Having formailly introduced himself to the Major and Captain on the walk to their billet and offered his services. He Stands at the back of the meeting but after McCoys lays out his plan he decides it maybe time to add his two cents.

”What’s to stop the pirates just sailing away ?”

“You have changed the agreed procedure for collecting the tribute, the Bishop has stated that they will not collect it unless there are people to meet them. I don’t think a “sign” will cut it. It’s likely they already have eyes on the village, probably from the opposite bank so your arrival would not have gone unnoticed.”

“I have seen what we face, for the most part these pirates are just thugs, but from what I have observed I would say that a large percentage have some sort of military training. They know how to handle the weapons and boats they have. The patrol boat is the main concern it’s armed with a auto cannon and several mg’s, they also have a 20’ pilot boat armed with a pair of 82mm mortars, plus several other motor boats all armed.”

“The ambush set up is sound, people on the opposite bank which should be the closest to the pirates boats going on what the Bishop has said, is a good idea. Though other then lucky shots I don’t see why the pirates would stick around ?”

“If we are unable to throw together some Czech hedgehogs or tree trunk pyramids for the river bed, how about we suspend fishing or cargo nets below the surface to fowl their propellers ? We have an idea where they will stop so placement shouldn’t be a problem.“

“Though it seems a waste of such a precious commodity, we could use some of the fuel the village has as a terror weapon, if we have some polystyrene we could even jellify it as a poor mans napalm. A couple of 44 gallon drums of that going off or the trebuchet throwing Molotov’s of the stuff could add another string to our bow. Also maybe we should have a couple of people further up the river with a radio to give us an idea of what’s coming down, locals maybe.”

Alan waits for the parties’ reaction to his suggestions.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:37, Tue 24 Mar 2009.

"Well Mr. Wicks, thanks for the advice. They will come for the food because it's winter. They will come because we are not playing right and they will want to punish the village. So them staying around- well, who will give the orders when we kill the leaders? How will they turn around under fire with that many boats? That's why they will be stuck.

"Your plans are valid but they take days to make; we have 24 hours. People on the other side looking at us? Holy shit, I never though of that. Maybe that's why me and the red death here are going to that side in advance. We will scout it out and if the town or our plan is compromised, at least we will know in advance so we can do something else.

"Twenty foot boats with Mortars? Well, I tell you what, let them fire them. They won't hit shit. A 20' boat is too unstable. The weapon will go through the floor and sink her. How will they sight them in? Direct lay? Direct alignment? You can't in a boat. They are there for show.  Our mortar was direct fire. Only one of its type. A 20'would not support it. We also had it on a multi-ton vessel. Also, most mortars have a 400 meter minumum distance to fire from tube. It's call ordinate. They will be too close.

"And the big boat has been addressed. We will hit it with two auto grenade launchers and a AT weapon. She will die quick. I have seen the Pole on a auto gun. Thing of beauty. Any other concerns?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:42, Tue 24 Mar 2009.

Griet thought hard about the variables of their position. She looked at MCoy and then her Kaptain, "I think the plan could work very well, but we need to give it the best chance possible. With that in mind, I volunteer to act as the village delegation, only one person might be suspicious, but it's better than none. I'm native Polish too so it'll look less suspicious."

She paused a moment, "Of course, I'd appreciate making it as little of a suicide mission as we can. I'd want at least a hidden fox hole to jump into and at best a small tunnel I could crawl down in case they tried to grenade me. The ground is frozen so that's possibly out, but are there any drainage pipes near the meeting point? We might be able to use something like that as an escape route."

Her mouth was dry and she swallowed hard, "I appreciate MCoy's offer of making me command the rapid response group, but this might be a better use of my skills. I'm not great at fighting but I might make tolerable bait."

Adam looks at his daughter with concern mixed with pride etched across his weathered face. His one good eye begins to well up.

"I won't allow it. You'd be too vulnerable. I just can't... I'm not strong enough..."

The old man chokes up, overcome with emotion, unable to continue.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:36, Tue 24 Mar 2009.

Tucker shook his head that he understood Dawid.  He whispered back into his ear,

Later on after dinner and the tactical meeting led by McCoy, Tucker doesn't like being left out of the mix but, he knows that he's not really combat effective right now and has to take that back seat and support the rest of the team.  "I'll do whatever you need me to do Sam.  I just wish I could be more of a help than a useless cripple."

"You're not a useless cripple; you just got unlucky. You manning the COC will be big. If we need help, you can send them. Also, you will be the one shaping the battle. We just must give you good reports."
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:27, Wed 25 Mar 2009.

In reply to Robert 'Tuck' Tucker (msg #58):

Dawid laughed, then replied, equally quietly.

"Sam, that is good to hear about the 40mm anti-armour grenades. I always like to play the odds, and increase them if I can. Let's see how it goes! If they have 82mm Vasileks, that would be bad news indeed. 82mm regular mortars, they would be hard to aim. Probably wouldn't go through a boat bottom, but it depends on the boat."

