A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards, policing, and coercion are fruitless. We find that after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us.

John Steinbeck

-

Monday, November 20, 2000
0900 hrs.
44F
Slightly cloudy skies; slight breeze from the northeast
Vistula River, 10km north of Warsaw, Poland


For the first time in quite a while, the entire Kommando is aboard the Wisla Krolowa. For the first time since you first boarded the tough old river tug, her master, Old Adam Rataj is not sitting in the captain's seat. In fact, he's not aboard at all. Griet Niewiadomska, Adam's daughter from an extra-marital affair, is now in command of the vessel, charged with taking the Kommando at least as far as the Vistula Estuary, where the river meets the Baltic Sea.

It takes you a while to get used to the motion of the river tug. It's not marked enough to cause sea sickness, but it is a bit unsettling after so long on dry land.

The tug is looking ship-shape. The crew, with the assistance of a handful of Gora-Kalwaria townsfolk, spent quite a few hours making repairs and cleaning her from stem-to-stern. Her dozens of battle scars have been erased by fresh paint. The mighty Vasilek auto-mortar is once again on the Krolowa's foredeck. In place of the Mk-19 AGL (lost in Warsaw), formerly mounted on the raised quarterdeck aft of the main stack, the tug sports an AGS-17 AGL and a PKM for rear defense. The quarterdeck's old awning, shredded by shrapnel from a helicopter-fired aerial rocket, has been replaced by a new awning custom-made by the people of Gora Kalwaria.

The tug steams slowly down the river. The temperature is not yet below freezing again, but with the wind chill, it sure feels like it is. The river is relatively narrow here, and the countryside is wild and empty on both banks, the tragic legacy of the Baron's river corsairs. All of the riverside settlements you pass immediately downriver of Warsaw are either entirely bereft of human habitation or razed to the ground. Local fauna appear to have reclaimed much of this land. In the streets of one small abandoned hamlet not far from the east bank of the river, you watch a herd of large deer loiter, seemingly unconcerned by your passage. A few kilometers on, over on the west bank, you witness a small wolf pack gorging on a large prey animal in a clearing by the mouth of a small tributary.

This first day of the next leg of your journey down the Vistula is one for reestablishing on-board routines and relationships. There are watch and duty schedules to iron out, various weapons and mechanical systems to refamiliarize yourself with, and a multitude of dangers to be on guard for.


Next Moves?

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:40, Fri 20 Apr 2012.

Once the tug was underway, Bayer had Lt.Sutherland muster the platoon on the deck. Getting back into old habits, it was time once again for everyone to be assigned to the various heavy weapons. Unlike previous times on the Queen, Bayer decided to change things up a little, creating two battle station rotations. This was to keep everyone familiar with the different types of weaponry aboard... and to a lesser extent, switch up those who would otherwise end up in the usually more passive and safer aft positions. For those few Kommandos with specialized skills, such as Dawid however, their placement was pretty much guaranteed to be in one place.



"The rotation taskings will change daily... Roto One for odd days and Roto Two will be on even days. Excluding the bridge crew, the order listed will also be the sentry roster, with one on duty during daylight hours and doubled up during the evening." Bayer explains.

Then with previous memories still fresh in his mind regarding the inevitable shore parties and realizing he had an disproportionate number of NCOs and officers to the men, Bayer says simply, "Shore parties will be on an ad-hoc basis, with senior squad leaders, usually two at a time, rotating between Robert, Jan, Dawid, and Lt.Sutherland."

"On ship, as just a reminder since it's been a while, Griet is chief of the boat." he adds.

Bayer then looks around and asks, "Any issues with anything I said?"

Anneka raises her hand and adds, "I still haven't received skills lists from all of the new personnel."

Danny's expression goes carefully blank as he heroically avoids making eye contact with Anneka.  At least she's not still going on about having me inflict full flight physicals on everyone.

Danny
Winona [30/30] w/ 6 magazines - slung
CZ 75 [15/15] w/ 2 magazines - holstered
AN-M8 HC smoke grenade x2 - on vest
AN-M18 red smoke grenade x1 - on vest
This message was last edited by the player at 12:39, Fri 20 Apr 2012.

Jan couldn't stop himself from snorting in derision and asking a question of his own.  Anneka was already trying to play her who's in charge games and they'd only been away from Gora Kalwaria for one night!  Jan's dislike of the woman, that had dwindled while he was away from her, was quickly rekindled.

"More importantly Capitaine," he said to Konrad.  "What do we know about the river ahead?  Everything has been abandoned so far but do we know of any towns or villages further down river that are still occupied?  Do we have any idea how far north the Baron’s influence spread?"


