As Griet popped over to count the ammo for the Zoo Two, she said to Dawid, "The Kaptain ordered me off the machinegun and onto the guntruck. You'll need to ask him where the PK is, I'm sorry."

Dawid nodded at Griet. "Okay, it's not that important, but I will ask at some point. Thanks!"

"McCoy, of course you are right. I cup it to shield if from vision. as you can see, but one can't be too careful. I welcome your good advice."

He stubbed out the cigarette in good humour. He sniffed himself. "I am not as rank as usual in the field, it will be hard getting used to the luxury of having a regular shower."

"Ondar, I am happy to call you that. That is interesting news. Makes a lot of sense. Although the sniper was like a wampyr, picking us off, I sent him to Hell with a burning phosphor round. The Ant-Tank team as well. The rest of my comrades gave the rest of your friends what-for, too, they shall not bother us again."

He addressed the rest of the command group.

"Now, I tried to cut the line to Radom, I fear I didn't succeed. If no one else thought to put the phone out of action, we could be in trouble, and soon."

"Warrant Milk reported to Kapitan Bayer that I released the prisoners I persuaded to surrender under my authority. Lest anyone think I am untrustworthy, we could not look after then adequately and these were the mortar crew, not deserving of worse treatment. We had the mortar, what further harm could they do? So I released them to tell the garrison commander to call me on the field phone. He did, and we negotiated a short cease-fire. Seemed to work well enough, I hope everyone is pleased with the results!"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:04, Sun 23 Nov 2008.

"OK," Griet replied to Dawid.

She bent back to her work, the oil was draining into an old can she'd found and she had already emptied the fuel tank. She removed the battery, starter motor and solenoid, both of which might be useful at some point, as well as the spark plugs and distributor cap.

That done she removed anything not bolted down on the vehicle including any tools and equipment and the wheels and inner tubes.

"Yes." Bayer says quietly. "I did want prisoners taken. For information. What of the two that were sent with Mariusz?"

Looking around he adds, "And speaking of prisoners, where is that American PW?"

In reply to Konrad Bayer (msg #376):

"Ah my good Kapitan, I am pleased you agree that a lack of casualties was worth the trade off. Surely you took some other prisoners at the garage, who will now willingly and accurately share what information they have. We can always hope!"

He smiled to show he was joking, then looked around for Mariusz.

"I agree, we should get Mariusz here. There are going to be an outpost at... Kozienice. He may know a route around it."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:09, Sun 23 Nov 2008.

Clarence held the cleanest towel he could find to his wounded ear. It hadn't bled a whole lot and it hurt surprisingly little. He was, however, caked with mostly dried human waste and the risk of infection was high.

As Ondar recounts the tale of the GRU infiltrator the party had known as 'Mad Dog' Maddock, Milk shakes his head in surprise.

"So were those marauders at the lock working for the GRU or did he really get his stupid ass caught by bandits? They had him tied up in a house which we blew up with our mortar- he was the only survivor. It's funny how fast a man's luck can turn in this crazy world.

I gotta go get this ear looked at. I'd love to change into some clean clothes too but I gave my other set of cammies to Watkins. Walk with me."

When they find Anneka, Clarence asks,

"Major, would you mind takin' a look at my ear? It don't feel too bad but I probably need some antibiotics. You can smell why. By the way, where's Watkins. I haven't seen him since we split up."

"Not know particulars of situation," Ondar replies to the American Green Beret as he rises and walks toward the Major.  "His mission get on board whatever it take.  Luck just another way men like us calculate risk."

The Soviet defector shrugs.

"Been in business long time.  Make own luck."

When they reach the Major, Ondar waits patiently while she treats Milk's wound and the Americans discuss the disposition of the conspicuously absent liberated prisoner.  Once that issue is resolved, Ondar addresses the Major.

"OK - you not have to shoot Ondar yet."  He points his left index finger toward the empty holster affixed to his combat webbing. "So can have pistol back now?"

He winks at Milk.

"Radio too, if not pushing luck."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:45, Mon 24 Nov 2008.

"Well, Mad Dog is now dead and we are alive. I wear his vest and helmet... it is funny how these things go."

"Still, we have but little time left for discussion. We need to form a plan for the future, and Mariusz knows the area and thus might have knowledge of a route around opposition ahead. We know there is opposition behind."

He looked around.

"If no one will call for Mariusz then I shall retrieve him myself. I saw him going with McCoy to watch our back-route."

*Glug, glug, glug, gurgle, gurgle.*

"Man, this thing is older than I am; it might be about to fall apart. Griet is an engineer, she might know what she's talking about."

"Hey Clarence, I'll take a look at the ear." Dave breaks out his medical kit and starts working. "Damn, dude, I guess you can't say you have virgin ears anymore, cause this one sure is fucked! Seriuosly, just some caqrtilage torn off. You'll be able to hear in a couple days."

"There's worn in and worn out," Griet thought to herself, "I don't care what the American says, this truck is dead."

She kept her head inside the engine and continued to strip what she could from the POS. As she leant on one of the engine blocks she felt it shift slightly, only the rust was holding the engine inside the vehicle.

Seeing that no one seemed interested in consulting the one local guide they had, Dawid quickly went to find Mariusz and bring him back to the command meeting.

He knew he wouldn't be able to see McCoy and the boy, even with his NVGs, so he called out to him in Polish, knowing the column of vehicles would have made a lot more noise pulling in.

