There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat. And we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures.

-William Shakespeare

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:07, Sat 22 Dec 2012.

Friday, November 24, 2000
0900 hrs.
37F
Overcast skies; strong breeze from the northwest
Vistula River, Dobiegniewo, Poland

The air grows colder as the tug steams into the stiff breeze. The banks along the river are drab and lifeless. The surviving inhabitants of this area now reside in Plock.

Kellerman is back in the engine room, although with his left arm immobilized in a sling he can't do much to help besides keep an eye on the gauges. McClurg, his sprained wrist braced and a bandage concealing the wreckage of his left ear, inspects the port side Dishka. He's fairly confident that, given a spare set of hands and a steady working platform, he can return it to service. Mariusz prepares brunch for the rest of the crew. It should be ready by the time they arrive at Dobiegniewo. Craig collects the sandbags and earth-filled ammo crates that were not obliterated by the direct hit mortar strike on the raised quarterdeck and puts together a fairly sturdy, two-person fighting position* to replace the old four-person AGS-17 station (it's rated to stop rounds up to 5.56mm at medium range and 7.62mm at long range). The rest of the security team keeps watch. (OOC: I'm not sure where the PCs are currently stationed).

*This would be a good spot for one of the tug's GPMGs.

The Vasilek is the elephant in the room. No one still aboard has half the skill in operating the automortar that Dawid took with him when he departed. If the tug encounters a hard target, the new gun crew will have to rely on beginners' luck to carry the day.

The tiny village of Dobiegniewo comes into view up ahead on the south bank (port side) of the river. It seems odd for the diminutive hamlet to boast such a large dock in relation to the size of the settlement but, sure enough, twin piers portrude into the Vistula, forming a sort of deep but narrow man-made bay. Dobiegniewo appears to have at least one resident- white smoke from a hearthfire can just be made out against the darker grey of the oncoming clouds scudding in from the northwest. Aside from the smoke, there's no other signs of recent human habitation. There's a larger settlement directly across the river, on the north bank, but it shows no signs of life.

Griet slows the tug and manouvers towards the gap between the two piers. She has to enter nose first, leaving the currently defenseless stern furthest from the shore. As the tug slows to a halt, the smoke can no longer be seen rising from the hamlet. It appears that your arrival has been noted.

https://maps.google.com/maps/m...pn=0.038762,0.132093


Next Moves?
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:57, Sun 23 Dec 2012.

Standing in the wheelhouse, Bayer observes the village through his binoculars. He then says to Griet, "Two short blasts of the whistle please... to say 'hello'. I'd like us to appear friendly."

Bayer then leans out and calls down the NCO's watching from the deck, "Sergeant Tucker, organize a three man shore party to accompany me ashore - light weapons only. Ensure Mariusz is part of your team."

"Jan, organize everyone else into a perimeter guard and to man the heavy weapons. Keep close to the boat until I radio you an all clear once I've met the locals."

Bayer then collects his gear and moves down to the deck where expects Robert's hastily assembled team to be waiting.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:30, Sat 22 Dec 2012.

Once he had finished the fighting position Craig stood back and admired his creation. The chill air cooled him as he made his way to the galley, he suggested moving one of the GPMG's up to the quarter deck if he comes across Jan, Tucker or Konrad.

This he does as the tug continues down the river. Once he had a good idea of the possible fields of fire he made a mental note to lookout for some sheet metal or the like to further reinforce the position. When they had docked and if he was not needed for the shore party he would man the GPMG.

Griet gave two blasts on the tug's horn and then finished the docking procedures, "Ask the shore party to check out potential sources of wood," she asked Bayer, "we might as well top off reserves if we can."

Mariusz readied his gear once more, "I'm good to go, Kaptain."

Danny finishes his morning medical rounds, ensuring no one has a minor untreated injury from Plock that was overlooked in the fight's aftermath.  Once he's sure of the team's general health, he climbs atop the wheelhouse and checks his weather instrument package, which somehow survived the Queen's most recent battering.  Flipping back through the met log, he frowns and gives the sky another glance.

He descends the ladder and squeezes past Connolly into the wheelhouse.  "Hauptmann," he says to Bayer, suppressing the urge to snap to attention every time he's in the German's presence, "medical and weather reports."

He waits for Bayer's acknowledgement, then proceeds.  "Medical: no change with Kel and Mac, both need to stay on light duty for a while.  Mister Warren has a spectacular bruise but no cracked ribs; he's cleared for unrestricted duty.  No change in supplies.

"Weather: there's some winter crud coming in.  First precip should start around noon and it may stay around for a few days.  I give it a fifty-fifty chance of turning to snow or freezing rain.  I recommend keeping Minh aboard until we find her some cold-weather gear.  Same goes for anyone else who's lacking."

Jan conferred briefly with Tuck and then called out to the rest of the unit while Tuck finished organising his own gear.  "OK, going ashore with the Capitaine in Tuck's team are Mariusz, Quyen and Craig.  Gather your gear and get organised."

He then turned to the others.  "Jeff, get up high and keep a watch out.  Danny, keep a watch back over the other side of the river.  Jay, man the PKM position that Craig set up.  Thijs, once the Capitaine and Tuck's team start to move inland you and I will move to the first house to cover their retreat in case there is a problem.  Any questions?"

He had already gathered his own equipment but he checked his rifle again, just to be on the safe side.

"Will do... but I think it will be best to leave the details to you and the engineers we have on board to work out. You are captain of the boat after all." Bayer answers.


Bayer nods for the American to continue, but motions for him to make his report as they move outside and down to the deck together. When Larue is done giving his reports, Bayer stops and politely thanks him. He then thinks for a moment, tonguing the tooth that he knew Daniel would soon be yanking out of his mouth, and says, "I hope I am not mistaken, but I thought Jan was able to find a Russian jacket for Quyen. I'll double check before we go though."


Bayer flashes a thumbs up in return and once the others arrive, he waves for them to disembark. "Keep vigilant." he says aloud, "But remember we are here to establish contact with the local population... not scare them away."

Quyen quickly returns to the small pile of gear she kept in the room she shared with Griet and grabs her rifle and jacket to be put on under her webbing. She decided to forgo wearing her bush hat in the hopes that it would help identify her as a female and might be make her group seem less threatening to the locals... seeing how bandits and such typically didn't have many female members if ever.

Quyen then retuns to the deck and lights up a smoke while listening to Konrad's briefing.

Jay nodded to Jan and took up a position on the PKM. He took a few moments to familarise himself with the weapon and check his arcs of fire, before settling down to keep warm and keep watch.

"No," is the reply.  Thijs gave a shake to insure his combat webbing -- now adjusted to fit over his vest -- is seated properly.  The night vision goggles he obtained in Plock are strapped to his helmet and flipped up.  Though it is early in the day, he has no desire to get caught without again, just in case there is no opportunity to grab them before dark.

When Jan went ashore, Thijs followed and took up a position at (OOC:  in?) the first house, trying not to look particularly aggressive, but ready to assume a firing posture if necessary.

Craig grabbed his gear from the fighting position and formed up at the tugs rail with the others. He took a look at the sky before concluding they where in for some good "Blighty" weather.

Once on dry land Craig kept his rifle at waist height but pointing in the direction he was looking. In his own mind he suspected these were bandits and nothing more but he kept an eye out for friendlies.

Danny nods at Bayer's thanks.  "Yessir.  Not a problem."  He looks aft to where Minh is smoking and shrugs apologetically.  "Huh.  Sorry, sir, I must've missed that.  Glad it's taken care of."  Catching the set of Bayer's jaw and tongue, he frowns.  "By the way, I haven't forgotten that tooth.  Let me know when you can give yourself at least four hours of downtime."  His skeptical expression strongly suggests that Konrad will want more than four hours to recover after field dentistry.

As Jan issues assignments, Danny gives him a nod and ducks into his cabin to gear up.  Returning to the deck, he circulates through the team that'll be going ashore, checking their first aid supplies and ensuring everyone's fed, hydrated, and ready for shitty weather if their excursion becomes prolonged.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:51, Mon 24 Dec 2012.

Tucked into her usual corner of the wheelhouse, Connolly watches Griet conn the tug into Dobiegniewo's harbor.  Her eyes flick back and forth between the charts and the water and shore as she tries to match the lines (and the Polish notations) to the reality of the river.  She absently listens to Bayer's preparations, mentally tracking personnel assignments, but most of her attention is focused on Griet's shiphandling.

Once the Queen is secured against the dock, she clears her throat to get Griet's attention.  "Do we need to do anything to prepare for winter weather?" she asks.  "De-icing, anything like that?"

Griet looked at the weather that was coming in and listened to Connolly's question, "There isn't much we need to do. I'd like the guns wrapped up and our hoses stowed where they are easy to get hold of. If we need to get into action quickly and the weapon mounts are frozen we can blast them quickly with steam and worry about the fine details after the battle. Otherwise the Queen is designed as an ice-breaker and all the fiddly electronics that might be affected by the weather are gone."

She looked up again, "We'll need a rolling watch and I'll check the deck every two hours to decide if we need any more action. The biggest worry will be security. We'll be nearly blind in a white-out."

While the tug crew maintains watch, the shore party hops on to the rather rickety dock and heads towards the hamlet. The settlement appears to have been abandoned some time ago, its dwellings slowly falling apart due to neglect and the unceasing machinations of mother nature. It does not appear to have seen much, if any, in the way of fighting.

The first house is more or less gutted, as is the second. Scavengers have clearly visited this neighborhood before, likely several times. In the third house, the party finds a family of raccoons, like most of the Kommando, an invasive species here in Poland.

At the fourth house, the shore party finds signs of human habitation. There's a stack of firewood against the southern wall and an old icebox against the northern wall; it's locked with a rusty padlock. The ground near the front door has been worn smooth and hard by the passage of many feet (or the same feet many times). Behind the house (on its west side), they find a large stump used as a chopping block. A small pile of logs waiting to be split into faggots sits nearby. Scattered around the chopping block are several large bones, split as if by an axe. Since there are only pieces, its not clear what animal they belong to. Leaving the workspace, the the shore party returns to front of the house and calls out to the occupant; they receive no reply. After five minutes of calling and waiting, Konrad decides to enter the dwelling. The shore party does so cautiously, ready for the worst. Fortunately, no one is currently home. The interior of the small abode is fully but modestly furnished, the hearth still warm. The kitchen table is scared with hundreds of cuts and gashes, much of its surface stained dark with blood; the place reeks of its coppery tang. A meat cleaver is lodged upright in the wooden tabletop. Whoever lives here likely left in a hurry when he or she heard the tug arrive.

Warren, in the sniper's eerie atop the Krolowa's bridge, keeps an eye on the surrounding countryside. He provides overwatch as the shore party enters the dwelling. Looking through the bare branches of the woods west along the road that parallels the Vistula here, Warren spots six riders approaching. They wear brownand grey and a few of the men sport Ushanka hats. All are armed, AK-style rifles slung across their chests. They slow as they approach the hamlet. About 400m from the westernmost structure, they stop. One of the riders leaves the road and angles towards the river. From here, near the muddy bank, he glasses the hamlet, scanning the settlement from a distance. He quickly spots the tug and a brief, animated discussion with his roadbound comrades ensues. Two of the riders break off from the party and gallop north, the way they'd come, while two more riders, one of them removing a white cloth from his saddlebag, begin to ride towards the village at a canter. As they approach, the man slows his mount, raises the white cloth, and waves it vigorously overhead. The two remaining riders stay put where they'd stopped, watching their comrades attempt a parlay. (At the moment, the riders can't be seen from any point on the tug lower than the bridge roof.)


Updated tac-map: https://maps.google.com/maps/m...pn=0.009693,0.033023

OOC: Anneka's dead body is cooling on the cot in sickbay. Brunch is cooling in the galley.


Next Moves?
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:16, Mon 24 Dec 2012.

As Konrad's party moved from house to house, Thijs said to Jan, "I cannot see them.  Perhaps we should move a little closer to provide cover."

As instructed, Danny keeps watch at the starboard rail, occasionally exchanging banter with McClurg.  The river is empty, save for a small flock of ducks.  Danny squints, gauges the range, gets a bad idea.  "Hey, Mac!  Do we have a shotgun on board?  I'm thinkin' roast pintail."  He frowns in thought.  "Holy crap!  Dude, it's the day after Thanksgiving!  We gotta do something for dinner!"

Danny
Winona [30/30 + 5 magazines] - slung, on SAFE
CZ 75 [15/15 + 2 magazines] - holstered, cocked and locked
AN-M8 HC smoke grenade x2 - on vest
AN-M18 red smoke grenade x1 - on vest

watching the river and contemplating fowl deeds
This message was last edited by the player at 02:05, Tue 25 Dec 2012.

Connolly nods at Griet's response.  "Thanks.  I'll ask Mac to find a couple of tarps and make sure he knows where the hoses are in case we need them."  She stands up and stretches, testing her still-healing calf muscles.  "I need to walk or I'll be as stiff as my grandmother.  Unless you have anything more critical, I'll grab Kel and get started on a damage survey.  Once we know everything that's broken, we can start prioritizing repairs."  She swipes a clipboard and pencil stub from the chart room and heads below decks to find Kellerman.

Boots
M11 [13/13 + 2 magazines] - holstered, hammer down

damage assessment

Bayer sits at the kitchen table as he looks around, resting his rifle on his lap. He then glances over to Tucker and says quietly, "Robert, put a man on the door and see if there is a cellar or attic, or anything."

"Be careful... and remember this is somebody's home." he then says aloud to the rest of the group.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:29, Tue 25 Dec 2012.

Quyen hears this and offers to inspect further "I can look."

If her offer is accepted Quyen will sling her rifle and draw her sidearm to free up one hand. She will keep it pointed at the floor and not too manacing looking but ready in case there is anything about to jump out. She will start looking for a cellar first, beginning with obvious places to hide trap doors like under rugs and then to suspicious floorboards (displaced dust, worn sides, nook holes in place of handles, etc).

"That would be great," Griet replied to Connolly, "take a visit to the laundry room, we have lots of spare clothing there. You may want to layer up if you don't have your own cold weather gear."

McCLurg shakes his head and smiles.

"Holy shit! You're right, Sarge. Time flies when you're having fun, I guess."

Not sure if LaRue is serious or joking about the bird, but clearly thinking it's not such a bad idea, given the occasion, he continues,

"I think I saw a shotgun in the weapons locker. I don't know about ammo, though. Speaking of food, Sarge, did you get some of that Polish kid's breakfast yet? That little bastard can cook!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:11, Tue 25 Dec 2012.

"Gotcha Boss," Tucker says back to Konrad as he turns to the other to hand out assignments.  "Craig, go with Minh.  Check everything before you open it in case it's boobytrapped.  Mari, you're with me on the door.  In case we need to talk to them, I'm with you or you're with Konrad."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:31, Wed 26 Dec 2012.

Connolly flashes Griet a brief smile.  "Thanks, but I think I'm good for now.  I picked up a bunch of winter stuff from the Gypsy just before we met you."  She shrugs.  "I probably overpaid, but you can't eat Krugerrands, right?"  With that, she tosses Griet a wave and descends toward the engine room in search of Kel and his mechanical acumen.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:15, Tue 25 Dec 2012.

Craig continued to scan forward of their position in the house. The occupant of the house seemed to be well feed just what he had been catching played on Craig's mind.

He had taken a knee behind some rubble outside of the building and even though it may have been slightly warmer inside he hoped he was more effective where he was.

When given the order to search the house Craig un-holsters his browning and begins the hunt.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:23, Thu 27 Dec 2012.

"Heck, yeah."  Danny nods enthusiastically at McClurg's praise of Mariusz.  "Kid's got skills and you don't have to bust his ass about housekeeping.  We oughta do something nice for him at the next friendly village.  Maybe get him laid."

He leans on the railing, still scanning the river and idly contemplating the ducks.  "Yeah, when you have a chance, can you see if we have any birdshot?  Come to think of it, we oughta trade for a couple of decent hunting guns.  It's gonna be a long-ass winter."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:23, Tue 25 Dec 2012.

Jan shook his head in response.  "We are to provide security for the boat.  That is our primary job.  If there is problem then the Capitaine or Tuck will radio us."

He kept scanning around though, listening as much as looking.

Jeff pokes his head over the side of the railing to the main cabin.

"Hey we have an armed group of riders approaching town from the West under a white flag.  Half of them turned around the way they came.  Get on the radio and tell the shore party.  I'll cover from here."

Debating using his rifle scope, he instead uses the powerful navigation binoculars that the boat has.  He looks for any sort of details, before moving on to the two men farther down the road.

Hearing talk of riders, Jay scanned around to see what he could see. He especially checked the other directions, in case this was some kind of diversion.

"Roger that," Griet said, acknowledging Warren's report.

She hit the intercom and said, "Riders coming in, they aren't acting threateningly but stand to."

Once she had alerted the crew she switched to the radio, "All shore stations, this is Queen. Riders spotted approaching us from the west. Half have turned away and the other half are coming forward under a white flag."

Griet broadcasts Warren's report, allowing the shore party a minute or two to prepare for the two riders.

Before the call comes in, though, Minh finds a loose plank in the floor. Carefully prying it up, she finds a narrow crawlspace. It's not likely that the missing occupant of the cottage cound have squeezed through it. Instead, it appears to be secret a storage area. Inside, she finds a single, loose 7.92x57mm cartrige, a 7.62mm R ammo can full of paperwork, all of it in Polish, and a small duffel bag. Inside the bag, Minh finds at least a dozen pairs of undergarments, both male and female; they look to be used.

With Warren providing overwatch from the bridge roof, Konrad orients his team to receive the approaching riders. Jay, if he leans out over the starboard quarterdeck railing a bit, can just see the rider astride his horse close to the riverbank. Jay realizes that he would have a difficult time bringing the PKM to bear from this position. He'd probably be able to wield his rifle, if need be, but it would still be somewhat of an acrobatic shot. The riverside rider must see Jay through his binoculars because he waves at him in a friendly manner.

The white-flag riders slow as the near the dwelling occupied by most of the shore team but they don't appear to realize that there's anyone there. They study the place as they ride by but, not noticing anyone within, they ride past, heading for a path that leads from the road to the warf. (Konrad & co. may hail them as the riders pass, if they'd like.) Alerted by Griet's broadcast, Jan and Thijs spot the riders through the trees after they move past Konrad's team's cottage.

