A journey of a
thousand miles must
begin with a single
step.

-Lao-Tzu c.500 B.C.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:25, Wed 25 Mar 2009.

Sunday, October 1st, 2000 -0700hrs.
Just East of Krakow, Poland
50 F
Scattered Heavy Ground Fog, Visibility 25-200m

You sit in the bed of an idle Ural-4320 cargo truck doing your best to stay warm in the chill of the early October morning. Seated on inward facing benches lining either side of the truck bed are several fellow travelers- soldiers mostly- who, like you, have been hired to provide security for a river tug heading down the Vistula towards the ruins of Warsaw. Your new employer, ‘Old’ Adam Rataj is haggling with a Krakow ORMO officer over the legitimacy of a small stack of Rada issued transit documents. Apparently, there seems to be some concern over the number of heavy weapons among the departing party. Based on the amount of pointing and gesticulating going on, you gather that the focus of the controversy is the towed 82mm Vasilek auto-mortar. A couple of bored looking ORMO sentries watch from atop a dug-in Polish T-72 tank. Several more stare out of a sandbagged checkpoint bunker. After a 10 minute wait, during which the ORMO officer withdraws to the bunker to contact his superiors in Krakow by field telephone, the party is unceremoniously waved through the checkpoint and sent on its way.

For the first several kilometers out of Krakow, the Ural travels along a four-lane blacktop road- cratered in places- through fields of winter wheat. Aside from a squad-sized patrol of horse-mounted ORMO soldiers riding alongside the road back towards the city, there are no signs of human life. Eventually, the wheat-fields come to an end and, with the wheat, you realize, civilization itself.

(OOC: This would be a good time to get to know your fellow travellers.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:24, Wed 25 Mar 2009.

Parks sits with his pack behind his feet. He's a thin man and his weathered tanned hands and face show his age. He's wearing a camo bandana and worn US issue fatigues with no insignia of any kind. A large soft looking pouch is around his waist and a gilly hood is tucked in behind it. He constantly repositions an AKR resting on his lap as the jarring potholes keep bouncing it around. A well maintained and camo'd SVD with a large scope leans against his shoulder with it's butt on one of his boots. Its held with a firm hand against rattling around.

Parks looks around at the others."Well gents, I for one will welcome a nice smooth boat ride after this kidney jarring trip. Any of ya seen this boat yet? I'm hopin' to get one of tha rooms with a balcony overlooking the pool."

John will look over and smile at the man with the sniper rifle. He will then adjust the pack at his feet that carries all that he owns in the world. He will make sure the pack is secure under his feet. He will then move his attention to his Rifle and do a once over in his mind to ensure that nothing has change with its condition. The rifle will lay in his lap with both of his hands on it. He will stare off into space and think of the warm wind on his farm back home and the sweet taste of a watermelon.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:53, Tue 29 May 2007.

Snowy looks over at his new companions and says in a nasal Australian drawl.

"G'day fellas, I'm Trev' 'Snowy' White, ACS. Just call me 'Snowy'."

He leans back against the side of the vehicle and looks around again, just a little sweep of the surroundings, much like everyone else is doing.

To Gunny he says "I'm with you there mate, I've been ashore for way too long. Me n' 'Bluey' 'ere," he gestures to the big Australian with him, "feel like we've walked here from Oz."

Snowy is wearing Aussie bunnycam in woodland hues, and cradles a tactical M4. What looks like a Glock (you're right) and a baton hang from his webbing belt. His helmet isn't military but rather police issue, and he has four, count them four, water bottles - although he's storing two in the Australian style smoothie pack at his feet.

"I'd kill for a cup of tea."

The big Australian sitting next to Snowy chimes in "You can have your tea Snow; me, I'd kill for a beer.  A nice, ice-cold, Cascade Premium straight out of the fridge at the Steyne.  Sportsmans Bar, of course."  He removes his helmet to scratch his head revealing his red hair.

"Staff Sergeant Thompson, Royal Australian Engineers, I'm hoping for a room on the Lido deck.  Something overlooking the pool."
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:55, Tue 29 May 2007.

"Normally mate, I'd agree with you. But I've got me mouth set on a cuppa."

Snowy is significantly shorter and slighter than Bluey, and has brown eyes and short brown hair. He fidgets a bit and looks over at the ORMO dicking around.

"Geez, you'd think these guys could do a search and question a bit faster, we'll be here until the next war at this rate."

Sitting on the end of one of the bench seats closest to the rear of the Ural is what is becoming an unusal sight.  He's compact, solid, stout.  Not defined in a musculer way.  Just sturdy.  It's an unusual look.  Most people that survived the war, and the elements, have lost that healthy kind of body type by now.  Most people are leaner.  Or skinny.

The guy on the end peaks out and checks the happenings with Old Adam, before leaning back in, and speaks to no one directly.

"Well, weathers picked up at least." (he shoots a quick glance at Parks, Snow and Blue - those that have been thinking of how much use the pool will get on their cruise)

Old Adam seems to be getting his point across, they're worried about something, likley the Vasilek.  Maybe they don't want to loose it from their town defenses.

(after Snow questions the speed of the "search and question" by the guards)  "They're just enjoying their moment in the limelight (smirks, pauses) they're jelous of the pool".

(looking at Snow and Bluey who recognise his Australian accent quicker than the others), "Yep, I'm Australian too.  Name's 'Max'.  You two guys must have been with the Peace Corps, eh?  I never seen you around though.  I dont know how many stayed in after last week.  Silly buggers.  Seems we're on the only boat out of here."

Max pulls his jacket collar up around his ears and sinks his head down, seeking shelter from the weather just outside the tarp.  His jacket is dark green and looks in good shape.  On the jacket shoulders there are small holes where the name and rank of its owner has been picked off.  Max has drab olive cargo pants on, faded terribley.  He searches around in one of his jacket pockets and pulls a thin black beanie out and slides it over his head.

An AK-74 with BG-15 sits facing the roof.  Scuffed black steel cap working boots rest along side its stock.  Max's backpack rests on the floor between his feet and legs.  A 30-06 civilian rifle is strapped to the outside of the large backpack that is the norm nowadays.  It runs the length of the pack and points towards the roof also.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:58, Tue 29 May 2007.

Blue looks over at the other Australian "Strewth mate, another bloody Aussie, Snow and me self where with the UN before the war.  So where ya from?"

Sitting with his side pressed up against the cab, and looking somewhat uncomfortable with his position in the vehicle, is a man dressed in dark blue jeans and a dark brown, sheepskin-lined, leather jacket. You wonder if his apparent discomfort is a result of how there's still an olive green military style rucksack strapped to his back, forcing him to sit on the very edge of the bench seat.

Except for a pair of well-worn combat boots, he's dressed as a civilian. But, he isn't likely ever to have passed for one in war-time Krakow. Clarence is an African-American, and quite dark-skinned at that. Furthermore, strapped to his right thigh, in a tactical holster, is a large automatic pistol- a modern .45 by the look of it (it's a SOCOM, Mark 23 Mod0 to be exact). Cradled on his lap is an AKSU-74. From the hints of grey in his closely cropped hair, he looks to be somewhere in his late thirties or early forties.

"As long as they have room-service." His lips part to reveal a pearly-white smile, but his brown eyes belie the expression."Name's Clarence Milk. It's just good to hear English again. It aint what passes for English back in Chi-town, but I gotta say, it aint never sounded so sweet."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:26, Tue 29 May 2007.

Robert Tucker sits (wherever there's room that no one has claimed) and has a large MOLLE back pack and a large OD green duffel bag just about filled to capacity next to him or on the floor of the truck next to him.  Tuck cradles his M-16A2/M-203 combo next to him on the seat making sure it doesn't bump into anyone (or anyone bump into it).

Surprised to finally hear some 'United States' English, Tuck sits up when the soldier with the PACT sniper rifle and the other soldier with the chopped AK-74 speak up.  He sits up in his seat and says to all, "You ain't shittin' Clarence!  Name's Robert Tucker, friends call me Tuck.  I guess we all had enough of scenic Krakow huh?  I'm just looking forward to sleeping someplace rather comfortably where no one's going to steal me or my shit with me in it!"

Tucker is wearing well-worn American issue BDU's with no identifiable unit markings except for where his shoulder patches used to be.  He's wearing a MOLLE grenadier's vest and kevlar helmet and vest are also worn.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:00, Tue 29 May 2007.

