bow. Better see if you can scrounge up a radio to receive fire support calls."
Any radio would probably suffice as the only reply they should need to give would be in the form of high explosive rounds on the designated target...

"Hicks, your primary weapon is to be your auto grenade launcher with M240 machinegun as backup." Again, little real suprise there.

"Stan, you're starboard DShK, and Jason, I'd like you on the port DShK. Your primary roles though are lookouts rather than machinegunners. You're also to take over, or assist if necessary with the grenade launchers."
Although she realised the pair had minimal skill with heavier weapons, what choice did they have? At least the plan she'd sweated over had the best people controlling the heaviest weapons.

"Milk, I'd like you to remain in your usual position at the aft DShK but primarily act as fire controller for Hicks and his grenade launcher. You'll also be responsible for maintaining communications with the ground teams."

"Griet, you're to take your usual position with the PKMs and pass any messages between the mortar position, bridge and DShKs."
Without a working intercom between all the positions, Griets job was possibly the most important of all. As had been seen in the previous encounters, effective communication was vital.

"I will be positioned on the upper deck, just behind the smokestack."
She wasn't really sure what use she'd be there, or anywhere for that matter, but it was central. Most likely once they'd moved into position, she'd be superfluous, and very little would really be required of her besides assisting with reloading. Even treating casualties would probably be unnecessary if all went to plan.

Bayer stands on the main deck, he nods at Tucker and approaches him. "It seems we are not required to go ashore for the FOO party. I am still keen on getting a team on the ground to acquire a limited amount of war spoils. We should take advantage of this to rebuild our trading processions. Stoner too... since he's got just the shirt on his back. What do you think about that sergeant?" he asks.

Tucker smiles as he listens to Konrad's idea of his own 'war spolis' shore team.  "I got no problem with that idea sir!  I think it might do us good to see how the other half is living and I want in on your plan.  They can't use it if their dead sir!"

Bayer nods to Tucker's enthusiastic response. "Ja. Ok... I will pass on our intentions." He then heads up to the upper deck in search of the Major.

"Doctor. As we are not needed to provide a FOO party, we also are unable to collect some of the war spoils as intended. Can you manage without three of us? Has Griet determined if there are reinforcements coming?" he asks Anneka.

"I still believe it would be in our interest to do so. To collect our fair share of captured arms and munitions." he continues. "We won't go if you cannot manage with what you have. So I'd like to have an answer."

Dawid looked at Anneka and then to Minh.

"Major, some considerations."

"I think that communications can be done over the telephone, as long as someone with a radio is on the other end of the line. If that's not enough, then Clarence should be stationed here, at the tug's critical weapons system."

"Second, the er, hover vehicle... it is only damaged, and could be back. Let us establish a warning code for the lookouts, so that when sounded I will know to reload the Vasilek with anti-vehicle rounds; we may have no time to lose. Perhaps three blasts on the tug's whistle, or a verbal code: "COSSACK"."

"Third, if we have anyone ashore to recover weapons and ammunition, I strongly recommend 82mm shells be top of the list. We know there are mortars there, it should be possible."

"Lastly, should it come to this, if it seems like the ORMO onboard (if any come) might try and take the boat, I will volunteer to enter the ammunition magazine below the Vasilek so that we may threaten to explode it if the tug is taken away."

Dawid Piotrowski
Tantal + BG-15 (30/30 + 6 30rd mags, 1/1 HE + 6)
Stechkin (21/21)

Vasilek 5/5 HE, + 5 HE, 5 HEDP

2 AK-74 (40/40 + 1 40rd mag, + 12 30rd mags ea.)
This message was last edited by the player at 15:51, Mon 05 May 2008.

Aye, aye, Ma'm. And may I suggest that you post yourself further forward, maybe even in the radio shack? I was thinking I could keep an eye on the crew from the rear upper deck, and you could watch forward, in case someone gets hit bad and needs our services. I think we may have been able to save old Viktor, if one of us had known he was hit bad.

A single UAZ pulls up to the docks and disgorges five militiamen, three Poles and two Russians. In appearance and deportment, they do not impress. But, one has a Soviet radio and it is soon apparent that this is the militia liaison. The others carry two crates of 82mm HE between them and, the liaison makes clear, will provide the tug with extra manpower in lieu of the Krolowa's departing ground team. The informal exchange completed, the UAZ, now carrying the Krolowa's detached personel, rushes to catch up to the milita company assembling on the east bank of the Vistula. Coms checks are completed and, once ground and river elements are operating on the same frequencies- both literally and figuratively- the combined attack force gets underway.

As the tug manouvers away from the dock, she feels lighter, quicker, more confident to employ an anthropomorphism. Her performance, once freed from the albatros that is the cargo barge, is much improved in all areas.

Anticipation begins to rise among the combined crew as the tugs' prow swings nimbly upstream towards Tarnobrzeg.

Actions?

OOC: Four of the NPCs will be available as "trigger pullers" to use as team sees fit. They are rated as Experienced NPCs. The fifth, a veteran, will need to be stationed on the bridge.

Please remember, the Vasilek, the bridge, and the aft Dushka position are now connected via a hard-line intercom system.

Grasping his weapon Jason heads for the aft Dshuka and takes his position as lookout.

"Guess the game will have to wait," he replies to Rob. "lets just hope we live to play it."