OOC: Aboard the tug, only Warren can see the two nearest riders and he can see the pair standing off as well. Jay can only see the distant rider nearest the river. No one on shore can see either of the stay-behind riders.

Updated tac-map: https://maps.google.com/maps/m...pn=0.002423,0.008256

Next Moves?
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:54, Fri 28 Dec 2012.

"Do you want me to go out and greet them, Sir," Mariusz asked Bayer.

Jan made sure that Thijs could see the two riders approaching before reaching for his radio.

"Konrad.  Jan here," he transmitted. "How do you want to play this?  Do you want to let them go past you and I will intercept them to talk while you back us up or are you going to have Mariusz speak to them and we back you up?"

Craig indicated they had company to Minh as the horsemen rode past. He then moved to a window or door and used it as cover as he watched them advance towards the tug.

Upon spying the rider observing them, Jay called out to the team on the boat. "Horseman on the right watching us."

He pulled out his recently acquired binoculars and trained them on the rider, trying to glean some information. He didn't yet acknowledge the greeting, preferring to leave the pleasantries to his superiors. He kept his rifle to hand, just in case.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:44, Fri 28 Dec 2012.

"Riders coming in, they aren't acting threateningly but stand to," crackles Griet's voice over the intercom.

The ducks earn a brief stay of execution.  Danny pushes off the railing.  He gives his gear a reflexive pat-down and shifts Winona to hang across his chest.  "Mac, I'm gonna jump over to the shore side just in case.  Take over here and yell out if anything shows up on the river."  He cuts through the galley to the opposite side of the tug, switching on his radio to monitor the landing party's chatter.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:30, Thu 27 Dec 2012.

Connolly and Kellerman are assessing damage in the machine shop when Griet's warning comes in.  The pilot straightens up and wipes grease off her hands.  "What now?" she asks rhetorically.

Kel, long since acclimated to her habits, doesn't bother with any more answer than a shrug.  He holds up one half of a severed power cable.  "Go on, ma'am.  I'll lock out the power in here before someone turns on the drill press and burns down the boat."

Connolly is already out of the compartment.  She pokes her head back through the hatch and snorts.  "Better tell Mac.  He was going to try to fix that Dishka mount, and we both know how accident-prone he is."  With that, she's gone, heading back up to the bridge.

"Sunray. Protect the boat. Out." Bayer replies back over the radio.



"With me." Bayer answers, before quickly turning to Tucker, "Robert, you and Lieutenant Sutherland make sure you are seen as well. Not threatening... just here inside the house, and armed. Post Quyen to watch our backs where the security team can't cover us."

Bayer then moves to the door with Mariusz and as he's stepping outside, he says quietly to his teammate behind him, "Alright Mariusz... call out to them. If something happens you run. I'll shoot." Bayer will keep both hands on his weapon, across his chest, but pointed down and the finger off the trigger. He'll keep to the side of Mariusz and out of the way if he needs to open fire.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:22, Fri 28 Dec 2012.

OOC: LOL!!!  Everyone loves Frank/Robert & Billy...

BIC: Robert nods to Bayer that he understands and moves so that they can get out of the door.  "Good luck you two.  We got your backs, no worries."

Frank calls for CRAIG and Minh to join him near the doorway but, closes the door after they leave the house.  "Need you to watch our Six Minh.  How did you two do in your sweep?

Craig, your with me in the front here.  Visible but, behind some cover or whatever we can find.  I'll be just outside the door here watching the meeting.  Anything goes down, I'll lay down cover fire first 'til I run dry, hopefully, those two will be under some cover or back in the house by then.  When I reload, I'll move and reload and we'll reasses from there.  You two good?"

In reply to Robert 'Tuck' Tucker (msg # 42):

Craig grabs the ammunition tin and moves it back with them to the house occupied by the away team. When asked he gives a quick assessment of the contents and takes up the position indicated by Tucker.

"Understood.  Jan out," he replied over the radio.

He then turned to Thijs to update him.  "Konrad and Tuck's team are talking to these riders.  You keep watching in their direction and I will scan around in case this is a diversion."

Jan then adjusted his location slightly and started observing in an arc from the east to the south.

Mariusz walked out into the dropping temperatures of the approaching night and stood in the road to await the approaching riders.

As the mounted pair halted he smiled at them and said, "Hello, I'm Mariusz Tokarski of the Vistula Queen's Independent Commando Unit. This is my commander, Major Bayer. Do you want to talk out here or would you rather get out of the weather?"

When Mariusz hails them from the house they've just passed, the two horsemen are clearly somewhat startled, instinctively reaching for their weapons (one handed), but when they see that neither Mariusz or Konrad are pointing a weapon at them, they immediately stand down. As if to compensate for the potentially explosive, involuntary gesture, the rider with the truce flag resumes waiving it with renewed vigor.

Turning his horse to face the occupied building, the rider addresses Mariusz in strongly-accented but passable Polish,

"Good morning. My name is Yvegeny and we are from the 89th cavalry division. We are finished with this fucking war. I see that you have a big boat. My unit needs to cross the river to get home to our motherland. Perhaps we can work a deal?"

By his accent, clothing, and accroutrements, it is obvious that these men are, or were, Soviet soldiers.

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:50, Fri 28 Dec 2012.

Mariusz continued smiling, "He says he's Yvegeny of the 89th Cavalry. He'd like to negotiate using the barge to get his unit across the river. I'll ask him how many and how many horses while you decide if it's feasible, Sir."

"Good day, Yvegeny," Mariusz said in Russian, "in order for my Kaptain to make a decision he'll need to know how many men and how many horses. I know that may be sensitive information but our boat isn't configured for horse transport so we'll need to get creative. We need an idea on how creative we need to get."

The two riders looked at each other, expressions of pleased surprise briefly flashing across their grimy faces.

"There are about 300 of us, and almost as many horses. We are building a raft but it has no power. Your boat could help us move the raft. It would probably take a few trips to get all of us across. We don't have much but we will find a way to pay you. But there is an issue of, er, security. There are Soviet soldiers in Torun who want to stop us and they've got, er, a boat of their own."

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:57, Fri 28 Dec 2012.

"I'll just update my Boss," Mariusz said.

"He says there are three hundred men and the same number of horses," Mariusz translated, "they have a raft we could use to help but he says there are Soviets at Torun with a boat of their own that might cause us problems."

Bayer listens to Mariusz's translation and exhales deeply, thinking to himself three hundred... He then says, "Tell him we can work out a deal."

While his teammate talks, Bayer relays the situation to Griet and the others.

Bayer then asks, "Mari.. we're going to need more info to decide. Like what kind of boat is in Torun, where is this raft, and what they can spare as trade. Get him talking."

Bayer then toggles his radio again, "Jan, Bayer... take control of the shore party and conduct a thorough sweep the village. Send one runner to my position. Over."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:10, Fri 28 Dec 2012.

"My Boss is interested," Mariusz said, "but he says we need more information. Where is your raft? What sort of boat would we be facing and what sort of stuff do you have to trade for our services?"

"I'd be truthful," Mariusz advised, "we've fought massive odds before and if it looks like an uneven fight we won't necessarily shy away from it. If you tell us it's a bathtub with a machine gun and it turns out to be the Battleship Potemkin all that will happen is that we'll be dead on the bottom of the river and you'll still be stuck this side. If you're not sure what sort of boat it is describe its size, armament and a guess at its speed."

He thought about things and added, "We're light on boat to boat armament, do you have anything we could use?"

The man chuckles at Mariusz's 'Battleship Potemkin' comment.

"The truth, of course. The raft is just this side of Wloclawek. We are building it in some woods so that the Torun troops don't see it. We tried to raise an old ferryboat to help us cross but the Torun monitor came and destroyed it. The same happened with a bridge we tried to build over the damn. The Torun garrison has patrols watching Wloclawek. Any time we get close to crossing, the monitor comes. The Torun commander wants us to stay in Poland and help him continue with this stupid war. We've been stuck here for a week trying to get across. Torun won't send troops to Wloclawek because they don't want to lose a fight. But with their monitor, they can control the river. The monitor is... well, it looks like a landing craft that has been, er, how you say, modified with armor and such. It has a turret with probably a 76mm gun and a could of heavy machineguns. It is not fast, but it's armor is tough.

"We have a few heavy weapons but we don't have the horses to pull them. We have little food for men or horse now. We have had to slaughter the draft animals. We have one ZU-23-2 and one 120mm Sani mortar. Perhaps you could take them as payment. The monitor destroyed our other ZU and our Vasilek, but we have some 82mm ammunition left.

"And we also have couple of NATO prisoners we plan on releasing when we get across the Vistula- one of them was in the navy and the other is a combat pioneer. Perhaps you could use them as well."

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:54, Fri 28 Dec 2012.

Bayer listens again, then says, "If they can send us a radio operator and a working set, to liaise and coordinate with us while we make our own preparations, that would be helpful. I am willing to cooperate but need to consult with my ship's officer and staff first. We'll be here at the dock waiting for your man."

If they don't have a working radio, Bayer will opt to take aboard a senior officer instead.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 19:13, Fri 28 Dec 2012.

"Jan.  Understood.  Will conduct sweep eastwards of dock.  Out," he transmitted in reply.  He paused briefly before pressing the transmit toggle button again, this time contacting Griet.  "Queen.  Jan here.  Send Jay, Jeff and Danny to my position."

He then muttered to Thijs beside him, conscious that he wasn't on the radio net and needed to be kept in the loop.  "The two of us and Jay and Jeff are going to sweep eastwards through the rest of the village.  Danny is going to join Konrad as a runner."  As smile then came over his face.  "Konrad and Mariusz are negotiating us acting as a ferry service for several hundred Russian Calvary who want to go home and need to cross the river."

"So the commander at Torun's a hard-liner and he has a river monitor," Mariusz summarised, "what sort of forces can he muster?"

Thijs nodded and said, "Must be some of the cavalry I saw in Torun.  If they are trying to cross the river, whoever controls the standing bridge there must oppose their doing so."

He waited with Jan for the arrival of the Ghurka and the spook before setting out to sweep the village.

The Russian frowns for a moment, clearly not happy about the odds,

"About 1,100 men, 300 of them mounted."

Cradling his G3 Craig was very interested in the conversation going on around him. The monitor sounded like a viable target on its own, but once the garrison was factored in it did not sound like the cake walk Craig hopped for. Couple of RPG grenades job done was what he had been thinking.

"Not a problem." Bayer retorts dismissively. "Now... will you send us a radioman and working set? I say nothing more at this time until I consult with my council." Once a reply comes, Bayer nods respectfully to the men and motions for Mariusz to conclude the parlay.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:21, Sat 29 Dec 2012.

Quyen lets out a victorious but quiet "Yesss..." to herself upon finding the hidden stash. If there was anything to be found she expected to discover people hiding but this meant less hassel and maybe a easy pay day. When she opens the duffle something in the back of her mind clicks and she stares at it for a moment before closing it up. I hope not she thinks. She takes the ammo can full of papers in one hand and and tosses the duffel over her other shoulder before getting back up.

Quyen then moves over and crouches next to Tucker who is covering Konrad and she whispers "I found something Sergeant. Need Griet or Mariusz to know what it is for sure though. Could be nothing." By the way the men on horses passed the house without interest she guessed they weren't the ones living here so taking the items with them would be easy. She then says "And something else too... what kind of animal bones do you think those are outside?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:14, Sat 29 Dec 2012.

In reply to Minh Quyen (msg # 61):

Tucker Looks over to Minh and nods in approval.  "OK, we'll have Mari take a look at it I guess when he's done with Konrad.  I hope it's an animal.  Danny might be better to determine if they're human or not.  I would hope deer or a dog.  Maybe he was using the bones for snare traps or something?"

"That can be arranged. I will tell my commander that you will help us and then I will return here with a radioman. We will be back in about two hours."

At the conclusion of the parlay the two riders depart at a fast trot.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:45, Sat 29 Dec 2012.

As Bayer motions for Mariusz to follow, Bayer turns to face the house and calls, "Sergeant Tucker, you and your men on me... we're falling back to the boat. Jan and his men will finish sweeping the village."

Upon receiving his new orders, Jay gathered up his ear and quickly headed off to find Jan. As always he moved quietly across the ground, cradling his AK74.

Danny, already monitoring the radio traffic, hears Jan's summons.  He waves to the wheelhouse in acknowledgement and jumps to the dock, trying to ignore the stab of ice from the titanium screws in his right leg.  Not getting any younger.  He waits on the dock for Jay and Warren, surreptitiously massaging his thigh.  Once the others arrive, he moves off toward Jan's position at a brisk trot.  "Sunray, Coyote," he transmits as a reflexive blue-on-blue deterrent, "three of us comin' in from the dock."

Arriving, he gives Jan a respectful nod, then faces outward to scan the riverbank.  "Hey, Jan, what'd'we got?"  He nods toward Konrad as the commander and his party begin moving back toward the tug.  "He still need a runner?"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:06, Sat 29 Dec 2012.

Connolly, closer to the radio than Griet, fastens her armor's last closure and leans in and grabs the mic.  "Queen acknowledges," she replies, then switches to the intercom.  "Jay, Larue, Mister Warren, report to Jan for recon duty."

She turns to Griet, realizing she may have usurped something the captain considers her exclusive domain.  "Ah, sorry, Griet.  Reflex."  She gestures vaguely toward the radio.  "We'll still need watch coverage.  Mac on top watch, Kel on the river?"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:44, Sat 29 Dec 2012.

Tucker gives a simple wave of acknowledgement and calls back into the house for Minh and Craig.  "Moving back out to the Queen you two.  Minh, bring your stash for Mari to look at."

"Yes, that'll be fine," Griet said absently to Connolly as she studied the river charts, a plan forming slowly in her mind.

With the departure of the Soviet 89th CD envoys, Konrad and his shore party start walking back to the tug, leaving the strange cottage with its crawl space, locked icebox, and oversized chopping block behind. Perhaps between now and the return of the envoys, the cottage's occupant will show himself. Perhaps Jan's clearing team will find him during the balance of its sweep of the settlement.

It's growing colder. The wind is picking up and the dark wall of clouds to the northwest are closing in fast, nearly blotting out the skyline downriver. The heavy clouds most certainly are bringing precipitation with them, whether it be rain, snow, or some mixture thereof remains to be seen.

There's much to do between now and the riders' return two hours hence. Anneka and Gunther need to be burried, the port side Dushka needs repair, and a plan for how to help the 300 men and horses of the 89th cross the Vistula and tackle Torun's considerable military strength must be forumlated. There's no time to lose.


Next Moves?
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:42, Sat 29 Dec 2012.

Griet pulled up the hood of her parka and donned her gloves before heading off to check on the damaged Dushka. Before leaving the shelter of the bridge she sent out a message over the intercom and radio, "Anyone with experience of repairing weaponry should meet me at the damaged Dushka. We need it fixed as a matter of urgency."

She then radioed Bayer, "Kaptain," she began, "the dam the 89th mentioned is a major chokepoint. The charts show a navigable lock that is less than a hundred meters wide. The damage to the dam can't be too devastating if the 89th were trying to bridge it. If the monitor isn't this side of the dam and we can draw it through that lock then we can slaughter it at the chokepoint. The advantage we have is mobility and indirect fire. If we can locate the monitor we can use the 120mm mortar and 82mm mortar to shell it. That will force it to come to us. If it is north of the dam I would recommend mining the lock."

Tucker approaches Mariusz and Konrad when they're done with their meeting.  "Possible Intel boss that Minh found in a floor board.  It's in Poish and wanted Mari to take a look at it to see if it's anything good.

What's the deal with these guys?  They want us to cross them over and their 'comrades' have a fuckin' patrol boat or something to that matter?"

Connolly settles in on the bridge, taking over the radio watch.  She scowls at the oncoming storm without really seeing it.  Behind her eyes, personnel markers are shifting around her mental map of the tug and the local area.  After a moment's concentration, she reaches for the intercom mic again.  "All hands," she advises, "check your work areas and report any damage Sergeant Kellerman.  Airman McClurg, kit up and take over topside watch.  Sergeant Kellerman, continue with damage survey."  She eyes Larue's thermometer, then adds, "all outside personnel are now on one-hour rotation."

Flipping to a new page on her clipboard, she logs her orders, notes the time, and reaches for a pair of binoculars.

Kneeling by the chopping stump, Danny rotates half a weathered bone in his hands.  His face is professionally blank, the same expression any observer would have seen him wearing while he was elbow-deep in Anneka.  He lets his breath hiss out in a stream of mist.  "Femur.  Adult," he murmurs to himself.  He puts it down and picks up a second.  "Pelvis.  Teenage female."  A third.  "Tibia.  Juvenile with a healed greenstick fracture."

He rises to his feet and pushes into the house, returning a moment later with an iron poker from the hearth.  "All stations, Coyote," he growls.  "I confirm human remains at the meat house.  Stand by."  He rounds the corner and leans the poker against the padlocked icebox.  After checking the defunct appliance for tripwires, he stands so the opening door will shield him from anything that might come out, then sets the poker's tip inside the lock's shackle.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:35, Sun 30 Dec 2012.

LaRue pops the lock and lifts the lid of the icebox. Looking inside, his eyes meet the cold, cloudy blue eyes of a teenaged boy. A grey-skinned torso and head are crammed inside the box face-up, old snow packed around the dead flesh. One arm, severed near the shoulder, rests atop the body. There's no sign of the other limbs, or of the the young man's genitalia.

At that moment, something strikes the lid of the box, with a loud THWACK!, jarring it out of LaRue's grip. A near-simultaneous gunshot accompanies the impact of the bullet. No one sees where the shot came from.

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:42, Sat 29 Dec 2012.

Danny, already half-expecting an explosion or a spring-loaded axe, is in motion as soon as the bullet strikes.  Letting the poker tumble to the ground, he darts around the house's northeast corner and shoulders through the front door, then tucks himself behind the cover of the door frame as he readies Winona.  "All stations, Coyote," he snarls into his radio, "contact at the meat house.  Shooter's probably north or west of the ville."