   Parks listens to each and takes a good look at each of their gear and set up. "Names Parks but most call me Gunny. Either is fine. I was a scout sniper before all hell broke loose.
   Well, we have some firepower for this trip and the Captain has payed a pretty penny for it no doubt. I'm guessing we are in for some shit before it's over. From the looks of us, that isn't anything terribly new." Parks turns to the big Aussie." If you get the only room overlooking the pool, I'll duel ya for it. Two thousand paces sound fair?" Parks smirks.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:02, Tue 29 May 2007.

Wedged between Gunny and John sits a small woman, no more than a few inches over 5’. Her brown eyes sparkle as she looks between the men as they talk, one would have the impression of an imp looking at her with the small grin on her face. The helmet and pack are both embellished with a red cross which would indicate she was a medic.
But even as a medic she was armed, an Uzi was slung over her shoulder and cradled in her lap. ”Well since we are doing the introductions, my name is Anneka. Originally from a small settlement in the Gaza strip and now enjoying my posting here as my horizons are widened.” Her grin only got broader as she shook her head from side to side. ”So if any of you boys cut yourself shaving, I am the one you come to see. It would suit me down to the ground if we encountered nothing worse than splinters.”
The smile dimmed a little. She had seen so much bloodshed already and knew it was always dangerous, always a risk of getting wounded or killed. She looked at the faces again, the smiles and various expressions. How many of these would come back to join the others in her nightmares. Or would a bullet stop her own nightmares. She shook off the feeling and forced the smile back on her face. ”A cuppa. Me, I would kill for a hot bath. Whatever that is.” she laughed.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:04, Tue 29 May 2007.

Max looks up at Snowy
"Yea?  I figured you were with the Peace's.

(Glancing at Blue, then back to Snowy) You were with Blue?

I was there too, though you may not have seen me.  I worked permanent nights in a fire team, on the transport trucks.  We transported processed goods out after sunset to the outreach locals, then brought raw materials back in before daybreak.  It was the day shift guys you were probably used to, seeing transporting engineers around during the day to the outreach areas.

I preferred the night work.  I was never comfortable sleeping at night, too many people fall asleep or at least doze while on the night watch.  So I got to sleep during the day, when security was tighter.  I guess I worked there 6 months, since coming back in off "the line".  Then there was that trouble last week, and here I am."

Max speaks quietly, loud enough for those listening to hear, but not loud enough to disturb anyone in there own thoughts before the truck moves off, and the job begins.

Max speaks up a bit louder
"Um, anyone know if we're heading up river or down river?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:06, Tue 29 May 2007.

"No way mate, you can have the room, just don't sit down whilst your in there."  He raises one finger and makes a motion like a clock hand ticking away "Tick, Tick, Tick, Boom!" then grins broadly.

Blue is 6'1 inches tall and heavily muscled, his hair has grown out of it's usual milirtary do and he has let his beard grow out.  He wears a worn Australian uniform and carries a Steyr with an M203.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:07, Tue 29 May 2007.

Snowy nods. "Yeah mate, you're right there." As the conversation wanders to recent deployments, he says "I was with UNFICYP in Cypress, nice and warm there, although occasionally just a little too warm. Lovely Greek and Turkish girls in Cypress, the locals are great when they're not shooting each other too but the beer is aweful. I was doing border interdiction, search and seizure - boarding old Mediterranean tramps crewed by local fanatics. Kinda 'lively' at times. Then I ended up with the ANZaSPN in Heidelberg and onto the 5th US Mech, which wasn't my best career choice considering."

Snowy doesn't look like he's fazed though, and continues on.



Snow grins back and says "Yeah, even a navy shower would be a marked difference from the pommy-washes I've been having." It never seems to occur to Snowy that he has to explain what he's saying.



Snowy leans back and checks his small arsenal of gear again and answers Max.

"Downriver mate, about halfway or a bit further. She's a biggun', the Vistula. The Vistula is the tenth largest river in the world, and she's a wild one. The Poles have being trying to tame her for centuries, but she's not about to be anyone's tame creek. If any of you guys have crossed her between here and a third of the way down you would have seen the big mother levees a couple of hundred metres back from the banks. We'd better keep an eye on the weather, a lot of rain would make the river a bit too interesting considering the damage the control infrastructure has taken."

"While I'm thinkin', let's get our radios on the same freek while we're here, in case our ride to the tug gets exciting"
This message was last edited by the player at 07:40, Wed 30 May 2007.

Konrad has been quietly sitting in the back of the Ural watching the conversations between his fellow travellers.

He is a fairly tall man with a lean build, dressed in Bunderswehr fatigues which are in remarkably good condition. His boots show the truth, they are intact but well worn. He wears the patch of the 6th Panzergrenadier Division. As seems fairly common with the group, Konrad is well armed, wearing a Grenadiers vest with various 40mm grenades, he carries a G36 rifle with an attached grenade launcher. His pack like the others sits at his feet.

Waiting politely for a break in the conversation he introduces himself, he speaks clear English but with a definate german accent.

"Looks like we are all shipmates for a while. I am Konrad Bayer, former soldier and now survivor" He grins but the smile does not reach his eyes

"Looking forward to travelling with you all"

He then leans back resting against the side of the truck.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:12, Tue 29 May 2007.

Tuck looks around the back of the truck as the rest of the introductions are made.  He extends a hand out to Clarence and then to Parks after he introduces himself, "Good to meet you Parks or Gunny you said right?  You can call me Tuck!  Where you two back from in the World?" he says to Milk and Parks.

"Looks like the Captain has a need for a small arsenal and personal army where he's goin' huh?  At least four grenade launchers, including mine, plus all this heavy shit here in the crates!  I've got almost a spare case of nine-milimeter with me too that I was able to 'acquire' before levaving scenic Krakow.  I'd be willin' to trade some of it or share it in small, reasonable portions if anyone needs it?  How're we looking for ammo for the grenade launchers?  That guy over there's got the Russian one which can't use our forty mike-mike's!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:24, Tue 29 May 2007.

Max acknowledges Tuck with a nod.  Max speaks a bit louder this time.
"Yeah, good point.  I thought having Russian gear was like the old 'bank card'.  Dont leave home without it, its accepted everywhere.

I got a couple of HE, a smoke, and a tank killer.."

Max speaks to noone but everyone
"Anyone seen this ship?  The Queen?

I hope its as good as advertised, and supplied as described".
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:14, Tue 29 May 2007.

Clarence smiles as the nurse introduces herself. "It's good to have a healer aboard. Be positive, by the way."He pauses for a moment, chuckling to himself as he realizes his attempt at humor has fallen flat. "It's my blood-type. Bad joke, miss. My bad."

Clarence responds to Tuck's question, "Chicago. South Side. You can survive there, you can survive anywhere."

He pats his AK while addressing Max. "I hear ya, man. Say what you will about the Russians, they make some fine weapons."

Clarence raises his voice to make himself heard over the throaty pur of the Ural's big engine, "Snowy, is it? You got a radio too? Anyone else got a radio?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:56, Tue 29 May 2007.

"Not a bad idea Max.  There's got to be a better chance of picking up PACT gear over our NATO stuff since it's all over the country side.  Ours is too but, there's was here for the stay.  I don't have any stuff for your BG Max but, anyone with a '203' or equivalant, I got some spares myself!

As far as the ship goes, I haven't seen or heard of it before.  Must be pretty decent though if the Captain can afford to hire us and buy all of this gear to go with it!  How about you Aussie's any idea?"

John will pop his head strait when he hears a man on the truck call himself a gunny. He will look at the man to see if there is any recognition. If so, he will give a slight nod. If not, he will tilt his head back and continue to stare into space. John will listen to the group talk but won't add anything unless asked a question from the others.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:11, Wed 30 May 2007.

Wayne leans against his pack as he sits on the bed of the truck, his back toward the crew cab.  He stares out the back of the truck during the temporary stop.  Taking the stop as an opportunity to check on his cameras.  When the truck starts rolling again he puts his equipment away keeping only one camera out as he listens to the others talk.

Anneka smiled at Snowy’s response even though she had no idea what he had just said. But that was the way of the services, they all had their own terms and slang. Turning to Clarence ”Clarence please, no miss or ma’am. Just call me Anneka or goddess".” She laughed as her eye sparkled with glee. She liked the look of these men, hard professionals but they all had that special something, the way they bond under such extreme circumstances.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:05, Wed 30 May 2007.

