The patriarch, listening in on your conversation, interjects, "I won't say anything. You've got my family. Please don't start a battle here. You have my word- I will not say a thing."

Mariusz looked at the older man and took his arm, "Don't worry, Grandfather, get rid of the soldiers and we'll be like ghosts and get away from here as soon as they're gone."

He looked over to his comrades and said, "Grandfather said that he'll get rid of them and wants no violemce here. The people of Gora Kalwaria chose their fight, it is not our place to drag these people into our war."

In reply to Mariusz Tokarski (msg #846):

Dawid nodded to the man. "We know, don't worry."

He continued in English, "it's their war whether they like it or not. But I won't argue there will be risks."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:38, Sun 11 July 2010.

"My skills are up with the pistol and now that I've got one that's suppressed, that might be a little more useful to us, especially in a case like this.  I do think though that this isn't the place to take out the APC where these civvies are!"

Bayer looks at the building warden and motions towards the door with the muzzle of his rifle. "Go." he orders him, making sure that the man catches the nod he gives in direction of where the man's family were penned up. A clear warning that he will not accept betrayal.

"No shooting. Not here inside of a building." he says to the rest of the team. "Spread out. Snipers... Ondar, Dieter, Thor, and Dawid, cover the windows, but stay out of sight. Lieutenant Sutherland go with them also."

"Sergeant tucker and Quyen cover down left hallway. Jan and Mariusz cover down the right hallway. Don't let any of the tenants see you. You will lead for hasty withdraw if we are spotted. Wait for my signal if that happens."

Before they rush off, Bayer grabs Thor and Craig. "If we are discovered, use that RPG as last resort. Thor that weapon should be able to pierce the roof armor. Take the driver and gunner."

Once in position, Bayer situates himself in the middle, where he can communicate with both teams, as well as ensure that their "hosts" can't make a run for it. Then on the radio he repeats himself, "Stay low. No shooting unless we are discovered... then we will conduct a hasty withdraw. Direction and order to follow as situation dictates." ...which very well could mean inside of a newly acquired BTR, or just as possibly, hunted in the back alleys.

Bayer then looks over at the militia who helped guide them to safety, "If we need to leave, stay close to me. You know this neighborhood ja?"
This message was last edited by the player at 07:10, Sun 11 July 2010.

Dieter was roused from his deep sleep by the ruckus outside. He quickly shook the sleep from his head, then dressed and assembled his gear.

During the general discussion, he chipped in. "We should not fight here. We are too confined and there are too many civilians. It would be a slaughter and we will not survive. We need to hide quietly and then evade the enemy."

Hearing Konrad's order, he quietly accepted his instructions, and moved quickly into place. He chose a spot with a good view out of the window, but far enough back so that he wouldn't be spotted by anyone in the street. He quickly scanned the building opposite; it looked derelict, but he wanted to make sure there was nobody there who might spot the team.

Settling in to his firing point, he took off his helmet and then took a quick glance out of the window, revealing just his head. With his pale skin and scruffy brown hair and beard, he hoped that anyone spotting him would simply take him for a curious Polish civilian. He then ducked back into position, replaced his helmet and took up a firing position.

He was hoping that they wouldn't attack, and would wait for the enemy patrol to pass unaware of them. But he needed to be ready, just in case. If they ran he intended to catch up with Mariusz. The kid had proved himself a dozen times over during the night, and his local knowledge could mean the difference between life and death.

Mariusz nodded at the Kaptain's commands and moved to cover the hallway. He checked the Tantal and then moved teh shot selector to fully automatic. He settled down in a low crouch and waited, hoping that the building warden was a good actor and teh enemy would go away.

Before sentries are posted, the old man opens the door and calls down the hallway,

"Stay inside your apartments! Do not come out until I say so! Do NOT open your doors! Stay inside!"

Giving you a little nod, the man walks down the hall towards the stairwell.

He's gone for around fifteen minutes. When he returns, he appears no more or less nervous than he had before. It's easy to understand his unease given his current predicament. When prompted he explains,

"We were told that a group of bandits is on the loose in the city- real cutthroats. They asked if we'd seen anything. I told them no. One of the other building wardens from the south end of the block said he thought he saw some people moving about in the shadows last night, after all of the shooting.

"We are supposed to report to work today. All of us. They'll be waiting outside to take a look at everyone as they leave. I'm supposed to help them pick out anyone who doesn't belong. They'll probably search the buildings when we're all gone.