Danny
Winona [30/30 + 5 magazines] - ready, on SEMI
CZ 75 [15/15 + 2 magazines] - holstered, cocked and locked
AN-M8 HC smoke grenade x2 - on vest
AN-M18 red smoke grenade x1 - on vest

I don't eat cannibals, but I sure do shoot them
This message was last edited by the player at 21:54, Sat 29 Dec 2012.

Once he had returned to the tug Craig had offered to continue repairing the defences. He had started by assessing the boxes on the quarter deck that made up the main defence of the position. Repairing those he could and identifying those that would need extensive repairs. He intended to recover some wood from the village once it had been cleared.

When he heard the shot and received the radio call Craig took up his G3 and began scanning the area indicated through his scope. It sounded though his fears had been proven correct.

Scanning for shooter
Tugs quarter deck

HK G3SG/1 (w/ Zeiss 1.5-6 x 42 mm Telescopic Sight)[20/20]

Upon hearing the shot, Jay instinctively ducked and spun around, scanning the area for the shooter. As yet he wasn't sure if it was a booby trap activated by Danny opening the appliance, or if there was a gunman on the loose. He quickly moved into the gloom of a dark corner, putting a wall to his back. He held his rifle ready. If he spies any target he will fire a double tap.

OOC - I am assuming that Jay is somewhere near the door of he room when the bullet is fired.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:46, Sat 29 Dec 2012.

Jeff took the rear position of the sweeping team.  He had decided to keep his Sniper Rifle, leaving the AKSU on the boat.  In hindsight he could have carried both comfortably, but honestly wasn't expecting an active shooter within the village now that the envoys had left.

At the sound of the gunshot, he drops to a knee instinctively before scurrying for the nearest building.  He takes cover against the wall, avoiding a window, and begins to look and listen for the sniper.  He draws his mask up over most of his face, so his icey breath won't give away his position any more then it has to.  Jeff's plan is to let the others draw a second shot, so that he can start working towards counter-sniping this hostile.


Jeff Warren
Taking maximum cover near a building, trying to figure out where Sniper is
SAKO TRG [10/10]+6

In reply to Griet Niewiadomska (msg # 71):

Before the ambush kicks off, Tucker would've reported to the damaged Dushka for Griet.

Jan and his team had just finished searching their second abandoned and thoroughly looted house when he heard the retort of a single gunshot from somewhere west of their position.  It didn't sound like a shot fired at them however and that was confirmed by Danny's transmission.

"Coyote.  Jan here.  On way to your position with my team.  Out," he transmitted in reply to Danny.

He then called his team together, bringing those not on the radio net up to speed.  "Someone has just fired at Danny who is over in that house to the west that the others found some intel in.  We are going there quickly but keep a look out for the shooter.  I will lead.  Thijs take the left, Jay the right and Jeff bringing up the rear.  Ok, let us go."

In reply to Jan Cerny (msg # 82):

Thijs nodded and took position on Jan's southern flank, moving through the remnants of the village.  His head swivelled back and forth, dividing his attention between looking for the shooter and picking out a path so as not to stumble.

"Thank you, Tuck," Griet said as he appeared to help her on the machine gun,"if you can find out what is wrong here, I can assist you with any repairs."

She bent over the damaged gun and followed what Tuck did and told her to do very carefully.

Once Mariusz and Bayer got back to the Queen, Mariusz asked the Kaptain, "Do you want me to look at those papers now or should I do something topside before the weather closes in?"

He didn't like the idea of being inside when others were getting cold doing physical labour, but he was happy to follow Bayer's suggestions, the man saw further ahead in the game than he did.

"Let's get a quick look at them." Bayer answers, removing his helmet and heading up to the wheelhouse. He then calls over to Minh to pass off the items she found, though not without nodding to her his thanks, "Well done."

Bayer then stands in the wheelhouse where he will keep watch while Mariusz reads over the papers and Jan's shore party deals with the situation on land. He'll also monitor his radio.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 12:07, Mon 31 Dec 2012.

Jan's team quickly moves west to the cottage where LaRue waits alone. Looking west, Thijs spots a hint of movement in a shallow draw running north-south towards the river, about 80m from the hamlet's westernmost structure. The brief and uncertain glimple is not enough to offer him a target, though. If what Thijs spotted is indeed the shooter, the man (or woman) has cover and a position offering defilade. However, if the sweep team can no longer see the shooter, it is also possible that the shooter can no longer see it.

Having fired only a single shot at the intruders, the shooter does not appear to be on the offensive.

Back on board the tug, Craig looks for the shooter through his rifle scope, trying to locate the shooter, but can see little more than a few meters inland from the river due to the dense foliage and folds in the wooded terrain. Griet, Tucker, and McClurg attempt a repair of the port side Dushka. Under the direction of McClurg, Tucker and Griet make the necessary adjustments, restoring the heavy Soviet machinegun to operational status.

Konrad and Mariusz inspect the documents in the ammunition tin. The collection consists of various personal identification papers- discharge papers, travel permits, a birth certificate, etc.- belonging to at least a dozen individuals, most of them Polish citizens. Standing out among the Polish documents is a U.S. military I.D. card for one Smith P. Wofford.

Updated tac-map: https://maps.google.com/maps/m...pn=0.002423,0.008256

Next moves?

"I'm not too great with the heavy shit like this Griet, especially the PACT stuff but, as long as we're not too much in a hurry, both of us should be able to figure it out."

Jan did not fancy hunting a lone gunman in his own back yard if the could avoid it.

"Danny," Jan called out.  "Do you have any idea where the shooter is?"

"Hang on," Danny responds.  He lets Winona lead the way out of the house and back around the corner.  Kneeling behind the icebox and trying not think about its contents, he recovers the fireplace poker and cautiously raises the box's lid.  "Northwest of the house," he calls, gauging the impact angle from the bullet hole in the lid.  "I didn't see the flash but it was close... call it fifty to sixty meters."

Seeing the limited help that he could be where he was Craig moved to the crows nest position hoping the added height may help.

He redeploys the bipod on his G3 before using his binoculars to try and spot the threat.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:56, Wed 02 Jan 2013.

Jan glanced quickly in the direction Danny indicated before reacting to what the medic had said.  To start with he quietly issued some instructions to his section.

"Jeff.  Thijs.  Cover northwest and if you see a target then shoot it.  Jay, keep a watch on our flanks and rear in case he tries to flank us."

He then switched to Polish and called out more loudly.  "Nie chcemy kłopotów. Jesteś zwolniony od nas. Zostaw i nie będziemy cię skrzywdzić. Pożar na nas jeszcze raz i będziemy polować na dół cię zabić. No drugie ostrzeżenie!"*


OOC - *this should mean "We don't want trouble.  You fired on us.  Leave and we won't harm you.  Fire at us again and we will hunt you down kill you.  No second warning!"

After Quyen hands over the ammo box with the papers she drops the duffel bag on the deck and says "There is something else too. I found clothes from different people. But it was hidden. People don't hide clothes like that without a reason, like they have a secret." Shen then says "There were also many bones around the house but no skulls." Quyen then gives Konrad a look and leaves it at that.

Quyen then follows Konrad and Mariusz up to the bridge where she asks "Where can I be of best help? Sentry or repairs?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:37, Wed 02 Jan 2013.

Despite Danny's renewed tinkering with the corpse-stuffed cooler, the cottage's occupent refuses to reveal him/herself again with a second shot at the medic/intruder. Apart from Thijs' fleeting glimpse of movement (he's not so sure he didn't just imagine it, now) there's been no subsequent sign of the shooter. (The sweep team is still near the cottage, at the moment.)

Back on the tug, Kel and Tadeuz conduct a thorough inspection of the tug's uppers, looking for structural damage. Despite being rather dinged up- she certainly looks like she's just been through a fairly intense battle- the Wisla Krolowa is fully functional. Belowdecks, the engine and moving parts appear to be in good working order. Fuel, although not yet a major issue, is something to be mindful of. The tug was carrying a full load of wood for its boilers when you left Gora Kalwaria following the conclusion of the Warsaw fighting. Now, she's at about 3/4 capacity. There's a lot of dead wood ashore here, so collecting additional fuel wouldn't be a problem, save perhaps for the testy neighbor still on the loose.

Although the entire Kommando hasn't had a chance yet to get gather and put all of the puzzle pieces together, each piece of evidence uncovered so far could lead to the inference that a homicidal cannibal of some sort is currently the lone resident of X. How this individual comes across his/her victims is not clear and, based on the garments and documents Minh discovered in his home, he/she doesn't seem to be too particular as to who the prey is. The undergarments too, suggest that the motive for killing is something more than simple survival (i.e. cannibalism).

Anneka and Gunther's body are layed out on deck, under a tarp. If they are to be burried here, there's not much time to dig before it starts raining or snowing. Once the expected precipitation starts, it'll still be possible to dig graves, but it will probably be an even less pleasant task. (One might recall the scene in Young Frankenstein when Dr. Frankenstein and Igor are digging up a corpse" "It could be worse." -Igor. "Oh yes? How?" -Dr. "It could be raining." -Igor)

The radioman from the rogue Soviet 89th cavalry division should be arriving in about two hours, if the weather doesn't get too much worse.


Next Moves?

As the Dushka is done being repaired, Tucker fastens his strap on his kevlar helmet and starts to swing it into action towards the house they were out.  "Anyone got eyes on or a location of the threat?"

Craig stayed in the crows nest and would stand up if that gave him a better view with his binoculars. If the area the shooter was in was still hidden from his view he would return to the quarter deck and continue the repairs and assessment of the damage.

Time passes without any sign of the shooter.  Slowly Jeff relaxes and looks to the others who seem to do the same.

"We should continue clearing these houses, then return to the main party.  They'll probably need work parties before long if we're going to stay here for a few more hours.  I don't like the look of the weather."

Jay maintained his watch on both flanks, alternating between each side on an irregular patern. He kept low and held his rifle ready.

As time passed he wondered if the shooter had gone to ground, hoping that the Kommando would leave. However, Jay wasn't prepared to take that for granted. If there was a cannibal on the loose, he intended to put him down.

Griet thanked Tuck and McClurg for their work on the heavy machine gun and made sure that it was well-wrapped against the oncoming storm. Once she had done that, she frowned at the thought of a crazy madman out there.

Soon, the weather would close in and reduce visibility to practically nothing and the fancy night vision gear would be useless in icy rain. The man could make himself a real pain in the ass if they didn't track him down soon.

She returned to Bayer on the bridge and said, "If this guy isn't killed before the storm comes in I'm going to move the Queen to the centre of the harbour so the bastard will have to swim to us if he wants to get aboard. We'll need to have someone on the bridge at all times and keep the boilers running but it will give us more security."

"Another option would be to make a show of digging a grave and stop when the rain starts." Griet said, as cold-blooded as ever when it came to the safety of her boat, "get rid of the guy's supplies and leave the dead gunner's body out to bury in the morning. then we set snipers on the site and get the bastard if he comes for the bait."

She'd have added Anneka's body to the bait if she thought she could get away with it. The woman was dead now and all that was left was a husk.

"We can't leave it be. The Russians are sending us a radio operator. He won't make it with a hostile force in the area." Bayer replies, exchanging a glance between the sky and village. He was growing impatient and almost radioed Jan to torch the house to draw the man out, but it would still be burning by the time the Russian got here - and could interfere with everything.

Toggling the radio, Bayer ask Jan for a SITREP, and then says, "Leave a man in wait and withdraw everyone back to the tug. Make sure he knows that a friendly will be approaching the same way as the horsemen came. Over."

Griet spoke to Bayer for a little longer, "I used to come here as a teenager," she said, "it was a training centre for sailing and my Uncle Boris, a Party official got me on the course to help boost my grades with extra-curricular credits. I used to sleep in the building over there. There is a church down the road with a big graveyard. We might want to use the mausoleums there rather than dig a grave. If I remember there was even a Jewish section we could lay Anneka to rest in."

She frowned, "When we were here we used to play in the bluffs around here, they were steep and filled with caves. It was an adventure to search for caveman stuff. If the cannibal is local they might know about the caves and use them to hide in."

She looked at Walter, "If we do moor in the middle of the harbour we'll need to face the prow into the westerlies, they were a bitch when the wind was in the right quarter."

She turned back to face the residential centre. She had spent many summers there and at the time she had loved it, young, pretty and possessed with natural charisma, Griet had been the centre of attention and the undoubted leader of the girls. She had also been a bitch, filling the void in her heart by making other kids' lives a misery. She remembered on fat little girl who had been a particular target. She had endured three weeks of hell and had never returned.

Jan nodded in agreement with Jeff.

"Yes, he has made his point and now left.  This is a fight he cannot win and he has enough sense to avoid it."


"The man has gone," Jan answered over the radio.  "Hunting him would be very dangerous.  This is his territory.  What do you want us to do now?"


"Are you sure?" Jan replied.  "He will be out on his own against a man with a rifle who knows the territory.  Are we setting a trap?  Or do you want him at the house closest to the dock as a forward sentry?  I do not understand fully.  Please explain again."

Bayer replies over the net, "Roger. A trap. The weather is worsening, if he tries to return home I want a Kommando lying in wait. He is one man... soon we will be at war with a thousand men. Over."

Bayer then listens as Griet tells him her story and says quietly, "That sounds nice. I mean... what you said about coming here before." He then says, glancing out the wheelhouse window and shaking his head at the inconvenient situation, "If he stays in the caves I'll be happy. I just don't want him interfering with the Russian liaison or near the boat. Loners and hermits usually keep to themselves... I am hoping he will."

Bayer then remembers the mentally disturbed old man he met upriver, living in the shack with the wild dogs as the only company. He wondered what he was doing right now. Bayer then realizes he still had the medal the old man gave to him and sighs deeply.

"Understood.  Jan out," he replied over the radio before turning to Jay.

"Jay, when we pull out of here you stay hidden and see if the shooter returns.  If he does then kill him.  There will be Russians along soon so do not do anything to them.  Also do you want my radio?"  If Jay did then Jan handed it over.

Once Jay was organised then Jan called quietly to Danny who was still inside the house.  "Danny, pull out now and join us.  We are to go back to the boat."  After the medic joined them Jan led Jeff, Thijs and Danny back to the boat.

At Jan's order, Danny rejoins the sweep team, wearing a grim expression.  "Somethin' you need to know, dude," he advises Jan in a low voice.  "The reason that fuck took a shot at me is that I found his stash."  He spits, then continues, "There's a chopped-up kid in that freezer."

He faces outward, scanning the terrain, and concludes, "It's Konrad's call, but I'm guessin' we don't wanna be associated with that shit if the Russians decide to check the box too."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:10, Fri 04 Jan 2013.

"Jan, I can stay instead. I speak and look Russian, and this is exactly the kind of stuff I've been doing for 10 years now. "

If Jay is still the one to guard, Jeff shrugs and heads to the boat with the others. He'll accompany Craig in the snipers nest.

Griet got on the intercom and detailed several people to various tasks.

"Anyone not actively on guard or involved in sweeping the village report to the aft deck and let's get some work done," she said.

She met the work parties and said, "OK, one party needs to start filling some sandbags, go down fairly deep as we can always use it as a grave later. Second party I'd like some work done on the deck damage, make sure there are no sharp edges to cause injuries and clear any debris from the deck."

Griet grabbed Mariusz and took him to work on the sandbag party.

"Repairs." Bayer answers. "I know the engineers taught you more than just how to blow things up." he adds with a friendly nod.

When Jan and his team arrives back at the Queen, he splits them up into the two work parties that are already on the go, "Robert and Jan... repairs with Quyen and Lieutenant Sutherland. Thijs, Larue, and Warren-or-Jay... sandbag detail with Mariusz." He then jots down a simple 20 minute rotating sentry for all to partake in.

As Jay began to prepare for his solo mission, Jeff interjected. His logic seemed sound, so Jay nodded that he was happy for Jeff to take the detail instead, unless anyone disagreed.

OOC - happy for Jeff to take this one if he wants. I guess he has a radio and NVGs.

Quyen smiles slightly and answers "Yes sir. I do prefer one over the other but I am good at both." She then makes her way outside where she finds Craig and takes stock of what tools they had available. Then after she zipps up the oversized tankers jacket and cups her hands to light up a smoke, Minh will get to work dealing with the aft damage.

Jan shook his head in disagreement with Jeff.  "No, the person who stays here is a trap for the cannibal.  The Capitaine's instructions about the Russians were just in case whoever stays here meets them so your skills are better used elsewhere as they are not supposed to meet them.  Jay is the best at staying hidden so he stays."

He then glanced back the way that they had come before continuing to talk to Jeff.  He had a fairly good idea why Jeff wanted to be the first to meet with the Russians and he needed to talk to Konrad about it away from the spook.  "As we withdraw though Jeff we will find you a place where you can set up and cover Jay as well as being in a position to meet the Russians where they arrive."

He didn't give Jeff a chance to discuss it further.  "OK, let us go.  Jay if you get concerned at all then withdraw to the boat."

Leaving his radio with Jay if he wanted to borrow it Jan then led Thijs, Danny and Jeff back towards the houses just to the south of the dock.  There he left Jeff, ideally set up in the roof cavity of one of them where he had sufficient elevation to be able to support Jay.

Jan then led Thijs and Danny back to the boat.

---

As he arrived back on the boat Jan reported to Konrad.  "I have left Jay at the house as a trap as ordered but I have also left Jeff in a house at the southern end of the dock where he is able to cover Jay.  He was keen to stay out and greet the Russians when they arrive and he can also do that from there.  Do we want him talking to the Russians though?  He will try to recruit them for his masters but do we care?  If it is a problem I will go and get him and bring him back here.  What do you think?"

Jay nodded and took the radio, securing it on his webbing. As the others moved out he quietly found a suitable spot to hide. He located a building opposite the cannibal's house and snuck in, doing his best to disguise his presence there.

When he entered the building he carefully placed a number of sticks and other items on the floor. Hopefully they would alert him if anyone tried to sneak up on him. He checked the building thoroughly, looking for a suitable spot on an upper floor or in the roof where he could watch the cannibal's house without being seen.

Once he was secure he settled in to maintain his vigil, waiting for the monster to return...