Tucker looks over to Freeman and points to his camera(s), "So uh, you from the PR department of the new Polish travel ministry or somthing mister?"

Max grunts, laughs, but stops short.
Max looks at Tucker rather than the guy with the cameras
"... or Soldier of Fortune magazine?

Travel, see the world"

Tilts his head and puts on a smile as he places a cap back on the camera he has ready, "Something like that. Wayne Freeman, New York Times."

Wayne slings the camera and pulls a medium sized green notebook out of his satchel as he continues, "Not sure what to be called, haven't heard someone speak my name in ages."

He starts jotting down some notes in the book, "I'd say, I would make you famous, but from what I hear New York took a nuke so I doubt I have an employer anymore."

Parks nods to Anneka at his side as she introduces herself. "Sorry but before it's all over with, you'll prolly just be Doc to at least me. Old habits. Hope you're OK with that." Then he turns to Tuck. "South Texas here. Little ranch a ways outside of San Antone'."
   At the mention of radios, he takes his hand held off his web gear.
" I'd suggest we use atleast 3 Freqs.  Its fairly easy to dial in on one. Maybe one for general chatter and another for general quarters. Third reserved for any shore parties. Something like green, red and yellow channels. Suggestions?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:13, Wed 30 May 2007.

"Sounds good," answers Snowy, "and we can skip up five for an alternate if we think the other guys have their ears on. I think anything more complex than that is asking for trouble really."

Max replies to Freeman
"Well, New York may be gone ... but where we're going, there maybe a few animals.  Where's "National Geographic" based these days?"

Max hasnt been part of the conversation between Gunny and Snowy, but he butts in anyway.
"Forget the third channel, we wont need a shore party.  This ride is non-stop, I was told ..."

Max smirks.


Max kinda speaks up to noone in particular
"If we're gonna start deciding on channels and stuff, theres likely a heap of gear we could cover in terms of organising ourselves"

Max surveys each person, including "Doc", to see who's paying attention
"Our lives are gonna mostly be in each others hands.  What role we each get, how well we're organised, it's all gonna count at some point.  Radio channels maybe you can work out now, let everyone know.

But what about other stuff, do we do it while its quiet, or wait to see this boat we're getting on?

Hell, that Vasilek might not even fit onto the Good ship Lollypop yet"
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:15, Wed 30 May 2007.

One occupant of the Ural's bed remains conspicuously yet to speak. Tall and wiry, he looks to be older than dirt, a scruffy-looking fossil in a black watch cap.  His "uniform" is mostly dark in color and seems largely of civilian origin.  Those items obviously military are olive drab, or various patterns of camouflage, and lack any discernible markings, rank or insignia.

The webbing, belt and suspenders worn over his flak jacket are equally nondescript, a haphazard collection of pouches cobbled together piecemeal from any number of NATO or WTO sources. The rig holding the Uzi 9mm submachinegun alongside his right flank especially seems to be homemade, if not custom tailored - perhaps by one of the many leatherworkers or other martial accessory craftsmen of the Krakow weapons bazaar.

He has been following the discussion since clearing the last checkpoint, in turn casually eyeing each other rider in silent assessment.  Occasionally, he will chuckle quietly or give a half-nod to indicate that he is actually listening and not completely lost in quiet reflection.  At some point, he produced from the sea bag at his feet a box of twelve gauge buckshot ammo and began loading rounds one by one slowly and methodically into the tubular magazine well of the Mossberg M590 shotgun cradled in his left arm.  Once fully loaded, he racks the slide to chamber a round and then slides one last one last round into the bottom of the receiver before resting the butt on the bench to his left, hand on the slide with the barrel pointed skyward.

As another lull in the conversation establishes a temporary beach head. the unshaven relic clears his throat and raises his right hand to snap a mock salute.

"Well," he declares in an accent sure to betray his Afrikanner heritage, "I am Joost.  That rhymes with 'toast' so it will be easy to recall.  I guess all the good staterooms are reserved by now, so I will just bunk in the engine room."

He reflects for a moment, then winks at the diminutive field medic seated across the bed.

"Or maybe in the sick bay?"

With that, Joost leans back and smiles to himself as he adjusts the balled up anorak he has been using as a neck pillow.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:32, Wed 30 May 2007.

When Max mentions the Vasilek, Konrad leans forward.

"Does anyone know how to use the big gun ? I imagine us infantry types can call in fire but do we have anyone who has used one before ?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:16, Wed 30 May 2007.

Sunday, October 1st, 2000 -0730hrs.
8 kilometers East of Krakow, Poland
51 F
Scattered Heavy Ground Fog, Visibility 50-200m (variable)

The big Ural continues to bump east along the pot-holed, four-lane blacktop in the direction of the ruins of Nowa Hutny. The air passing through the bed of the truck is cold and damp and the smell of wet grass is heavy in the morning air. Every now and again, the Ural passes the rust-hued husk of a military or civilian vehicle sitting forlornly where it had been shoved off the road months or years before. Heavy banks of fog hang in drainage canals and under stands of trees alongside the road. It’s decent landscape for an ambush. But, Old Adam assured you before you set out from Krakow in the pre-dawn gloaming that the ORMO routinely patrols this stretch of road and that anyways, bandits usually don’t bother to get up this early in the morning. It’s small comfort indeed. Adam’s first mate, a sour-faced Silesian by the name of Uller, is driving now, and driving recklessly, caroming through the fog, down the poorly maintained road, at nearly 50km per hour. The towed Vasilek mortar bounces and swerves precariously behind the truck. ‘Old’ Adam, your new employer, is riding shotgun in the cab.

The country surrounding you now consists of gently rolling fields of foot-high grass, glistening with condensed moisture. About 150 meters back from the road on both sides are thick walls of tall trees. The ground rises almost imperceptably to the landward side, while dropping off gradually as it nears the river which is out of view some distance behind the Southern wall of trees. The road is slightly convex and is bordered by shallow channels for drainage.

Without warning, your conversation is cut short as the Ural screeches and slides to an abrupt halt. With some effort, you manage to avoid falling over while several items of cargo slide forward along the bed. By twisting around and leaning over the railing along the sides of the truck bed, you can make out the dark shape of a seemingly intact jeep-type vehicle parked in the middle of the road about 50 meters ahead. Uller must not have seen it until just moments ago due to the heavy fog which is just now beginning to clear.

OOC: Actions?
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:36, Wed 30 May 2007.

Parks crouches low and moves to the front of the bed. Stepping on or over anything and anyone in the way. After kicking a few jumbled packs out of the corner he releases his AKR that swings to his side by it's strap and removing a spotting scope from his hip pouch. Resting his SVD into the cornerof the bed, he slowly leans or raises to bring the jeep into view. Once this is accomplished he speaks in broken Polish. "Captain? Defensive perimeter or watch and wait?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:31, Wed 30 May 2007.

Robert gets real serious at the mentione of a nuke hitting New York.  He tries to laugh it off but, sometimes the truth hurts and that is the reality of war.  "Yeah, I had heard that it got hit.  I just hope my folks either got out or, hmm, went quick.  Damn, that's a shitty thing to say ain't it?  I had heard that it was kind of like 'Escape From New York' in some places.  Not much to go back to I guess huh?  I guess we're both shit out of luck, huh reporterman?"

Tucker turns to Max quickly, "Yeah Max, don't forget meet interesting people and kill them!"

Tucker sits quietly after his quick conversation with the reporter from the N.Y. Times thinking about what had happened since he left home.  It is interrupted by the sudden stoppage of the Ural truck.  Tuck tries to get a view of what is going on as he brings his M16A2 up to a low-ready position or the best he can in the back of the truck to see exactly what is going on.  As long as he can see the vehicle, he reaches down into his MOLLE vest and pulls a HEDP grenade out and loads his M-203 launcher.  "Vehicle!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:33, Wed 30 May 2007.

John jumps into action and follows the gunny to the front of the truck. He will move to the side that the gunny is not at and set into action with his weapon at the ready.


To Gunny Parks in a low tone, " Guns to you want me to play clean up or spotter for you? I have the AKM for clean up or I can just spot- tell me what you want."

With that John goes silent waiting for the gunny's reply.......
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:34, Wed 30 May 2007.

