There is another long, static-filled pause, followed by,

"Mariusz? Is that you?"

"Affirmative. Are you compromised?"

"No! We're good. We've been looking all over for you. Don't you assholes ever turn on your radios? Is the good Captain alright?"

"Yes, he's fine. He's going to be happy to see you."

"Outstanding! Where can we put in?"

Mariusz directs the Queen- travelling incognito as of late- towards the pier, or what little is left of it. The pier itself, like nearly everything else within a few hundred meters of the river here, was demolished during the back-and-forth fighting a couple of years back but the townspeople have since cleaned up the rubble and graded the soil to form a shallow ramp leading down to the water. The currently immobile and anchored pontoon/ferry now acts as a sort of pier. The tug slows and manouvers alongside. Luboslaw leaps down from the tug to tie her up. The Queen has returned.

The party*, pleased but somewhat cautious, boards the tug. Acting master, Tadeuz Roszkowski, uncharacteristically sober, greets everyone from the companionway. Handshakes and hugs are exchanged all around. Even the perenially grumpy Jozef Grzyech (Chief Engineer) takes part in the joyous reunion.

Tadeuz explains the tug's unexpected appearance. Mariusz and Griet translate for the others.

“You look surprised! What did you expect? We couldn’t very well go back to Krakow. We’re wanted men there now- grand theft, no less,  and probably treason to boot.  And Sandomierz? Seriously? There’s no way we were going to work for that crooked Ukranian warlord-wannabe!

"So anyway, after escorting that boatload of refugees part of the way back- and warning them to keep on going past Sandomierz- we ditched that sea-anchor of a cargo barge and came about. We traded the boat people one of the DShKas and a few thousand rounds of ammo for a rowboat and a can of old red paint first.

"We tried to change up the Queen's looks a little but I don't think we did much good. Sorry Captain."

Tadeuz smiles apologetically before continuing his tale.

"Well, a couple of kilometers from the Annopol bridge, we dropped anchor and sent Luboslaw ahead in the rowboat, posing as a fisherman. He comes back reporting that the army welcoming committee hadn't gone anywhere. So, we waited and watched and tried to figure out a way to get past them. Well, two days ago now, around midday, Luboslaw goes back out in the dingy and sees the army troops just pack up and leave. All but a handful of the soldiers hopped onto their tanks and trucks and drove off, back east. Just like that! Hell, that was all we needed to hear. We waited until nightfall and then ran under the bridge at full steam. They shot us up a bit with machine guns and grenades but we made it through in more or less one piece.

"We’ve been trying to raise you on the radio since we turned back around. We were starting to fear the worst. Thank the Saints you're here!"

Next Moves?

*Enough time has elapsed between her appearance and her mooring that anyone and everyone who wants can go aboard.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:55, Thu 02 Apr 2009.

In reply to Cap'n Rae (msg #105):

Dawid, having returned for the joyous reunion, hugs everyone of the crew in his characteristic enthusiastic fashion.

"Hey, the Queen looks great! She's still afloat, you're all alive... what more could we ask for?"

"I have some idea why the government forces left, I'm not too surprised."

He considered sharing his bottle of vodka, but decided against it.

"Well, like usual, we have a problem here that I think the Queen might be just the ticket to fixing!"

Anneka had worked late into the night putting together some sort of plan. She'd almost finished too, and managed to snatch a few hours sleep, when the alarm was first raised.
While the quickly thrown together reaction team headed out on the T-H, she busied herself with gathering everyone together to support Dawid's small unit.
When Konrad called for Adam, it was she who found him and directed the one eyed tug captain forward.

"So besides the heavy machinegun, was there anything else that's been lost?"
From her memory, a large amount of weapons and ammunition had to be left behind when they headed inland with just the bikes. Weapons and ammunition which would now prove extremely useful.

Wicks briefly stands on the rivers edge admiring the large tug. It certainly looks like it could level the playing field in their favor. He then joins the rest of his party on board and introduces himself to the rest of the crew.

Listening to Tadeuz’s translated story Wicks makes the comment

“A real stroke of luck the garrison leaving like that.”

He then waits for orders as to what the rest of the day will hold.

Bayer stands quietly. Content with simply allowing the crew to answer the questions already put to them by his comrades. It needn't be said anymore how its arrival had changed the what they could bring to the table vs the pirates. They still had to see through tomorrow, but things were likely to be very different now.

As Mariusz continued the conversation over the air, he wiped a tear away from his eye. For a short time, the tug had become a haven in the chaos of the teenager's world. It had become home. To see her coming back brought a lump to her throat.