Craig was glad of the additional help.

I have marked the boxes with the most damage and was just about to start on the repairable ones. If we could get some weather boards off the houses we could use that and hand tools to fix the rest. Also if we could get at the framing in the buildings we could make a double think chest high rampart around the edge of the deck with a gap between the two layers. That should stop most small arms and fragments. How long have we got here, anyone know ?"

Upon returning on board, Thijs began to prepare to assist with repairs.  Feeling left out of the loop due his lack of a radio, he asked around, "What is going on?  What are our plans?"

"You got it boss," Tucker says as he gets ready for the detail to form up and reports to Sutherland and Minh.

Robert says to Minh with a smile, "You tell me what you need here Minh.  I'm not as 'tool savy' as some people."

Several members of the team remain close ashore, within sight and hailing distance of the tug, filling sandbags. This process also creates pits in the cold Polish earth suitable for two shallow graves, should the party decide to bury Anneka and Gunther here in scenic Dobiegniewo. The rest of the crew goes to work repairing the mostly superficial damage sustained by the Wisla Krolowa in the battle of Plock, filing down sharp edges in railings and gunwhales, and painting over the scourings and pock marks from blast damage and bullet strikes. The only paint in the ship's paint locker is black and red left over from the tug's last paint job (this occured after the Kommando parted ways with the tug near Zwollen, and prior to the subsequent unexpected reunion at Gora-Kalwaria). Unfortunately, there's no white paint left, so the mostly white superstructure takes on a black and red speckled appearance- from a distance, the Krolowa now looks a bit like some kind of exotic duck. It has to be done, though, Tadeuz explains, to prevent rust, a mortal enemy of any ship afloat.

Meanwhile, Jay and Jeff remain in the hamlet, lying in wait for the suspected cannibal. Jeff sets up in a builing near the road with a direct line of sight to the cannibal's cottage. Unfortunately, the entrance to the cottage is on the side opposite to Warren, limiting his ability to provide overwatch for the vulnerable Jay. Furthermore, several dozen trees lie between Jeff's position and the cottage, limiting his lines of fire. Still, from this house, Jeff can cover both the cottage to the west and the access road leading from the highway to the docks.

When the rest of the sweep team returns to the docks, Jay begins looking for a suitable hide from which to ambush the cannibal should be return. There's a shed behind the cottage, but it doesn't face the entrance. The cannibal could return home and Jay might never see him. He considers climbing a tree but the branches are mostly bare, severely limiting the concealment value such an elevated venue would offer. The only option left is the cottage itself. Jay makes his way inside, shuts the front door behind him, and sets up in the shadows behind the still-warm potbellied stove. All he can do now is wait.

After about an hour, the anticipated precipitation starts. The temperature has dropped several degrees from the morning high of 37F and the steady breeze has become a stiff, penetrating wind. The freezing rain comes in at about a forty-five degree angle, stinging exposed skin and quickly soaking through non-water proof clothing. It is not good weather to be outdoors in.

The rain hitting the roof and west wall of the cottage make it hard for Jay to hear anything moving outside. The stove has gone cold and the diminutive Ghurka begins to shiver. Without warning, the front door swings open violently, but there's no one there. The strong wind has apparently blown it open. Freezing rain enters the foyer of the cottage. Jay's just about to relax when a man-shaped shadow fills the backlit doorway. Jay is ready to act but he's stiff with cold and his fingers are numb so his control is off. At point blank range, Jay squeezes off a five-round burst and the dark figure spins around, hit once each in the arm and the leg. The man falls hard to the wet floor, snarling in pain and rage. Despite his wounds, the man reaches for his weapon, a long bolt-action rifle lying on the floor beside him. At the same time, Jay is up and moving out from behind the stove. The man has hold of the rifle now, and he's trying to manouver himself and the rather unwieldy weapon so that he can bring it to bear on the intruder. He's not quick enough. From only a few feet away, Jay puts another five-round burst into the struggling man, ending his life. In the cold dim light shining into the cottage through the open door, Jay gets a good look at the individual the party has been preoccupied with since discovering the disturbing stash of trophies and man meat. The hirsuit man is dressed in grubby civilian winter clothes. He looks to be in his thirties or forties and his teeth are stained brown. With his knit red watch cap and full beard, he looks to Jay like a younger, grubbier, altogether more evil version of Old Adam Rataj, the Kommando's former patron. Jay secures the man's rifle, an old Moisin-Nagant, and leaves the corpse lying in state. Outside the doorway, jay finds a woodsman's axe propped up against the wall. The man must have set it there before reentering the cottage. (Jay -10 rounds; 1 wz. 91/98/26 [Polish Moisin-Nagant clone converted to the 7.92mmx57 Mauser] recovered)

Jay walks through the freezing rain back to the tug.

Three hours after the riders left, they return, six men on five horses. Yvgenny is back and, as promised, he's brought a signaller, a short, boyish looking man who he introduces as Andrei. In addition to Andrei, Yvgenny has brought along the two POWs he mentioned, a Finnish naval officer by the name of Anders Mattson and a USMC engineer officer named Ryan Carlisle. Yvgenny, Andrei, Anders, and Ryan climb on board the Krolowa and out of the freezing rain. All four men are soaked through. The other two Soviet cavalrymen remain in the hamlet, setting up camp in the Polish government youth center (where they also stable their horses). They are not going to risk the return journey under the current weather conditions.

In about three hours, the party has filled a few dozen sandbags* (and dug two shallow graves), salvaged some wood from a couple of the hamlet's abandoned buildings, made minor repairs to the tug's battle damage (unfortunately, the paint hadn't had a chance to dry before the rain began, giving the tug an even more bizzare streaky appearance), kill a suspected cannibal (no formal investigation or trial was ever conducted, the Kommando acting as judge, jury, and executioner), and, to top it all off, the tug's complement has grown by four (for the time being, at least).

It's about 1300 hours and the storm has just begun. Wlcolawek is about 15 kilometers downriver. After about an hour, the freezing rain has given way to snow.

*The sandbags and wood can be used to either enlarge or strengthen the quarterdeck (aft) defense position- it can either accomodate four people now, or it can stop up to and including 7.62mm rounds at long ranges. Unfortunately, however, the overhead tarp that used to cover the quarterdeck was destroyed, so all work on the position has to take place under the elements.

Updated tac-map: https://maps.google.com/maps/m...pn=0.077508,0.264187


Next Moves?
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:11, Sat 05 Jan 2013.

The Finn, recognizable as a soldier only by the blue garrison cap with a red cockerel on front, sporting a golden lion like the one on the Finnish Coat of Arms and the navy blue work coat with a rank insignia (one broad, one narrow and one broad faded straight gold stripe) on only one shoulder (apparently the other one had been ripped off somewhere, somehow), was clad in a mix of civilian clothing. He sported a rather thick, heavy beard, clearly having lacked shaving equipment for some time and a thick, dark brown hair.

"Gentlemen", he said in a bit accented English, "I am captain-lieutanant Mattsson, formerly of FNS Karjala. The Soviets 'obtained' my services by catching me after I had floated to Poland after my ship sunk, and I had had some adventures of my own." The man truly looked the part. "I have been promised my freedom, if I help them across the river. Not such an easy task, with the amount of horses they have."

Jeff hears the gunshots and surmises that Jay was in contact.  He arrived after the engagement had ended, exchanged a nod with Jay and the two walk back in the rain/snow to the tug.

Once inside, he makes himself comfortable in the galley.  He's ready to provide translation service from Russian to English if needed.

Mariusz retreated to the kitchen as soon as his shift was over and he was soon humming merrily to produce a supper worthy of all the hard work that had been put in over the last few days. It was also a meal to welcome new people and to celebrate the memories of the lost.

He began by working on the good durum wheat that he had been hoarding and he worked it in several ways before forming it into pasta parcels containing a little bacon and mushroom. He cooked the parcels in a rich tomato sauce and set the dish aside to work on the main meal, Bigos, the Polish Hunter's stew with dumplings and a mashed potato side.

As the stew bubbled merrily away, he worked on the final element of the meal, an apple pie to remind the Americans of Thanksgiving.

He worked happily inside the steaming kitchen, pushing the horrors of war away by resorting to his family's cure for all things: pile the calories on.

Jeff had broken his SAKO TRG apart to clean it, being careful to not interfere with the zero of the optics.  He worked quietly generally ignoring Mariusz in the galley until the smell got to him.

He stood up, leaving the bolt in a cloth on the table.  Never much of a cook, he's astounded by the bounty that Mariusz was whipping up.  "Son, is that..." his eyes grew wide  "Is that an Applie Pie?  I don't know if I've even seen one in the last 10 years."

Then in a low voice he says "Listen, if a newcomer walks in, I'm not American."  His Russian attire would hopefully convey the message that he wanted to be treated as such in the face of strangers.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:48, Sun 06 Jan 2013.

Craig worked on the quarter deck until the weather drove him inside. He was keen to put the double layer frame wood balustrade into effect but did not raise it as an issue if the others felt otherwise.

If they have additional days he hoped to collect enough 4x2 framing wood to protect the entire deck as well as repair the original boxes used for protection. If they had additional days he would collect gravel to put between the new wood layer for additional protection.

He at least wanted to bring the protection back to what it was with maybe some additional. If the roof on the house was tile or something similar he would use weatherboard's to replace the shredded tarp.

Carlisle boards the river tug with Yvgenny, the RTO and the Finn. Lanky, unshaven and dressed in a filthy mix of civilian, Soviet and American-issue gear, he doesn't waste much time surveying the condition of the vessel before moving inside.

"Carlisle. Ryan." The Marine introduces himself to anyone present. "First Lieutenant, United States Marine Corps. Combat Engineer."

He huddles, shivering under a wool blanket.

"The Russians picked me up last spring, north of here. They made me the same deal as the Finn: We get them across the river and I can walk. Until recently, that effort was focused on the bridge at the Wloclaweck dam, but every time we get halfway close that godforsaken monitor floats down from Torun and blows it up again. Fuckin' bridge over the River Kwai. I'll be whatever help I can. Just let me dry off a little and get some chow in me."

When Jay and Warren returned, Bayer didn't ask or say anything about the man suspected of cannibalism. He heard the shots earlier, and simply nodded once to Jay, leaving it at that.

Bayer then welcomed the visitors on board, but not before giving Griet a look first. It was her boat after all and he had no interest in overstepping his bounds. "Squeeze yourself into the galley." he says to the four men, and motioning for his Kommandos to do the same. Bayer then instructs Kellerman to stand watch - promising the American he would make sure some of the pie that they could smell would be saved for him.

When everyone was finally crammed into the galley, Bayer sat at the head of the table. It wasn't so much of a command thing, but rather he wanted to be able to see everyone for the meeting he had called for. Looking at the four new faces, Bayer waits until it goes quiet then says, "I am Hauptmann Bayer, of the ermm... Kommandos. We are a free company, most recently in the service of Warsaw." He then nods to Griet and introduces her, "Captain of the boat, CPO Niewiadomska." And finally to Jan and Robert, he simply says, "My acting NCOs."

Bayer then explains the situation to Kommandos, once more to those who are already aware and for the first time for those like Thijs who were still in the dark. "Downriver is the town of Torun... currently occupied by a sizable Soviet force of roughly eleven hundred men... and apparently still considering themselves at war, and thus going to be problem for us. Most pressing is the fact that they have some type of armored river gunboat." He then lays out the map Adam gave him and pointed out the city for those who are close enough to see it. "As you can see from our guests though, we are not alone. Close by is the 89th Cavalry Division... yet another Soviet force, but one that is most interested in getting across the river and going home. I've agreed to their proposal for mutual cooperation. We need to get past Torun... and they need to get three hundred men and horses across the river."

Bayer then motions to Yvgenny and continues, "The 89th are constructing some sort of rafts, near Wloclawek, this side of Wloclawek actually. The tug can power them across, but only once the gunboat is no longer in use since the town is under observation by enemy patrols. In addition to their battalion strength in mounted troops, the 89th also have a ZU-23-2 and one 120mm mortar available for us... in addition to some more 82mm ammunition for our Vasilek.

Bayer then folds his hands on the table and asks, "Options? Keep it brief."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:10, Sun 06 Jan 2013.

In Russian accented English, Warren offers "I am Stárshiy Leytenánt Filipov.  I am assisting Mr. Bayer, and will be able to provide translation services as needed."  He repeats this in fluent St. Petersburgian Russian for the guests.

Jay stood over the body of the cannibal, a grim smile on his face. He took no pleasure in the killing, but was glad that the monstrous beast would no longer be a threat to poor travellers on this road. After quickly checking that the cannibal was alone he searched the body, looking for ammunition and valuables. He left the man's clothes but took his boots. He had learned in his time in Poland that decent boots were a valuable commodity.

He took the time to do a further search of the cottage, again looking for valuables, decent clothes or foodstuffs (of the non-human meat kind). He would take anything of interest, as it could always be ditched back at the boat. Finally he gathered up the rifle and woodaxe, and then headed back to the Queen, meeting Jeff en route.

Back on the boat he reported to Jan. He simply stated, "it is done", before returning the radio. He then went to the stores to deposit his loot and reload his magazine.

Once finished he will assist with any tasks that need doing, including foraging/scrounging parties, and will also make sure that the boat crew know about the axe, and that there may be a ready cut supply of logs at the cannibal's cottage if required.

OOC - Will add woodaxe, rifle and ammo to stores, plus boots (if they were in reasonable condition) and anything else I find. Will take 10x 5.45mm rounds from stores to reload my magazine.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:29, Sun 06 Jan 2013.

Thijs spoke up, "I have some more information to add, Kapitein.  You should be aware that the dam at Wloclawek has been destroyed.  It is my estimation, however, that the Wisla Krolowa would be capable of passing through the channel without using the lock.  Which is just as well, since the lock is also heavily damaged.  It is my thought that if this boat can pass the dam, so can the gunboat from Torun."

Jan had simply nodded in reply to Jay when he and Jeff had returned.  "We'll done and I am glad that you are not hurt further."

---

At the meeting as Jeff was posing as a Russian Jan had considered posing as a Czech mercenary, as he really should have done when he'd first met the Queen and her crew rather than admitting his FFL connection, but had decided against it as it served no real purpose, unlike Jeff's masquerade which could reveal some valuable intel.

When Konrad called for options Jan instead asked some more questions.

"Capitaine, do we know how many rafts there are?  Would it be best to bring two or three up river to here and then do many journeys across the river taking a few horses and men each time?

"Also do we have anyone now who knows how to fire a mortar or AA gun?  We will need lesson from the Russian crew as part of the deal."

"About how wide is the breech?" Griet asked the Dutchman, "the charts and my memory suggests it can't be more than about five hundred meters unless they uses something massive to blow away the spit as well. If it is that narrow, we can still use the chokepoint to our favour. We seriously messed up another war boat using a 120mm mortar, this time we might not be able to sink it but we could even the odds out more by bombarding it before we engage it."

"I was a Weapon Systems Officer aboard the Karjala - that means, I was in charge of the weapons teams as well as the maintenance of the said weapons. I have some recollection of how to fire a mortar and I can most certainly handle a 'Sergei' - she had two of them for AA work. As for the Vasilek, I'll just need to take a look at it first and familiarize myself with it."

When Jay passes the sandbag detail on his way back to the tug, Danny briefly stops him with a hand on his shoulder, gives him a searching look, and says, "thanks."  With that, he sends Jay on his way with an admonition to warm up and dry out.  Before heading back to the tug, he roughs out the beginnings of two more graves.

---

Once back aboard, Danny leaves Winona in his cabin with most of his gear, but straps on his gunbelt and double-checks his sidearm before heading into the conference.  When he sees Ryan's condition, he excuses himself, pulls a spare parka from stores, and brings it back, handing it to the Marine with a quiet, "El-tee."

He then tucks himself into a corner, craning his neck to see the map.  When Bayer asks for input, he waits out the initial flurry, then clears his throat.  "Tech Sergeant Larue, U.S. Air Force," he introduces himself to the newcomers.  "Guys, what do you know about the Torun force's morale and mindset?  If they lose their gunboat, will they back off or will they keep trying to fight the war?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:30, Sun 06 Jan 2013.

At the approach of Yevgenny's party, Connolly straightens up with a sigh, cracks her back, and wipes off the worst of the paint spatters.  After a quiet word with McClurg, she puts on her professional face and makes her way through the crowd (such as it is) to the new nominally-friendly arrivals.  "Lieutenant," she says, offering her hand to Ryan and Anders in turn, "Captain-Lieutenant, welcome aboard.  I'm Dominique Connolly, Captain Bayer's ops officer.  If you have any immediate needs, let me know and I'll see what we can provide."  She gives Carlisle a brief, ironic smile and adds, "Mister Ryan, I'd say 'welcome back to the warm,' but..." she gestures to the weather.

---

As the Kommando and Yevgenny's small party filter into the galley, she pulls Mariusz aside and gives him a much warmer smile.  "Mari, I don't know how the hell you do it, but you're a genius."  She tilts her head at the meal.  "You know what this is going to do for our diplomacy, right?  Good job."

---

In the conference, Connolly remains quiet but continues to eye the charts speculatively.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:50, Sat 12 Jan 2013.

Robert dresses down for the meeting wearing only civilian clothes, his Colt Pythin in its leather holster, and his Russian long coat going for comfort and warmth since he wasn't on duty for the meeting.  He sits (or stands) and listens to Konrad's briefing about the 89th and nods to the new people when he is introduced by Bayer.  When asked about brief options, he chimes up.  "Maybe I'm missing something Boss but, can't we just move these rafts further down river from the damn and patrol craft and cart 'em over away from there?  Or, do they got that many eyes to see what the fuck we're doing?  Plus, they got a thousand plus troops and a metal gun boat?"

Bayer nods and says, "Noted, danke."


Bayer motions for the Russian liaison to answer this question. Jan's next question was answered by the Finn.


"That helps solve our allies' problem but not ours... we, the Queen I mean, still need to bypass Torun. The gunboat needs to be eliminated for us to accomplish that." he answers.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:53, Mon 07 Jan 2013.

Yvgenny holds his hands about a foot apart and then separates them another foot and replies, "About ten meters by about twenty meters- big enough to hold maybe ten horses and their riders at a time. Much bigger and we can't move it to the water."

