In reply to Viktorya Nowak (msg #186):

Piotr was suddenly aware Vita was looking at him for support. Something he couldn't give. The fact that she'd made a decision to negotiate over a direct order only made her position worse. He wondered if she really didn't see that.

“Sorry Viktoria, it's Dawid's decision. Even if I thought it unwise for any combatant to walk around unarmed, it beats the usual penalty for your actions. Be it out of panic or otherwise.”

“Mariusz is a good boy, I completely trust him and so should you. You do what you do best, do your tinkering and I'm sure you'll be able to redeem yourself.”

After these words his eyes rested on her waiting for her to reply to Dawid's lingering question.

In reply to Piotr Pawlowski (msg #201):

Dawid nodded his thanks to Piotr.

"Only not just my decision. Konrad's, too, which I support. You let me know what you want to do, okay? I have other things to attend to so I must take my leave."

"Oh yes, Vita, should you decide to stay then please look into the battery situation."

Leaving Vita and Piotr with a nod, he sought out the Russian quartermaster, and procured a backpack for all personnel in the unit that needed one, which was basically all personnel in the unit.

He then sought out Konrad.

"Kaptain, I can report that Vita's not happy with being disarmed, but I made it clear that was her only option. She may or may not stay, her choice. I am happy to say Piotr supports this course. I gather he was the section leader under the Baron, but I believe he's going to fit into our unit nicely, he shows initiative and cares for his people. Qualities to note for the future."

When I can, I will reorganise the unit. Any suggestions or recommendations? Or will you have Jan do this?"

"At any rate, I advocate we don't wait for the Baron to strike. Using the truck and one or more wagons we can pull many people... slowly."

"Also, if no one has contacted the Queen to make a report, let's do that now."

If no one had contacted the Queen that day, he takes care of that immediately. He asks around for the best radio operator, including the present personnel, the Russians, and the team's new personnel. He guesses it's Warren but wants to make sure!
This message was last edited by the player at 07:18, Thu 24 Feb 2011.

Bayer nods and replies, "Well... keep an eye on her, as long as she is here anyway. Also, perhaps the 10th can accomodate her and take her on in some capacity - a support position or something."

"Hold off on the reorganizing. That'll happen once we know what our objective is first." Bayer then pauses, and adds, "I have a feeling you are going to want the Polish contingent to be in one group, under yourself?"

Finally he says, "I would like to act now as well, before we lose the initiative. Only waiting to see what the General has to say, but after that we can get started. And yes, try to see if someone can setup a directional antenna for our radio."

"And the batteries!" he reminds him.

Turning to Jeff, Bayer then says, "We need to see the General."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:45, Thu 24 Feb 2011.

"Konrad," Jan interjected.  "After I have spoken to the 10th's Quartermaster, and while you and Jeff speak to the General, I am going to go and talk to the Mayor to get some idea of the strength of the village militia.  I will also see if they have anything worth trading for.  Is that ok?  I will take some of the Poles with me, particularly Monika as her medical skills might help the villagers stay friendly.  If we need to leave soon then we can be back quickly."

Bayer shakes his head in agreement, "Yes. Good idea."

"Ok," Jan announced to everyone else still present.  "I am going to see the 10th's Quartermaster briefly before going into the village to speak to the Mayor to find out more about the village and whether there is anything worth trading for.  It would also be good to find out more about the village militia.  Anyone is welcome to come along but I would like Monika and Jay to join me for certain.  Monika, it is possible that the villagers have a need for medical advice, though the 10th may have already done that, and Jay, I assume that you know your way around?  Anyone coming, we leave in twenty minutes."

Jan then repeated himself in Polish to ensure that everyone understood.

Before he left to go and see the 10th's Quartermaster Jan gave the satchel with Alexei's code books and maps in it to Konrad.  If Konrad was going to see the General then that might be the right time to share that intel.  That was for Konrad to decide though.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:58, Thu 24 Feb 2011.

In reply to Jan Cerny (msg #206):

"Please to come with you, mister..." he tailed off, as Jan had not yet introduced himself. "If I am leave here I must return rifle," indicating the Mosin Nagant on his shoulder. "We see quartermaster, then we go to village. I know way, I have map." At the last he tapped the side of his head, indicating that the map was in his head.

Turning back to Tuck, he said, "excuse please mister Tuck-ji. I will take the AIMS-74 if you spare." Once Tuck has handed it over he continued, "dhanybhad, thank you." He then quickly checked the weapon to make sure it was serviceable, and that the mag was correctly fitted. Finally, he checked the safety was on, before holding it by the foregrip, in a non-threatening manner.

Once Jan and the others were ready he said, "follow please, we go."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:41, Thu 24 Feb 2011.

Before Jan leaves, Bayer says to him, as a friendly jab, "Field dressings."