Jan
AK-74 (30/30 - 30rnd mag x11) - carried
BG-15 (1/1 HE - HE x19) - underslung on AK-74
Sig Sauer P226 (15/15 - 15rnd mag x4) - holster
M72A4 LAW - slung on strap
Frag grenade x2 - webbing pouch
Smoke grenade x2 - webbing pouch
This message was last edited by the player at 15:35, Fri 20 Apr 2012.

Griet sat on her chair during the conference and nodded as Bayer acknowledged her command of the boat, "The Queen will be under Kaptain Bayer's overall command at all times. I'll have ultimate responsibility for the safety of the boat, but the aim is to get you all safely to Germany or wherever else we can get you. Obviously, Gdansk is our first main target. After that, we'll see where we need to go from there."

She fingered the silver chain with the gifts that her father had left her, the saint's medal for St. Jude, a missionary's ship and St. Brendan's Dolphin tailed cross. Most precious of all was the silver locket with a photo-booth picture of Adam and her mother mugging it up for the camera in one compartment and a picture of herself at about three. She was scowling bad-temperedly at the photographer, a scowl that had rarely left her face for years. Now she was alone again, just her and the Queen.

She felt the engine thrum below her and the boat roll along in the current. She was home at last.

Griet
Tantal 30/30 (+6 mags in vest)
BG-1 1/1 HE (+14 HE in Vest)
Makarov 7/7 (+2 mags)
This message was last edited by the player at 18:11, Sat 21 Apr 2012.

As the boat chugged down river, Jay settled into the rotation. Following the training from Dawid, he spent much of his time practising with the heavy weapons, mouthing the firing noises like a child playing with a stick, but pretty soon he was familiar with their workings.

The Jewish doctor lady had annoyed him. She seemed intent on grilling everyone about their capabilities. The normally affable Gurkha had decided to play dumb though, and deliberately played down his English skills, using lots of pantomime actions to describe his abilities with RPGs, hand to hand combat and stealth. Those watching who had gotten to know him couldn't help but laugh at his performance.

As he walked away from his interrogation he tipped a wink at those watching, allowing a big grin to spread across his face.

Mariusz smiled at Jay's antics with Soleblume. He had helped the Gurkha with his curry and knew full well that whilst he wasn't fluent in English, he was more than capable of communicating effectively.

When the man finished with the Doctor Marisuz popped his head through the door and said, "He also cooks."

Mariusz
AK-74 30/30 (+6 mags in vest)
BG-1 1/1 HE (+12 HE in vest)
M1911A1 7/7 (+2 mags on belt)
This message was last edited by the player at 18:13, Sat 21 Apr 2012.

In reply to Mrityunjay Byanjankar (msg #9):

Dawid returned "It's good that Anneka makes a point of knowing what we can do." He added, quietly, "at least that's something."

He fingered his own rosary.

"Kaptain, that schedule looks good. Just so you know... I've got things I need to do. I will travel with you as far as I can, and I may well come as far as Gdansk. Leave Poland? This is my home, she needs me."

About 40km downriver of Warsaw, the Wisla Krolowa slows markedly and unexpectedly after having experienced a loss of power in one of her engines. Seconds later, Jozef Grzyech's muffled growl sounds through the speaking tube from the engine room.

"Engine two just went down. I'll have to shut down the boilers."

Griet shouts back down the tube. "Alright, Chief, give me two minutes and then go ahead and shut them down."  Then she turns to Y and says, "Once we come about, drop the anchors."

"Aye, captain." Walter Matuziak answers. It's clear that he harbors romantic feelings for the new captain. He would have stayed aboard the tug even without the gold.

Griet spins the wheel and reverses thrust on the port side screw, bringing the tug's pug nose about to face upriver. She increases speed to hold station against the current until the anchors are deployed. She reduces power until it is clear that the anchors have taken hold, then she cuts the throttle altogether.

Considering his gruff and territorial personality, and a rather substantial language barrier, the grizzled chief engineer Josef Grzyech and the middle-aged American helicopter mechanic Adam Kellerman get along rather well. They both speak the language of gauges, levers, and wrenches and that appears to be enough. They two men work on the engine systems for about two hours before discovering the source of the problem. It takes another two hours to make the needed repairs. It was a relatively straightforward problem with a fairly easy, albeit time-consuming fix, and the chances of a reccurance are pretty low. However, by the time engine #2 is back on line, the sun is just above the western horizon. Since the tug is in no hurry, it was decided before final departure that, as SOP, the tug would not travel during hours of darkness. So, with no steam pressure and the firebox going cold, its decided to spend the night in situ. It will take at least 30 minutes to get a head of steam up and get underway again.