Connolly gives Bayer a slight shake of her head and waits for him to acknowledge her. "Sir," she says, stressing the honorific so there's no confusion about Konrad's command status despite her own rank, "the gunboat's only half the problem. We still have to bypass a thousand men, and I assume they have heavy weapon emplacements beyond what's on their boat." She glances to the Russians for confirmation, then continues. "We can't go around - the river is a fixed route. We need to move them out of position or convince them not to oppose our passage." She flicks her gaze toward Warren and concludes, "right now, it looks more like a strategy and intel problem than it is a tactical issue."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:28, Mon 07 Jan 2013.

The Finn nodded in greeting and stroked his beard for a moment. "My professional, what's the word now, ah, estimate would be, the enemy vessel is an old landing craft, about 19 meters long, five meters wide and draft of one meter. They have made some changes to it, added armor and so on, and have made it slow by that. 23mm HEI rounds did not have much effect on it and the small arms like RPG did not seem to have any either. I have an idea how to take it out, but it might call for equiment I don't have."

Anders stroked his beard again. "If you have or can get me a set of diving gear, I would say the best option would be attacking it below the waterline. The armor can not extend too far there, wouldn't be practical. A heavy enough charge underwater, detonated remotely from the shore would probably break the hull or topple it, because the armor and the turret has probably made it top heavy. The other way is to pound it from above with 120mm rounds. It is probably slow to respond to the helm, so it can't dodge too much."

"As for needs, if you have anything that resembles coffee, I would sell myself for it. Most of my stuff was lost with Karjala, and what I managed to gather taken when I was captured, but I think I might get at least some of it back after the river crossing is complete."

After a short pause, the Finn speaks, once again. "Also, if you need a gunsmith or a mechanic, I suppose I am your man. I also have a civilian rating for naval engines and some skill in the electrical side as well."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:55, Mon 07 Jan 2013.

Tucker nods to Bayer's, and everyone else's input and then, continues.  "I get the point that we need to still pass Torun.  Even if we can take out the patrol boat, we still eleven-hundred troops looking to blow us out of the water.  Maybe we need to talk to them directly to see where we stand?"

"The troops in Torun sound like they have some communist fanatics leading them," commented Jan.  "They are staying in their position and trying to continue with the war even though they are kilometres away from it.  With eleven hundred men even if we set up a diversion somewhere the force they would send in response would still leave them significant numbers of men to guard the river."

He looked at the Russian liaison Yvgenny.  "Do you know if they guard the river much?  Or do they think that their boat gives them plenty protection there?  All I can think of at present is sneaking into the town to blow up the boat and then trying to sneak the Queen through at night so that it is difficult for them to attack us.  I am sure that Griet will tell me how stupid an idea that is."

Once Jan's question had been translated into Polish or Russian (Yvgenny speaks both), the liaison responds,

"None of us have been up there, so I don't rightly know what the riverside defenses are like, if there even are any. But there is a standing bridge there, apparently, and Red Army doctrine places quite a bit of importance on guarding bridges, especially with what your NATO raider companies have done. They've got to keep the bridge open for supply convoys and local merchants and the like. Since they've got the monitor, though, I suspect that their riverside defenses, aside from the stuff around the bridge that is, are rather thin."

"Maybe after we get the cavalry across, we'll have some trade goods to pose as local merchants?"

Carlisle raises an eyebrow at he Finn's suggestion of some kind of a limpet mine.

"Well," the Marine acknowledges, "if it comes down to that, I suppose I'm SCUBA qualified. And pretty handy with high-order explosives. But I gotta say, I'd prefer a solution that doesn't involve me getting that close."

He stuffs his mouth full with a scoop of the chow generously provided by the young Pole and continues talking, apparently oblivious to the breach in etiquette.

"Or that wet."

Quyen finds a seat in the galley (or tries to) and sits down to eat and listen to the discussion. She splits her attention between Mariusz's food and the conversation but apart from whsipering her appreciation to their amazing cook, she keeps quiet.

"Posing as merchants sounds like an interesting idea to me," commented Jan in reply to Tuck.  "We could try sailing close and posing as merchants with something to trade and a desire to pass through.  For a start if we have two mortars we are not very likely to be going to be able to use both at the same time so we could sail close, attract their attention in some way and wait for them to approach.  When they do we say that we are merchants with a mortar and shells for trade.

"Alternatively we could do some recon initially.  Several of us could approach by land and say that we are guards from a merchant convoy who are interested in coming to trade but wish to find out what the local situation is.  Or if some people wish to get wet then we could send swimmers down the river to have a look at the defenses.  The water may be too cold for that though."  He looked at Danny as he mentioned the water temperature.

"For proper diving, we'd need dry suits. I used to dive recreationally before the war and the dry suit works even in the winter. If we want the underwater approach, I'm not saying we need to plant the explosives on the hull. Probably just being near enough the boat underwater would work for the explosion to damage it, so setting up an improvised naval mine or two in the river, detonated from the shore would probably do the trick. If it doesn't destroy it, the weight of the armor might make the boat to topple over with the added armor changing the balance of the hull."

"We tried a swimmer before and it was very difficult, and that was with a proper Navy SEAL of all people, and it was a couple of weeks before it has gotten this cold. I am not supportive of such an idea right now." Bayer answers.

"However any decent plan makes use of a recce, so that is what I believe is a future step." he adds. "Preparation and execution of such can be done concurrently to the 89th's work on their rafts."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 11:20, Tue 08 Jan 2013.

"Do you want part of that recee to be several of us posing as a merchant's guards?"

Bayer thinks for a moment and says slowly, "I don't know Jan. This isn't like Warsaw or the other places. The Russians here are still at war. The old rules apply. Just about everyone here can be seen as either an enemy or deserter... regardless of what we may say is our new career."

Griet really liked the idea of heading up with the tug boat to recon the city. It meant they could carry on past and solve all their problems whilst leaving the Russians swinging in the wind but she kept her council on that until there weren't any representatives present.

"Some sort of recon is necessary," she said, "if you're worried about the Russians pulling people as deserters or enemy, Mariusz and I could pass as civilians. I even have my papers that discharged me from the navy."

She looked at Mariusz, "He's a pretty boy, I could pimp him out to lonely Russians."

Walter, who understands a fair bit of English (he refuses, however, to speak it), has been listening in, gleaning a basic understanding of the Kommandos' objectives and of the obstacles standing in their their way. In his native tongue, he offers,

"If Torun's garrison is like the other Soviet garrisons along the river, they won't hinder trade as long as they stand something to gain from it. In my experience, checkpoints usually skim a little off the top and let the merchants pass. If they seize a boat, they might gain more in the short term, but they're probably losing more in the long run. They want you to come back so they can skim a little more each time you pass through. We used to pay 'tolls' in liquor or food. We tried paying in gold once but the bastards held us for three days while they tore the ship apart looking for more- and they beat the shit out of Grzyech!

"I'd also remove the Vasilek, if I was going to pose as a merchant. Anything heavier than a Kalashnikov would probably be seen as suspicious or threatening. We got a licence for our Dishkas from the Krakow Rada. We still have it around here somewhere, don't we?" he asks, looking to Griet for the answer.

"We never had a security team of NATO people on board either. The Russkies might be looking for stragglers or deserters or the like and they'll probably search the boat. I'd recommend only having Poles on board, if you plan on posing as merchants."

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:17, Thu 10 Jan 2013.

"I see. So we land the security element and bypass Torun on foot while the Queen moves upriver as merchants." Bayer says at Walter's information once it is translated. "In that case the only issue then is using the Queen to get the 89th across without being caught by the Torun garrison?"

Jan nodded in understanding about this being a region where the war was still being fought.  If he was to pose as a former Czech soldier then it was quite possible that he would be arrested and even shot as a deserter.  Better to leave clandestine missions like that to trained professionals like Jeff.

"Filipov, he said in English addressing Jeff.  "Do you have any papers or identification that could explain your presence in the area officially?"

When Konrad outlined one option of sending the Queen through as a merchantman with an all Polish crew while everyone else walked around Torun Jan raised an implication of that plan.

"Capitaine, that might be our only option but it means that we will have to leave the Vasilek here and not take any of the 89th's heavy weapons in payment for getting them across the river.  That does not mean that it is not a good option but we do not gain the heavy weapons that we wanted.

"Could we set the heavy weapons and the Queen up near the crossing point where the rafts are being built and lure the other boat into a trap?  If the boat always turns up then they must have an observation post."

"No, I said we will need to get them across without being implicated. Getting them across is how we gain the heavy weapons for payment."

"Setting a trap implicates the Queen, thus eliminating the option of passing through as merchants."

"If they have someone observing the crossing, we should take it out. That should help with the monitor as well. And if not, the 120mm mortar should." The Finn seemed currently more interested in obtaining his freedom from the Soviets than any contingency after that. First things first. "And I must say, we better keep the ship away from the monitor. The gun on it will reduce her in to a sinking mess with few well placed shots."

Confusion broke out on Jan's face.  "I understand that but have I misunderstood the next stage?  How do we get the heavy weapons past Torun without them going on the Queen if the Queen is being a merchantman and we are going overland?"

"The heavy weapons have to go on the Queen to pass as merchant, as they are our toll, to pass though."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 15:12, Wed 09 Jan 2013.

Comprehension dawned on Jan's face.

"Ah.  I understand now.  All of the heavy weapons are for potential trade to get down river beyond Torun.  We might have to trade all of them to get by but at least the Queen will get by.  What cargo can the Queen be carrying as well as the weapons though?  Merchants need a cargo.  Maybe if they want to take all the heavy weapons then Griet can trade them for another cargo in Torun."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:13, Wed 09 Jan 2013.

"Not all. We need to find a way to keep the vasilek." Bayer clarifies.

He then chuckles lightly at the second question and says, "I don't know Jan, I'm just going with this merchant idea since it was the only one put forth that could get the Queen past Torun."

"From what we've been told I think we can expect that the weapons will be a toll, not a trade."

Bayer then thinks for a moment and says, "How about our original contract. We are going upriver to collect civilians and bring them back to our employer. That explains the lack of trade goods... and it is realistic considering we are all here."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:37, Wed 09 Jan 2013.

"Skimming a bit off the top isn't the way I'd describe taking both the Zoo-Two and a 120mm mortar." Griet said, "We may well pose as traders who are trying to sell the weapons to the Russians in Torun but I wouldn't suggest we offer that as our bribe. We can probably manage with the booze and food that we have and then cut them a good deal on the guns for a better set of trade goods."

"That still doesn't solve the problem of getting the 89th across however. How we do that without being discovered will be the key."

"Ok, I am corrected. Even better then... that solves the vasilek problem."

"We'll have to eliminate the OPs. Even if they have radios, the distance to Torun is quite far, giving us time if they send a response."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:56, Wed 09 Jan 2013.

"The gap is nearly 200 meters wide," replied Thijs, "and, from what I could see, about 50 meters on each side of the channel was too shallow for most vessels.  That leaves about 100 meters of clear channel."

Walter frowns and breaks in, "We had a load of bicycles and sewing machines, though. An empty tug with heavy weapons going to collect civilians? Krakow didn't know that's what Adam was up to. If I was the checkpoint officer, I'd laugh in your face and call you a liar."

McClurg, quiet up until now, speaks up, "If these Torun Ivans have eyes on Wloclawek, then why doesn't the 89th come to us here? There's this snowstorm goin' on and if they wait until dark, what're the chances that the Torun OPs see them and send their monitor up? I mean, the Torun Ivans aren't this far up river or they would have sent the monitor here to check us out already, right?"

On a roll, McClurg continues, "If the 89th makes it here without being seen, we ferry them across somewhere near here, and then us NATO folks take the Vasilek and the ZU or whatever by land and meet up with the Poles and the tug downriver of Torun on the east bank. I mean, they'll have add a few horses to the deal, but that sounds fair doesn't it?"

Having shot his wad, he waits, looking expectantly at Konrad, Jan, LaRue, and Yvgenny.

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:52, Thu 10 Jan 2013.

"I was thinking that there has to be more barges on the Vistula than the ones tied up in Krakow... Walter." Bayer says. "And any tug, no matter it's business, won't be in one set of hands long on this river if it isn't heavily armed."

Feeling stuck, Bayer looks at those who suggested the 'merchant ploy' for some help.

Bayer then looks to McClurg and then to the Russian, "Do the incomplete rafts not make this a problem?"

When the question is translated for him, Yvgenny responds, "Well, yes. We would either have to disassemble them, bring them here, and reassemble them, or make use materials available here to make new ones, or just make many trips across the river on your tug. But, if you think it would be better to move the 89th here, I could suggest it to the commander. He is a reasonable man." After a brief pause, he adds the poignant footnote, "We just want to go home."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:42, Thu 10 Jan 2013.

"If you're looking to get face-face with these guys," Carlisle offers "I have picked up a little Russian from my hosts over the last few months. Mostly enough to keep me from getting shot: 'You there. Dig a hole. Lift a rock. Build a bridge. Blow up a dam.' That kind of stuff."

He shrugs. "For what it's worth."

"Hey," he adds, perhaps finally catching a whiff of himself. "You guys all look pretty clean and healthy. If this tub is a steam conversion, you must have hot running water, right?"
This message was last edited by the player at 06:13, Thu 10 Jan 2013.

Jan pondered the various ideas being suggested as well as the issues people were outlining.  The basic problem for the 89th was that they were trying to build their rafts too close to Torun and they hadn't figured out that moving up river was a potential solution.

"OK, I have a plan to suggest Capitaine.  The 89th abandon their current rafts like they have decided to try something else, just in case the troops in Torun recee the site, and move to here.  Here we build a couple of new rafts and then ferry the 89th across while the heavy weapons are set up as a blocking force in case the other boat arrives.  Once most of the 89th are across we break down the heavy weapons and put them on the Queen as cargo before taking the last members of the 89th across.  That should get them across and us a cargo like merchants.

"We then split into two groups, those staying on the boat as merchants and those walking.  The walkers take a long route round Torun and meet the Queen on the far side.  The Queen sails close to Torun and then offers to trade some of the heavy weapons to the Russian commander in exchange for another cargo and permission to pass down river.  We don't end up as well armed as we had hoped to be but we progress."

He paused to take a long drag on his cigarette.  "Does that plan sound feasible?  What are the problems with it that we need to resolve?"  He looked around everyone, indicating that it was not just a question for Konrad but a question for all.

Craig lingered over his meal and followed the conversation back and forth. What had been suggested sounded plausible and his first thought was a recce of some sort.

"If I am not needed for the recce I would like to get the weather deck in top order if we are going to be here for a day or so. It mite mean taking down a couple of the structures to gain the required 4x2, but it should bring the entire deck back under the equivalent protection it had before the last engagement."

He sat back and slowly slipped a cup of something hot.

"Don't stop working on the current rafts," Connolly puts in. "If it looks like the 89th has a new plan, the guys in Torun will want to know what it is and they'll push out more patrols.  That increases our chances of detection.  Show them what they expect to see and filter people out a squad at a time."

Bayer looks at the Russian for a moment, a little unsure as to why he simply hadn't mentioned it was possible to move their crossing site, but then remembered the man didn't speak English. He then turns to Jan and says, "Yes, that will do. Quite feasable."

"Any problems?" he echoes.

Bayer then motions for the tranlator to pass this along and adds, "Tell them to bring as much of the materials as possible, namely any rope or other crucial items."

Jan nodded in response to Konrad before adding a comment.

"Boots has a good point Capitaine and we should tell the 89th to do that."

"Hmmm... depends on how quickly it takes for them to assemble the rafts." Bayer says, looking to the Russians for some feedback.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 12:29, Thu 10 Jan 2013.

In reply to Jan Cerny (msg # 166):

"We need to find out how far the Ruskie's at Torun patrols go out from the 89th so our recce team can try to go around them and maybe who the locals are loyal to."

In reply to Anders Mattson (msg # 154):

"If we have to attack, both are good suggestions," Griet said to the Finn, "but assume we can do this without fighting. How long do your reckon it would take to build a raft on the aft of the Queen? Something that could take ten or so horses or fifty men?"

She looked at the others, "It might be possible to do that, expand our after deck and just make lots of trips. There are good landing points on both sides and the river is under three kilometers wide here. If we could do it we could make the trips in less than twenty four hours."

"What do people think, is it viable?"

"I don't really have that much experience on transporting horses across rivers or constructing rafts - I was in the blue-water navy, so river operations are pretty much new to me. I believe the lieutanant here can provide you with more information about the rafts. But I believe, if we have a raft or two, we can easily transport them across."

Once what has been said has been translated for Yvgenny, he responds, "The Torun patrols travel out at least as far as Wloclawek is from Torun- a 20km radius perhaps. That's how they found us. The weather was better then, though. And they said they had plenty of food up there, when they were trying to convince us to join them, so the locals must be somehwat cooperative. The division's control of the area is good, at least."

"As to the rafts, a couple are built already, and waiting in the woods. We'd have to take them apart and bring the pieces here with us or leave them hidden. It takes about two hours to build a raft that can take twenty men or four horses. We haven't tested them, though- we didn't want the scouts to see them and call the monitor up again. It looks like your decks could take a couple dozen men on a short trip across the river. The horses are the tricky part. It'll be dark in a few hours. If we're going to move here once the sun goes down, the rest of the 89th is going to have to start making preparations right now."

Walter then adds, "If our cargo is heavy weapons, they're going to ask how we got a hold of them. If we use our Krakow papers, they're going to wonder why Krakow didn't just keep them. It's too suspicious. We have to have business both up river and down river to be convincing. Maybe we could pose as merchants in search of a cargo, working on consignment. That would explain an empty hold. That's not quite as suspicious as carrying a hold full of heavy weapons and looking for a customer, I don't think."

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:51, Fri 11 Jan 2013.

"Do it." Bayer says after the translation. The plan was the best one proposed so far to him, and it didn't look like anything very different was coming down the pipe. "Leave some men with fast horses to keep your position occupied and active, but try to bring back as much of the materials that you won't be able to salvage here in the village."

Jan's brow furrowed when Walter raised concern about a cargo of heavy weapons.  He was no merchant but he thought that the source of the weapons might be explainable.