Getting kneed a couple of times as he sat against the front part of the bed, against the cab, Wayne decides it's time to move.  He crawls out from between the Gunny and the Native American, dragging his pack as he moved.  Once out of the way of the front part of the truck he shoved his pack under a seat and slung his camera around his side.  Pulling a second camera out of the satchel he removes the cap and leans out the right hand side of the truck.  Bringing the camera up to an eye he rotates the focus band on the telefocus lens as he tries to get a look on the vehicle then slowly uses the camera to scan to the right all the way to check the rear.

Snowy grunts as Bluey's big bulk scrunches him between him and Gunny. Everyone's a bit unsure looking, Snowy included.

"Right guys, let's look like professionals. One of you infantry guys call the shots and let's form a perimeter." He shifts his grip on his M4 and puts his index finger on the trigger guard. "Tuck, how about it?"

Max is deep in his own thoughts by the time the Ural comes to a sudden stop.  Max, sitting next to the drop ramp at the rear, slides forward with momentum as everyone else does.  Its enough to jolt Max from where ever it was he had drifted.

Shouts of "Vehicle" and "... defensive perimeter" go up as the truck stops.

Max leaves his bag in the bed of the truck as he drops off the Ural with AK-74 and BG-15 in hand.

Landing in the soft, wet soil, Max hunches down, flicks the safety off and peers around the side of the Ural.

With guns trained on target from the front of the truck, Max doesn't aim his rifle along the side of the truck.  Instead, after taking a look down the road himself, he looks out across the landscape 90 degrees from his side of the truck.  Max is looking for any depressions or cover that could be used.  If firing starts, Max will wait for any return fire by his new companions before running for any cover he can find.

From inside the cab, Old Adam shouts a reply in thickly accented English, "I don't know! That is what I hired you for!" From the timbre of his voice, you easily ascertain that Adam is somewhat frazzled at the moment.

[Private to Rick 'Gunny' Parks; Wayne Freeman: Your examination of the 'jeep' reveals that it is a dark-blue, almost black, hard-topped, UAZ-469. Some sort of wire mesh covers all of the windows, making it hard to see inside. Furthermore, the glass is somewhat foggy from moisture condensation.  Nevertheless, you do not detect any movement within the vehicle.]
This message was last edited by the player at 00:00, Thu 31 May 2007.

"Snow, you're with me.   Max you too, let's go." says Blue as he gets up clambering across the packs on the floor he vaults out of the back of the truck.  "C'mon boys it's time for work."
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:34, Thu 31 May 2007.

Clarence doesn't wait for an invitation to exit the Ural or "RPG magnet" as he's mentally dubbed it. He clambers over the aglomeration of packs and ammo crates piled up near the cab and climbs down over the tail-gate. He goes down to one knee facing the opposite direction that Max is and scans for anything suspicious. He flicks the safety of his AK carbine from safe to single shot. The barrel of his weapon follows his eyes.

I think I'll be movin' to the back of the bus...

Tuck nods to Snowy, "Go ahead with your boy Snow!  Blue, I'll take Milk and Bayer with me to the side you're not goin' to.  We'll set up shop on that side.  For shits and giggles, radios to channel three for the time being and let's see how this works out.  Gunny, you and your partner here staying in the truck?  If so, don't let them leave without us!  The rest of you who don't have any weapons, don't take this personal but please, stay the hell out of the way and let those that do work for the time being until we figure out what's going on," Tuck says directing the last comments at Anneka and Wayne.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:54, Thu 31 May 2007.

One moment she was chatting happily with the men, next thing she is squashed between bodies as the vehicle screeches to a halt. The smell of burnt rubber fills her nostrils as the puff of grey smoke from the tires dissipates. As the group gets organised she clutches her Uzi to her chest, shoulders her pack and moves to the rear of the truck and drops down onto the road. She turns to the right and jogs towards the road's edge, the pack bouncing against her as she moves.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:21, Thu 31 May 2007.

Parks barks "Tuck! Set the perimeter but keep it close. We might have to move quickly. I need'a 203 in here with me. It has grenade netting and I'm guessing it's occupied. If it's a trap, it's already sprung so stay alert. We'll stick to the truck for now."
   Parks hands his spotting scope to the unnamed person offering to spot as a reply and brings his SVD to bear on the UAZ. He scans for any odd antennas then exhaust. With the temperature, he guesses he should see something if the vehicle is running. Then he checks clearance on the sides for the Ural to get by if needed. Parks crouches back down into the truck and in lower tones Parks whispers "Scan the sides of the road and call targets. The road ahead is 12 oclock. I will watch the UAZ." to his mysterious new spotter while quickly setting his radio freq. "Uller, You will not touch the gas until we give you the go. Understand?" Parks barks in Polish as he moves to watch the UAZ thru his scope.


Parks
Front right bed of Ural
SVD w/scope 3x 10rnd magazines / AKR(at his side) 3x 30rnd magazines
Monitoring UAZ activity, ready to cover the perimeter team's egress.

This message was last edited by the GM at 19:24, Thu 31 May 2007.

Tuck looks around to see who's left in the interior of the Ural truck.  He sees that all of the others with grenade launchers have already exited the vehicle and are setting up a hasty perimeter.  "Shit!  Everyone bugged out already.  Clarence, take Bayer and Joost and cover the other side of the vehicle the the Aussie's aren't.  Keep it close and tight in case we've got to DiDi out of here!  Don't shoot first unless you have too!  You good with that?  I'll stick with you here Gunny.  I got a HEDP loaded and ready to go in case it gets ugly!"

Tuck thinks to himself quickly when he sees Anneka jump out of the truck with her Uzi, "Ah man, I forgot she was Israeli military.  Hope she don't make me sorry for saying it."

Front left bed in Ural truck
M-16A2 w. [1] fully loaded magazine and [1] HEDP loaded in M-203
Watching the UAZ jeep in front of them and looking for other targets
This message was last edited by the player at 03:11, Thu 31 May 2007.

Wayne slides to the back of the truck and clutching the telefocus lens in his left hand he hops out and takes a knee at the back of the truck between the mortar and bed.  He leans out the right side and focuses the camera on some of the men moving to the right of the road and snaps a couple of pictures.  Noticing he has a bad angle toward the jeep in the road, Wayne crouches and moves along side the truck until he reaches the front right bumper.  He leans out and snaps a couple of pictures of anyone moving along the left side of the road.

Snowy's on one knee with his M4 to his shoulder and his eyes staring past the reflex sight. He scans his arc as Bluey and Max rumble past and quips "Blue! Bet ya a tenner he's got no film!"

While Max is peeking at the vehicle up ahead, and scanning laterally for cover, he hears bodies land behind him (Snow and Blue).

"Could be nothing.  Could be anything"

Blue moves off first, then Max ...

Max
AK-74 (30)
BG-15 (1 HE)
breaking from behind the Ural and seeking cover off the road.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:26, Thu 31 May 2007.

To Gunny Parks " Ok Guns, I will scan for targets. The front of truck is 12 o' clock."

John will take the spotting scope with his left hand and bring it up to his eye and start to scan the vehicle in front of the truck checking for targets. His AKM will go down to the alert with his right hand on the pistol grip and the weight supported by his sling. John will start to scan the target area from left to right going slow looking for personel or anything else out of the ordinary.

To Gunny Parks "Scanning from left to right on the truck now"


John
AKM in right hand supported by sling
Spotting scope in left hand
Spotting targets from left side of the truck bed.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:27, Thu 31 May 2007.

Once the truck has come to a halt, Konrad moves to the rear to jump down. Leaving his pack behind he carries his assault rifle.

He stops when Tuck speaks, listens and then jumps down. Keeping to a crouch he moves to the opposite side from the Aussies and seeing that plenty of others are watching the front he stops by the side of the Ural and scans the area to the side of the road.

"Got this side covered Tuck"

As he speaks Konrad switches his rifle to burst fire and loads a HE grenade.

"Roger That!" Tucker yells out to Bayer as he gets into position.  Turning on his radio, Tuck gives everyone about 20 seconds before he tries to get a status report from them.  While keeping his attention to the front portion of the Ural, he says to Gunny Parks in a nochlant way, "So, what'd you have on yer farm Gunny?"


Tuck
M-16A2: [1] Mag (30) LOADED
M-203: [1] 40mm HEDP LOADED
Front left bed in Ural truck- Supporting Parks & Yazzie- Scanning 180^ in front of truck

Checking behind him as he slings the telefocus camera and getting the other one ready.  Wayne makes sure he won't cross anyone's line of fire before standing up and taking a few steps forward and to the right of the front of the truck before turning around.  He turns around and faces the truck snapping off a picture or two of the truck and men looking over the roof.  After getting the picture he quickly returns to front right bumper and takes a knee as he switches cameras again.