Standing by the rail, he looks about, hoping to see a familiar face. Minh wasn't about and Mariusz was absent as well.  Hopefully I will die alone he thinks to himself rather than with someone I care for. He scratches his head wondering what ever became of Stanislaw.  Deciding to focus on his task, and not knowing if anyone is even manning the weapon he's spotting for, he checks his AK-74 and prepares for battle.

Dawid oversaw the offloading of the extra mortar rounds and their storage.

"Excellent, every bit helps!"

He addressed Anneka, "excuse me, I understand that you are busy, but when I passed on the Priest's recommendation to you and Konrad, I did not get a response from either of you."

"Also, I have made some reasonable recommendations, please give me your response."

He didn't look upset, just like he wasn't prepared to be overlooked in the hustle-and-bustle.

Dawid Piotrowski
Tantal + BG-15 (30/30 + 6 30rd mags, 1/1 HE + 6)
Stechkin (21/21)

Vasilek 5/5 HE, + 5 HE, 5 HEDP

2 AK-74 (40/40 + 1 40rd mag, + 12 30rd mags ea.)

[Private to GM: How many 82mm per case? In v2.2 it's 1 5-rd clip, in Paul Mulcahy's site it's 10 rounds per case.]
This message was last edited by the player at 05:52, Tue 06 May 2008.

"I am not interested in becoming involved in the politics between these two towns. I don't know for sure, but I don't think it is critical for these town to wage war on each other. It seems it ist more a power and expansionist thing to me. That said however, we need an ally... er... rather a haven we can rely on for repairs and provisions." Bayer answers, throwing on his heavy tac vest and Kevlar.

"Pulling out would eliminate our support here and add to those who wish to see us dead. We've already made enemies with T'berg... we mustn't cross everyone along the river... even those with questionable ethics." he says quietly.

"I can understand your hesitation Dawid, he wonders if he would feel that same if they were on the Rhine in Germany, "but I believe I can say truthfully that this needs to be done. Well... maybe not the war itself, but our participation at this point."

Fitting his helmet to his head he adds, "I remember... at the locks I believe... saying that I don't intend to fight everyone I come across on this river. I meant what I said then, and have not forgotten it. You and the priest may be 'right' but I believe unfortunately so am I."

Tucker stands next to Jason, "Yeah, we'll certainly have to get a few games in when we get this over with.  See you when it's over Kasper!"

Tucker will then find Anneka and Bayer.  "I'm ready to go!"

Tucker
M-16A2 [27/30]/M-203 [HE]
Main Deck

Mariusz sholdered his G3 and checked his gear once more. He moved down to Bayer and asked, "What next Boss?"

Bayer nods to the two, "Right." Then turning to the doctor says, "Ja, we will be in radio contact. Call sign 'Vulture' seems to illustrate us well. See you after the battle."

He then leads the salvaging team onto the dock and into the idling UAZ. Taking the passenger seat he gives a friendly nod to the driver, before turning and facing Mariusz, "If he will... drop us off short of their main assault force, but keep a little distance. We are "observers" and not participating in the battle."



Raising his field glasses he watches the militia fall into formation. "What a show ja, Sergeant Tucker? I seriously wonder how this is going to turn out." After a moment he scans over towards the direction of T'berg.

Speaking over his shoulder he says "Mariusz. Ask the fellow here if he has to be any place important in the next couple of hours... or may we hire him for the day? This vehicle can carry more than we can, and get us in and out quicker too."

Bayer
G36/HK69 (HE)
UAZ (Salvage Team)
Behind Sando Militia
This message was last edited by the player at 13:32, Tue 06 May 2008.

"Yes," she replied.
"I've planned for You, Tucker and Mariusz to go ashore. If we get a few bodies from the ORMO, I think we might be able to spare one or two more in a pinch."
Although unhappy about it, she acknowledged that without a presence ashore, their chances at claiming a reasonable share of any spoils was limited.

"Thank you for your input. The idea of having a radio at your location is so that you do not have to wait for corrections to be relayed to you."
"Any fire called from the tug itself will be relayed to you either verbally or by phone."

"With the sounds of battle, I doubt any verbal code shouted from out of your line of sight will be heard. More likely you'll hear the vehicle itself first!"

"I agree with the 82mm preference, but that's something you'll need to take up with Hauptman Bayer. He's the one going ashore." Somehow though she doubted that any would be found, at least any that the ORMO would be willing to give up as they were the ones carrying out the bulk of the fighting. Still, it never hurt to hope.

"I don't intend to allow unknown people into positions they can use against us. If in the unlikely event we do appear about to loose the tug, I'm sure most of us will already be dead. At that point, whoever is left I'm sure will do the right thing." Whatever that may be....

"If only we had a radio shack," she sighed whistfully.
"No, I'll stay where I said. Casualty reports can be either phoned through or shouted as necessary."
If events unfolded as she expected, she'd probably be moving about the tug anyway, issuing new orders, and lending a hand wherever needed.

"Hauptman Bayer! Do you need Stoner to go with you as a fourth?" she inquired as the five ORMO arrived.
"You," she spoke to the man with the radio. "You're to operate the second PKM forward of the bridge." As she knew from experience, he'd be able to effectively communicate with Adam from there while remain out of the crews way.
"You two, assist Plutunowy Piotrowski at the mortar."
"And you other two, report to Hicks on the aft deck."
With two medium machineguns in addition to the Mk-19, there was ample opportunity for him to utilise another two bodies.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:56, Tue 06 May 2008.