"Could we not say that the Black Baron in Warsaw has fallen and we were able to trade for these in the chaos after his fall?  If we are trying to trade them to the Russians then our merchants will just look like opportunistic merchants who have seen an opportunity to make a profit.  Does that not work?  Less suspicious than merchants with no cargo?

"I will not be on the boat however so I am happy to go with what Griet decides.

"If we do not take the heavy weapons then what are we to do with them?  Someone suggested the walkers taking them but that is an impossible load for us to carry.  It might be possible if we have some horses but who of us knows how to ride?  Even more who of us knows how to make a team of horses pull a zoo?  I do not.  Do the Russians have any wagons to carry the shells?

"Transporting the heavy weapons and ammo might be too difficult and if that is the case then what else can the Russians trade for passage over the river?  We do not want the heavy weapons if we just have to abandon them here on the river bank.  In fact what else can the Russians trade?  Maybe they have other things that we could trade for to give us a cargo."

He wasn't thinking so much about the trade for passage over the river.  More a trade for some of the gold coins they had stashed aboard.

With the basics of a plan on the table, Yvgenny and Andrei contact their headquarters. Jeff listens in. The commander of the 89th, general Timonev, agrees to the plan. The 89th will move southeast to Dobiegniewo, with the understanding that the crossings will begin immediately upon their arrival. The move will take place at night, in a snowstorm, so shelter is of immediate concern. Dobiegniewo simply does not have the facilities to shelter 300 men and nearly as many horses, but the village on the east bank looks like it might serve.

There are several hours until nightfall. During that time, the 89th will disassemble their rafts and prepare them for transport. Just after sunset, they will light bonfires in Wloclawek as part of a maskarovka. The 89th will then begin their ride to Dobiegniewo, where the Wisla Krolowa will be waiting to ferry them across the Vistula in relays. Once that process is complete, likely some time during the following morning, payment will be arranged and the tug will begin its transformation from free company river gunboat to merchant cargo transport.

In the meantime, the Kommando have been asked to reconnoiter the far bank of the river, to make sure that the larger settlement there (Gmina Dobryznnad Wisla on their maps) is safe and suitable to shelter the 89th during the night, or perhaps longer, until the blizzard snows itself out.


Next Moves?
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:48, Sat 12 Jan 2013.

The Finn approached Griet, apparently not having that much to do at the moment. "I understood, you are the commander of this vessel? Need a gunsmith or a ship's mechanic? I can do electrical stuff as well and weld among other things. Worked as a mechanic aboard a passenger ship before the war." His English wasn't the best, but it was somewhat understandable, even with the funny accent he had.

"Good to have you on board," Griet said to the Finn, "I'm sure you'll have plenty to do on the journey. For now, I'd suggest you familiarise yourself with the Vasilesk. I'd be particularly interested in the possibility of being able to break it down into smaller parts."

The Finn smiled. "I am sure, I can manage that. Could use a hand with it, if I need to take it apart. You have a gunner for it?" Of course Anders had no knowledge of the organization aboard.

"Our dedicated gunner left recently," Griet replied, "several of us can use it but not proficiently. For the moment I'd just like you to see if it is feasible to dismantle it. When it comes to doing it I'll give you all the help you need."

"Since you come from Finland, I'm assuming you are familiar with the dangers of winter boating." she said, "I would appreciate it if you oversea the rafting operations when they begin so that we can benefit from your expertise."

"Larue," she said when she could find the medic, "I need you to keep an eye on your weather gear. This part of the river is notorious for wicked westerlies causing serious problems, I don't want to dump too many Russians in the river. It'll cause bad feelings."

She then sought Bayer out and asked him for a word in private. Once they were alone she spoke with him.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:26, Sat 12 Jan 2013.

"The ships I served on as civilians did round trips between Finland and Sweden round the year, so I'm familiar with winter conditions, but my experience is from the Baltic, not rivers. But I'll do what I can. As for the weapon, do you have tools for it or do I have to improvise?" The Finn seemed happy enough to get something worthwile to do.

"No specialist tools," Griet said, "but you can use anything we have on board the boat."

The Finn nodded and headed for the Vasilek. It was not something he had really gotten acquainted with before, but with his understanding of weaponsystems, it was probably not going to be much of a problem.

He did a careful examination of the weapon first, studying the mechanism, sights, everything he could think of. His favourite baby had been the 120mm Bofors on the bow of his beloved FNS Karjala, the biggest autocannon ever built - this Soviet mortar was a third smaller and of very different build, but he was determined and there was very few things made in Soviet Union that can stand a determined Finn.

[OOC: 21:33, Today: Anders Mattson rolled 18 using 1d20. Gunsmith: 11 (Disasembling the Vasilek).]

One last option sprung to Craigs mind as he sipped his tea:

Could we not pontoon the rafts together to make a bridge ? If we are bringing them down here mite as well go the whole hog."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:32, Sun 13 Jan 2013.

Danny nods to Griet.  "Aye-aye, Chief.  Thanks for the heads-up.  I'll go update the forecast now."  He pauses before turning away.  "When we're playing ferry, it might not be a bad idea to hand off some of our flotation gear to each raft.  And assign a couple of lookouts on deck who are handy with throwing ropes."

Connolly catches Ryan as the meeting breaks up.  "Mister Carlisle, I think I heard you ask about hot water?"  She beckons for him to follow her and leads him toward the shower.  "Laundry's across the hall if you want to grab fresh BDUs."  She lowers her voice and leans in slightly, trying not to be obvious about not inhaling.  "When you're done, I'd like to pick your brain about the local situation - and our new Russian friends."

"Much obliged, ma'am." Carlisle nods in response to the Major's offer of hygiene and wardrobe services and follows her out of the mess/galley and down the passageway.

As he passes LaRue, he volunteers, "I've got some pre-war experience as a wilderness EMT and time on the water if you need me to help ferry. I can also handle one of those Rooskie .50-cals."

Eight years in the Corps and six months as a P.O.W. have stripped Carlisle of any shred of modesty or shame he might have once carried and, upon reaching the shower, he isn't shy about getting naked and beginning to scrub off the last several months of caked-on dirt, grime and funk. The Major is not at all unattractive, but Carlisle avoids the cliché of inviting her to join him.

"If you've got any 20-Mule-Team Borax and some steel wool that would be great."

He considers he could probably use a good delousing, too.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:17, Sun 13 Jan 2013.

Danny grins at Carlisle.  "Kick ass, sir.  Good to have you aboard.  I've been a little worried about not having backup on the medical side.  I'll let the Chief know you can gun for us."

Hearing the lieutenant's comment as the Marine enters the shower, Danny calls around the corner, "hope you've got calluses, 'cause that soap's gonna take a few layers of skin off."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:46, Sun 13 Jan 2013.

Quyen readies her gear for the deteriorating weather. She puts on her wool sweater and then throws her Soviet tankers jacket on over top of that for the extra layer of warmth. She also changes her socks for a pair of clean dry ones. When that is all done she steps out of the tiny room she shared with Griet and onto the deck to smoke.

Eventually she returns to the galley to sit with the others before the patrol headed out. She wasn't sure if she was assigned yet to anything so she asks Konrad "Hauptmann. Where am I in this? The patrol?"

In reply to Daniel Larue (msg # 187):

"That's a very good idea,Danny," Griet said, "I'll do that and we'll have the Princess in the water ready for rescue operations too. Could you brief the Doc on preparing for hypothermia casualties as necessary?"

Danny blinks at Griet, momentarily picturing a conversation with Anneka's body bag before he realizes she must mean the 89th's medical element.  "Uh... yeah.  I'll do that once they get here.  I'll need a translator if they don't speak English.  Maybe, uh, Filipov."

Sensing Griet's obvious desire for a private conversation with Bayer, he excuses himself and seeks out Anders.

After pulling all the intel she can from Ryan, Connolly returns to the bridge to monitor the radios.  She leans on the console, gazing pensively at the water and occasionally glancing at Anders' attempts to dismantle the Vasilek.  After a while, she frowns, glances around the tug, and pulls Kel into the bridge to take over radio watch.

Pulling up her parka's hood, she descends to the main deck and approaches Anders.  "Captain-Lieutenant... how much does that thing weigh?"  She indicates the automortar.  At his response, she nods her thanks, then resumes her peregrinations, periodically leaning out to glance over the tug's side.

Eventually, she finds Griet and Bayer and lingers just out of earshot until one of them gives her the nod to approach.  "Captains," she says by way of greeting, "I may have a very bad idea.  Griet, how much spare draft will you have under the keel between here and the north side of Torun?  And do you have anywhere at or below the waterline to attach cables?  I'm wondering if we can sling-load some of the heavy weapons to get them past the garrison..."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:52, Mon 14 Jan 2013.

"I was thinking the same thing," Griet replied, "which is why I've asked Captain Mattson to see if it can be dismantled. I'd like as much clearance as we can because there will be some tight fits, especially over the dam. If we can make smaller packages, I'm convinced it's feasible for at least the 82mm mortar."

Others seemed to be working on the problem of hiding and transporting some of the heavy weapons so Jan focussed on the current issue of a recee of the far bank.  He went to find Konrad to make his suggestion.

"Capitaine, do you want some of us to go and recee the other bank?  I suggest that Griet take us over in the Queen rather than us going in a launch and I suggest that we scout it quickly as the Russians will be here soon and the weather is going worse.  If I take Jay and Thijs and Tuck takes Quyen and Maruisz then we can search the village as quickly as possible.  What do you think?"

Bayer listens to Griet's suggestions and nods in agreement, but says afterwards, "Don't dismantle the Vasilek yet. Keep it ready for action.

He then turns to Jan, "That's fine Jan, but just recce the far bank and village... don't try securing it."

"Absolutely," Griet agreed, "I asked Mattson to look into the possibility, not actually do it."

"Oui mon Capitaine," replied Jan.  "If there is a problem then you have Craig, Jeff, Danny and yourself to deploy in support," he added as went off to gather Tuck, Quyen, Mariusz, Jay and Thijs together as a group and then explained what they needed to do.

"Tuck, after we land on the far bank, depending on where Griet set us down, I suggest you take Quyen and Mariusz and recee east of the landing point and I take Jay and Thijs and recee west.  If we encounter anything we are to report in and await further orders.  Ok?"

As requested by General Timonev, Griet eases the Krolowa away from the pier and out into the Vistula, making for the settlement across the river with a reconaissance party on board. The tug cuts perpendicular to the current, pressing foward towards the opposite bank. The riverbank rises steeply, forming a tall bluff overlooking the river, definitely steeper and perhaps even taller than Tum hill back in Plock. A few run-down structures can be seen on its crest as the tug pushes off from the west bank; by the time the two thirds of the way across the river, the structures are no longer visible.

Snow falls thick, the flakes small and wet. It's already starting to stick, coating the ground in a semi-transparent white shroud. Visibility is already limited by the dim light, the steady snow fall only makes it worse.

The tug slowly noses up to the east bank. There's a narrow, level shelf of land, maybe 30m wide, at the base of the bluff, and a trail, about two meters wide, winds up from the riverbank towards the settlement no longer visible above. Those remaining on board the tug will not be able to perform overwatch for the scouting team. The recon teams debark using the ingenuous corvus and begin to ascend the track up the bluffs.

Those that complete the climb encounter the ruins of X. A cursory search reveals no sign of recent inhabitants. The village seems to have been abandoned some time ago. There are some signs of battle damage, but the dilapidated state of the settlement seems to owe more to neglect and the elements than it does to the effects of combat. Most of the dwellings here have been cleaned out, but a few still contain some rudiments of civilian life. If they judiciously disassemble some of the structures for firewood and cram the rest full to capacity, the 89th should be able to shelter here for at least a couple of days.

The bluffs themselves offer a commanding view of the Vistula. From here, the recon team can look down into Y. With a few heavy weapons, a platoon dug in atop the heights could just about shut down river traffic. It's a good thing that no one has thought to do so prior to your arrival.


Next Moves?

Tucker gathers with the rest of the landing party and listens to Jan.  "That sounds good to me Jan.  I suggest we travel light as we can.  Weapons, days water and food, ammo, cold weather gear.  Not too much more.  Sound good?"

While the recce patrol is away, Bayer moves up to the wheelhouse to find Griet, shutting the door behind him but not before a gust of wind and snow blows in along with him. Then after wiping away the wetness of melted snow from his face, he says to her, "I want to talk again about what you mentioned before. Do have a gun team ready to man the Vasilek and the other primary weapons? I'll give you first choice on your crew, this will be your show after all, and I will take the remainder for security. Any other issues you want to discuss before they are here?"

Craig spent most of his spare time in the galley while the storm raged outside. There was little point continuing with the repairs in this weather. He was happy to help when call upon and would take his shift providing security for the tug.

On patrol, Jay took point some distance ahead of his team leader and machine gunner. He walked carefully and quietly, scanning each derelict building as they went. The memory of the cannibal was still fresh in his mind, and he was wary of others who had followed a similar path.

He checked both the buildings and the paths for signs of recent activity - camp fires, tracks, debris and the like.

Griet thought about the crew she'd need, "McClurg will need to be on one Dushka with Kellerman loading for him. I'd like Thjis on the other Dushka as he has autogun experience. As for a mortar crew, Anders seems to have the best experience to be Number One Gunner and anyone we can spare can act as loader. I'd also like Connolly with me in the wheelhouse to run Comms and act as XO. Would that be too many?"

While heading for the snipers nest, Jeff intercepts Konrad before he meets with Griet.  "Mr. Bayer, if you'd like, I can contact friends in high places about the situation ahead."

Once the conversation concludes, he'll bundle up and head topside to support the shore party from his nest until they are out of sight, before heading back below.

It took Anders some time and use of tools, especially a hammer, to get in to an agreement with the Vasilek, but he did take it apart and put it back together all the same. Fingers greasy, he reappeared victorious on to the bridge with a grin. "The weapon can be dismantled and put back together, though if we do, I'll need a bigger crew for it. If I can suggest, it could use a gun shield. Some steel plate, cutter for it and welding gear and it would feel far less exposed. I could even weld it for you, captain." The words were directed to Griet. To Anders, an NCO in command of a boat was nothing new, though this particular vessel was approaching the ship-category at full speed. He was new to these people and showing courtesy didn't really hurt.

"Yes, I agree.  We are not to clear the village if we encounter anything," replied Jan.

---

After finishing the initial stage of their recee Jan reported in to his CO over the radio.

"Konrad.  Jan here," he transmitted.  "Village appears deserted.  Sufficient space for passengers to wait out the storm.  There is a high point that would make a good location for an OP or heavy weapon emplacement or both.  It has a good view down river.  Do you want us to set up an OP or come back?"

During the pause after the initial look-see, Thijs continued to scan the area, trying to make out anything unusual through the falling snow.

With the determination that the east bank is clear and ready to receive the men and horses of the Soviet 89th cavalry division, the reconaissance team descends the bluff overlooking the Vistula and reboards the tug which dutifully ferries them back across the river. An hour later, the first group of about two dozen mounted Soviet cavalrymen arrive. Bundled in a mix of Red Army issue and civilian cold weather clothing, they squeeze into the tiny hamlet and immediately begin assessing the few standing structures, informally cataloguing materials that can be used in the completion of the raft. Although they don't look like much, the cavalrymen handle themselves professionally. They are clearly well organized and led, as well as determined to leave the war behind.

A second group arrives, long logs slung between some of the horses. Taking advantage of the day's remaining light, they immediately begin reconstruction of the raft. The third and fourth groups also bring materials and join in the building. Over the next two hours, most of the balance of the division arrives, along with its last remaining heavy weapons. A dozen men stay behind, tasked with building bonfires in Wloclawek for the benefit of the scouting teams from the still-loyal Soviet 92nd cavalry division parked across the river. The hamlet is now a crowed, bustling staging area, the peaceful quiet of a couple hours past replaced by organized chaos, a cacophany of voices, whinying horses, and pounding hammers. The 89th's ZU-23-2 is parked near the piers, both to cover the iminent ferrying operation, and to faciliate tranfser to the tug as payment for its help in crossing the river. As night falls on the hamlet of, so does the snow. There's at least three inches on the ground, with more sure to come.

Fires are lit for warmth and light and raft construction continues under the glare of lanterns and torches. At just after 2400hrs, the raft is completed. It's dragged to the riverbank near the twin piers and pushed into the sheltered water between the two man-made breakwaters. It floats well, with about a foot of freeboard. In cooperation with the tug crew, the erstwhile Soviet engineers fasten the raft to the Wisla Krolowa. Eight horses are led on to the raft, accompanied by four human attendants. The rest of the their riders and about two dozen others board the tug, crowding around the Vasilek forward and filling the broad fantail aft.


Next Moves?


OOC: This is last call for skill checks. Also, I need to know if the tug is pulling or pushing the raft, and whether it is fastened forward or aft (of the tug).

This message was deleted by the player at 00:33, Fri 18 Jan 2013.

Griet found the senior officer for the unit and spoke quickly, "The raft will be lashed to the front of the boat. We work best as a pusher rather than a puller. Do you have scouts upriver to warn us of anything coming toward us? If you don't, I do not want any personnel in the front part of the boat. Our only defence is the mortar and if we can't use it then we'd better have a good forewarning of danger."

She looked at the man and continued, "If you have any medical personnel I have a sickbay on board set up for cold weather treatment. Send them to me and I'll install them there if you want. That small craft there is available for rescue work. I don't have crew to man it but if you have a couple of engineers or anyone with small boat skills they are welcome to use it."

"Follow me and I'll talk to the people on the raft," she walked to the prow of the boat where the raft was lashed and double checked the cables and ropes. She had collected as many flotation devices as she could and handed them out to the occupants of the raft.

"You know how best to keep your beasts calm so do it." she said to them, "the raft is on the upriver side of the boat so if you fall off the current should take you into the hull. If someone falls yell 'man overboard' and I'll stop the boat. If you can, move for the hull. If you can't, remain still, trust the flotation device and wait for the rescue boat."

"Any questions?"

OCC
Raft is lashed to the prow of the boat at roughly 2 O'clock to four o'clock if you imagine the very prow to be twelve. We will cross the river with the raft upstream.

