As the last light of the day faded, griet looked intently at the wreck of their sister ship. Part of the super structure was still out of the water, a grim reminder of they're fate several times already on the river, and warning of what might still come. She resolved to speak to Adam about running a salvage operation the next day.

The boat wasn't too deep and they might be able to rig up air breathing apparatus. There would be dozens of critical parts in the boat that would be useful on this trip, if only it were feasible. She made her way to the sickbay where Stoner was getting ready to join them at dinner.

She looked at him and said, "The sunk tug is identical to this one, you've got the most underwater experience of all of us so I'd appreciate it if you made an assessment of whether a salvage operation is possible. If it is great, if it's a fool's errand, let me know and I'll advise against it. The river may well be too cold for diving even in the day, but I'd appreciate your expert opinion."

Smiling as the young man gushes on about the food he is prepairing Jan shakes his hand.
"Thank you for the welcome, I will gladly tell everyone the food is ready."
Heading about the ship Jan attempts to find teh crew and let them know that it is time to eat. On his way back to the galley he heads to his gear and searches through his pack for a moment before continuing on to the galley.

Mariusz smiled at the new man, "I'd appreciate you doing that, thanks."

Bayer nods, "Hmm, yes. Somebody took notice of us today. And unlike before, our enemy has boats it seems. The river is no longer a natural obstacle that protects us... they may use it too. We'll double the shifts tonight."

Leaving the doctor, Bayer went about the ship with security in mind. He ensured a routine sentry was posted and alert, and everyone was aware of the extra responsibilities for the night. He reminded them to keep a watch for boarders as well - something that they hadn't had to deal with before.

When the boat finally reached its nightfall resting place, Bayer alerted the following - Tucker, Quyen, McCoy, and Stoner. "Routine clearing patrol." he announces. "Clear both sides of the river."

When darkness was upon them he stood-to those left aboard. "Eating time is later.  Once things settled down for the evening."

Adam's face darkens at the mention of the pirates responisble for sinking his beloved River Princess.

"Yes, bloody pirates. They may still be in this area. It appears as though they are responsible for the destruction of Solec. If the government is not holding the Pulawy or Deblin bridges in force, the pirates can range between between Warsaw and Annapol at will. The force that attacked us had three small boats and one large vessel- a river patrol vessel of the type used by the Border Guards- armed with an automatic cannon and several machine guns. It had been painted black. We only had a few Kalashnikovs for defense and were overwhelmed by their fire. The Princess was still afloat when we abandoned her, but burning fiercely. She must have been damaged below the waterline as well. If it hadn't have been getting dark, the pirates would have gotten us as well."

Dawid appeared, presenting the medal given to him by the old man at Solec.



Adam turned it over in his hand a few times before giving it back to Dawid.

"It is not a military medal. I believe it is a state award for meritorious civil service. Only a handful are awarded each year. Hmmm."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:59, Sun 24 Aug 2008.

"I wouldn't want to try it." Dave says flatly. "Unless whatever we're diving for is desperately needed. Then maybe some garbage bags and duct tape for a makeshift wetsuit. The grease the body to stave off the cold trick didn't work near as well as was advertised."

"Arrr, mates. A pirate-hunting we'll be" says Dave in his best pirate voice. He digs around in his medical bag for a couple aspirin and dry swallows them. "And remember, lads, it's rape the women and kill the men, not the other way around."

"Communist, huh? Well, that just goes to show. Perhaps he was shamming and was keeping watch on the river, maybe he was a good socialist once but now remembers little but where he lives and what torments him. Well, we're past worrying about it for now. If the government comes, then we can't do anything about it anyways"

"Thanks for the information, I'm going to get some food, and then get ready if I'm needed for patrol."

He headed down to the galley.

"Hi, Mariusz. Hear about our little adventure?"

Dawid proceeded to tell him what happened on shore, to keep the young man in the loop.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:45, Wed 27 Aug 2008.

Tucker leaned against the railing as Adam told his story about what had happened to his first ship that the pirates took from him.  "I'm sorry to hear about your first ship.  I know that you are passionate about your ships and can tell you that we'll try to not let that happen a second time to you and your crew!  If we run across them again, it sounds like that river patrol vessel could be a problem for us.  Do you remember what it was armed with?"

Quyen was readying herself to take up the dusk stand-to when she hears her name called. Grabbing her gear (which was already packed for the aborted standing patrol), she musters on deck. "I'm ready sir. I pilot the small boat?" she asks.

When Tucker is around she repeats her status uttering a simple, "Ready."

Quyen was wearing her US issued uniform (actually complete this time)... minus her bush hat which was stuff into her pants pocket. As usual she was also without body armour and helmet.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:06, Mon 25 Aug 2008.

Mariusz listened to the story of the patrol and frowned as he heard of the old man's plight, "A shame," he said, "we should have tried to get him aboard, there's a town I know about twenty kilometers west of here. They were good people and let my partisan group stay last winter."

He thought back to that time, it had almost been pleasant. "Thinking about it, I might talk to Kaptain Bayer anyway, there was a church there that Brother Switek loved, and a War Memorial. It would be a fitting place to lay my leader to rest."

Griet listened to the SEAL's assessment and said, "Thanks for your thoughts, I was worried that that would be the case. Still it was worth asking." she paused for a moment and said, "Thankyou for your bravery at the bridge, if it hadn't been for you, I doubt we'd have made it through as easily as we did if it hadn't been for your skill and courage."
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:18, Mon 25 Aug 2008.