"That was one of the key things I wanted to sort out and is part of the reason I am taking Monika," Jan replied to Konrad's prompt.  "I am also going to give Monika the medic bag and supplies that Anneka gave me before we left the boat.  I am not a very good medic and Monika has proved herself."

Jan realised that he hadn't introduced himelf to the new recruit.  "I am Jan Cerny," he replied in accented English, offering his hand in greeting to Jay and stressing that his first name was pronounced Yahn.  "Formerly a Sergent Chef in the FFL.  Dawid, Tuck and I are the Capitaine's NCOs."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:03, Thu 24 Feb 2011.

Mariusz looked over at Vita and said, "Come with me, the more useful you are the sooner you'll get your guns back."

He walked over to the Kaptain and said, "Sir, permission to try to fix up the motorcycle first. If we can't raise the Krowola from here we might be able to use it to get a radio closer to the tug."

He paused and said, "May I also draw a second weapon to issue to Vita if I deem it absolutly necessary for her survival? I've been without a gun in this world, Sir, and I don't ever want to be again. She's too pretty to last long without either a minder or a gun. I wouldn't give it too her unless our lives were under threat but I'd rather have the option than not, Sir."

In reply to Jan Cerny (msg #209):

Jay took Jan's hand and shook it, again beaming a big smile. "Namaste, Yahn-ji." These people certainly seemed a lot more friendly than the Russians. As Jan continued a look of puzzlement overtook Jay's face. "You no look like cook."

"Alright." Bayer agrees, "See what you can do. We might not have much time though."

After hesitating, Bayer looks at Dawid and then quietly addresses the second request, "If there are no objections from any of the NCOs then it may be permitted. A pistol only... and keep it unloaded with the magazine in a separate pocket. Then upon returning the pistol is to be turned back in."

     Monika examined the remaining supplies in her Doctor's bag.  After the 10th's Doctor had helped himself to what was in it earlier, there wasn't a lot left over.  Monika suspected that a few antibiotic and painkilling tablets had gone into the Doctor's pockets as "payment" for treating Johnstone's wounds.  Fortunately, he didn't go near Monika's backpack.  It would have been at best... uncomfortable... to have to explain why she would have shot him... several times... in the head.

     The medic heard the mission being given out.  Maybe she could use this as an opportunity to scrounge locate and salvage some items that the team could use.  She walked over to Mariusz.  Happy to be using a language she knew, she spoke to him.  "Would you ask the Captain if I could borrow Vita to help me?  She could help me with the villagers."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:25, Thu 24 Feb 2011.

In reply to Mariusz Tokarski (msg #210):

Dawid cocked his head and replied to Konrad. "Ha, the batteries? I'll see if Vita can rig something up. So far, no luck for me or the Russians."

He shook his head as Mariusz requested a weapon for Vita.

"No need to carry something for her, if it comes to that then we'll issue her a weapon at that time."

"Also, if she's staying her priority is to get a battery charger set up. That is her main priority, that and maintaining the truck. I hope that's clear."


OOC: I know the Russians don't have a charger, can they rig one up? Sorry, I can't recall if this was settled or not, thanks!

Mariusz listened to Dawid and then replied, "So if I'm off with her and we get into a situation where she needs a gun, I'm to return to the unit and request one from stores, got it."

Maybe I'll just shoot her on the spot to save her any further pain, Mariusz thought.

He heard Monika's request and said, "The Kaptain's tasked us with fixing the motorcycle first. If you set up your aid station nest to where we work I can help you with the villagers as well as help Vita. Before you go, you might want to request the .45 pistol, I know your gun is only for self defence but if it jams you might want back up. It's an idea, take it or leave it."

In reply to Mariusz Tokarski (msg #215):

"I'll go with you." Quyen says. She then lights up one of her smokes and takes a count of those remaining in the waterproof case, eight. "Whenever you are ready."

Jay approached the Quartermaster and returned the rifle and ammunition he had been issued. He didn't feel the need to say anything. The man had been very rude when he had reluctantly given Jay the ancient weapon, so he was glad to be rid of him.

Returned to QM:
Mosin-Nagant Model 1891/30
25x 7.62mmR rounds

The general, resting in bed in the mayor's large house, is cleary agitated.

"They are impatient? We can't sit around here much longer. The men are literally beginning to starve. Even men I was sure would remain loyal are deserting. We are getting weaker and I suspect this Baron fool is gaining strength from our losses. He must know how weak we are now. I can't make this more clear. Your friends say they have an armored tug. Where is it? They ask for much and offer little. They talk and talk and it leads nowhere! We need that food, Mr. Warren. We will attack tomorrow, one way or another."



