Speaking in English Dawid offers to translate for the man.

"Ondar, my friend, I am Sergeant Dawid Piotrowski. I am working with our allies, the Americans (among others). If need be, I know Russian and will be able to translate if need be, although your English seems quite good."

Dawid tried to place the man's accent, guessing his origin to be an Eastern Asian Soviet Republic of some kind, like Kazakhstan, Turkistan, possibly even Mongolia.

Mariusz stayed at his post and got ready to listen in on the conversation over the intercom.

Griet looked at the barge man and said, "We're sending an engineer and a medic over, we can't spare much in the way of spare parts and medicine, but what our expertise can gain you, we'll give freely. I'll arrange for some food to be sent over, I estimate it'll take you three days to reach Sandiomierz, what do you think?"

She listened to the man's assessment and headed back to the bridge to hear what this new informant had to say.

Tucker will walk over to see what is going on and why this person is on the tug.  It must be good if Konrad brought him aboard...

The Central Asian guest calling himself Ondar, which anybody who can read Cyrillic can confirm is actually the name stencilled on his fatigues, unhooks the fasteners on his flak jacket and sits down at the chart table.

"Spasiba."

The stranger acknowledges the Polish sergeant's offer to translate and counters that his Russian is only marginally better than his English.  He shrugs before continuing.

"Make this easy I can," he begins in the same clear but syntactically jumbled English "Ondar have informations about the RESET.  I know size and composition of forces nearby that hostile."

He traces his finger along the route of the river up to the crossing at Pulawy and taps that location three times.  He then gestures toward the radio attached to his ruck leaning against the wall.

"I have radio frequencies with codewords and ... eh ... protocols.  These all I trade Americans for safe passage out this area.  That now.  Later, I like see Montana.  Ondar make home there.  Ranch with horses.  Big Sky Country."

He reaches for a coffee pot sitting on the chart table and pours himself half a cup.  Holding the mug to his lips with both hands, he takes a sip and winces at the bitterness.

"As aside, not pertain this negotiation, maybe you spare food for barge.  They smell bad, but good kind people.  Ondar loyal friend.  You see soon."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:21, Wed 10 Sept 2008.

Bayer is silent during the entirety of Ondar's declaration. He subdues a rise in annoyance when he pours himself the coffee... but says nothing and doesn't alter his expression. Only when Ondar is finished he says flatly,

"Enemy strengths and positions... go on."


OOC - How far (or how long rather) until we reach the next population point or known enemy garrison?

Also, he's not openly armed is he?
This message was last edited by the player at 11:44, Wed 10 Sept 2008.

"Nichevo." Dawid offers him a cigarette and offers to light it.

Standing out of the way by the wall Jan watches the newcomer make himself at home. Watching as he interacts with the others he tries to get a feel for weither he is trustworthy or not.

"So, please if you would, tell us of this Reset and the troup strengths you mentioned. Where and how many? Are they on allert and what type of troops are they?"

Pulling out a pack of smokes he lights one up and continues to watch the swarthy stranger.

As the conversation on the bridge got underway, Griet got onto the intercom to Mariusz, "Mariusz, can you select some rations for transfer to the other boat. Three days' supply for thirty if you please."

"No problem," Mariusz replied.

He looked over at Jason, "Comrade, will you take over the AGS? I have an errand to run."
He left the bunker and moved into the hold of the tug. The food supplies had been carefully stored away and it took him a while to locate a wheel barrow and the rations he thought they could spare. He placed two twenty-five kilo sacks of potatoes onto the barrow and added two twenty-five kilo sacks of flour and a pot of yeast. On top of these he placed two ten kilo bags of dried beetroots, a ten kilo bag of dried onions and another of carrots, he finished the supplies with eight five kilo bags of soup mix.

The selection would give them plenty of calories and most vitamins that they would need. He hoped it would be enough to see them to safety. He wheeled the barrow to the winch and winched the supplies to the deck. After that he wheeled the barrow over to the motor-tow and started to off-load it, he looked up at the barge master and handed him the tin of precious yeast, "This is yeast, a live culture, do you have someone who knows hoe to take care of it? If not, I'll keep it and give you enough of our dried yeast to last you."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:28, Wed 10 Sept 2008.

"Sure thing, Mariusz."  Jason stays at the central position of the M240, but is ready to move to the AGL should it be necessary.  He takes up the intercom phone and calls the bridge.  He asks whoever answers to keep him posted on what goes on in the bridge with the fellow from the barge.

Clarence walks on to the bridge and immediately regrets it. He could plainly see that the man escorted aboard was in Soviet uniform, but no one told him RESET had been mentioned.

As the Soviet speaks of the top secret plans, Clarence has to fight to maintain his composure. It probably won't do much good.