He said to the Kaptain, "Now we can fight like the Thunderchild against the Martians!"

Then he paused, "Though maybe without the burning and dying horribly bit..."

As the Major made inquiries about the weaponry on board, he remembered something and said in a panicked voice, "Please, God, tell me the lard's alright, tell me now!"

Griet sneaked a swift look at the approaching tug. She looked back t her sector and felt a huge weight lifted from her chest. For the last few days she had been weighed down by the sheer imposibility of her father's quixotic quest. Now, with the tug back and a place to resettle the refugees safely, things seemed achievable once more.

Not easy, or maybe even likely, but at least they'd have a chance.

In reply to Mariusz Tokarski (msg #110):

"Thunderchild? Martian? What on Earth are you talking about, Mariusz?" He almost called him "boy" as a termn of affection, but the lad wasn't really a boy any more.

He stopped the Britisher when he turned to leave, "LT Wicks, I shall tell you the whole story when we have time. Suffice to say there we were on this boat for a while coming from Krakow, and the communists were waiting for us. I would guess that whatever the communists were looking for they either found it or gave up on it, or something more pressing happened like another warlord or plague to divert their attention."

Tears of joy spill from Adam's remaining eye. He embraces each of his crewmen in turn and then, once the circuit is complete, starts all over again, alternatingly laughing and sobbing. It's as if all of the stress and strain of the past 96 hours is being exorcised from his worn but sturdy frame.

Tadeusz responds directly to Anneka's querry.

"Just the machine gun and some ammo for it. And all the small arms. You gave them to the refugees along with the food you couldn't carry. Remember? We've still got some food aboard, but not much. Yes, we kept the lard Mr. Chef!" he adds for Mariusz's benefit.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:20, Fri 03 Apr 2009.

As the large boat came into view it seemed to good to be true. Jan watched as it came closer and the details became cleared. Despite the minor changes it was almost certain to be the Queen, but was it still friendly or in other hands.

Watching carefully while communication was established and the gratefull reunions established it was surprising. Jan had only been on board for a short time but the comparative luxury and security had been invigorating.

"If this were a television movie, this would be a most odd plot twist to be sure. Still, who is to say what is odd in the world today?"

Quyen loiters around the dock declining to board the tug. Standing on the edge of the ledge, she has a smoke and watches the water slowly flow past below her. Occasionally she looks over as the faint sounds of muffled conversations drift her way.

A flop sound catches her attention as ripples expand outwards from where she suspects a fish jumped. Stupid animal, she thought. Tomorrow some good people might die but this brainless thing would probably be still swimming the Vistula. What a waste, she thinks, flicking the butt with practiced skill. It soars several meters out over the water until it succumbs to gravity and arcs downwards into the flow.

once sam sees there is no more danger he will ask too speak too david and konrad alone. he will say this is a non-military matter and very personal. he would only like too talk with them and he will as too talk to them at there pleaseure.



Sam
holding post
m25

Wicks leans against the guard rail on the side of the tug, listening to the discussions going on around him.

When Dawid address him he listens with interest and replies

"I’m sure it will be a tale worth hearing."

After Adam arrives on board Wicks will exit the tug and stands on the dock watching up and down stream.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:29, Fri 03 Apr 2009.

In reply to Sam McCoy (msg #116):

Smiling in reply Dawid lit a cigarette, offered one to Wicks.

When Sam asked for a word, Dawid readily agreed.

"Of course, my friend. I think it was a good idea to have you operating detached, although with some warning I could have come up with a better call-sign than "Sam". More secure!"
This message was last edited by the player at 07:58, Sat 04 Apr 2009.

Wicks accepts Dawids cigarette with a smile

“I’ll have to find some of these to pay you back.”

When Dawid leaves to talk to McCoy Wicks will lean against one of the mooring posts with his rifle across his lap scanning the opposite bank for movement or anything out of the ordinary.

Dave stands up from where he'd dropped prone to cover the incoming boat and picks up the heavy machinegun.

"I'll be damned" he says as he walks up to the dock. "She came back." Dave wasn't on the tug as long as the others so he doesn't feel the same emotions on seeing her return, but he is glad. He's always felt more comfortable in the water.

Bayer departs the tug to speak with McCoy and Dawid. Anything worth knowing can be found out by the others and passed on later.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:40, Sat 04 Apr 2009.

Saturday, October 14th
0730hrs.
32F
Scattered clouds
Gora Kalwaria, Poland

Adam and Walter head for the bridge, quickly reassuming their shipboard roles.