"Mariusz! We're going to need to know a way around Kozienice! We don't want to get caught between the pursuit force and the garrison there, even if it's only a small one. Please, come, hurry!"

Mariusz heard the call and returned to the vehicles. He kept his rifle held loosley in his hands and said, "What do you want, exactly?"

In reply to Mariusz Tokarski (msg #386):

"What do I want? We need you to find us a route around Kozniece! If you can. Come on."

Dawid began leading him over.

"You seem a little upset, my friend. Is all well with you? We are all alive, we have transport and weapons, I think we did well."

"I'm not upset as such," Mariusz answered in a low voice using a strong Warsaw accent that few foreing speakers would be able to follow, "it's just that more Polish boys died back there to get us a few more kilometers closer to selling out Poland by letting the Americans waltz away with RESET without getting anything in return. the blood mounts higher and makes it seem more bitter. I wonder how many more Poles will have to die before the Americans can escape with the porject, whatever it is, and use it to make the lives of their people better while we still suffer."

In reply to Mariusz Tokarski (msg #388):

Stopping out of easy earshot of others, Dawid could only nod sadly.

"Yes, I understand. Others take what is ours and leave us with empty promises. That seems to be the way with all our "allies", be they Russian, British and now the Americans."

"Look, if we can talk with the Americans' superiors, maybe we can work out something more favourable to Poland's interests, more than just empty promises. It's not much, but I can't see any other real options."

He sighed, looking frustrated, then brightened.

"Look on the bright side. By negotiating a cease-fire not as many Poles died as might have, soldiers and civilians."

"Now, let's get us safely to Warszawa. There are still people there who need our help. The yanks and the others will probably leave, and we shall bid them a fond farewell. We've got a job to do. For Poland!" He added the last part with more than a touch of irony.

"True," Mariusz agreed, "you saved people back there and did a good job. As for RESET, my personal preference would be to get some concessions but also to share the secret with the French and the Israelis, that way the secret is closer to us than accross the Atlantic. The French and Israelis may not feel charitable to us, but they are an enemy of the Soviets and thus, may be our friends. Anyway, right now I suppose we have to do our best to stay alive. A way through this area, hm, let me think..."

In reply to Mariusz Tokarski (msg #390):

"You are right, I think the French are going to be a major power in the future, and they are in a position to help us. At least they won't be an ocean away like America! As for the Israelis, I don't know any nearby and I don't think Anneka is Mossad. Heck, I have nothing against the Germans on principle, even though Konrad looked like he wanted to strangle me for letting the prisoners I took go to take the message to the local commander we wanted to make a deal."

Dawid chuckled.

"I'm sure any prisoners would have quickly and truthfully told us everything they knew, then would kindly not tell any pursuers anything about us when they were let go."

While his words were straight-faced, he belied them by first miming holding someone by the hair with one hand and striking repeatedly where the imaginary face would be with the other, then pretending to shoot someone kneeling or lying on the ground in front of him.

"Without a doubt!"

October 12, 2000
0400 hrs.
40F
Scattered clouds; full moon

Moonlight filters down through the bare boughs of the trees standing like silent sentinals above the parked convoy of recently stolen vehicles. The night is cold and clear. Even the slightest sound seems to carry for miles.

Checks of the fuel tanks reveal that each of the four vehicles are roughly 3/4 full of methanol. The motor pool troops must have topped off the tanks after their last mission. The tanker-trailer, however, is only about half full of the home-brewed fuel. Griet's report on the status of the vehicles is that all of the Polish and Soviet made trucks have seen quite a lot of hard use, but have been superbly maintained and should continue to run without issue. The damage from the garrison fire is, fortunately, only cosmetic. On the other hand, it is somewhat miraculous that the Jeep has made it as far from Zwolen as it has. It's gone at least a couple of years without the proper, much needed spare parts. No amount of tinkering and jerry-rigging will keep it running for much longer.

Sam, invisible to all in the darkness, watches the road, while the others discuss a short-term course of action.

Actions?

"Yeah, I can hear fine. Just sew me up if ya gotta and give me some antibiotics. If ya didn't smell, I spent a couple hours crawling through the hepatitis canal back there. Lord knows what was in there and I don't want this thing getting infected."

When Stoner finishes treatment, Milk thanks him and moves over to join in the discussion of the party's imminent course of action.

Bayer waited for a moment but when it seemed there wasn't much interest he said, "Alright, seating and order of march."

Scout Motorcycle...
Driver - Kasparov
Passenger/Gunner - Tucker

Squad Carrier...
Driver - Soleblume
Passenger Front - Bayer
Dismounts - McCoy, Quyen, Ondar, Mariusz, Stoner, Milk

Flak Truck...
Driver - Dawid
Passenger Front - Griet

Tow Truck...
Driver - Jan
Passengers Front - Adam, Walter

In reply to Konrad Bayer (msg #394):

"Looks good, Captain. It might be a good idea to keep someone on the big gun, just in case."

Quyen takes up a prone position along the route the vehicles entered. She lays down the RPG and places the reload in handy reach. She is close enough to hear the muffled voices from the group and the broken silhouettes of the three trucks mixed in amongst the trees. Its cold and she's filthy. Within minutes she's regretting volunteering for sentry and not changing into something else.

sam waits and hunts the night.