Sitting in the passenger seat at the docks, he looks over at Stoner. Ahh, the hobo, he thought. "If you can manage without. He wishes to get a second pair of boots. He can also carry rifles I suppose. I am ok for him to come." he hollers back to the tug.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:52, Tue 06 May 2008.

"Ok, you're going," she said, taking control of the AGS from Stoner.
"Do try to stay out of trouble and in one peice. Somebody aboard might miss you."
With Stoner leaving, operation of the AGS was probably going to be left in her hands. Having interviewed everyone extensively over the past week, she knew without looking at her notes that despite her hardly even having handled a grenade launcher since intial training back in Israel, she was possibly the best choice with everyone else assigned to duties more suited to their individual skills.
"Umm, Dawid," she said over the intercom after fiddling about with the weapon for nearly ten minutes. "Could you please come up here and show me the basics with the AGS?"

Anneka - upper deck, rear
AGS-17 + all spare 30mm ammo
F88/M203
6 mags 5.56 + remaining 40mm grenades (after Stoner takes a share)
HP-35 + 3 mags

OOC: Hmm, a lot of weaponry for a medic. Good thing most is laying on the deck and not actually carried!

Walking out onto the docks with the ground force, Tucker slings his own rifle, making sure it is on safe, and stands next to the UAZ next to the others.  He turns to Konrad, "Sure as hell is Cap'n!  I got to say this, at least they're organized and seem to know what the hell they're doin'!  Makes me feel a little better about being ashore with 'em.  Kind of nice to just be an observer for a change."

Quyen smiles and shakes her head at the mention of relaxing and playing cards. She'd spent most of her time in the rain grinding. Even a few hours later, she swears she can still hear the grinder working the steel.

Taking up her position next to the mortar, she gives a quick look over at the local support. Hmmph, she mutters quietly to herself. Quyen can feel the weight of her M9, holstered away. After digging out her AK74 she hid under her gear, she places it on the deck next to the mortar. She looks over the RPKs, not as a distrust towards Dawid though.

Quyen also confirmed the exact location of the HEDP ammo. If she is to change to that type of munition, chances are it will have to be in a hurry. As the tug heads back upriver, she stands up straight beside the Vasilek and digs out her smokes. One more before battle, another after, and one before bed, she rations them out in her head. After lighting it Quyen offers to share it with Dawid.

Minh Quyen
AK74 (28 rounds) - 10/12 Smokes
Vasilek Position
Getting in one quick smoke before the attack
This message was last edited by the player at 14:33, Tue 06 May 2008.

Dawid smiled.

"Thank you for seeking me out with your answer, my friend. You seemed quite busy and I was not sure you heard me at all."

"Of course, there are many ways to be right or wrong. One can be both right and wrong."

He held up one hand.

"Philosophically, Poles killing fellow Pole upsets me, and religiously speaking it's hard to classify this as a "just war"."

He held up the other.

"On one hand, I see advantages for the Government-in-Exile to have Sandomierz in control here. Secure travel and trade along the river is crucial, and while Sandomierz seems to understand that, our dealings with the hetman suggests to me he is less inclined towards the flexibility and compromise that will be needed for a long-term political solution or arrangement here. Indeed, he seeks to create a feudal empire! The use of conscripted labour here disturbs me, but at least the town's leader seeks to be inclined towards a degree of accountability to the people."

He let the first drop.

"However, I agree we have gone too far now to change course; so let us carry through on our part of the bargain as best we can, and pray for the future."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:16, Tue 06 May 2008.

Dawid nodded.

"Good then.

"It is really quite late for me to be looking for a radio, not that I would be that familiar with your Western sets anyways! Should it come to the telephone line being cut or relayed instructions not sufficienct, then send Clarence down here to assist."

"Thank you for your time, Major."

Dawid decided not the push the issue about what the Priest had said earlier; while he was curious as to what Anneka's answer would be he'd already discussed the matter with Konrad.

He took the 2 ORMO assigned to this position in hand, sending one down into the ammo storage locker to hand up the extra munitions stored there, the other to assist Mihn in moving the gun and manning the RPK-74s nearby on the deck.

Griet stood at her position, she had finished checking her weapon over and making sure that the belt would feed smoothly. She saw the shore party preparing themselves to go into the cauldron for loot. She knew that without weapons and ammo they would have little chance further downriver, but it saddened her to thing of men going bravely into danger for the sake of a few mortar rounds.

For all the arguing and inconsistensies, she thought, these were good people, not just willing to go along with her father's dreams but to die for them. She just hoped that no one had to die today. One day at a time and maybe, just maybe they'd make a happy ending out of the tragedy of Poland as it was.

She smiled, not one of these people thought they'd die today, each one the hero of their own little life. But all the little stories were caught up in the bigger one, and stories needed to feed, and stories ate people. Please, she thought to herself, make the story eat the guy who thinks he's in Apocalyse Now, there, the story of another good Pole stolen by the Americans, let's win this one back, she thought, today, let's feed the story another Kurz.

He gratefully accepted it, took a long drag, handed it back.

"Thank you, my friend, that is better than my Ukrainian ones."

Looking between the RPK-74s, the Vasilek and the phone, he tried to fix them in his memory so that he could easily find them in the chaos of battle. He thought the ORMO might be a little iffy, but he knew Minh would be as solid and dependable as usual.

He indicated the SAWs sitting on their bipods nearby.