Konrad tries to raise McCoy on the radio but the SF sergeant doesn't answer. The bishop and two of his captains arrive at the makeshift dock. The militia leader looks over the newly arrived river tug, sizing her up.

"This certainly changes things a bit." he says to no one in particular.

Finding Bayer, Soleblume, and Piotrowski, the Bishop reports,

"It has been an eventful morning so far, eh? Well, it looks like it's about to get downright hectic. One of the sentries posted on what's left of the railroad bridge reports seeing a small boat leave from the far shore, heading down river. I'm afraid the pirates will soon know of your tug's arrival. This might result in a change of schedule. I fear we don't have as much time to prepare as I first thought. If you're planning on fighting from your tug, I can loan you a few men, if you need them."

The Bishop's tone grows a little more weary as he continues, "And another sentry at the southern checkpoint reported one of your friends heading away south on foot. He left your radio behind, though. Any idea what that is all about?"

Next Moves?
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:04, Sat 04 Apr 2009.

In reply to Cap'n Rae (msg #122):

Dawid turned to Konrad. "I was looking for McCoy, I thought he was with you?"

The news was upsetting. They should have been working through the night. He blamed himself, but there was no time now.

"If we're lucky, the spy is telling them not to come today because the odds have changed because of the Krowlowa! Whichever route we're taking, we need to start things moving. Quicker the better."

He turned to the Bishop:

"Let's start with digging half-a-dozen concealed fighting positions. Along the river bank and in the town. Bunkers or fortified buildings. Get enough men, you'll know where it's best, you were in the Polish Army, my friend!"

Dawid asked Adam and Walter, "we don't have a place for the Krowlowa in our plans, yet. For now, why don't you take the motorcycle on board and fix or replace that damn broken bracket for the sidecar with the tools and whatnot? This is something that's been bugging me, and it can't hurt to fix it if we've got the opportunity."

"Also, I'll need a reminder what you have in the way of weapons. Still have that spare PKM?

He located Father Andre:

"The Monks of the Mother Church are known for organisation. Please count noses, figure out who's missing and otherwise not accounted for, and who has motivation for collaborating with the Pirates. We need to figure out who's leaking information and plug it. Detain them when they return."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:11, Sat 04 Apr 2009.

Griet had spent some time lovingly checking over her father's beloved craft and then came back ashore to find the Kaptain.

She walked over to where he was making preparations and said, "Sir, I've deleberately kept out of planning so far because, fankly, you have more than enough people with the experience and expertise to plan a ground ambush. The return of the Krowola adds a new dimension however. Whilst I'm no Admiral, I do have some nautical experience as well as riverine experience and I thought it appropriate to add some observations into the mix. You may well have thought of them for yourself, but the fewer loopholes we have in our plan, the better."

She paused and ran her hand through her hair, thinking longingly about the hot showers aboard the tug, "I'd bet that the Pirates will be coming as soon as they can now, the tug's a major prize even if it didn't look threatening. They'll come and if their commander has any sense he'll bring his biggest weapons."

"If I were commanding them, I'd send out a screen of fast boats packed with boarders, they'd swarm the Krowola and take it if she really was defenceless. Their heavier boats with direct fire weapons would come next, ready to engage the tug if she proved a threat, if they're stupid they'll lead with their big gunboats, but I doubt they're stupid. If they have boats with mortars, they'll probably form a third line and support the gunboats or engage shore targets."

"Once the Krowola is taken, they'll probably then go on to continue their shore party," she smiled wolfishly, "of course, we aim to spoil that party."

"In order to use the tug to it's maximum effectiveness, I'd suggest manning the weapons it has at present and placing the militia with sub machine guns and shotguns on it in order to repel any boarders. We'd keep the Vasilesk out of sight and engage any attempted boarders with the HMGs. What they might not realise is that the greatest threat to light craft is the tug itself, it's bow is designed to withstand impacts and bull through ice. If I was commanding her, I'd just run as many of the scum down as I could."

"If and when the heavier ships engage the tug, then is the time for our land forces to engage them, I'd suggest sniper and observation teams in the piles of the railway bridge and the Honker and Guntruck as a rapid reaction force. The ZOO-TWO and the two AGLs should make mincemeat of anything short of the patrolboat. As for the patrol boat, that's where the Vasilesk comes in, it should be a match for the armour but we could also have hidden RPG parties on the shoreline in order to engage any gunboats."

"Sir, I realise that Adam will want to Captain his craft once more and I wouldn't have it any other way, but I'd like to volunteer to help him fight the tug if you'd allow it."