The Pole listened to Wicks. "Those are good points. Fouling their propellers is a good way to fix them in place, which is important for a successful engagement. However, we need some way to make sure the boats are fouled at the same time, not too soon. How about range stakes? I don't know if anyone has suggested those yet, but that's a good idea. We have a laser-aimed rangefinder." He offered the man a cigarette. "Smoke?"

Limping around from his wounded leg, he got his gear ready for the night at the billet, said his evening prayers. If no one else thinks to, he moves the vehicles. If he was not able to do so earlier, he has a look at the 23mm autocannon and the 120mm mortar.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:59, Wed 25 Mar 2009.

Quyen kept quiet but hauled out the explosives from the trucks... dynamite, one hundred sticks, plus hopefully enough detonating cord.

She also retrieves the RPG and its two rounds.


OOC - More to follow after PM addressed.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:17, Wed 25 Mar 2009.

"Hey Tuck, you speak Polish? I might need an interpeter with my MG team."
Dave goea through the vehicles, digging out all the belted ammo he and two other men can carry. He asks the three volunteers "Any of you know how to use either of these?" holding up his AK/BG combo and gesturing towards the M240.

"Hauptman Bayer, Plutunowy Piotrowski. A word in private if you will."
The expression on the Majors face indicated she was far from happy with the way the planning, if it could be called that, was proceeding.

Tucker nodded a 'No' to Stoner and replied, "Negative Bones.  Don't speak  lick of it.  Might want to check with your new NCO to see if he can help you out," Robert told Stoner as he pointed to Dawid.

"Everyone listen up!" Major Soleblume yelled out after Konrad, Dawid and herself had spoken for a few moments.
"The Hauptman has not yet issued his battle orders nor authorised any action beyond distrubution of ammunition. Do not presume anything, and lets just stick with gathering information and sorting out equipment for now."
Why was it that the chain of command was so often ignored?
"O" group in fourty five minutes."

Having said his piece Wicks will exit with Dawid for a smoke. On hearing the Major he will give Stoner a hand with ammo belts.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:39, Thu 26 Mar 2009.

Quyen looked up from her work as the doctor addressed the group. She broke her silence with a short, but enthusiastic reply, "Understood." She also gives the doctor a nod of agreement.

On the floor in front of her, the demo gear had been laid out and it and the explosives checked for damage, corrosion, and moisture.

Rising she approaches Konrad, "Hauptmann? Can I get a heads up on the number or demo charges to rig and how big they should be? We've a hundred sticks and a good amount of wires and blasting gear."

She adds, "I can plant it around positions the enemy will likely use for cover from our fire, in deadground, or to protect any obstacles. Also, as a bit of trickery if there is time and manpower, construct a false fighting position. Allow it to be overrun, and blamo."

Dave shrugs and says to Alan "Hurry up and wait. Is it the same in every army in the world?"

"The details are still being worked out," she replied on Konrads behalf.
"For now, do what you can to check servicability and then sort out something comfortable for the night."
"You'll be informed of exact explosives requirements in the "O" group."

"Stoner!" she called out.
"See if you can track down a local doctor to take another look at Jason's wound will you? Hopefully there's a decent surgeon hiding away here somewhere."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:14, Fri 27 Mar 2009.

"The blasting device can handle ten different charges yes? How about... since we can't determine the enemy's routes and positions 100%... create 10 charges to increase the odds of using a few. Eight quarter kilo sticks each."

In the group's billet Bayer dropped his gear underneath a large table which would serve for the planning. In the center was his map, and the one provided by the Bishop. As he prepared to oversee the the construction of a plan, he gathered the unit.

"Let me explain a couple things."

"As said, there has been no plan or orders passed on or confirmed at this point. Everything has been suggested options. At this point, that's as far as they are. This will continue in about five minutes. All are welcome, but if you can make yourself useful elsewhere proceed. Anticipation of future orders can get a lot done without anything passed down right?

Have the augmentees from the militia arrived yet?"

"Next. Dawid is taking the role of senior NCO. Milk's position. He will fulfill routine administrative duties, assume command in my or the Major's absence or when occupied, and other standard responsibilities he would have in a regular platoon. Dawid is best suited for the filling this position and has pledged full dedication. I expect full cooperation on this decision."

Later as those wishing to be part of the planning circled the table, Bayer addressed the group. "Elements of all of the suggested plans are good, but there are crucial points which cancel them out. We need to try to combine them into one that addresses the following..."

"The main engagement is not to occur at the water's edge. That is, the enemy are to be engaged after they have dismounted and have been isolated from their boats. The men are the primary targets, the boats secondary as dictated by the geography here... the boats can't directly threaten the town, but the men can."

"The Maskirovka concept has been vetoed... but that's not to say we can't use subterfuge to our advantage. But in the end, our goal is to kill as many of them as possible."

"The main disadvantage I see, is that envoys need to meet the pirates at the river. How can we ensure their safety?"
This message was last edited by the player at 07:22, Fri 27 Mar 2009.

"Fits and starts, fits and starts"

sam will wait in silance.




sam
waiting
m25

Bayer explains to McCoy, "Sergeant. You were tasked to use your expertise to come up with options. More than one. Engaging the enemy on the riverbank with the firepower and manpower we have is not a popular choice. It may have worked in other situations but it won't be the case this time."