Max slides into the South side drainage ditch, as its the only cover he can see.  Sliding in, all he is thinking about is not sliding in so far as to get too wet.

Snow and Blue (?) take up positions nearby.

Max
"What IS that camera guy doing?"

Kneeling in the ditch she folds out the small metal stock of the uzi and chambers a round though keeps it saftied. Keeping about 5 meters behind Gunny she keeps low and scans to her right for any signs of movement. She scans the dew covered grass for any fresh signs of movement.

[Private to Cap'n Rae: Hi, when we discussed my character she was going to have an Uzi but her sheet shows an M16. Would you like me to alter my post to an M16 or my sheet to an Uzi? Thanks.]

Seeing the newsman rush forward and start taking photo's Blue groaned to him self.  "Snow, Max c'mon let's stop that newsie getting killed."  He motions the pair into an arrowhead formation with himself at the point and begins to stride forward purposefully.

"Tuck, I'm going forward, we will scout the jeep." Blue says as he draws even with the cab of the truck.

Giving a quick glance to Bluey, Tuck simply answers, "Roger that Blue."

He turns to the back of the Ural to where he hoped Anneka was and calls to her, "Anneka!  You got security on Blue's side!"

Snowy confidently says "Ohshitohshitohshit" and crab walks forward with his weapon at his shoulder, trying to see under the vehicle, around the vehicle, in the vehicle and everywhere else. As this is patently useless, he then covers his side of the arc and whispers "If this thing has an IED, we're toast Bluey me mate. P'raps we should swing out in an arc and see what's nearby?"

Max hears Blue, then watches him leave the relative safety of the ditch and begin striding out towards the cab of the Ural ... and on towards the tango vehicle.

Max screws his face up as Blue marchs out of the ditch on his own for a couple of paces, almost demanding by his actions that Max and Snow fall into line behind.

Max looks at Snow, bewildered.  Drops his head down and looks at the ground, before pushing off on his forearms, standing, and quickly falling into step.  As he does so he mutters to Snow, but also hoping Blue hears
"Pulling this shit we better at least look confidant"


As Max passes by the Ural he talks to Tuck out the corner of his mouth
"WE'RE going forward, Tuck"


Max
Confidantly falling into arrowhead formation
Checking safety is OFF on his AK-74
Approaching unknown vehicle

Parks smiles a little at Tuck's question while still watching the UAZ. " Been a long while since I was there. Back when, it was brangus, mustangs and oil. A few crops, Taters mostly, And lots of rabbits. How I learned to shot. Dad made me hit them in the eye or I was done huntin'. Marines just gave me new prey to hunt."
After listening to the exchange with Bluey and Tuck's call to the doc, Parks chimes in. Tuck go with Doc. She will need ya more then we will if Murphy has his way. Lets just hope there's nothing heavy out there. We're sittin ducks."
Parks stays trained on the UAZ watching for any movement, covering the troops moving up.

The petite medic scrambles out the back of the Ural and dashes any paternalistic notion Joost had of keeping her safe under cover.  He stands as he slings his scattergun over a shoulder and pats both remaining Marines on their inside facing shoulders.  "Well gents, it looks as if the perimeter is established - so how about ye cover me?"

Not to be trouble by waiting for an answer, the crusty ex-Legionnaire hops over the north side of the truck bed and advances along the left side of the vehicle.  Passing the cab he raises an outstretched index finger to the driver and calls out, "Dontcha go nowhere, Karl!"

Clearing the front bumper of the enormous Russian cargo vehicle, Joost shoulders the Mossberg to the "low ready" position and steps out into the dense and swirling ground fog.  Holding himself erect, he moves with an alert and swift confidence toward the vehicle presently blocking the road and approaches to within what he gauges to be one hundred feet (30m) of the nearest facing oblique.

"Now then," he calls out in passable if lightly accented Polish, "What seems to be the trouble here?"

Joost
In front of the Ural
Mossberg M590 with 9+1 rounds at the low ready
Approaching the roadblock
This message was last edited by the player at 02:27, Fri 01 June 2007.

"You guys take it easy and take your time!  Max, tell those guys go to Channel three on their radios so we don't have to yell out everything!"


"You sure?  I guess you're in good hands here with, what's your name bud?" Tucker says to Yazzie.  "If you guys got a radio, let's go over to channel three for tactical chatter Gunny.  I'm outta here, good luck,"

Tucker exits the back of the Ural's truck bed and jumps to the ground and goes into a crouch looking to get Clarence and his guys attention.  Once he does, Tucker points to his radio and holds up three fingers hoping he understands what he's saying since he thinks it's pretty simple.  Although it seems simple, Bob hasn't worked with any of these people before so some things are going to have to be ironed out when they get to the ship.

Once he's done with Clarence, Tucker turns to find Anneka and makes his way towards her position and find some cover next to her.  He surveys the land around them then turns to her, "How we doin' here?  Got anything?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:53, Fri 01 June 2007.

"Yep your right Snow, let's take it wide.  If it is an IED I'm probably the best man to take a look at it.  Max this close to Krakow and with you two at my back I am confident.  Not crazy" says Blue as he moves forward.

All of a sudden he signals to stop as Joost comes up then signals down.  "Well looks like the Springbok wants to deal with it Digger.  We'll stop & wait." Blue moves over to the ditch himself and crouches down.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:17, Fri 01 June 2007.

As the Australians leave the Southern flank of the Ural to approach the UAZ, the heavy stillness of the morning is shattered by an erruption of gunfire from approximately 100 meters off the Ural's left flank.

A burst of rounds punches through the Ural's driver-side door and window. In the cab, Adam is unhurt save but for small cuts from flying glass. Uller is less fortunate. The steel jacket of a bullet that penetrated the door of the Ural lodges in his thigh. A round skims accross the roof of the cab spraying tiny slivers of paint and metal in its wake. Fortunately, both Gunny and Yazzie have one eye closed and the other pressed up against an optic; both suffer only minor scratches. Somehow, the round passed underneath the barrel of Gunny's SVD without touching it.

Up ahead, Blue experiences a sensation that he can liken only to being hit in the helmet by a power lifter with a cricket bat. As he goes down, he doesn't even notice the grazing wound to his left tricep.

Max and Snow both turn their head instinctively and notice a long, green, dart-like, object hurtling through the whispy fog directly towards them.

Amidst the crackle of rifle fire, Joost hears a familiar low boom followed by something akin to the sound of a handfull of small pebbles being thrown against the grill of the Ural.

At the back of the truck, Tuck is struck in the back of his left thigh, just below his buttocks. It removes a small chunk of flesh, but damages nothing vital.

Wayne, Joost, Anneka, Clarence, and Karl are all startled by the cacophany but are unwounded in the opening volley.

[Private to Bruce 'Bluey' Thompson: OOC: Fortunately, the round that hit Blue in the helmet did not penetrate. Assuming a favorable outcome to the firefight, Bluey will be pleased to notice the sizeable divot it left behind  in the Kevlar.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:19, Fri 01 June 2007.

Snowy's vision has given him a snapshot of something he's never wanted to see. He shouts at the top of his lungs "RPG!" and flings himself into the ditch.

If it goes bang on the truck, he'll hug the ground. If it sounds like it's gone over or past, he'll open up with the M4 at muzzle flashes in an attempt to suppress.

Snowy
Ditch, left flank.
M4 Carbine (30) Six mags.
Supressing ambushers.

"Feck!"

The first gunfight of the day is always the most rattling.  The sudden - if not totally unexpected - eruption of gunfire initially startles Joost, but the grizzled veteran of innumerable combat encounters recovers almost immediately.  He gains his bearings and reflexively drops to a tactical crouch.

Having realized that he's just been caught out in the wide, wide open with his pants down around his ankles, his momentary surprise and bewilderment rapidly fades to a split-second of mild embarrassment which is just as quickly replaced with a resolved and determined vengeance.  Any glimmer of hope Joost may have held for negotiating a non-violent passing of the roadblock vaporizes as he raises the Mossberg to a "high ready" position snug against his right shoulder.  The passage of time slows to a crawl as he begins to scan for any available target in which to unload the fury of his double-aught wrath.