As the rest of the team heads to their evening stand-to positions, the clearing party of McCoy, Stoner, Tucker, and Minh set off towards the western shore in the Zodiac. The wreck of the River Princess looms above them ominously for a few seconds before the boat is clear of its long shadow. A small tributary runs out of the gently rolling field just west of the boat to join the unseasonally high and swift Vistula. The pale sun is low on the western horizon, making visibility somewhat of an issue. It was a toss up on which bank to clear first, but the dead zone behind the sunken tug seemed to pose the greatest threat so the clearing party heads in that direction first.

The Zodiac grinds ashore on the low, sandy bank just north of the tributary mouth and after tying off the boat, the team heads inland with the little stream on its left flank.

Twenty meters from the river bank, McCoy, on point, freezes and without a sound signals the group to take cover. Seconds later, small arms fire rips through the air all around them. The staccato crack of closely spaced single shots echo through the still air. At least one fully automatic weapon chatters away as well.

From the Krolowa, about a dozen muzzle flashes can be made out, blinking out along the shore, about 50m ahead of the clearing party and about 300 meters from the tug. The clearing team has walked into an ambush.

Actions?

"Contact front 50 meters, squad size. I will be base of fire with Tucker. Stoner and Minh, break contact and attempt to flank either right or left."


"Tucker, 203/HE until you dont have any more targets; get the mg position!!!"



While barking out orders, McCoy will seach for targets in his scope...silent death is on the way he thinks. When he finds a target he will fire a pair from the silenced rifle.


McCoy
Contact
M25/silenced
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:26, Tue 26 Aug 2008.

Earlier, on board the tug before the clearing party set out...



"It was mostly blind luck. They say God takes care of drunks and fools, it's been said I qualify on both counts."
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:24, Tue 26 Aug 2008.

"Going right! Minh, with me!" Dave yells as he dashes to the right of the party.

He'll lead Minh around on a flanking attempt; when & if they get into a good position, he'll attack with the grenade launcher & HE first, then go to the rifle.

Dave
Flanking the ambush
AK-74, 5 loaded magazines
BG-15, 6 HE, 1 illum
Aid bag

"Dawid! Fourty mil HE. Five rounds rapid. Fire!" she yelled down to where Dawid waited with mortar and Mark 19 grenade launcher.

Calling fire orders to Dawid
PKM + half available ammo
HP-35 + 3 mags

In reply to Anneka Soleblume (msg #24):

Dawid leaped off the Vasilek and got behind the Mk.19.

He grabbed the handles. "Firing!" He fired a 5-round burst at the target.


Dawid Piotrowski
Mk.19 Auto-GL 40mm HE (50/50)
Bow Weapons's Station
Firing 1 5-round burst.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:46, Wed 27 Aug 2008.

AS they reach the shore and start to head inland, Tucker stops and and immediately follows McCoy's signal to find cover just before they are fired upon.  With no time to think with Minh and Stoner moving to flank, he quickly brings his M-203 up and yells out, "ROUND OUT," as he fires at the MG position that Sam directed him to fire at.

Tucker
M-16A2 [27/30]/M-203 [HE]
Firing M-203 HE round at MG position directed by McCoy

This message was deleted by the player at 10:50, Wed 27 Aug 2008.

Rushing around the deck to his fighting station Jan works to get the weapon ready. Checking it's status and cycling it to load it he readys the DshK.
Once ready he calls out to the crew,
"DshK is ready! I will engage targets of opportunity unless told otherwise!"


Jan Cerny
Manning Starbord DshK 50/50
looking for trouble

This message was last edited by the player at 03:28, Wed 27 Aug 2008.

Bayer is in the bridge when the firing starts. Stepping outside to view the situation he replies quickly to Mariusz as he walks, "Main deck. Help Dawid with the heavy weapons in place of Quyen."

Moving to the Port side, he gets into suitable cover (if there are no sandbagged walls near the DSHK, he will lie prone on the deck. Reaching into his vest he pulls out a 40mm HE round and loads. Bayer will then observe the battlefield to figure out what is exactly happening.

Bayer
Near port side DSHK
Loading 40mm/Observing

Quyen fires a trio of shots in the direction of the enemy as soon as she can react. Following Stoner, Quyen crouches and sprints after him. She zig zags from position to position, hoping her nimble agility and speed can prevent her from getting hit. "I'm moving!" she yells back to Stoner.

Minh Quyen
Clearing Patrol
AK74 (25 rounds)
Running
This message was last edited by the player at 06:57, Wed 27 Aug 2008.

Mariusz saw the muzzle flashes and moved the AGS to face the threat. He frowned as he looked at the position. He altered the angle of the barrel in the hope that his shots would avoid the patrol in between his gun and his targets and searched for a good shot.

Mariusz
AGS 7/29 (2x 29 drums left)
Aiming at the ambush.

Snapping out of his funk with the beginning of action, Jason mans the M-240 in the forward position as Mariusz moves the AGS to the port side.  Since the clearing patrol has not had the opportunity to check the eastern bank, he keeps most of his attention in that direction.

Jason K.
Barge Bunker
M-240
Watching forward and along east bank
Ready to shift MG to east if necessary