You settle in for your first night aboard the tug in some time. Those not on watch duty are greatful for the warm and sheltered crew accomodations below decks.

Next Moves?

Craig decided to check both positions he would now be occupying. He moved the large DShK machine gun on its mount checking the extreme of its traverse and travel. He then familiarised himself with blockage and clearing procedures and where extra ammunition was kept.

Once satisfied he moved onto the grenade launcher. Here he had made some modifications to the protection around the position, raising the height of the sand bags while not impeding its movement.

One of the final things he attended to before leaving was to swap the handguard on his G3 for the one on Mariusz's rifle. Even thought his G3 was the sniper version of the series for some reason it did not have the handguard and bipod combination, but now it did.

When the time for his watch comes about Craig takes up the sniper position on top of the wheel house. He changes out the HE 40mm grenade for one of the illumination rounds before settling in under his scrim.

Top of wheel house.

HK G3SG/1 (w/ Zeiss 1.5-6 x 42 mm Telescopic Sight)[20/20] w/14 magazines - at his shoulder bipod deployed
Hk-69 [1/1] HE 40mmN - within arms reach
L32A1 (Browning A5) 10" Barrel [4/3] 00 Buckshot - carried
Browning HP-35 (w/ silencer) [20/20] w/2 magazines - holstered
Smoke grenade x1
Frag Grenade F1 x6
Kukri
This message was last edited by the player at 23:33, Sat 21 Apr 2012.

Dawid pulled Konrad aside.

"Kaptain, a word with you?"

"The NATO personnel wish to return home, which is of course understandable, and the Queen will be of service in this. As you know, this is my home. You're also aware I'm looking for my sister, and I heard she was downstream from Warszawa."


Dawid Waldus Piotrowski
PKM GPMG (100/100 + 2 spare ammo cans)
Stechkin + 2 magazines, 2x Smoke, 2x Fragmentation, 2x Flare
WK's bridge
Talking to Bayer

Danny spends the first day learning the tug - her sounds, the rhythms of her crew, the subliminal feel of the deck when she's moving under power.  He's been aboard before, but the trip from Gora Kalwaria to Warsaw was full of preparations for a fight and the return voyage was full of patients.  It's a different experience to be on the bridge without an impending crisis, free to watch the Polish countryside slide by and observe Griet in her element.  The bridge is a bit cramped with its current complement, though, so after the second time he trips over Boots, he gives Bayer a heads-up and slips outside to begin prowling the weather deck.  He stays out there for most of the morning, occasionally exchanging conversation with the guys he can't help thinking of as door gunners.

After assisting Mariusz with lunch, a quick check with Jan yields an unclaimed pair of binoculars from the team's stores.  Danny retreats to the forward weather deck and does some thinking while he periodically scans the land around the tug.

Once the decision is made to settle in for the night, Danny seeks out Bayer and finds the CO in conversation with Dawid.  He stands off at a polite distance until the big Pole is done, then catches Bayer's attention.  "Captain... a moment, please?  Two things."

"First, when we were in G-K, Major Soleblume brought up the idea of doing a round of full physicals."  He frowns.  "I don't know if she's approached you on that yet, but I would at least like your permission to do a quick medical survey of the unit - and Griet's crew, if she doesn't object.  Knowing things like drug allergies and blood types is gonna help me later."  Help me not make mistakes that kill people later, he mentally adds.

"Second thing, Sir... you said bridge crew is off sentry duty, but I'd appreciate it if you'd put me in the rotation.  I can catch up with combat naps while we're under way, and," he colors slightly but looks Bayer straight in the eye, "I don't want any of the other shooters to think I'm not pulling my weight."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:10, Sun 22 Apr 2012.

Although he had failed to remember to include one of Daniel's companions on the duty roster, Bayer was pleased there were no real objections or issues with it. Later that night, he'd have to adjust the list and make use of the overlooked American gunner. Hopefully soon enough, everyone would find it easy to fall back into their old routine and things would be running as they were before they departed the Queen for Warsaw.

Bayer remaines expressionless when Solemblume spoke up, not wanting to show his annoyance with her, but at the same time he does nothing about any of the unrestrained negativity that is displayed by the men. Either she got the hint now or he'd have to talk with her quietly later.

Unfortunately Bayer had nothing of value to say to Jan's query either, not at this time anyways, but hoped that perhaps some of those from Warsaw might have something to add. He then gave a look to Daniel and the female pilot, looking for any input they might have. If not, they just have to deal with whatever the Vistula could throw at them when it happened. It wasn't the best way to going about heading downstream... but they did manage to get this far.