Joost
Front and center
Mossberg M590, 9+1 rounds
Acquiring a target

Edit: If there is no immediately obvious and proximate target to engage, Joost will attempt to execute a "dive, tuck and roll" into the road ditch opposite the direction of incoming fire.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:16, Fri 01 June 2007.

Parks ducks down as something peppers his face. Amidst all the chaos only one thing keeps screaming through his head. "All out! Clear the truck!" he shouts as he makes a mad dash to the southern side of the truck. Once there he will sling his SVD across his back and assess the cab which he knows was hit. If they haven't exited already he will help them any way he can.



Parks
Southern side of Ural
AKR (fully loaded)(at side) 3x 30 rnd magazines
Assisting/dragging the Capt and/or Uller to the northern ditch



* edited after clarification of directions of fire.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:11, Fri 01 June 2007.

Wayne falls backward onto his arse as pebbles pelt the grill and his body.  His fall more a reaction to being startled than the force of any explosion.  He scoots back up to the right front tire of the truck and out of habit checks in the direction away from the incoming fire before rolling to his left.  Looking from under the tire as he leans on the ground, he looks in the direction of the incoming fire for something worthy of snapping a picture of.

As the calm of the morning is suddenly turned into a maelstrom of lead, Anneka throws herself flat into the ditch as she hears round striking the Ural behind her. Looking back over her shoulder, she sees the peppered cab but laying down she is unable to see the inhabitants. From her position she is unable to see much of the team so her assessment is the cab's occupants could have been injured.
Rising to a crouch she runs for the rear of the truck and will come around the protected side to check on the occupants. From there she is also able to spot any other wounded.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:12, Fri 01 June 2007.

Hearing the sounds of incoming rounds hitting the Ural behind him, Konrad quickly realises that the firing is coming from the other side of the truck and with the bulk of it between him and the enemy he is relatively safe for the time being.

Staying in a combat crouch, he moves towards the front of the vehicle keeping a watch on this side. Though the ambush has been sprung that doesn't mean that enemies are not waiting on this side as well.

"Tuck, anyone! Currently clear on this side!"


Konrad Bayer
Front of Ural, keeping the truck between him and incoming fire
G36 Burst Fire
HK69 HE Loaded
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:47, Fri 01 June 2007.

Clarence is momentarily startled, but not entirely surprised, by the sudden fusilade. Quickly noting the position of the muzzle flashes opposite, he dives from his kneeling postion to a prone position in the shallow drainage ditch on the North side of the road.

Seeing Anneka scuttle off, he calls after her, "Wait! Tuck is hit!"

Then, in his best platoon sergeant's voice, he hollers,

"Guys, get those grenade launchers working! HE, Willie Pete, NOW!"

Clarence
In the ditch on the North side of the road/Ural
AKSU-74
Trying to rally the troops
This message was last edited by the player at 16:25, Fri 01 June 2007.

With only a moment's notice, Tucker was getting ready to move towards Anneka but he is still struck in the back of his leg with something anyway.  He lets out a shout of surprise from the pain now in his leg as he moves to the opposite side of the vehicle where there is no fire coming from, when he hears Gunny yell to get out of the truck and goes prone.

If he sees/hears Bayer towards the front of the Ural, he will say to him, "Find 'em first and drop a couple of rounds down range on 'em!  Everyone else, SUPPRESSIVE FIRE NOW!"

Not knowing where too many other people are now after the firing started, Tucker will key his radio and yell out, "SUPPRESSIVE FIRE!  GRENADE'S IF YOU GOT 'EM!"

Tucker
M-16A2 [30]/M-203 [1] HEDP
R/H side of Ural behind tire (opposite ambush side)
Trying to Coordinate a suppressive fire for the team to get organinzed as quickly as possible
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:19, Fri 01 June 2007.

After a brief moment of surprise and hesitation, Adam opens the passenger side door, grabs the moaning Uller by his jacket, and begins hauling him out of the cab.

Between gasps, Uller addresses his captain, "It's nothing. I am fine."

Adam responds forcefully, "Like hell, you are!"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:43, Fri 01 June 2007.

Hearing the door open on the truck Wayne glances over and sees the Captain pulling the driver out.  Wayne will sling his camera and move over to give the Captain a hand with moving the driver out to where ever the Captain is moving the wounded man to.

Max drops to the ground, burrying his face in the soft wet soil.

"Dammit!!!"

There is gunfire from both sides of him, crossing in opposite directions over his head.  Peeking up, spitting out peat, Max has a decision to make.

With gunfire being exchanged, and loud calls for the GL's to be used, Max determines that he isnt required to add to the response of the ambush.

"Blue?  Snow?

Blue?  Blue!!!! ...."

Max snake crawls over to Blue.

"... you hit?  Blue?"

Arriving at Blue's side and seeing the head wound (?), Max will reach into his front, right leg pocket, pull out his own personal med kit, and start to apply bandages or some other short term attention to the wound depending on both Max's impression of the wound and his own med skill (OOC: I have trauma, much more useful that "surgical" in the T2K world!!!).


Max
AK-74 slung
Crawling to Blue for assesment and action on his wounds as required.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:30, Sat 02 June 2007.

Blue lies still in the road, the pain in his head and arm washing over him "Fuck, I'm hit!" he pauses for a second as he lay in the road way. "Max, I'm OK, get to cover.

Bruce 'Bluey' Thompson
Austeyr/M203(HE)
Lying in the road

This message was last edited by the player at 01:41, Sat 02 June 2007.

Max whispers to Blue
"Course you're OK buddy, but I got nowhere else place to be.

Snow?  You OK, where the hell did that come from?"

Max checks Blue and determines maybe he is OK after all.

Slapping Blue on the shoulder after checking Blues head wound
"You know, maybe you are OK ...."

Oh, sorry 'bout the arm though."

Max
Prone in wet soggy field
Applying first aid as required, if 1st aid is not required Max is crawling for the nearest cover (drainage ditch).
AK-74 (30) / BG-15 combo (HE)
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:22, Sat 02 June 2007.

Snow and Max hit the dirt as the green, dart-like object passes low overhead to burst harmlessly in the soft, damp earth on the south side of the road, about 10 meters away. Snow pops up from the southern roadside ditch and fires a burst from his M4 at a muzzle flash directly opposite him to the north.

Max crawls to the prostrate Blue to find him dazed but alive. A bullet has lodged in Blue’s Kevlar helmet, but did not penetrate. Max moves on to check the palm-sized patch of blood on his countryman’s left arm. A closer look reveals that the blood is coming from a small, grazing wound. The big man should be OK. Luckily for both of them, something else seems to have drawn the enemy’s attention. Either that or they’ve assumed that their initial targets have been neutralized. After assuring himself that Blue is OK, Max rolls out of the line of fire into the southern roadside ditch, leaving his friend lying on the edge of the damp asphalt.

From a crouch on the edge of the road, Joost unleashes a snap-shot volley at a head and shoulders just barely revealed above a small hump in the grass, 100 meters away. Noting the multiple muzzle flashes emanating from the same general vicinity, Joost dives into the northern roadside ditch as incoming rounds buzz and snap around his head.

Wayne, Anneka, Konrad, and Gunny all close on the relatively sheltered passenger side of the Ural where Adam is struggling to pull the wounded Uller from the cab. Their movement and grouping seem to have drawn the bulk of the enemy fire. A sound resembling a team of six-armed workmen banging on the roof and doors of the truck with hammers echoes all around them. Glancing into the cab, they notice that the windshield has been perforated by at least a dozen bullets.

Adam, noticing the six pairs of helping hands approaching stammers, panting with exertion, “I’ve got him. He is fine. Go! GO!”

Clarence finds himself out of the line of fire from his position in the northern drainage ditch. It would seem that the enemy can neither see nor hit him with direct fire. As of yet, not one of the party’s four grenadiers has responded to his impassioned calls for counter-fire.

Tuck crawls around the back of the Ural to the sheltered side as rounds smack the truck and pavement all around him. He leans against the relative cover of the back tires for a moment, catching his breath. Thanks to Tuck's elevated adrenaline levels, the wound in the back of his thigh is noticeable only as a dull, throbbing ache. He calls desperately for supressive fire, but no one seems to be responding. A knot of people have clustered in the lee of the truck cab.

Yazzie ducks and turns to follow Gunny's speedy exit from the truck bed. He trips over a piece of the piled up cargo and lands face first on the floor of the bed as rounds perforate the railing above him. After a brief moment's hesitation, he crawls quickly towards the rear of the truck. Noticing that the enemy fire is shifting towards the front of the truck, Yazz drops out the back and dashes to cover into the northern roadside ditch. He is now dead even with the back of the Ural and about 10 meters to the east (right) of Clarence.