As the Russian troops are arriving, Bayer hastily assembles the security team on the deck for a quick brief. "Thijs... starboard gun." he says first, motioning up to the DSHK where his duty station would be. "Jay... you've handled the Vasilek before correct? I need an experienced No.2 up there with Mattson." he says, picking the Gurkha out of the line next.

Bayer then turns to Carlisle and says, "Engineer ja? Experience with this sort of thing. I want you to help oversee the crossing... I don't know how but however you can be most effective at keeping the Russians from ending up in the river. LaRue will be with you." He then asks both men, "What do you think about the launch being used as a safety boat to pickup anyone who falls in?"

"Jan, Lieutenant Sutherland... port security and crowd control."

"Filipov, Mariusz... starboard security and crowd control."

Finally Bayer looks to Quyen and Tucker, and places them either at the front of the boat, or in the launch as a safety team to haul out any Russian who falls in - depending on which is more feasible considering the current weather conditions.

Before sending them off, Bayer says, "Turn your radios on. If something happens it will happen quickly. Be ready."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:44, Fri 18 Jan 2013.

"I will man the machinegun if you wish, Kapitein," Thijs replied to Bayer, then continued, "but I am capable of handling the small boat if you require someone to do that.  I am not questioning your orders, but simply pointing out other options."

"No, I understand." Bayer answers. "Sergeant Tucker and Quyen can both handle a boat, as I am sure you can. Griet needs a skilled gunner though. I will keep note of it for the future."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:29, Sat 19 Jan 2013.

Jay nodded his acceptance of the order. He wasn't that experienced but had received training and could follow orders from the more able gunner.

Hearing, he would be serving with the Gurkha, Anders approached the corporal. "Well, looks like we're a team", he said, extending his hand at the man. "I'm Anders. Let's go ready the weapon, so we're prepared if something happens." The Finn seemed reasonably laid back and pleasant. "You've fired this thing before?"

Jan nodded at Konrad's orders.  "Craig.  With me."

As he started to move off he turned back to Konrad.  "Do we have an OP down river to warn us if the Russian boat is coming this way?"

In reply to Anders Mattson (msg # 217):

Jay took the offered hand and shook it. "Welcome Mister Anders-ji, please to be calling me Jay." As they moved towards the Vasilek he tried to remember all that Dawid had taught him during their training sessions. When quizzed by Anders he look up at the Finn. "Trainings, yes. Firings, no. But you tell me, I listen, I do as you say." He looked at the weapon with a glint in his eye. It was clear that what he lacked in experience on this weapon would be tempered by enthusiasm.

"Well, you have had more training with this weapon than I - I have heard this thing exist but that's practically all. I know how to fire heavy guns. My old ship had a 120mm cannon." Anders headed for the Vasilek. "Let's load few clips so we have them ready. If we need to fire, you load, I aim and fire. When I need you to reload, I will call 'load' and when you have loaded, you will call 'up', okay? That way I will not try to fire your arm at the enemy." The Finn grinned and picked up the black, metallic clip. "Three clips should do for now", he said perhaps a bit tentatively. He wasn't exactly sure of the firing rate of the mortar - the 120mm Bofors had fired 80 rounds a minute, making it the biggest autocannon in existance. The mechanism on the Vasilek was about the same.

"Yes. The Russians are covering it... but I don't know the details yet." Bayer replies. He then moves up to the wheelhouse to co-ord with Griet and the Russian commander. He'll first follow up Jan's question by asking how the Russians back at the camp will alert the crossing of any enemy movements. After that he will ask that the very first group across immediately position themselves on the high feature for additional security and observation. If possible they should have heavy weapons (not the ones being traded with us but other machineguns and the like).

As Griet estimated times for the first journey, she frowned, she spoke to the Russian liaison on the bridge and said, "Tell your people they need to assemble more rafts than this. At this rate we'll take a week of non-stop steaming to ferry everyone across."

"Yes, sir," Thijs replied, then went to the starboard DShK to check and familiarise himself with the weapon and its field of fire.

Mariusz moved to the starboard side of the boat and got into a position where he could cover the rear movement between the fore and aft of the boat. He settled down and tried not to get too cold.

In reply to Konrad Bayer (msg # 221):

Jan nodded in agreement and moved to his assigned position as part of the security detail.

As the Russians started coming aboard he enquired if any of them spoke Polish, Czech or Slovak (or English) and if they did he asked them a question in an appropriate language.  "If you have anything you are considering trading, particularly something heavy that will be a burden on your journey then speak up as we might be interested in another trade."

He paid particular attention to any AT weapons or rockets and any radios that the Russians were carrying.

Quyen returns quickly to her bunk and ditches her AK74. She then makes her way to the armory and grabs the PKM and two cans of ammunition for it before going back topside to meet up with Tuck. "Took the gun." Quyen tells him as she loads one of the belts into the weapon. "Front security right?"

Taking:
PKM x1
7.62mm Belts x2

The tug, now pushing the first of the jury-rigged rafts, begins the crossing, large snowflakes swarming through its floodlights. Looking back towards the hamlet on the shore, you can see a dozen bonfires burning and hear the bite of axes as more trees are felled for additional rafts. Griet's done a few calculations, determining that, given the speed of the Krolowa, the width of the river, and the carrying capacity of the tug and the single raft, it will take at least a couple of days of nearly constant operations to get the whole of the 89th CD across the river. To speed up the operation, the tug crew donates a substantial supply of cordage to the work parties responsible for constructing the first raft. Given a few more hours, they should be able to complete a couple more rafts, more that doubling the number of men and horses that can be transported in a single trip.

About half-way across the Vistula, disaster strikes. Something spooks one of the horses. It rears suddenly, pulling its reigns from the hands of one of the two men detailed to the raft. Fully loaded, the raft is already riding about six inches lower in the water than it was empty, and it sinks even lower as it's pushed obliquely through the swift current at a cuatious and steady 8kph. The shifting weight of the panicked horse worsens the situation, and its back hooves slip off the downriver side of the raft, toppling the rest of the terrified mare overboard with a heavy splash. The raft overbalances and another horse, startled and jostled by the first, follows in its hoofsteps. The men on board the raft do their best to keep the other horses steady, several times barely avoiding being pushed or pulled overboard themselves.

The River Princess, acting as a rescue boat and crewed by a team of three cavalrymen, reaches one of the horses and attempts to guide it to shore. The other horse screams as it's pulled downriver by the current. The rescue crew does its best to help the second horse, but the water is too cold and the current is too strong. Exhausted, the horse founders, straining the Princess' outboard motor and nearly capsizing it. Regretfully, they release the beast, and it is pulled away, disappearing into the darkness.

There's nothing that the Krolowa can do to help without risking the rest of its cargo. It continues on the far shore, arriving without further incident. The perils of transporting horses across the wide river on rafts have been painfully revealed. One of the two minders now has a broken foot, having been stomped on while trying to control the surviving horses. The raft is unloaded on the east bank, and the two score cavalrymen begin ascending the white slopes of the bluff up to set up an OP/overwatch position. The orange glow of firelight is visible across the water and through the steadily falling snow.

The Krolowa returns to the west bank, where the construction crews are still working on the first of two new rafts.


Next Moves?

Jay nodded to Anders and practiced the drill as best he could. Pretty soon they had a fair idea of what they were doing, and we're ready to act if needed.

When the Queen moved off on it's first run, Jay couldn't help but watch in fascination as the operation was executed. The fascination soon turned to horror as the horses panicked and went in. His own experience in the river told him that they wouldn't last long, and a rescue would be futile. He watched helplessly as they were dragged down river to their fate.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:54, Mon 21 Jan 2013.

From his position on the port side of the tug Craig watched the proceedings with a sort of muted awe. He felt like he was seeing a scene more from his great grandfathers time in the army during world war one.

He couldn't help but snatch a glance up river every now and again looking for the monitor.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:55, Mon 21 Jan 2013.

Danny, unable to affect events on the raft from his position at the rail, watches the loss of the horses with a clenched jaw.  Through whichever translator is most convenient, he orders the Russians to help the injured cavalryman aboard the Queen, then passes the man's rifle back to the raft before helping him into the galley, pouring him a shot of vodka, and beginning treatment.

Once he's finished doing what he can for a smashed foot, he flips on the intercom.  "Coyote for Sunray," he says, then waits for Bayer to acknowledge from the bridge (or wherever else the commander's gotten to).

"Sir, the guard boat has at least a chance of recovering personnel, and," he rolls his eyes, "I can do another swim if I absolutely have to.  We just proved we can't recover horses.  What do you think about shifting the horses to deck load and putting the men on the rafts?  Also, please advise the Russian commander that I've got his guy here and he's gonna be fine if they keep him on light duty for about six weeks."

Anders worked with Jay to get the mortar clips loaded in quantity. The deck was a little less covered than he would have liked, but if he was going to join these people, his first job would be to improve that. Surely, he could obtain some steel plating and perhaps construct some kind of a well for the ammunition so that the mortar rounds could be stored below deck, where the likelyhood of being hit by a stray round or two would be far smaller.

"Let's set the rounds so that they are protected from enemy fire as much as possible without it getting in your way, when you load. And let's not load the weapon until we really need it. I don't know for sure if this thing can be properly unloaded without firing."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:09, Mon 21 Jan 2013.

Griet frowned as the Queen steamed into the harbour again. She turned to the Russian liaison officer and said, "Get a hold of your engineers and your load master. Tell them we need more rafts. I can handle two or three more. Also, using the raft for the horses is suicide. Move them on to the fantail, we can fit eight on there and put troops on the raft, they'll be better balanced and easier to pick up if they do go in."

She looked at the man and continued, "If your engineers can figure out how to use the material they have to extend the fantail and put a rail around that extension I'd be willing for them to modify the boat. Also tell your commander that I want the 82mm rounds loaded now, we may need them to defend you. There's a good position for the Zoo-2 on the other side, I want that ready for the next trip."

Squeezed into what's become her customary corner of the bridge, Connolly glares upriver, willing the monitor not to appear.  She suppresses a flinch at the mention of the ZSU.  Checking her watch and the temperature, she keys the intercom and says, "All stations, sound off," listening carefully to the responses for the slurred speech that might indicate incipient hypothermia - or the silence that might indicate a Russian backstab.

Mentally checking off personnel, she turns to Griet.  "If we're loading more personnel on the raft, let's sling a cargo net over the railing next to it.  It'll be an extra safety measure if the raft starts to break up."  And if the monitor shows up, we can get a couple dozen extra meat-shields aboard before the raft gets shredded, she adds mentally.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:44, Wed 23 Jan 2013.

Tucker turns towards the bridge and gives a thumbs up and keying the radio.  "Tucker.  Good to go!"

Bayer acknowledges Larue's transmission about the loading switch and passes it on to Griet. He then steps out of the wheelhouse, finding it cramped, and unable to see what's going on down below as well. Moving between the security team posted outside, he informs them that the Russians and horses will be swapping places for all crossings now on.

"I gotta better chance of communicating with the horses than I do the Russians," Tucker says to Konrad and lighting up a cigar as he shifts the weight of the RPG over his shoulder.

"I think the new lieutenant speaks a little bit of Commie," Danny volunteers in passing as he emerges from the galley.  "Hey, Tenth Mountain, how'd you learn to ride in the Adirondacks, anyway?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:07, Wed 23 Jan 2013.

Jan watched events unfold, rather frustrated at his inability to do anything to help the man and the horses in the river.  He didn't like sitting idly by but boats and rivers in general were not his areas of expertise.

When Boots transmitted her radio check Jan waited for a gap and then replied.  "Jan checking in," he answered.

He stayed in his position with Craig, covering the Port side, occasionally enquiring if any of the Russians had anything to trade.  That became much harder when the only Russians on the Queen were those handling the horses.

For the next nighttime load, the tug crew makes some seating adjustments, placing the horses aboard the tug itself, and the bulk of their accompanying riders on the raft. Although the humans show more signs of nervousness on this trip than the horses do, all of the passengers, man and beast, make it across safely. In the meantime, the work parties in the west bank hamlet complete the second raft and  prepare the ZU-23-2 for the crossing.

When the Krolowa returns, the ZU is lifted aboard the first raft, along with its crew, while the second raft is secured to the port bow. After a small herd of horses (10 seem to be the most the tug can safely carry on her main deck, without interfering with the operation of the Vasilek) is brought aboard, a couple of squads of cavalrymen crowd on to the second raft, and the tug sets off. About mid-way across the Vistula, the second raft begins to come apart. The men on board remain calm and the rescue boat moves in to respond should the raft deposit any of its human cargo into the river. Fortunately, no one is lost and the crossing completed, but the second raft is useless, at least temporarily. The tug returns to the west bank while the one party of cavalrymen begins hauling the ZU-23-2 up the bluff and another begins reassembling the raft.

The crossings continue through the night and well into the next day. The snow stops shortly before daybreak. There's at least three inches on the ground and the sky seems to hint at delivering more before the day is through. About a quarter of the 89th's men has been deposited safely on the east bank, but less than an eight of their horses have made the crossing. The tug crew has been going non-stop for nearly 24 hours, and accidents are starting to happen- nothing serious, but the danger of a major mishap are becoming apparent to the exhausted crew. It's decided to suspend operations for a few hours so that everyone can get some rest. The ferrying operation will resume shortly after sunrise the next day.

Dawn breaks cold but the sky is no longer completely overcast. There are breaks in the clouds, allowing the sun to appear periodically. The tug begins its day's work, ferrying three loads of men and horses accross before lunch time. As midday approaches, the snow covering the bluffs on the east bank begins to glisten, as the sun's rays start to melt the topmost layer. It's a beautiful sight.

The Krolowa is just returning to the pier on the west bank when, on the bridge, the radio suddenly blares to life (it's been tuned to the 89th's frequency for the duration of the crossing). Yvgenny, a constant fixture inside the bridge since before the ferrying operations began, looks alarmed. He tranlates (into Polish),

"The observation post on the hill says the monitor is coming!"


Next Moves?

"Fuck ass," Connolly mutters in her best Cartman voice.  She adjusts her sunglasses and peers at Dobiegnieow's small harbor.  "Griet, there's no way we can hide the Queen in here.  They'd have to be blind to miss the plume from the boilers.  Do you think we can drop a team here with the launch, then maneuver out into the channel and hold their attention long enough to get boarders alongside?"

Tucker smiles at Danny, "I grew up in New York.  I ain't no 'city slicker' or nothing like that."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:22, Thu 24 Jan 2013.

Carlisle had observed the first set of crossings with equal parts wild-eyed horror and attention to duty. Even though he'd spent considerable time on his grandfather's bison ranch in his youth, horses continued to terrify and confuse him. So, when Larue suggested a change of station, he bit at the chance.

"Yeah, sounds great. I'll play crossing guard with Ivan," he had confirmed to the PJ and, Tucker, the mountain troop. "Just keep me the fuck away from the horses."

Despite losing one of the rafts, the remainder of the evening's activity maintained a taut, but barely manageable, level of chaos. He had stolen a good couple hours of sleep before resuming operations the next morning. He was well on his way to establishing a good rhythm and headspace when word came down the line of the approaching monitor.

"Well," he uttered to no one in particular, "this should suck a lot."

Jeff watches the horses with a weary eye.  As some sort of reward, one relieves itself all over his boots.  He swears in Russian "Chyort!" and mutters a string of obscenities at the beast.

Stepping away, he dips his boots in the water and considers yelling at LaRue who is wearing a shit eating grin.  Just as he does though, he is called to the radio room to confirm the translation of the warning of the monitor.

"What is our next course of action? We do not have much time."

Watching from his station at the starboard Dushka, Thijs chuckled softly to himself as Warren received a load of horse apples on his boots.  He was glad he was on the upper deck and away from the horses.  Being the son of a fisherman, he would have been uncomfortable among the hairy beasts.

When tne message came that the monitor was en route, he returned to full alert, stepping up the scan for threats.

Griet listened to Connolly and said, "It's not a bad idea but might not work here as the monitor might know of our existence and be wary. There's a small overgrown set of jetties a few kilometers upriver that might work. I'd suggest we steam back that way, drop of the boarding party and Princess there. Then we draw them past and try to hit them a few times with indirect fire. Once they're just past we'll turn and fight and fire WP on or near the monitor. Once they're engaged and hopefully confused by smoke we can release the launch. Anything less risks it getting shot up before they can close. We'd need a forward observer in the launch in case we can't see fall of shot."

Griet looked at the helicopter pilot and Kaptain Bayer, "How does that sound as a basic framework?"

Anders watched the rafts and wondered if he would have been able to improve them. He was no carpenter, so he didn't really say anything about it. The U.S. Marines' engineer officer he had spent time as a POW with, Ryan, was up to the task and there was probably nothing Anders could have done.

He didn't mind the horses - there had been horses near his grandparents' house and he had spent one summer hanging around the stables because of a girl, he had had a crush on but never really learned to ride them properly. The big animals reminded him of that summer and with all that had been going on during the recent years, any happy thought was a welcome one. Kristina, that was the girls name. The Finn could not help but to smile.

"So", he said to Jay, just to initiate some kind of a discussion, "How did you guys come up with this ship?" Breaking the ice wasn't maybe his best suite, but at least he was putting some effort in to it.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:57, Thu 24 Jan 2013.

Robert hears that the monitor has been spotted and gets the thought in his head, 'We're really fucked now!'

The ominous and unexpected report of the approach of the Loyalist Soviet river monitor seems to cause a strange paralysis among the crew of the Wisla Krolowa. Looking through binnoculars, the shore-based OP's report is quickly verified- a large, green vessel, main gun turret clearly visible just a little forward of amidships, is motoring steadily towards the crossing zone. Accompanying the monitor, which the cavalrymen of the 89th have nicknamed the 'Crocodile', is a smaller vessel, also painted green. It looks like a modified water taxi of some sort, and appears to be armed with a couple machineguns. It's travelling significantly faster than the monitor, but winds its way ahead in lazy curls so as not to outpace its larger, slower companion. (Make successful observation rolls to see details.)

The hostile pair are a little over 4km west of the tug. If the reports are to believed, the monitor probably can't move much faster than 10kph. Considering the size of its current bow-wave, it's probably moving at or near its top speed. (Make successful small boat handling rolls to more accurately determine the hostile pair's current speed.)