Bayer then nods slowly at Griet, thankful for her support, and dismisses the group, not wanting to take up any more of their time. If anyways wanted to continue speaking with him, they could do privately. Then on his way back up to the bridge, Dawid is the first to do so...



Bayer scratches the stubble on his chin and replies, "I can promise that we will do our best to collect any information that we can from settlements or other boats that we come across Dawid. If we can discover her whereabouts, or even rumor, then we will most certainly investigate... and do what needs to be done." He then looks at the man for a reaction on his sincere promise and asks, "Acceptable?"

Then shortly afterwards, Bayer turns his attention to Daniel...



"No... no she hasn't." Bayer replies quietly about the doctor. Then impressed with the American's professional concern, he agrees without hesitation, "Of course. That's a good suggestion and uhh... I think it would be better received by the unit if it was conducted by you anyways." Bayer then adds, "You might also want to canvas the unit and see what other medical supplies are floating around. We had an old SOP for everyone to carry at least one field dressing for self aid, but some of the group might need to be reissued any that were used up in Warsaw."



On this Bayer thinks for a moment, mulling things over, before saying, "That should be fine. The bridge crew was excluded since they'd be on duty whenever the boat was traveling, but that doesn't necessarily apply to you specifically." He then nods and says, "Sure. Not a problem."

Dawid came to attention and, seeing they were inside, saluted.

"Yes, sir. Apologies, I don't mean to take up any more time." It looked like others needed the Kaptain's attention and he had no further requests.

After, he sought Jan out.

"Thank you, my friend, for the cigarettes. You are a Godsend! I can't imagine my good-for-nothing brother doing such a thing for me. That's it, he's out of the will and you're in."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:47, Sun 22 Apr 2012.

Mariusz looked affectionately at the bright light of the electric bulb that illuminated the galley as he picked through the food and ingredients that he'd accumulated from the granary and the Baron's personal kitchen. The herbs and spices were kept under lock and key, probably being more valuable now than the gold coins he'd been given but many people wouldn't have realised the value of one of the strains of wheat grain that he had discovered in the battle for the food store.

He placed the sack of grain on the table and opened it up before letting the amber grains run through his hands. He smiled as he remembered the instructions his mother had given him about the secrets of preparing food from the most basic of ingredients. He placed one of the looted plastic buckets under the stainless steel grinder bolted to the preparation table and then set the blades of the grinder to a precise setting only a little narrower than the grains themselves.

After some experimentation, he soon had bright yellow powder sifting from the grain as the blades ground the husks and coverings of the grains whilst leaving the bulk of the germ intact. Slowly the bucket filled with the yellow powder and after a few hours, he had a bucketful of several kilograms of the powder and a pile of white germs ready for grinding into flour. The yellow powder could be used to fortify soups as semolina or as cous-cous and polenta. He sealed the bucket and then set the blades closer together.

Now it was time for the real magic, the wheat strain was high in protein but low in gluten which made it a poor ingredient for making bread, but perfect for pasta. He hummed tunelessly to himself, imagining the pleasure the others would take from eating home made pasta rather than heavy bread and potatoes.

"Yessir."  Ah ha.  So he's not immune to Doctor Feelgood's... charms... either.



"I'll see to that.  Tourniquets all around, too.  I may also have some recommendations on medical SOPs once I assess the overall level of training."



"Thank you, Sir."  Realizing he should probably take a cue from Dawid, Danny comes to attention and snaps Bayer a salute.  Once dismissed, he heads up the ladder in search of his first victim.  May as well get started before we get hit.  I shoulda done this last week...

OOC: Rubber gloves and intrusive questions to come in PMs!
This message was last edited by the player at 13:58, Sun 22 Apr 2012.

Once the Queen was stable in the current and the guards were set up, Griet clambered down into the engine room. She checked in with Josef and after discussing the maintenance needed to get the boat running again she said, "Whilst the fires are out we might as well work on the fire box. I'll catch a nap now and once the box is cool enough to work in call me and I'll clean out the soot and residues."

Griet hated the dirty cramped job, but Josef was nearly three times her age and not nearly so supple, she could perform the routine task far more efficiently, she turned to the American and said, "If you want I'll talk you through the process as I do it, it'll be the sort of thing you may not have encountered before. I certainly hadn't and I'd been working on ships for years."

It didn’t overly surprise Jan that Konrad didn’t have much information about what the situation was downriver from Warsaw.  The Baron had effectively blocked traffic up and down the river so information was bound to be in short supply and they would have no option but to find out for themselves and deal with things as they occurred.


Jan smiled in reply.  “I am most grateful my friend.  If only you had something of value to leave me!  Something tasteful at least!”