"Look, we've all got to go. The boy works as a ratter at the granary and his mother in the kitchens. My wife too. My grandaughter and I work at the fort. If any of us don't show up for work, they'll know something's wrong.

"I won't say anything about you. None of us will. I promise you. You can't hide here, though. If they find you here, we'll be punished. We have no love for the Baron but we don't want to anger him either. Please. Once we're gone, you can try to slip out the back or hide in an empty flat. Just go."

He looks at you pleadingly, awaiting your response.

"I've got to tell the other residents. You can stay a little longer. I'll be the last one out. I'll come by and let you know when I am leaving. Then you will leave."

The last bit is delivered more as a question than as a command.

The BTR remains outside, almost directly below you. The engine's been shut off. The squad of enemy infantry continue to line the opposite side of the street, facing your building. They look like they are going to stay put while the building's residents exit and file past on the way to their various work details.

You assume that very similar scenes are being played out on all of the occupied blocks in this part of the city. It's probably also safe to assume that additional checkpoints and patrols will be set up around the city today.


Next Moves?

As he waited with the PKMG cocked and ready at the window per Konrad's orders, Dawid translated the man's words.

"We understand you are in a difficult position, my friend, as it seems our lot in life as Poles. We have no wish to harm you or your neighbors.

"Please, tell me your name? I am Dawid..." He started to say his last name, then stopped. Urzula was using a different (married?) last name and Piotrowski was a very common surname, but there was no sense in taking chances.

When Dawid had collected up the food Jan hadn't been able to add any to the collection.

"I've got just over a week's worth of survival rations," he said by way of explanation.  "They won't go well mixed in with proper food so let's save them for our next meal.  I also have some puritabs if we can't boil water."

---

Jan had nodded in response to Konrad's plan and had then taken up his position with Mariusz, covering the right hallway and ensuring that they stayed hidden from the other residents of the apartment block.



Noticing Mariusz set the selector on his Tantal to fully automatic Jan quietly hissed some advice to the younger man.

"Mariusz!  It's a rifle not a machinegun and we need to conserve ammo.  Fire single shots or short bursts."  His face broke into a grin as he added, "You're not some American Cowboy who blasts away at everything wasting ammo!  Pick your shots and conserve ammo!"

Thor did as he was asked and quietly found himself a position up high where he could fire down on the BTR. If a round or two from Mjollnir was insufficient to slay the beast, then the M72A4 he'd been carrying ever since landing near Elblag months before would do the job quite nicely.
He was still in position as the sky began to lighten, the usual oppressive grey clouds once again promising to hide the sun from view and either soak everyone with icy rain, or dump another few inches of snow on the equally grey city.

Thor "The Thunderer"
Watching from on high
Checking in by radio every 15 mins but switching off between times to conserve power
Barret M82A1 ("Mjollnir") (10/10) + 4x10 + 1x6
PM-63 (25/25) + 1x25
H & K USP-9SD, 9mm (15/15) + 3x15
M-26A1 hand grenade, x6
M-18 Smoke grenade, green, x2
M72A4
Bayonet/knife
Entrenching Tool
Individual Tactical Radio
30rd mag, 5.45mm, full, x8

Mariusz smiled at Jan and said, "OK, if you say so, but given my marksmanship, spray and pray is the only way I ever hit anything. Yipiee Kay Ay, I'll be back."

Jan grinned back and shook his head in mock exasperation.  How many cocky young punks like Mariusz had he trained in the Legion.  He wasn't entirely certain but in 20 years of service it was bound to be a lot.

"At this range you'll have trouble missing!" he replied to Mariusz in a whisper.  "Calm your breathing, point the rifle at the target and fire a single shot twice.  Double tap and then see whether the target is still a threat!"

"Antoni Koz... er, Antoni. Pleased to meet you. Now, I must turn out the others. You will go when we leave, won't you?"

Tucker gathers up what little stuff he has left and gets ready to move out.  He does strip [3] loose rounds off of one of the Colt 1911 mags he had in his pocket and tops of the H&K SOCOM magazine.  He covers his part of the hallway (with Quyen) and awaits for the order to move out.

Tucker
H&K SOCOM Pistol [12/12]
M-16A2 [30/30] / M-203 [HEDP] (SLUNG)

Salvaged Gear:
Claymore Mine & Pouch    2.0
Mag Bandoleer [6 MAG 30] 3.0
5 L. Canteen             5.0
Pack (if allowed)

Covering LEFT hallway with Minh
This message was last edited by the player at 08:26, Tue 13 July 2010.