"Not that you require any advice, but should you man one of the "Ruchnoy Pulemyot Kalashnikovas", that is, those heavy Kalashninovs you see there, then fire them fully automatically and don't be shy. There is plenty of ammunition for both, each has 2 pouches of magazines. However, should you decide to fire your own rifle, then I suggest you take single, aimed shots."


Dawid sighed, taking a last drag from the cigarette. "Here, have another. I must go. Keep an eye on things here, eh?" He gave her one of the horrible fags cut with sawdust and then left to see what Anneka needed.

He arrived at the AGS-17's position.

"Hello again, Major!"

"These devices are quite simple. You pull the fabric belt from the cannister here, then insert there. Pull the chain to cock it..." Carefully, he explained the care and feeding of the AGS-17 Plamya Grenade Launcher.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:18, Tue 06 May 2008.

Hoooyah! Loot-n-pillage time. Ya'll need help, just yell. Tug shouldn't be so far out I can't swim. With that he, he jumps over the gunwhales to the dock and jogs to the shore party.

Hey guys. You call for a doc?
Dave
Shore party
AK-74, 6 mags
BG-15, 6 he, 1 illum
aid bag

The ground column and the tug head south, the Krolowa lagging somewhat behind the APCs and trucks of the militia main force. It's probably just as well since the tower of smoke spewed by the tug as she pushes towards top speed would no doubt tip off the IPAT to the Sandomierz forces' approach.

From the upper superstructure of the tug, a reminder of the previous day's action comes into view. The blackened shell of the IPAT Humvee "technical" sits forlorn, roughly 30m from the riverbank, and surrounded by a ring of burnt turf.

At a little over 1km from the outskirts of Tarnobrzeg, as the ground column reaches its jumping-off point and begins splitting into its various attack and support elements, the enemy reveals his vigilance. This innitial IPAT response, although not wholly unexpected, is still surprisingly sharp and violent.

Almost without warning, a 120mm HE rounds detonates on the blacktop, creating casualties and sewing momentary panic and confusion among the Sandomierz platoons preparing to continue the advance along the road. An additional three heavy mortar rounds drop on and around the road adding to the carnage and chaos. Konrad, Tucker, Mariusz, and Stoner quickly un-ass their ride (the UAZ that picked them up at the dock) and burry themselves in the damp earth. The concussion of the big mortar rounds washes over them and globs of mud and hunks of turf rain down from the overcast sky. The screams of wounded begin to blare out from all around. About 20m ahead, in the middle of the road, a URAL truck begins to burn.

One of the units tasked to advance parallel to the road, on its inland side, open fire (at extreme long range) on a position about 200m down the road. Apparently, they've spotted the enemy OP and are taking it under fire.

The Krolowa arrives as the first of the mortar rounds begins to fall. From her perch on the bridge roof, Anneka can see a small IPAT team- presumably the group who called down the mortar fire mission) withdrawing down the road along the shallow drainage just off its shoulder (they are about 300m distant and moving away from the tug as fast as their feet can carry them). It's doubtful that they can be seen from ground level (those on the companionways may see the tops of their heads every couple of seconds).

The battle for Tarnobrzeg has begun.

Actions?

OOC: I'm doing the best I can to interpret and stay faithful to McCoy's plan. Honestly, with all of the acronyms, it's over my head. Law isn't available to help me, so I'm kind of winging it. But, no plan survives contact with the enemy so we're going to have to do a little improvising here. If I make any mistakes in the plan's execution, I blame them on the relative poor quality of the Sandomierz troops, most of whom hail from category 3 divisions or the rear echelons of such.

Dawid, let's say the two crates each contain two 5-round clips, for 20 rounds total of 82mm HE.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:54, Thu 08 May 2008.

"Son of a bitch," Jason exclaims, watching the first few rounds crashing down into the troops. "Its a goddamn slaughter."

Unable to do anything but watch, Jason shakes his head at the carnage and knows that the ship is in for one hell of a fight.

"Shit", Dave yells as he hits the ground and dives into the ditch paralelling the road. He looks forward, judging the incoming fire. He's torn between staying put and moving forward to do something, anything. Either help the wounded or add his grenade launcher to the fire on the OP.

"Fuck it", he mutters to himself. He starts a low crawl toward the burning truck with the intent of helping some of the soldiers.

Dave
shore party
AK-74, 6 mags
BG-15, 6 he, 1 illum
aid bag

Maruusz lay fully prone as hell burst around him and pointed his rifle in the general direction of the enemy. He yelled out, "I'll cover for anyone who wants to move forward!"

His eyes focusing through the sights and out to the land in front of him he strained to find any enemy soldiers that might fire on his companions if they chose to advance.

He yelled at the UAZ driver, "Get out of the vechicle and take cover!"
Maruisz
G3 20/20
Lying prone and on overwatch
First shot aimed then 19 rounds suppressive fire
This message was last edited by the player at 11:56, Thu 08 May 2008.

Tucker was actually enjoying the ride to T-Berg when he heard the sounds of the first mortar round begin to fall on the road.  He follows suit with his companions in the UAZ and head for some cover, grabbing whatever gear he has with him.  He slides into the nearest piece of cover and gets low, burrying his head in the soft ground as the rounds hit and they're covered with mud and who knows what else what...

Robert picks his head up to survey the damage done by the mortar rounds and makes sures his companions are OK.  He looks over at Konrad and the others (depending on where they are) and yelss out, "SO MUCH FOR JUST BEING FUCKING OBSERVERS!  WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO KONRAD?"  Tucker gets his grenade launcher ready to fire on the OP if needed.