Milk's appearance on the scene undoubtedly confirms the presence of RESET on board the tug for the unexpected guest. If the man knows enough to believe that RESET is being transported on board this particular river tug, then he probably knows that it is in the posession of a black American soldier as well. How many river tugs with a black man aboard were steaming through Poland in this day and age?

Clarence remains quiet, being as Konrad and Cerny have already asked the pertinent questions. He carefully studies the man, hand resting on his hip not far from his drop holster.

The one-armed man leads Sanjay to the barge's engine access and the Indian mechanic quietly sets quickly and quietly about his work. Next, the one-armed man ushers Anneka to a small tent and opens the flap to a chair set behind a small table. He offers her the chair and as she lays out her kit on the table, he pushes back the flap and calls loudly,

"Anyone in need of a doctor, we are blessed to have one aboard!"

In under a minute a line of at least two dozen people has formed leading to the small, improvised barge clinic. The first is a young mother. Her baby- a child of about 6 months- is listless and refuses to nurse.

Meanwhile...



The barge master frowns,

"Probably. Does it require proper refrigeration? We don't have the, er... facilities. But, kind son, I don't mean to seem ungrateful. I thank you for the food. We were convinced that you were pirates come to take what little we had left. Instead, you've proven our deliverers. Tell me, though, of Sandomierz. You mentioned slaves there? We'd heard nothing of slavery, only that there was plenty or work and food to be had there. Is there someplace else along the river- that's not too much further- where we could go?"

On board the Krolowa's bridge, the interrogation of the swarthy stranger begins in earnest.

Actions?

"It doesn't require refridgeration, but once it's opened, it'll need to be kept moist and covered and you need to give it a little sugar once a week, you can get the sugar most easily by caramelising a starchy tuber like carrot and potatoe. Beetroot is best," Mariusz replied, "Sandiomierz is an enigma, it calls itself a free city, but we saw cages of people when we entered the place. We also know that when they raided a town further upstream they also took slaves. That town, Tarnozbrezeg, was controlled by a mad American and is likely an armed camp or ghost town. Further up, I think the locks before Krakow have raiders camped there and Krakow makes you work like a slave for a year or two before making you a citizen. taking it all into account, Sandomierz might be the best choice of a bad lot. I wish I could be more positive, but the world has gone to shit."

Quyen continues to casually cover the other boat at the upper deck machine gun position. She can hear the discussions, but keeps most of her focus on the other boat... and occasionally on shore.

With the meeting on the bridge well-attended, Griet took her notes from the barge's log and asked the bargemaster, "Do you have your charts? I have my Captain's notes on the river upstream and the problems encountered on the riverbanks. Our engineer,Sanjay spent time in Sandomierz so he might be able to confirm or deny our suspiscions that they are slavers."

Dave stumbles onto the bridge, one hand holding his head and his rifle cradled in his other hand.

"What's all the racket? Don't ya'll know some people are trying to sleep?" He sees the stranger in a russian uniform and raises his eyebrows as he backs away a little bit.

As Griet follows the barge's master back to the pilot house to collect his annotated charts, he shares news of what awaits downriver.

"Yes, I will be happy to exchange charts with you. Where are you all headed again? If it's Warszawa (Warsaw), don't bother. There's a warlord up there that's taken over nearly the entire city save for the southern suburbs; a right savage son-of-a-bitch he is. Many of our passengers are fleeing from that cursed place. Some of the others are from Gora Kalwaria. They have held out pretty well so far but their ways are a bit too... strict, shall we say. We picked up a few passengers in the Bagno ("bog" or "marsh") Maciejowice, though a few of their number chose to stay behind- why, I don't know. Can't imagine how they survive in there. If what you've said about upriver is true, though, making a go of it in the marshes might be the least of several evils."

Obviously discouraged, the master falls silent until the charts are in his hands, sparking recent memories and provoking a renewal of his report. As he hands them over to Griet, he continues,

"Deblin is held by a few government soldiers. They made themselves scarce until they could tell we weren't pirates. Then they made a show of force, stopping the barge and shaking us down- the bastards. There weren't more than a couple doezen of 'em but we couldn't really do anything about it. But, if the pirates come up the river in force, those Lublin bullies are in a heap of trouble. I can't say that I'd be too sorry if that were to happen."

"And, of course, there's Pulawy- now that's a whole different story. I suppose that's the government's main bulwark against the pirates and marauders up north. We'd heard that it was government held but we weren't expecting such a show of force. There were probably hundreds of soldiers there and tanks too- a few of them. I'd love to watch those bloody pirates try to get through there! Say, I doubt that the government soldiers are going to be pleased to see so many NATO types on board your tug. What are you folks up to anyway?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:48, Fri 12 Sept 2008.