Johnstone chuckles at the memory of the mushroom cloud over Pisz. Capturing one of Ivan's own tac-nukes and then using it against him was one of their finest moments as a team.

His speech is still somewhat slurred, but it's much clearer now after receiving treatment from the 10th's medical officer.

"HQ is wooling out an airdwop vif clofe to Wawfaw. Dey have duh bird, but dey don wanna wisk it. Dey've pwomised an airdwop aftuh we take duh fity. Bwilliant, eh? I keep tewwing dem dat we're wosing the Tenf, but dey're not budgin'."
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:50, Thu 24 Feb 2011.

Vita spits "This is bullshit, Piotr! And you know it!" before stalking off with Mariusz. He seems like a good kid, but all boys are the same, especially at his age- sooner or later he'd make his first clumsy, dick-brained move on her, and then what? Her sambo was pretty good...

She pops the hood on the old Ural and finds the alternator.

"I need some wires."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:00, Thu 24 Feb 2011.

A cry goes up around the town.

"Tanks! Tanks are coming up the road!"

This morning just keeps getting better and better.

Next Moves?
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:02, Thu 24 Feb 2011.

Standing next to Jeff, Bayer says as diplomatically as possible, "With respect General, everyone is talking - except for you. And you are the voice I need to hear before I can start issuing any orders."

"We are going to try to reestablish radio contact with our gunboat and militia allies to the south. And you will be informed immediately when that happens. Which can be in as little as twenty minutes if you have a signaller to assist us."

Bayer then says, "In the meantime General, my team is nearly ready except for some minor administrative issues."

"I want, I need, to know about your input into your division's involvement in the attack. I can't plan without knowing what your intentions are. My team will be able to infiltrate and attack point targets, but your force plays too huge a role to go ahead and plan without your input first."

Leaving the General's side, Bayer races back to the rest of the team, shouting, "Fall in for battle..."

"Assault One, Tucker, Quyen, Mariusz and Matias."

"Assault Two, Jan, Sutherland, Warren and Jay."

"Support (MG/Sniper) Dawid, Piotr, Teo, Janis, Lech. Teo grab that RPK-74 and some ammo."

"Headquarters, myself, Flemming, Sawiki and Nowak (medic asst.)."

Bayer then looks to whoever sounded the alarm and tries to find out which direction is the enemy approaching from and how many are there.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:24, Thu 24 Feb 2011.

Mariusz heard his officer's call and said, "Looks like life has caught up with us again, let's move it."

He rallied to his position and checked his gun, "Sergeant," he said to Dawid, "does this count as a situation where Vita gets a gun or should I instruct her to use harsh language against the tanks?"

Konrad had issued squad assignments so Jan went into full NCO mode.  He gave Teo the RPK-74 with ten 30 round mags for it, Jay the Romanian AIMS-74 with seven 30 round mags and Flemming the AKS-74U with five 30 round mags.  It appeared that Konrad had forgotten the other CIA man Flemming so Jan also gave him the PRC-77 Manpack Radio that Dieter had carried previously and then dragged him over to Konrad.

"Konrad, we seem to have Flemming with us as well.  I've given him the spare manpack radio as well as a carbine.  He can operate as a dedicated radio operator for you if you need him to."

Jan then rushed over to the 10th's Quartermaster and pointed to the pile of 7.62x39mm weapons and ammo that had been piled in a corner.  He spoke in Polish or English, whichever the Russian understood best.  "They are for the 10th.  Issue them as you need them.  If you have any rockets for an RPG-7 or any other AT weapons you can give us we must have them now!  We will go tank hunting I believe!"

You move quickly, south along the main road through Wyszkow, towards the rumoured approaching armor. Those of you with binoculars or rifle scopes find good vantage points with clear LOS and peer down the road. Through the early morning haze you spot the offending "tank".

There it is- the Baron's PTSM. You've seen it before. It creaks to a stop over a kilometer away and a greeting booms towards you across the fields from a powerful loudspeaker. You can't understand more than a few words of what is said but it's not for lack of volume.

The 10th TD's quartermaster followed you from your billet and he translates for you (through one of the party's Russian speakers).

"It's Kazakh. It's one of the deserters. He's saying, 'Come join us. The Baron is a honorable man. There is much to eat and warm lodgings waiting in Warsaw. He has told us to tell you that tonight is your last chance. Tomorrow, the Baron will destroy all who remain. No quarter will be given. He has tanks and artillery- we have seen them. You don't have to die. Come, join us. You will be well treated. We have suffered enough. The Americans have given us nothing. The Baron is our true friend. If you don't leave by tomorrow at dawn, we can't save you. Goodbye, brothers. We hope to see you soon. Er, that is all."

The PTSM spins on its tracks and clanks off towards Warsaw.

Next Moves?
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:58, Fri 25 Feb 2011.