Tucker
M-16A2 [27/30]/M-203 [HE]
Getting grenade launcher ready to fire and trying to keep low

Lying prone, Bayer scans the ground ahead of the party. He doesn't object to Stoner, but hopes the man stays in sight. He didn't want to have to go chasing after him. Not amongst the violence and confusion which was occuring on the Sando militia. "Stay in place!" he yells to the two others near him.

Looking over his shoulder he checks to make sure the Pole didn't drive off with the UAZ... the main reason he didn't want them to move ahead. "If you have a shot, take it. But hold this position... its still not our fight. Patience men, wait to see what the Militia does next" If the Sando militia broke and ran... and they moved up ahead, they would be committed and on their own. That, and the UAZ kept him fixed in place.

He wondered if he was going to hear the Krolowa behind him begin its first salvo.

Bayer
G36/HK69 (HE)
Prone with shore party
Waiting to see the Militia's response

Griet cursed silently as the carefully laid plans began to fall apart. She gripped her gun and kept wel behind her gunshield. She called out, "Keep your eyes peeled for snipers. If they have scouts and Forward Observers out, they may haev snipers out too!"

At least they weren't aiming for the tug, were Anneka's first thoughts.
"Milk," she yelled in between explosions.
"Spot for Hicks."
Located on the main deck, there was no chance of a direct line of sight to the enemy forward observers. As it was, only those on the bridge, a couple of metres higher than her own location, were likely to have a decent view of the action.
"First though, ask Adam to swing the tug around for a broadside."
She should have planned better and had the intercom handset moved to her position a few yards further forward....
Checking the AGS was ready for firing, she pointed the stubby barrel in the direction she'd seen movement, and waited until she had a clear shot.

Anneka
AGS-17
Issuing instructions through Milk to Adam
Requesting Milk spot for Hicks
Readying to fire single grenade at target of opportunity

Hearing the not-so-distant booming and pops of mortar and gunfire, Dawid grinned with a confidence he only half-felt.

"Hear that? Our boys are giving them hell! Keep your heads down."

He switched back to English for Minh's sake. "Please keep an eye on the west bank for us, never know if they'll have a sniper there."

Tantal + BG-15 (30/30 + 1/1)
82mm Vasilek (5/5 HE, 5 HE + 5 HEDP on deck, rest below)

As Konrad, Mariusz, and Tucker look on, Stoner crawls down the road towards the burning Ural. Fortunately, the troops that had ridden in on it had dismounted before the first mortar round fell, or the carnage could have been much worse. The driver and his assistant, however...

Dave looked up and saw the driver's assistant, fully engulfed in flames in the truck's cab, his skin blackening, his hair singed away, moving aimlessly and slow, as if under water. Then, suddenly, he is still. A few meters away, off the road on the right was a prone man, groaning softly. Dave moves closer until he is within touching distance. He gets up on his knees and instantly notices a huge exit wound in the man's lower back. He can see fragments of bone amid the blood and gore portruding from the gaping, skillet-sized wound. The man is finished. Dave moves on until he finds another militiaman. He has shrapnel in both legs. He's doing his best not to scream but his pain is obvious. There is a lot of blood. Quite a lot. But upon closer inspection it is clear that no major veins or arteries have been severed. This one can be saved. Dave gets to work patching him up.

Meanwhile, on board the Krolowa, Anneka orders a broadside on the fleeing picket. By the time the agile tug swings its port side to face the distant town, the IPAT runners have disappeared from view. They must have either gone to ground again or perhaps they are using some subtle fold in the seemingly level terrain to avoid being seen. On the tug's bridge, the Russian liaison's radio blares to life.

"Shell the city! Shell it now! Silence that mortar!"

The liaison, unaware of the new ship's intercom system, leans out of the bridge door and shouts down to the Vasilek pit.

"Open fire on the city! Silence that enemy mortar immediately!"

Back on shore, the Sandomierz militia, having recovered their composure, continues spreading out into their attack positions. Both BMPs swing further out into the fields bordering the road on the inland side. The mortar squad- shorthanded due to casualties sustained in the IPAT shelling- hastily sets up three of its tubes and begins laying them on Tarnobrzeg. As loaders arrive with crates of mortar rounds, the tubes cough forth a counter-barrage. The attack platoons, believing the enemy mortar silenced- or at least temporarily sated- begin to advance towards their objectives. Several seconds later, the sound of distant detonations can be heard rumbling out from the town. Assuming the attack had caught the defenders by surprise, there'd been no time for the residents to flee. Hopefully the many civilians Griet saw on her brief visit there have managed to take shelter...

Actions?

OOC: Those players whose PCs are on board the Queen, please post your character's location either in a combat tag or by changing the subject line of your post. I'm unclear as to exactly where most of the tug team is located at the moment. Thanks much.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:54, Sun 11 May 2008.

Anneka waited with her finger on the trigger. There was little point in firing until they had a target to fire at even with an area effect weapon like the AGS. Up forward she knew that Dawid would likewise be waiting for orders before firing blindly. Ammunition wasn't so plentiful that they could shoot without somebody correcting their shots....
[Private to Cap'n Rae: Just waiting on an FO to call in fire. It's all well and good for the ORMO liason to issue the order, but a town is a big place...
Also, he's marked as ORMO3 on the layout I've just posted in OOC - at the PKM Anneka usually occupies just forward and below the bridge, close enough to be a part of operations while still being able to fire a weapon.]