From the volume of incoming fire and the number of muzzle flashes you’ve glimpsed, it is now apparent that a hostile force of approximately a dozen men has ambushed the Ural from a slight fold in the ground, about 100 meters to the north of the road. The enemy ambush line seems to start at the nose of the Ural and stretches parallel to the roadway to about 10 meters west of the UAZ. No fire is coming from the south.

Actions?
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:40, Sun 03 June 2007.

Fighting with his camera that is swinging around his shoulder, Wayne continues to grab a hold of the wounded driver to help Adam pull him from the vehicle and to safety.  Looking over to Adam as he tries to help, Wayne will force a smile as he exclaims, "I don't exactly have anywhere else to be at the moment Captain."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:03, Sun 03 June 2007.

Clarence flicks the selector switch on his AK from single-shot to full auto. What the team needs right now is to get as much lead down-range as possible.

He pops up from the ditch, careful to expose as little of himself as possible, draws a quick bead on the nearest visible enemy (or, lacking a more substantial target, his muzze flash), and fires a quick burst at it.

"Return fire! RETURN FIRE!"

He will duck back into the ditch, reposition slightly to throw off any unwanted enemy attention, and then continue to pop up and fire at targets of opportunity, all the while hollering for his companions to join the fight.

Clarence Milk
In the northern ditch, ten meters behind the Ural
AKSU-74 (full auto)
Returning fire, "whack-a-mole" style

Max wiggles into the ditch, sliding down easily to the bottom of it on the smooth wet soil.  Having made the ditch, Max takes a knee, carefull to keep his head below the crest line.  He catches one deep breath in the ditch, before taking his next action.

Safety off (check), HE grenade loaded and ready (check), Snow and Blue have made it to the ditch also?

"Snow!, Blue!!!"

Blue makes it into the ditch, barely.

Max crab crawls to the lip of the drainage ditch, looking out to the north where the flanking force is situated.

Given the lack of attention this part of the drainage ditch is getting enemy fire wise, Max will either take an aimed shot with his HE grenade launcher, or, given the range he will fire a HE grenade using his Mortar skill.


Max in the ditch
Taking aimed shot with GL or firing indirect fire with GL.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:10, Sun 03 June 2007.

Blue rolls for the ditch "Max, Snow paste em." he calls out as he rolls into the cover of the ditch.



Bruce 'Bluey' Thompson
Austeyr & M203 (HE)
Rolling into cover

Seeing that her services are not needed currently, she runs for the ditch near Blue and drops onto the cold earth. Flicking the safety off with her thumb, she sights down the barrel towards the muzzle flashes and squeezes off short bursts.

Anneka
In the ditch near Blue
Uzi
Returning fire
Short Bursts
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:12, Sun 03 June 2007.

Once in the ditch, John will slowly raise to eye level exposing none of his body to enemy fire to observe were the enemy fire is coming from. Once he finds a target he will fire an aimed shot into the target. Once he fires, he will duck down and roll 5 meters away from the enemy down the ditch staying hidden at the bottom.


John Yazzie
AKM
In ditch returning fire
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:09, Sun 03 June 2007.

Noting the volume of fire that is impacting the Ural above his head, Konrad quickly moves to the front of the vehicle keeping in a crouched position. Leaning out slightly past the nose of the vehicle he notes the muzzle flashes from the enemy position.

"Lets get some fire down-range people!"

He takes aim with his grenade launcher and fires towards the largest number of flashes (or the closest one if he only can see one).


Konrad Bayer
Crouched at the nose of the Ural
G36 (Burst Fire)
HK69 (Firing HE Round)
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:32, Sun 03 June 2007.

Tuck watches as Yazzie makes a move over to the area where Clarence is and decides that since there doesn't seem to be too much fire coming that way, he'll try a similiar move to get some position for a shot with his M-203.  He gets himself up onto his feet and yells out, "MOVING!  MOVING!"

Using the URAL for cover, Tucker dashes out to the southern ditch and makes his way to the left and try to find a suitable position for a shot with his grenade launcher.  Tuck will go the best speed possible so he can line up a shot for the next round to help everyone out.  As he passes Clarence and Yazzie, "Milks!  You and the other guy get some god damned fire out!"

Tuck
M-16A2 [30]/M-203 [1] HEDP
Moving (best speed possible) from rear of Ural (using as cover) to the southern ditch past Milks and Yazzie for a shot with the M-203 next combat round
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:34, Sun 03 June 2007.

Seeing that the captain is in control of the driver, Parks crouches behind the rear tires and unslings his SVD then goes prone just after Tuck goes running past."Get him into the ditch and stay down!" Parks barks at the captain.
Using the tires as cover and hoping that all the movement away from the Ural will distract the enemy for a few, Parks sets his bipod and starts scanning for targets. Once he finds a target, Parks plans to take careful aim and fire single rounds.


Parks
Prone on north side of Ural. Using rear tires as cover.
SVD(10 rnds)+ 3 mags. (supported)
Scanning for targets and possible taking an aimed shot if it presents itself.

This message was last edited by the GM at 04:29, Mon 04 June 2007.

Joost hits the bottom of the ditch and scrambles to recover, rolling to the east in an attempt to obscure his position. Realizing that buckshot won't be effective at this distance, he flips over onto his back and begins loading slug rounds from a pouch on the front of his vest into his shotgun to replace the volley he expended before taking cover.  He looks back toward the Ural to his right and sees that the large negro and the Amerindian Marine are also down in the same ditch.

"Hey!" Joost shouts to his comrades, having already forgotten their names, and motions rapidly to the north.  "About a hundred meters straight out! Lets get some lead in the air, mates!  And where are those fucking grenadiers!?!"

After racking the action, he slides one more slug home, rolls to a kneeling crouch and awaits the reassuring sound of suppressive return fire from his comrades.  He begins to consider the tactical viability of a flanking maneuver.

Joost
In the northern ditch
Mossberg M590, 3 slugs, 6 buck shot
Rising to re-acquire a target (If he finds a target that he can get a bead on he'll take the shot and duck.  If no target presents itself, he'll just duck and roll to the east again).

Snowy's M4 hammers some short busts at his target, the long muzzle compensator erupting in a big star-shaped flash. He drops to his hands and knees and crawls along the ditch floor through the muck and mud to new position. He's muttering to himself as he slithers.
"Arse down, Snowy me lad, keep yer arse down."
When he thinks he's shifted position enough that a grenade won't take him out, he lies prone and flicks the dial on his radio to '3'.

"(Channel 3)This is Snow, do we have any flankers out? Over."

Snowy has his weapon at the ready, but will check any targets that suddenly appear, he doesn't really think they'll charge over that open ground.

Snowy
M4 (15)
Southern ditch, crawling wide.
Communicating.

Blue, returning to his senses, rolls into the ditch after Max. Max rises up enough to spot a persistent muzzle flash- probably a squad automatic weapon of some sort- blazing away at his companions near the Ural. He raises his AK-74/BG-15 to his shoulder, sites the grenade launcher, and unleashes an HE grenade at the enemy gunner. He ducks down to avoid counter fire so he doesn’t see where the grenade lands but he hears the satisfying crump of its detonation, followed shortly thereafter by a rather unnerving scream carrying urgently over the 100m distance between the two groups.

After unleashing a burst with his M4, Snow displaces to avoid counter-fire and starts trying to contact other members of the party on his radio. As of the moment, no one is responding.

Joost, realizing the futility of using his buckshot load at 100m, rolls to his back in the ditch and starts loading solid slugs. After several seconds, he rolls to his knees and rises to a low crouch in the ditch. It sounds like his companions are finally beginning to return fire.

Meanwhile, a dozen meters west at the Ural, Old Adam acquiesces to Wayne’s offer of assistance and the two men drag the wounded Uller into the southern roadside ditch using the nose of the Ural to cover the move. They make it to safety and begin to examine Uller’s wound.

Anneka, seeing that her services aren’t immediately required, makes a lateral run from the front of the Ural to the southern roadside ditch near where Blue has just rolled.  Rounds smack off the asphalt at her feet while others buzz through the air so close to her head that she swears she can feel the heat of their passage on the back of neck. She makes it to the ditch and pops up to return fire with her Uzi. Fortunately for her, events have transpired which spare her from more of the enemy’s direct attention...