---

Once the Queen had settled on its anchors Jan studied the river bank on either side with his binoculars in the fading light, judging the distance to each and any particularly good vantage points that could be used to attack the boat.  He knew next to nothing about engines so he stayed out of Griet and the other mechanics way and waited for them to fix it.  It didn't bode well that they had travelled only a few kilometres and they were already having trouble with the Queen but he was sure that they could fix it.

He knew that she had taken quite a pounding though, despite the recent coat of paint that hid most of the repairs, and Griet and her crew knew their boat well.  Jan just hoped that not having Adam on board wouldn't pose a problem - it wasn't that he lacked confidence in Griet, in fact it was quite the reverse, it was just that it felt different without the original Captain on board.

Before darkness finally settled in Jan pointed out any vantage points that he had spotted to the other guards on watch before setting in to his own position.  He had had quite a restful time over the last couple of weeks and now it was time to do some proper soldiering again.  He felt a tinge of desire for a cigarette but resisted it, smoking on duty in the dark was a bad idea, even what he was sat on a boat in the middle of a wide river.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:02, Mon 23 Apr 2012.

"Don't worry Chief, we cleaned out the firebox right before we left Gora Kalwaria- no sense in getting yourself all dirty again so soon. We can handle it."

Mac just smiles and nods, unsure of quite what's just transpired. "Thanks, Skipper."
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:15, Tue 24 Apr 2012.

After a particular tasty dinner served up by young chef Mariusz, the Krolowa's crew and her Kommando settle into their night routines. The night is particularly dark. The moon and stars are hiding behind thick clouds. Looking aft, downriver, you can see lights in the distance. When consulted, first mate Walter Matusiak opines, "That should be Plock." It's probably no more than a hour's journey at the tug's top speed.

As the tug is no longer underway, it doesn't feel quite as cold as it did earlier in the day, although the actual temperature has gone down. Those not on watch enjoy the relative warmth of the Krolowa's interior.

The tug's crew and security force/passengers are still getting used to life on board a ship. Light discipline is inadvertently breached several times, prompting Konrad to make the rounds of the Queen to remind everyone to maintain blackout conditions at all times. Those with NODs make good use of them, periodically turning them on for a few minutes to sweep their assigned defensive sectors before switching them back off again to conserve battery life. Although the tug has a fairly effective charger, batteries, even rechargable ones, have a finite lifespan and the prospects of acquiring more are extremely thin. Even with NODs, it's hard to see very far in the near pitch black darkness. The constant motion of the steadily flowing river plays tricks on the eyes, making scanning for riverine threats that much more difficult in the dark.



Next Moves?
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:45, Tue 24 Apr 2012.

After sneaking a after dinner smoke in the galley Quyen dug out her wool army sweater and threw it on over her Aidas track hoodie. It was getting colder as each day passed and she knew sooner than later that would start to be a serious issue, so she then sought out Konrad to see if he could help out. "Hauptmann. Sorry... but because of the winter there is an issue that may become a problem for me. I only have a sweater. No jacket. I almost froze in Warsaw."

Bayer glances down at her sweater and nods, "Hmmm... don't worry. I promised Dawid we would try to gather information as we travel downriver. We'll trade for a jacket the first opportunity. In the meantime, you may use my parka when you are outside on sentry and I will also ask the others if they have a spare. Sound good for now?"

---

Before bunking down for the night, Bayer went around reminding the night sentries to preserve their night optics as much as possible. Same too for radios which didn't need to be on at all while on board the Queen. During his rounds, he also witnessed a few incidents of poor light discipline, which surprised him, so he firmly reminded everyone that while life aboard the tug was different than being in the field - night routine SOPs were basically the same.

Later in the night, he was awoken in his sleeping bag by the sound of a dull bump sound. Opening his eyes, he reaches for his sidearm nearby and listens, hearing the same sound again. There was no mistake this time and something was wrong. The night sentries were posted, but he new well enough that those sounds were something foreign hitting the hull.

Bayer then rose and still half dressed, crept out to the doorway and peered out into the cold night. He spotted the men in one of the boats, little more than shadows, and pushed himself up against the side of the Queen for cover. Then not willing to challenge the men he aims his P7, steadying it with both hands, at the first figure clambering over the gunwhale and squeezes off two shots.

"ALARM!" he shouts before the last shell casing hits the floor. "Stand to stand to! Prepare to repell boarders!"

Bayer will then hold fire and gauge the reaction of the unknown party.

Bayer
P7 9mmP (11/13)
Half-dressed in the doorway
Firing 2 aimed shots at closest boarder
This message was last edited by the player at 02:33, Tue 24 Apr 2012.