Anneka
AGS+F88/M203
Waiting for targets

"Ok." she says after a moment of watching the smoke billowing up. Then after a quiet "Whoa." she turns her attention to the west bank.

A short moment later she hears the yelling for mortar to enter the battle. Keeping her attention on the shore, she moves into position to help rotate the mortar in the necessary direction (assuming it is out of its arc of fire). "Ready when you are." she says confidently, keeping an ear open for the fire mission instructions.

Quyen
Mortar #2
AK-74 on the deck
Crewing the mortar/keeping watch
This message was last edited by the player at 10:55, Sun 11 May 2008.

Mariusz lay prone, covering the medic as he ministered to the sick. He was alert to respons to any threats or arders that might come his way.

Greit scanned her sector and checked for snipers. She heard the Sandomierz liaison yell for fire and she switched to trying to remember where the mortar had been emplaced. She saw the tower of the church and yelled at Dawid, "Dawid! The mortar was about thirty meters west of the tower. I'll bet the tower has an OP too!"

She hoped that Dawid got the message. Firing blind they had little hope of hitting the mortar but if the rounds came close enough they might force it to relocate.

[Private to Cap'n Rae: I'm improvising here otherwise the mortar is wasting rounds if they decide to fire at all. The IPAT could always have relocated the mortar since then. I would if an enemy had clocked it's position.]

"Tucker! Mariusz! Lets take a few bounds forward to cover Stoner better. But keep behind the Sando line." Bayer yells to the two men near him. "Tucker cover first, Mariusz and myself move!" he adds.

Using a leapfrog method, Bayer rises and dashes forward a few meters with Mariusz to his flank. He will then cover forward and allow Tucker to take his move. They will keep doing this until they near the Sando line. Bayer's intention is to try to keep back enough from becoming a part of the battle.

Konrad Bayer
G36/HK69 (HE)
Shore Party
Tactical movement towards the Sando Militia

Dave continues working on the wounded. He's not advancing any closer to the action than the burned truck that was in front of them in the convoy.

Dave
AK-74, 6 mags
BG15, 6 HE, 1 Illum
Aid bag.

Mariusz followed Bayer's orders and started pepperpoting.

Mariusz
G3 20/20
Following Bayer's orders.

Staring in disbelief, Jason watches the battle unfold. Acting as a lookout, he has little to do but scan the area for possible contacts.

Jason Kasparov
Aft dushka observer
AK74 (9mags)
Scanning the area with binoc.

Smiling, nodded in approval.

"Not just yet, my friend. Our own mortars will soon suppress the enemy's artillery..."

He listened to the answering barrage.

"Yes, there they are."

They turned broadside to try and get a shot at the fleeing enemy FOOs, and Dawid cursed as his aim point was thrown off. He hopped off the mortar, calling over the ORMO on deck and Minh to help him swivel the Vasilek to keep it trained in their direction of fire. When the tug turned back, they turned the mortar back to it's proper bearing.

"Our role is mainly direct fire support of the platoon closest to the river bank, then the 3 platoons to it's left, attacking up the road. We may not even get indirect fire orders."

"We must keep careful track of where our own forces are located. We do not want to fire on them by accident. I have a different task for you Minh, will you observe them and make note of our ORMO's positions?"

Dawid held out his binoculars for her. He then addressed the ORMO who were with them.

You! What are your names? Tell me now!"

Vasilek (5/5 HE + 5 HE, 5 HEDP)

Tucker turns his attention to Bayer as he yells out orders to start bounding forward behind the militia.  Tucker gives a nod and a thumbs up to Bayer signalling him that he understands and is ready to start covering their move forward.

Tucker watches and covers as Mariusz and Bayer begin their leap-frog movement forward.  He waits until both of them are set and will begin his towards them.

Tucker
M-16A2 [27/30]/M-203 [HE]
Covering Bayer & Mariuszs' tactical movement

" Tug this is two niner savoy"

"we have contact with LP/OP out side of town and have deployed"

"request your fires on the three shore side bunkers facing the river"

"two are HMG and one is a 107mm recoiless rifle"

" you should be in range soon"


" will call if more help is needed"


"Two niner savoy out"


Sam
M25
assault element

Squatting back down after readjusting the mortar, Quyen nods, "Yeah. Alright." Accepting the binos, she slides back over to the opposite side of the Vasilek.

Peering at the shore in the direction of the burning truck, she catches sight of Bayer and Mariusz moving up in tactical bounds. She notices Tucker get up and race forward a few seconds later. "Hey! I see the shore party. Only three though... no Stoner. They are moving up but seem ok."

Turning her attention over to the Sando militia, she tries to track their furthest  man ahead of the assault. Taking a physical reference point from the ground, she points it out, "Reference that crooked telephone pole... don't fire to the right of it."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:50, Mon 12 May 2008.

"Thank you, that is good to know!"

Dawid finally decided on having 1 ORMO to hand up ammunition, the other to help train the Vasilek, and Minh to spot and bring any immediate targets under direct automatic fire with the closest PRK-74. He communicated this to the personnel with him at the forward position using the appropriate language.

When the order to suppress the 3 riverside bunkers came in and was relayed over the intercom, he asked Minh to spot them for him, so that he could bring them under accurate fire. Once he begins sevicing the targetss if he observes the fragmentation (HE) isn't working, he will switch to anti-armour (HEDP). Ammunition would be handed up as needed.