"I'd be happy to use anything else you have to offer, providing the engagement occurs without the boats as the central part of the plan."

"I'm looking for flexible planning here, and I'm sure with your background, your the one who can adapt to this restriction."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:32, Sat 28 Mar 2009.

"Yes. Ten." she answers. "Eight sticks will be equivalent to an 81mm mortar bomb."

Quyen then got back to inspecting the explosives and make ten individual charges of 8 sticks each.

Wicks will continue to help Bone strip out the ammo belts.
Once the meeting begins Wicks will stand at the back of the room.

Thinking on the Captains suggested direction for the plan, Wicks tries a different tact.

"How about an overturned wagon half way between the pier and the village.”

Wicks will indicated a position on the map.

“A contingent still meets the pirates on the pier, they could suggest that more pirates disembark to help repair the wagon as it’s the only one they have and there is more food to transport from the village or to transport the load by hand.”

“The wagon load should be as big as possible sacks, crates, empty ammo boxes maybe even weapons whatever would get them off the boats. An old horse drawn hay wagon should do the trick.”

“We then use flash bangs or superior firepower to over power the pirates. If our ruse is complete hopefully the pirates think they have the upper hand until the very last minute. Maybe this will allow the meeting party to escape or join the fight ? We could have a prepared position behind the wagon out of sight, for the meeting party to occupy.”

Wicks will listen well into the night but as tiredness gets the better of him he will retire to his billet.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:14, Sat 28 Mar 2009.

Saturday, October 14th
0630hrs.
30F
Scattered clouds
Gora Kalwaria, Poland

The party spends the night readying their weapons and equipment, preparing to distribute ammuninition to the militiamen selected to participate actively in the upcoming confrontation with the pirates. The party members also get some more sleep, enjoying the relative comfort of the small but warm and tidy accomodations.

At first light, the Bishop's runner arrives at the cottage and invites the party to return to the main building to meet a few of the more experienced militiamen and to continue planning over a working breakfast.

In the main hall, the Bishop and a couple of his fighters are huddled over a map spread atop the long dining table. The empty teacups and the gnarled nubs of burned-down candles suggest that he's been up most of the night.

Looking up, the Bishop greets the party.

"Good morning. I hope you had a good night's rest. We have much to do today. These are two of my best militia captains, Tomasz and Artur. Both served in the Polish army and have seen quite a bit of combat. We were just..."

He pauses at the sound of bells ringing emphatically.

"That's the alarm. Something's happening. Wait here for a..."

He's interrupted again as another runner bursts into the hall. The young woman reports between gasps for breath,

"There's a boat coming! A big one... lot's of guns. It's coming from the south."

Next Moves?
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:13, Sun 29 Mar 2009.

In reply to Cap'n Rae (msg #76):

After getting up he washed and shaved, then said his morning prayers, rosary in hand.

Dawid listened to the ideas and nodded when Konrad mentioned his name. He gave a half smile and a small shrug when his idea of Maskirovka was shot down, as if to say "well, that's the way it goes".

To the people who knew him, the lack of a biting retort or indeed any loud theatrics from the young Pole spoke volumes about the shift in his attitude. Being on the bottom of the heap, an outsider, he had certainly felt freer to voice his opinion. If he was going to earn anyone's respect he would have to show he was worthy of receiving it.

"If I may, Lieutenant Wicks, that is an excellent idea. It's a plausible ruse to get more of them on shore, and provides some protection for whoever's going to meet the Pirates. I'll bring that up..."

"Sergeant McCoy, we all would love to hear some alternative options, if you can think of any. Can you think of some way we can decoy more of their strength on-shore? Arrange for some depth? My apologies for relying so much on your considerable abilities."

He looked up when the alarm rung. "Fuck! Fuckers are early! Well, let's not all run off now, wait for orders, people."

Standing up, he winced as he put weight on his bad leg. Dawid slung his Tantal/BG-15, then the words of the second runner penetrated his comprehension.

"No... no shit. It cannot be! The Queen? Has the Queen has come for us? Will she will fight alongside her Knights in our hour of need?"

"Well, it would be nice if they made it this far, and anything is possible. If the government is no longer looking for us, there is no need to block the river."

He laughed, his open face transformed in obvious joy. Still, he waited for some kind of command before limping off towards the river.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:45, Sun 29 Mar 2009.

This is posted before the next day in reply to Konrad's talk.

"Sure boss. You got my plan and my concern with letting them land. We don't have the power to repel boarders but if we catch them in the water, then we hurt them. Every time we kill a boat that kills people and gear. We let them land, now it's an equal fight on equal terms and they will beat us in that. We are the smaller force so we must act as one. But you are the boss and I respect your command. You are a NATO line officer and I swore a long time ago to fight for that. My word is my bond. I'm harsh because I want to live and weakness gets you killed. I stay alone because I don't want new friends because my dreams are haunted by the old. You tell me what to do and I will do it. Place me in a position and I will kill with my rifle- what I have been doing since 1982. I will give you my best show- what I have been doing since I got here, I think."
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:32, Sun 29 Mar 2009.