Dawid became excited.

"You've been to Warszawa?"

"DId you hear of a woman Doctor there? Her name would be Urzula, Urzula Piotrowski."

"Please, this is important."

Worked up a little, he lit his own cigarette.

"Wow, we're really going into a fucking war zone!  I guess we haven't seen shit yet," Tucker says as he listens to what's in sotre for them up the river on the way to Warsaw.

Bayer hears out what Ondar has to add quietly.

OOC - Is he going to be specific?

Slipping outside for a moment, he speaks to Quyen quietly,. "You have time with intel and PW processing ja? You have skilled question techniques right? There is a Soviet... deserter inside. I want you to start with determining is he telling the truth or not. Nothing crazy, and you don't need to extract buried secrets. Just if he is telling the truth or not. Shouldn't be too difficult right?"

Returning into the bridge he says to Adam, "Whats out time of arrival for the next town or reported garrison?"

Ondar looks quizically at the Legionnaire and then nods toward the American Warrant Officer.

"Maybe the American brief you with the RESET later. It not here or there.  What important is know that Russian theater commanders now tell Poles in Lublin RESET why they chase you.  This happen only in last 24 hours.  Opposition conscripts you face before this bush league compare what lay ahead.  I already buy some time but hurry we must.  So ... we have deal?"

He takes another sip of the bitter coffee sludge and pauses.  He scans plaintively back and forth between Bayer, Milk, Cerny and back to the German and then to the map as though waiting for somebody in authority to provide confirmation of his proposal.

"Good.  I tell you what Ondar know and we work together.  Team, yes?  Large task force wait at Pulawy crossing.  Reinforced platoon Soviet Reydoviki and probably two whole company veteran Polish front line Motor Rifle bandit hunters.  All fresh equip with heavy weapon.  These brought in special for you.  Garrison there reinforced by two of T-62 series main battle tank, with armor enhancement.  Also at least two, maybe three of BMP infantry carriers with the AT-3 missles.  There many large mortar, to include one Vasilek - like what out on  bow."

Ondar stands and rotates his chair around so that he is stradding the seat with his chest pressed against the back when he sits back down.  In so doing, he exposes what appears to the the wooden handle of a blued steel Makarov-like pistol stuffed in the waistband of the small of his back.  He doesn't seem to notice or care that he has exposed his weapon.

"Many positions may dug in," he continues.  "But garrison commander know value of manuever.  They have radar and night vision capables.  And they know you coming.  That what at Pulawy now in wait.  Patrols and observation on each side river in both directions.  Reinforcements coming from Lublin to east soon as get shit together."

He cracks a faint smile.

"Rear echelon in recent ... disorder."

The smile fades.

"Expect recover by nightfall.  We monitor situation develop on radio.  I have frequencies."

The guest stops to let the tactical situation sink in with the team planners.

"This end of line for tugboat, no?  Most certain to stop and board.  Look for you."  He nods toward Milk.  "Will find RESET if still here."

"Hmm. We have deal." Bayer confirms. "And... I know that you already understand if you cross us - we will kill you. That is obvious to you ja?"

Listening to their opponent's overwhelming strength being listed off, Bayer smirks and shakes his head in displeasure. He then says, "What is this option you can provide us? What can you do that will allow you to see Montana?"

A hush falls over the bridge. The mood change is sudden and universal. The tension is palpable.

If the stranger's report is to be believed, the most numerous, organized, heavily armed, active, and well prepared opposition the tug has faced to date holds preprared positions just 10km downriver. And, they are waiting specifically for the Krolowa.

After Konrad, Clarence Milk is the first to speak,

"I'll go. I can't speak for anyone else but McCoy and maybe Kasparov will probably go along with me. We'll go ashore here and take off on foot. I just need a few minutes to pack my gear."

He looks at Old Adam, trying hard to maintain eye contact,

"I'm sorry for bringin' all this down on you, Captain."

The weatherbeaten tug captain manages a weak smile,

"There is no need to apologize. I know that you did not mean for this to happen. You have helped us make it this far and I will not turn my back on you now. Besides Mr. Milk, you know as well as I that this tug will still be boarded and those of us who remain will be arrested, even if you and your... cargo are long gone. We are in this together."

A difficult decision awaits and the remainder of the security team are summoned from their various tasks to collectively determine a course of action.

Actions?
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:55, Fri 12 Sept 2008.

The master seems to hesitate for a moment before answering,

"Doctor Piotrowski? Yes, yes. I knew her well. Many of us owe our lives to her care."

The master's tone grows somber.

"She was... she passed away during one of the Baron's first attacks, treating the wounded. An artillery shell collapsed the building we were using for a field hospital. I'm sorry..."
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:14, Sat 13 Sept 2008.