Vasilek (5/5 HE, + 5 HE, + 5 HEDP)
Firing 2 rounds HE each at each bunker (6 shots HE or HEDP total as needed)
This message was last edited by the player at 11:18, Mon 12 May 2008.

The militia continue their attack, coming to within visual range of the outskirts of town. A pall of smoke from burning buildings hangs over it. A few of the defenders snipe at the attackers from the upper stories of several of the buildings. The BMPs respond with 73mm HE explosives, silencing the IPAT shooters. Still, four militiamen have fallen to the fire, either dead or badly wounded. The attackers continue forward to be greeted by heavy automatic weapons fire and the BMPs must pause again to locate and engage the enemy machine gun nests. The militia fighters go to ground quickly and it doesn't take much provocation to halt their advance.

Bones stabilizes the first of the wounded as Tucker, Konrad, and Mariusz bound forward to cover him. The platoon assigned to the attack along the road resumes their advance, leaving the tug ground team behind. The UAZ "taxi" remains nearby, its driver quite pleased with his position well behind the point of the spear.

The tug swings its prow back up-river and continues its slow advance. Within a few minutes, the first of the shoreside bunkers comes into view. It is strangely quiet, the barrel of its machine gun protruding stiffly out of the strongpoint's narrow aperture away from the Krolowa.

Actions?

Bayer hears the radio call for the fire support from the Krolowa. Halting the group a short distance from the Sando skirmish line, he gives a quick look over to check on Stoner. Yelling to his companions to his sides to fill them in, "Fire mission requested."

Lying prone he scans the area ahead, searching for the bunkers the Sando militia wanted suppressed. "Bunker line to the front! Fire mission on the bunkers. Anyone have a shot... give them some fire."

Compared to the firepower of the Krolowa, the shore party wouldn't add much. However, Tucker's 40mm or a lucky rifle shot just might help the Sando militia a little. They still were not committed, but it'd also give the men some action, which he assumed they wanted.

Giving another glance around, he tries to take notice of any war loot. The bunker's will have something good, he guessed hopefully.

Seeing the first bunker was silent, Dawid decided to shift fire to the second one.

The first one only had a Dushka anyways, which was a threat but they were better protected against MG fire now.

However, the middle bunker had a B-11 positioned there. The recoiless rifle could play real havoc wtih the tug, armour or no.

"Minh, please spot the middle bunker for us!"

He answered the intercom and heard what he assumed was Bayer"s request to supress the riverside bunkers.

"Negative, First bunker is unmanned. Will disable 2nd."

When Minh spotted the middle bunker, he planned to fire 2 HE shells at it.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:02, Tue 13 May 2008.

Dave takes a quick glance around, looking for any wouded in his immediate area. If there is some one he can help without moving any closer to the front, he'll help them.

If there's no wounded close, or they're beyond his help, he'll unlimber his weapon and shoot the grenade launcher at available targets.

Dave
Shore party assisting wounded/shooting grenades
AK-74, 6 mags
BG-15, 6 HE, 1 Illum
Aid bag

Mariusz wriggled across the ground until he found a fold in the land that would give him just a little more cover. He looked around and aimed his rifle forward, searching for targets.

Mariusz
Lying prone
Scoped G3 20/20
Overwatch

Kneeling behind the makeshift cover built around the vasilek, Quyen keeps watch on the slowly advancing friendly forces. At Dawid's call she rotates around. Using the reticule pattern in the field glasses she views the second bunker and estimates the range with the horizontal lines. "Middle bunker! Range... XXX meters!" she calls. A moment later she tenses and anticipates the mild shock of the mortar's fire.

Quyen
Vasilek #2
Ak74 (28 Rounds)
Gauging Target Distance with Binos

"Thank you!"

A thought flashed through his mind. The first bunker (#1) was too quiet, considering how organised this crew had shown themselves to be and it was the closest bunker on the main line of attack.

"Keep an eye on the first bunker, there could be someone hiding in it, waiting to strike, or someone could man it later. Keep ranging it for me."

"Firing!"

He decided to fire at the middle one (Bunker #2) for now, but shift fire back to the "abandoned" 1st bunker if necessary.

82mm Vasilek (5/5 HE + 5 HE, 5 HEDP)
Fire plan: firing at least enough HE rounds on middle (B-11 bunker) to achieve a direct hit, Shift fire to first bunker if there are any signs of life. If Bunker #2 isn't visible at this point, he fires on Bunker #1 even if apparently empty, just to be safe.

[Private to GM: Rae, if the bunkers are sandbagged, he will fire HE, if they rea reinforced with logs/tree trunks, concrete, etc., he will switch to HEDP. Also, any names for the ORMO with him? Thanks!]
This message was last edited by the player at 13:06, Tue 13 May 2008.

Tucker looks up from his position near Konrad and yells out to him, "ROGER THAT!  ENGAGING BUNKER NOW!"  Tucker takes aim with his M-203 at the closest enemy bunker that is giving the militia trouble and then fires a HE round.

Tucker
M-16A2 [27/30]/M-203 [HE]
Aiming and firing [1] HE round at closest hostile bunker

Bayer, still prone, and observing the bunkers to the front, watches the impact from the Krolowa's mortar and Tuck's own 40mm addition. After the targets become obscured by dust and smoke, he looks back towards Stoner and ensures he is ok.

Griet remained behind her gunshield and scanned her quadrent for any threats she could deal with.