Updated Tac-map: https://maps.google.com/maps/m...pn=0.040322,0.132093


Next Moves?

"Bridge ahoy! Shall I open fire or do I let them get closer", Anders yelled up to the bridge. He was not very keen on facing the monitor as a single round from the 76mm cannon could easily penetrate the gunshield and turn him in to a purple cloud of bloody mist. Luckily, the other vessel in front of the monitor was probably blocking the shot a bit. As for the first vessel, it didn't seem too well armored, so Anders estimated, a 82mm shell would pierce the hull easily enough.

Griet scowled at the lack of feedback from the others. With little choice she turned the Queen toward the rescue boat, "Griet to engines, prepare for full steam. Griet to guns, hold fire for now, we'll wait till their closer."

She looked over at the Russian radioman and said, "Get your men in the boat to come back to us. If you can't radio them get out there and wave them in. They are dead meat on their own."

"Griet to crew," she said over the intercom, "stand by to pick up the princess."

Griet
Steering toward Princess at 10kph
Preparing for full steam

17:57, Today: Griet Niewiadomska rolled 13 using 1d20. obs.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:58, Sat 26 Jan 2013.

Mariusz ran to the side of the Queen ready to lash the Princess to the side of the larger craft. He looked nervously toward the oncoming enemy craft.

17:57, Today: Mariusz Tokarski rolled 3 using 1d20. obs.

Currently on the downstream side of the tug, Thijs could see the two enemy boats.  He watched for some moments, trying to determine what they were up to.

Tucker rushes over to where Mariusz is and helps to retrieve the Princess.

Bayer notes the distance and the estimated speed of the enemy boats, and says, "I am guessing fifteen minutes before we are in range... unless they have something worse on board then I expect, then maybe ten. If we can get that launch aboard quickly enough you can still draw them into a better position, and I can get the RPG and some grenade launchers ashore to fire defilade from a covered position near the shore."

Craig stayed where he was until ordered otherwise. He hunkered down next to the guard rail and readied the HK-69 loaded with a HE grenade. He would fire on the converted water taxi as if he managed to hit it may be able to do some damage.

22:43, Today: Craig Sutherland rolled 3 using 1d20. Observation check.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:45, Sun 27 Jan 2013.

Jay was about to reply to Anders' small talk when the call came up about the monitor. He quickly adjusted his helmet strap while looking upriver, appraising the two vessels. He then looked to Anders for more instructions.

08:55, Today: Mrityunjay Byanjankar rolled 10 using 1d20. Observation check.

"Roger that Kaptain," Griet replied, "once we have the launch with us we should tell the Russians what we are doing. If they don't like it, at least we have all our gear ready to fight on our own."

"When I come back to engage the enemy, I'll keep close to the bank you are on to give the RPGs a better shot."

Anders turned the Vasilek at the incoming vessels and peered at them through the optics on his station. "Load HE", he said loundly - the obvious first target would be the waterbus as it might, for the moment, slow down the monitor. He started tracking it through the sights, as unfamiliar they were. He had worked with Soviet optics before and knew the main principle.

12:43, Sun 27 Jan: Anders Mattson rolled 8 using 1d20. Observation.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:16, Mon 28 Jan 2013.

Jeff moves to the radio room, prepared to translate to Russian Bayers orders over the PA and the radio.  On the way, he'll lend a hand securing the launch.

Gathering that the Russian boat was approaching Jan called out to Griet and Konrad.  "Griet.  Capitaine.  Do you wish me to set up an RPG team?"

He already had the M72 LAW slung over his shoulder but would need some time to organise the RPG-7.  He wasn't sure of the best position to fire from on the boat however.  He kept glancing in the direction of the approaching boat.  It seemed like they has a few minutes before they were in range, though he was no expert in the speed of boats.


OOC - 22:35, Today: Jan Cerny rolled 9 using 1d20. Observation check, asset total 9.

Frank yells over to Jan while bringing in the Princess, "I got an RPG on me already Jan.  No spare rockets though!"

The Queen and the Princess meet about 20m from the western shore. After the three-man Russian crew climbs aboard the tug, Mariusz, Tucker, and Tadeuz quickly secure the motor launch (OOC: Do they bring the Princess on deck or fasten her to the side?). This process takes about five minutes from start to finish.

In the meantime, the water taxi pulls ahead of the monitor and heads for the Krolowa. With several pairs of eyes studying the approaching, presumably hostile vessels, additional details of their armaments and speeds emerge.

The water taxi appears to be armed with [at least] two PK machineguns and an AGS-17 grenade launcher. A long whip antenna suggests long-range communications capabilities. Considering its recent acceleration, a reasonable estimate of her top speed would be about 45kmph. The monitor is probably making about 20kmph at the moment, and it's not likely that she can move much faster. Aside from the PT-76 turrent mounted on its closed-over cargo/troop well, it appears that the 'Crocodile' has a BTR turret (presumably armed with a KPV 14.5mm heavy machinegun) mounted atop its conning tower, along with at least two other machineguns, their barrels jutting out to port and starboard just behind it. Along its low-riding sides, sections of chain-link fencing have been mounted a foot or two away from the hull- stand-off armor against shaped-charge warheads. The whole thing has been painted a dark olive green with irregular brown streaks and splotches. Someone put a whole lot of time and resources into the construction of this monitor and they are apparently confident enough in its capabilities to send miles from its base in pursuit of the fugitive 89th CD. How the Torun garrison found out about the 89th's departure from Wloclawek, you may never know.

Men of the 89th are now on both banks of the river and the bluffs along the east bank overlooking the crossing zone offer excellent fighting positions. Their light machineguns and RPG launchers might by able to damage the water taxi but, apart from a very lucky shot, they're not likely to hurt the thick-skinned 'Crocodile'. The lines of fire of the 89th's ZU-23-2 are partially blocked by the tallest stretch of bluffs (it couldn't be moved west, cross-country along the icy heights), so the enemy vessels will have to be drawn upriver in order to give it a clear shot. The 89th's 120mm mortar could have devastating effects on both enemy vessels, if it could manage to hit a moving target. The young mortarmen of Plock, however, have proven that this can be accomplished. (OOC: The mortar can either be controlled, via radio, by the tug crew, or by its own spotters- you must who will give the corrections.) Another difficulty faced by the defense is the width of the Vistula here, about a kilometer-and-a-half. Depending on the line taken by the approaching enemy vessels, engagement ranges will vary.


Updated tac-map: https://maps.google.com/maps/m...pn=0.040322,0.132093


Next Moves?

It's time for combat tags. Make sure that you specify where your PC is on board (or inside) the Krolowa in said tags.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:09, Tue 29 Jan 2013.

Bayer studies the two craft then turns to Griet, changing the plan to deploy an anti-armor team ashore, "Unfortunately... RPG won't be effective." He then glances over to where the ZU-23-2 is position though and adds, "But that zoo-two will be against those AFV turrets. You'll need to draw it upriver so it will have a shot and give the mortar time to fire."

"If you take us in a zig zag pattern the DSHKs can deal with that escort."

Bayer then toggles his radio, "Filipov, link up with the mortar and prepare to relay a fire mission for me. I also need you to tell the zoo-two team to standby on my call."

Rae - do you want me to make up fire mission data or will you supply it?

Bayer then leans out of the bridge, "Machineguns, stand by. Scout boat... engage at 500 meters. Remainder hold fire."

Bayer
Wheelhouse
Observing/Communicating
This message was last edited by the player at 06:58, Tue 29 Jan 2013.

Griet watched the monitor's progress and said, "She's running five kilometers and hour faster than we can make at top speed. The Russians were lying about her being slow though those stand-off shields might make he unwieldy. There's no way we can out run her. If you want me to lead it upriver we're going to be a big target even if we zig-zag and it'll get even closer before before the Zoo-Two can come in to play. I'll do what I can but we should get any RPG gunners on the Zoo-Two's bank up on the bluffs where they can go for top shots."

Griet
Wheelhouse,
Heading North-North-East
15kph
Zig right 100ms
Zag left 100ms
Zag left 50ms
Zig right 100ms
Zag left 100ms
Zig right 100ms
Zig right 50ms
If you need more tell me

Craig ran towards the Port DShK, checking the large MG had a round in the chamber he orientated it towards the incoming threat of the water taxi. He fired short bursts towards the boat whenever he was able to get a shot, with the tug moving and jigging this was not going to be an easy task he thought to himself.

Port DShK

Firing on Water Taxi
This message was last edited by the player at 23:25, Tue 29 Jan 2013.

Anders begun tracking the water taxi with the Vasilek, keeping its bow under aim. The range was purely an estimate and he was not quite certain of the ballistic properties of the 82mm rounds in direct fire mode. First few rounds would indeed be pretty much through trial and error. Time would tell, how many rounds he could get off before the monitor opened up and made his life far more dangerous.

Anders
Manning the Vasilek as the gunner
Aiming at the water taxi

Thijs watched the enemy boats -- still at extreme range -- swing out of his line of fire as the Krolowa turned about and headed across the river.  If the zigzags brought the scout boat  back into his field of fire, he would send bursts in its direction.  [OOC:  the way I visualize the zigs, I don't think there is a shot, but I could be wrong.  BTW, his autorifle is stowed in the wheelhouse.  EDIT:  Oops, I erroneously thought the wheelhouse/bridge was on the same level as the upper deck where the Dushkas are.  Since there appears to be no direct access to the interior from his location, he has the weapon slung.]

Thijs
Starboard DShK
C7A1 LSW [90/90 +(6x30)] Slung, on SAFE
Firing on scout vessel if/when possible
This message was last edited by the player at 11:34, Wed 30 Jan 2013.

Connolly makes one final scan of the deck, fixing the crew's locations in her head, then turns to Griet.  "We'll be taking some hits.  I'll take Larue and Mariusz and handle damage control.  Mac and Tadeusz are our backup."  With that, she spins through the bridge door, grabbing her helmet on the way, and clatters down the stairs to the upper deck.

Passing McClurg and Kellerman, who are still standing at the port Dishka after Craig's takeover, she punches them on the shoulders.  "Kel, head downstairs and help Jozef.  Mac, find Tadeusz and prep the fire buckets, then get under cover in the machine shop."  She looks around and spots Ryan.  "Lieutenant!  Get on the aft gun and be ready to take over on a Dishka if a gunner goes down!  Larue, get your ass out here!"

Boots
M11 [13/13 + 2 magazines] - holstered, loaded but decocked

upper deck, organizing damage control
This message was last edited by the player at 03:39, Wed 30 Jan 2013.

Danny emerges from the wardroom, blinking in the sunlight, and tosses Connolly's AK up to her.  "Here, Boss, you forgot this again."  He gives Mariusz a nod.  "Follow me, Boy Wonder, and watch out for the horseshit."

Danny
Winona [30/30 + 5 magazines] - slung, on SAFE
CZ 75 [15/15 + 2 magazines] - holstered, cocked and locked
AN-M8 HC smoke grenade x2 - on vest
AN-M18 red smoke grenade x1 - on vest

main deck, port side; prepping buckets and hose for damage control

This message was last edited by the player at 03:39, Wed 30 Jan 2013.

Jay tracked the target and prepared to start reloading. Nothing like a full blown firefight to hone your training.

Mariusz followed Larue.

As Griet turns hard to port for a run upriver past the ZU-23-2, Thijs decides to show the pursuing water taxi/police boat (as it gets closer, it looks more like the latter) the Krolowa's sting, squeezing off a five-round burst at a range of nearly 2000m. It's either incredibly skillful or incredibly lucky shooting- one of the neon green tracers appears to merge with the police boat's bridge, causing the vessel to swerve slightly and briefly reduced its speed. Almost simultaneously, the police boat sends its own hopeful volley of 30mm grenades towards the turning tug (the AGS -17 is mounted in a forward hatch located between the vessel's sharp prow and the low superstructure). Four geysers, each about two meters in height, walk their way towards the slow-moving tug before a fifth HE grenade explodes against the hull with a sharp, metallic BANG! The sound is startling, and there's a bright yellow flash and a puff of white smoke, but the explosion doesn't seem to bother the sturdy tug, and no one is injured by shrapnel. The enemy gunner's job is made much more difficult his crew's evasive manouvering in the wake of Thijs' hit on the brige. (-5 rounds 12.7mm)

Anders and Jay track the fast-moving police boat as long and as well as they can. The rapid swing to port, however soon renders their efforts wasted. The tug's superstructure now blocks the Vasilek from engaging either target downriver. Until the Krolowa exposes either broadside, or turns back to face the targets bow-on, the automortar is effectively out of the fight.

The tug completes the turn, facing roughly upriver, and Griet pushes her towards her maximum speed of about 15kph. She angles out towards the middle of the channel, exposing the Krolowa's port Dishka. With the gun cranked aft as far as its pintle mount will allow, Craig fires off another long range burst, once again with improbable success. A brief, tall kick of spray near the waterline of the police boat suggests a hit on its unarmored hull. The police boat cuts to starboard so that Krolowa's portside HMG position is masked by the bulk of her own hull (Craig loses LOS to the target). The police boat has slowed somewhat and its pilot is doing his best to keep right aft of the Krolowa's undefended stern. It's forward gunner looses off a second five-round burst of 30mm grenades. It's poor shooting, the impact geysers appearing nearly 40mm off of the tug's port side. The POP-POP-POP-POP-POP of the exploding grenades echoes off the bluffs after a second's delay. In fact, due to the unusual accoustics of the area, the whole battle, barely begun, sounds a lot more intense than it is (so far...). (-5 rounds 12.7mm)

The Crocodile, meanwhile, is gaining ground on the Krolowa, slowly but surely. The police boat is allowing the monitor to close up with it, but the smaller vessel is still several hundred meters out ahead of its larger compatriot. The police boat will soon be under the guns of the cavalrymen on the riverbanks who have, as of yet, held their fire. It's attempt to stay in the tug's blind spot directly aft is bringing it closer to the west bank and further from the bluffs. It's nearly a kilometer from the heights, reducing the effectiveness of any potential fire coming from the high ground. Via radio, the 89th's mortar team relays that they are ready to fire in support of the Krolowa- they await a fire mission from the tug. (OOC: I at least need to know which vessel the Kommando would like to target.)

The tug's crew, both above and below decks, are primed and ready for battle. The three cavalrymen from the rescue boat seem unsure what to do, so they crouch behind the main-deck rail on the port side, preparing to use their rifles should a target close to within small arms range.

OOC: Was the Princess brought aboard, or is she attached to the tug but still in the water?

Updated tac-map: https://maps.google.com/maps/m...pn=0.040322,0.132093


Next Moves?
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:13, Thu 31 Jan 2013.

Bayer leaves the bridge, binoculars in one hand and map in the other. "Yvgenny" he says, waving for the Russian to follow him outside. Once outside, he gets into a position where he can see the pursuing boats. Looking through the binoculars at the monitor, Bayer uses the reticle pattern, measured in mils, to help measure a point in the water, cross referencing it with the map old Adam gave him of the river. There's no references points out on the open water, so he needs to use the neighboring land based topography and man made structures to triangulate a position on the river that he expects the monitor to sail into (or close by).

He then lines up the reticle pattern on the monitor, and counts the lines. At a thousand meters each mil represented one meter... and using this formula he could work backwards and estimate the range.

Bayer then stabs his thumb onto the map where he plans on directing the first mortar round fired by the Russians. Yelling over his shoulder, he begins, "Fire mission... grid 824 660... direction 5200... HE impact... one round to adjust..." He then looks over his shoulder and calls out to whoever can relay that to the mortar for him, "Got that?"

Then while the mortar is preparing to fire, he looks towards the ground where the ZU-23-2 is located and toggles his radio, "Filipov (Warren), Bayer. I want that zoo-two to hold fire and not to engage the escort. It is to fire only on the monitor after it has entered into it's arcs of fire. Over."

Bayer
Upper Deck
Calling in mortar fire and ordering the ZU-23-2 to stay quiet
This message was last edited by the player at 04:26, Thu 31 Jan 2013.

Using his last burst as a guide Craig continues to fire on either boat if he has a clear line of sight. At this point he is just looking to get some fire on target, but if he is firing on the converted landing craft he fires on the turrets.

If anyone at a loose end is close he will call them over to sight corrections on his fire.

DShK

Firing on either target that presents itself

Jay cursed the wasted effort as the boat moved him out of sight of the targets. While waiting for a new opportunity he glanced the other direction, scanning the river and far bank for any changes that might cause concern.

Griet gritted her teeth and focused on her zigzags. Nothing else mattered but to keep the boat weaving and provide the enemy with the hardest target she could. She cast an eye on the wind, now would be a good time for the treacherous winds in this region of the river to start playing up as it would play hob with that pig of a monitor's navigation.

Zig

Zag

Griet
Zig zagging
Careful not to get into a pattern

"Oh shit!" Quyen says wide eyed at the near hits and sole impact. She then hunkers down below the gunwhales as much as possible and grips the PKM tightly and ready for action... waiting for the distance to close before she can add to the fire directed on the enemy boats. She wanted to light up and smoke so bad though.

Quyen then glances over at Tucker and his RPG and says "Once more into the fray my friend."

Quyen
Bow
Keeping low until targets in range
PKM (100/100)

"Förbannat", Anders cursed in his maternal tongue, Swedish, as the Queen turned and blocked his aim. He kept his weapon aimed at the direction it was already at and prepared to engage the enemy as soon as they'd reppear from behind the superstructure. First thing on his short list would be acquiring the police boat's gunner and silencing him.

Manning the Vasilek as the gunner
Weapon readied, waiting for a firing solution
This message was last edited by the player at 11:01, Fri 01 Feb 2013.

Warren keys his radio "Da. Relaying now."

Waiting for a break in the steady comm traffic of the excited Russians, he breaks the net, speaking in Russian  "Drakon eto koroleva. Tselevaya tolʹko krupnyye kanonerskoy lodki , no v pervoy zhe vozmozhnosti ! Povtorite, prioritetom yavlyayetsya kanonerskoy lodki!"

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)

Dragon this is Queen.  Target only the larger gunboat, but at earliest opportunity!  Repeat, priority is the the gunboat!

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