In reply to Cap'n Rae (msg #858):

Still behind the machinegun, Dawid looked over and smiled.

"Yes, I believe we will be leaving. Now, go with God, and please accept our apologies for upsetting your life. The Baron doesn't leave you with much, and we have been glad to share a little warmth and shelter. May God and the Black Madonna bless you."

After making his assurances, Antoni gathers up his family and files out the door. You can hear him rousing his neighbors, instructing them to report immediately to their respective work details. By this time, the guard details have abandoned the hallway/stairwell entrance and reentered the apartment. Doors open and shut and footsteps echo down the hall as the building's inhabitants shuffle of to their jobs. Looking down from the cracks in the apartment's shutters, you can see the people, bundled up against the cold, file out into the street past the watchful soldiers and the now-idling BTR. Most all of the civilians turn and head south, the way you came in the early hours of the morning. In about 15 minutes, the building seems to have emptied out. As promised, Antoni returns,

"That's it. Besides a couple of old ladies on the second floor, everyone is out. The Baron's men will probably be coming soon. Please, don't be here when they do. You could try to sneak out the back but there may be soldiers behind the building as well. There are empty flats on the top two floors. Part of the roof collapsed and they're not really safe to live in. You could try to hide up there. I haven't told them anything. None of us will. We don't want our home burned down. If you, er, get caught or anything, you won't speak of us, will you?"

Antoni thanks you for the food and leaves, his footsteps echoing down the stairs.


Next Moves?
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:33, Wed 14 July 2010.

When the warden had gone Mariusz said, "Leaving the building is risky, the Baron's men are crawling all over the place, it's like they have x-ray eyes. The intel we had on them is obviously old, this area was supposed to be out of the Baron's control. If we leave we'll get spotted so we should try to hide in the upper apartments."

"Cover my area a second," he said and ducked back into the bedrooms looking for any items of civilian clothing he could find, particularly shoes.

Bayer edges his way over to the windows. "Who can drive a BTR?" he asks quietly. While he waits for an answer, he says over the radio, "Jan, you and the three with you are about to head downstairs in a minute. It will either be out the back door or the front. Either way, get ready. I'll be following directly behind you. Did Mariusz find any clothing?"

He then looks back at the team covering the outside, "Driver?"

In reply to Konrad Bayer (msg #863):

From beside him Dawid replied confidently, "I can, sir. I have much experience with the Polish OT-64 and BTR seriers vehicles."

"Although, it is much like any other large truck or similar vehicle, if you're not taking it into water. Should we come into possession of one, I'd much rather man the machine-gun." He grinned.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:50, Wed 14 July 2010.

Dieter waited for instructions. He guessed that they were either going out the front door in attack, or out the back, which could still be attack. Either way, things were about to get messy. He ignored the discomfort of his full bladder, wishing he had had an opportunity to go for a piss when he woke up. Still, it wouldn't be the first time he had pissed his pants in the middle of a firefight...

He looked over at Ondar and Konrad, waiting for the order to move. While waiting he adjusted his grip in the rifle, preparing for the possible bloodbath that was to come.

Jan nodded to Konrad in reply and then added "Understood" to be certain that Konrad knew that he had heard the orders.  When Mariusz returned from his scrounging mission Jan turned to the others and quickly organised them.

"We pair up.  Quyen with Tuck and Mariusz with me.  Classic fire and manoeuvre if we need to engage or fight our way clear."

He then waited for Konrad to make a decision on whether they were ambushing the patrol and trying to capture the BTR or whether they were going to try to make a break for it out of the back of the building.  From glancing out of the rear windows it looked like there was clear ground for them to cross and that the building they were in would obscure them initially from the patrol out on the street.  The danger was that another patrol searching a different building for stragglers, or them, would spot them moving through open ground.


OOC - I've assumed that by "the three with you" Konrad means Tuck, Quyen and Mariusz.  If that's wrong then please let me know and I'll edit this post accordingly.

"We going suppressed or big guns Jan?"

"If we're trying to take the BTR I doubt that that can be done silently so we might as well use everything.  If we're making a break for it then we should start with suppressed weapons until we're discovered.  What do you think?  Do you agree?"

He asked the questions not just of Tuck but also of Quyen and Mariusz.

"No, no Jan, I'm good with that.  Vehicles we go balls out, E&E we're going swift & silent.  Got it."