Mariusz spent a happy half hour transferring some of the food back aboard the tug and checking the galley. It needed a clean, but that would have to wait. He picked up some more clothes from the surplus that he'd been hording in the laundry and checked out his butt tin stash. The shreds of tobacco were still there and he took them and his baccy kit up to the top of the Krowola.

He wrapped up warm and looked around the river and banks to try to find the best hides he could. The plans weren't finalised yet, but he wanted to be ready should he be asked to provide sniper cover. As he looked out, he continued to shred the big butts of the cigars that one of the Americans had spread out so liberally. He had three roll-up cigarettes left, with the produce of the butt-tin, he hoped to make that up to ten.

He whistled tunelessly as he looked around, his hands deftly working from touch and memory alone.

In reply to Griet Niewiadomska (msg #124):

"That's good thinking. If we're going to engage the Pirates in a stand-up fight, I'd rather we do it primarily on the river away from the town. The Krolowa can be key to a more mobile defence."

"My feeling exactly," Griet replied to Dawid, "there are two major drawbacks that I can see: one it's a high risk strategy, the Krowola can take a major beating and keep on going but she's not a battleship, plus, if fire starts, she's history, and two, any weapons we "liberate" will go straight to the bottom. A land based ambush would mean we could salvage a lot for the militia, however, I don't think we'll have that luxury now."

She looked over at the Kaptain, "Another alternative would be for the Krowola to dismount it's weaponry to add to the shore defences and then hide her. Sir, another think I think we should consider is the fact that the Pirates might just land a major landing party north of here and come in on foot, already dispersed and ready for combat. They may be too tied to their boats to consider that, but if they hit us from all angles we're in trouble because we don't have the firepower to cover them all."

She smiled agian, "Every option's bad, we just have to pick one and hope for the best, it's your call, Sir, I guess that's why you get the big pay and fancy privileges. Oh, wait, you don't even get that anymore... Whatever you decide, I'll follow you, Sir, no hissy fits or hurt pride. We're in between a rock and a hard place again and you get to choose where we sit. you've done an excellent job so far, I don't know how we've come through the last few weeks with the casualties we've had, we should all be dead three times over. You've made that happen and I'll follow you to the end."

Fresh from inspecting the supplies still aboard the tug, Anneka put forward a few ideas.
"Looks like we're light on heavy firepower with only a few rounds left for the mortar and down to little more than a drum for the AGS. Good news is that we've got litterally tonnes of ammo for the heavy machineguns and plenty for the militia's AK-74s."

"With stripping a belt or two of machinegun ammo, we should have enough for a couple of mags each for the battle rifles and my Uzi and mags are still aboard too. They're worth a few dozen rounds for each of the SMGs."

If they handed out almost everything they had, they should be able to equip the militia at least as well as the pirates. Since the numbers were approximately equal, at least as far as they'd been told, and they'd be set up in defensive positions, it wasn't so much a matter any more of whether they'd win, but just how badly they'd defeat the pirates on the ground.

The situation on the water was a bit different however. Although they had the tug, a seriously dangerous vessel with it's machineguns, mortar and smaller weaponry, it was still only one boat. The pirates were reported to have dozens, albeit much smaller and fragile, but armed with machineguns, mortars and even one old torpedo boat with an autocannon. If luck were truely against them, they might even still have a torpedo or two!

"Might be worth putting the ZU on the back of the tug too if we've got time. Give it some manouverablity and scare the pants off the pirates."

After listening to the discussions on tactics Jan stands up and walks over to the discussion.
"Pardon, but if I may? The tug it definatly incresses our fire power. Just the heavy machine guns and ammunition alone give us a much improved  chance. Still, tough as it is the Queen, she is no match for many weapons. The  torpedo boat probably has no torpedoes left, but we cannot know that and must plan for them being there. And event a small fishing boat with an RPG would be a  most serious problem. "
Pulling out a cigarette he lights it absent mindedly.
"Let us remember, the ones spoted leaving on the far shore, heading towards the pirates? We must work on the assumption they know a large ship is here, maybe heavyly armed, maybe not. But a valuable prize. We must set out watch posts with radios so as to get clear warning of when they come and how they are arraid against us. We have the advantage of communication as well as fire power, to ignore that is to tie one hand behind our back. "
Puffing on the smoke he continues,
"The mobility and firepower of the Queen give us advantages, but we should still fortify and prepair the village both against the river and  the outside. Setting up patrols form the militia to keep watch for a few  miles in all directions. Once that is done I would  try and setup at least two squads set for mobil responce using the trucks we brought so as to respond and make use of the information we find."
Realizing he has been lecturing, Jan shrugs and smiles.