Jason continues to watch te battle unfold, unable to do anything but pray.

Chopper, squating over the Mk-19 on the fantail aft, gives a wry, polite half-smile to the militiamen stationed nearby. He slips a cigarette from its crushed package and flips it into his mouth, igniting it with a tarnished, marine corps logoed, zippo lighter. He takes a long drag and smiles again, this time more broadly, as the smoke trickles out from between his stained teeth. The closest militiamen frowns and looks away towards the west bank, his companion ignores Chopper, focussed instead on the battle picking up in intensity on the eastern shore.

Chopper half coughs, half laughs, takes another long pull on the cigarette and then stubs it out against the cold metal of the deck. He slips a grenade out of his pocket and pulls the pin, holding down the spoon with his left hand. Standing, he draws his Colt .45 with his free hand, cocks the hammer, points it at the back of the starboard side militiaman's head, and pulls the trigger. The man's head rocks forward, blood and bits of skull and brain matter exploding outward, and he pitches overboard. The port side militiaman, startled by the gunshot, turns around in time to see his companion's legs disappear over the tug's low side and the gaping maw of the American's .45 swing around to point directly at his face. Chopper pulls the trigger a second time and the second militiaman drops against the gunwhale, leaving a bloody mist to settle on the deck just aft of where he'd been kneeling a second before.

Chopper, almost nonchallantly, turns towards the quarterdeck, hefting the live grenade in his left hand, a mischevious grin spreading across his unshaven face.

Forward, Dawid's instints prove correct. He and Minh spot movement along shore where the intel suggested a recoiless rifle was located. Dawid lays the barrel of the Vasilek on the spot and fires a single HE round. It explodes right on target, sending a long, metal tube- presumably the 107mm recoiless rifle- cartwheeling 20 meters into the grey sky and udoubtedly killing its crew. Meanwhile, on his own innitiative, Clarence noisily puts 50 rounds of 12.7mm into and around the suspicious HMG bunker. A few small arms rounds crack past the forward half of the tug. The odd muzzle flash can be seen from the roofs of one of the riverside buildings.

Meanwhile, on shore, the ragged militia attack continues. The attackers rely heavily on the BMPs, following in their tracks and waiting until their 73mm shells have silenced enemy firing positions before advancing further.  The BMPs soon expend all of their cannon shells but continue to contribute to the fight by raking the buidlings with coaxial MG fire from a distance. An RPG races smoking from the roof of one of the buildings to smite the closest IFV but misses, causing much smoke and noise but little damage. A second barrage of militia HE 82mm mortar shells falls on to and around the nearest buildings and this seems to hearten the attackers. Encouraged by their NCOs they rise in groups of four and five and rush towards the enemy held buildings, supported by RPK and PKM fire.

On the road, the BTR advances to contact, its heavy machine gun barking out in anger. It creeps forward in fits and starts, followed by a gaggle of infantry, until a massive blast halts its advance. A large directional mine of some sort has disabled the APC, and the dazed crew attempt to evacuate it as enemy small arms fire opens up from ahead. Tucker, Konrad, Mariusz, and Stoner- in the process of stablizing his second "patient"- can see all of this from a distance but are still far enough beyond the battle line to be relatively safe from direct fire. The advance along the road, however, has stalled.

OOC: Note- the enemy bunker and retreating squad were and continue to be out of range of Tucker's M203.

Actions?
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:31, Fri 23 May 2008.

Konrad yells over to Mariusz, "How good are you with that thing?" refering to the scoped rifled. "Can be a sharpshooter ja?"

After a reply from the young Pole, Bayer toggles his radio, "Starlight, this is Sunray, message. Heavy resistance, enemy ist holding the buildings. Can you bring the tug closer and provide full... full fire support?" Figuring the tug had its own perspective from where they were located, he waiting for Soleblume's own assesment.

"Hit! That hit! Quyen yells. Locking her attention onto the third bunker she lines up the reticle pattern in the field glasses. Estimating the range she again yells to Dawid, "Bunker three! Range! XXX meters!"

The massive explosion which disabled the BTR catches her attention. Looking over she says, "Oh shit! Dawid that BTR just got messed up bad. You see that!" Not in a position to see clearly, she hoped it was a mine, and not a heavy gun of some sort (like a tank).

She turns back to observe the next mortar salvo to make corrections if necessary.

Quyen
Vasilek #2
Ak74 (28 Rounds)
Gauging Target Distance with Binos

Mariusz heard Bayer's question and decided that honesty was the best policy. The man needed to know his best abilities if he was to effectively plan, "I've only fired it twice and missed both times. I can probably keep someone's head down but I'm not likely to actually hurt anyone at this range. What would you like me to do?"

Mariusz
Lying prone on overwatch
G3 20/20

While in the process of treating the wounded man, Dave takes whatever weapon the man was carrying (or has nearby) and slings it across his back. Dave's own AK with grenade launcher is lying on the ground close at hand. As he's treating the man, he removes whatever load bearing equipment and tosses it over his shoulder towards Konrad.

Stoner
On shore helping militia wounded
AK-74, 6 full mags
BG-15, 6 HE, 1 illum
Aid bag

Tucker checks the ranges on his target(s) and yells to Bayer, "GOT NO SHOTS KONRAD!  YOU GOT SECONDARIES FOR ME OR YOU WANT ME TO COVER STONER?"

Tucker
M-16A2 [27/30]/M-203 [HE]
With Konrad and Mariusz