Konrad edges to the nose of the Ural using the opportunity provided by Anneka’s run to take a look for targets. He spots one of the shooters firing unsuccessfully at heels of the sprinting nurse and quickly raises his G36/HK-69 to his shoulder. He pulls the trigger and watches the projectile sail through the air to hit the enemy shooter square in the side of the head. The resulting pink-hued explosion leaves no doubt as to the target’s status.

Clarence and Yazz fire and move in the northern ditch, covering Tuck’s dash to the southern ditch. Neither man has had any indication of success but neither man has been hit either. Tuck scoots laterally along the ditch trying to get a decent firing angle on the enemy line.

Urgent shouting, intermixed with the piteous screams of a wounded man, can now be heard echoing from the enemy position. The volume of enemy fire has decreased notably all along the line.

[Private to Anneka Soleblume; Joost van den Haas: You hear a desperate voice crying in Polish, "Oh my God! My balls! My balls are gone!" Another voice calls forcefully, "We're fucked! Fall back! Fall back!" followed by shouts of "Cover fire!" and "Go! Go!"]

Gunny shifts quickly to Tuck’s vacated position behind the rear tires and slides into a prone firing position, using the Ural’s axle and wheels as the best available cover. He peers through the scope of his SVD from under the truck and spots a target just as the man fires a projectile from a detached grenade launcher of some kind. He aligns the crosshairs and pulls the trigger. The scope moves slightly out of alignment with the recoil; when he reacquires the target, the man is returning to cover, apparently un-hit.

A smoking canister of some sort arcs out of the enemy position to land midway between the opposing lines. White smoke continues to issue forth from the canister. The smoke doesn’t spread too widely in the still air; instead it builds up in a towering, almost stationary cloud, partially obscuring the enemy line in the center. Another rifle grenade sails through the upper edge of the rising cloud to burst about 40 meters short of the road. What sounds like only two enemy weapons open up in a long rattle of automatic fire before falling silent.

Actions?

[Private to Anneka Soleblume; Bruce 'Bluey' Thompson; Clarence Milk; John Yazzie; Max Fosters; Robert 'Tuck' Tucker; Trevor 'Snowy' White: Clarence, Yazzie, and Tuck can all see three men break cover on the left and run towards the woods to the north. One man is helping an obviously wounded mate. Team Oz and Anneka can see two men break cover on the right and head for the woods. One is limping noticeably. Those closer to the Ural can't see much but white smoke.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:25, Mon 04 June 2007.

John will rise from his position and shoot 3 round bursts at the three fleeing personel until he has to change magazines . He will then seek cover to reload.



"RISING....TARGETS LEFT TO RIGHT....RELOADING"


John
AKM
Firing 3 round burst from the keeling position. Using cover.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:58, Tue 05 June 2007.

After Tucker slides into his 'new' position, he flips up the sight for his M-203 grenade launcher and readies to fire.  He carefully comes up over the top of his cover/concealment, lines up his shot at the three men moving towards the woods to the north (one of which is wounded) yelling out, "ROUND OUT!" He fires the HEDP round at those three people/targets, leading them, just slightly.  With the wounded man, he shouldn't have to lead them that far.

Tuck
M-16A2 [30]/M-203 [empty-firing HEDP]
Firing his M-203 [HEDP Rpound] at the three targets moving towards the woods to the north, one of which is wounded
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:59, Tue 05 June 2007.

"Be ready to break contact and remount! Doc, get to the captain!"Parks barks. Listening for the sounds of the urals running engine, Parks continues to scan for targets around and through the billowing smoke ready to take another shot.


Parks
Behind the rear wheels of the Ural
SVD [9] + 3x 10rnd mags
Scanning the area for targets while listening to see if the Ural is still running.

This message was last edited by the player at 06:15, Tue 05 June 2007.

Clarence pops his head up just in time to catch sight of three figures rising up from their position and beginning to withdraw towards the northern woodline.

The unamed Native American rises up along side him, calls a warning to the team, and begins firing up the fleeing ambushers.

Clarence sights on the unencumbered enemy and fires another burst to encourage them in their headlong flight.

Then, holding the pistol grip of his shortened AK in his right hand, he reaches over his shoulder with his left, grabs the KY-189 handset from his AN/PRC-119 radio, and responds to Snow's call,

"Snow, this is Milk: Negative on the flankers. We got three Tangos falling back on the left side here. Engaging. OVER."

Clarence Milk
In the northern roadside ditch
AKSU-74
Trying to coordinate ops with the group

Anneka catches the voice of Gunny and turns towards the Ural, the Captain with the wounded Uller. Rising she runs towards the vehicle hunched over, the Uzi clutched to her chest and on safety. Her boots crunch on the shattered glass of the vehicles door as she drops beside Uller ”Just relax” she speaks calmly in Polish ”I’ll have you patched up in no time.” She then begins checking Uller for any hidden wounds and then treats the worst first.

[Private to Cap'n Rae: Depending on how much she can do in this bound I can make a medical roll if you need it.]

Anneka
Returning to Ural
Begin treating Uller

"(Channel 3) Yeah, I see 'em Milky. We still have a possible Romeo Papa Golf in the treeline so I'd stay clear of the truck. I've got an open road on my side, can you see any way of flanking these bastards? Over."

While talking on his tactical radio, Snowy has rolled onto his back and slips the magazine out of his weapon. Placing the half expended mag in his pocket, he slips a new one in and pulls on the charging handle.

Snowy is looking along the ditch as he talks, if there's any cover leading off towards the OPFOR position he'll radio it in to get a flanking party together.

Snowy
M4 (30)
Southern ditch
Communicationg/reloading.

Clarence responds while observing the apparently withdrawing enemy and scanning what's visible of the treeline through the white smoke,

"Negative Snowy. It's flat as a pancake back here. Recommend we regroup and assess casualties before moving. If there's an RPG out there, we should get folks away from the truck."

Clarence Milk
Northern roadside ditch
AKSU-74
Coordinating with Snow

Max notes the ample fire at the fleeing protagonists.  Slides back down into the ditch.  Listens in to Snow's conversation on the radio.

"Maybe they have obscured the truck with their own smoke so the RPG may not have line of sight.  Let's move the truck while we cover the flank."

Max will then slide across from the north side of the drainage ditch to the south side of the same ditch in order to see who (if anyone) is driving the Ural.

If someone is in the truck cabin, Max will use handsignals to tell them to urgently move the truck along the road.  Then Max will return to the North side of the ditch to ensure the enemy is continuing to retreat to the wood line.

If no one is in the truck, Max will jump in the driver's seat and begin driving it to safety (East, towards the abandoned UAZ ?)


Max
kneeling in drainage ditch
Ak-74 (30) BG-15 (0)
Waving truck on or driving it forward himself
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:02, Tue 05 June 2007.

Relieved to hear the cacophony of return fire from his team mates, Joost rises to a tactical crouch.  With his Mossberg held snug into his shoulder he attempts acquire a fleeing target in his "ghost ring" sights only to be frustrated by the billow of fresh concealment smoke now rising up between him and his prey.  In the distance, beyond the obscuration of the ethereal wall, he hears the pathetic screaming of a wounded and disorganized enemy.

"Aye, ye hear that?" he turns and bellows to his comrades in the ditch to his west. "It's  a rout!  We got 'em on the run!  Nail 'em 'fore they can rally! Go go go!"

With that, Joost ducks back below the line of sight and shuffles quickly down the ditch to the east in order to regain a vantage point around the growing cloud, anxious to engage the raiders before they can regroup beyond the treeline and equally hopeful that they are not holding additional forces in reserve.

[Joost]
In the northern ditch
Mossberg M590 at high ready - 3 slugs, 6 buckshot
Maneuvering east for a clear shot

Once the driver and Captain are out of the vehicle and under cover Wayne crouches and walks over to the left side of the mortar and leans out taking a look around the north side of the road with his camera.  He assess the terrain looking for somewhere to move and yet remain out of the way of the combatants.

"Dammit that smoke is obscuring my view, no joy on any targets from my position"
Konrad calls out.

"Anyone else see them ?"

With the smoke blocking his view of the enemies Konrad reloads his launcher with another HE round and will keep a close eye on the abandoned UAZ, waiting to see if anyone tries to reclaim it.

Konrad Bayer
Front of URAL, watching the UAZ
G36/HK 69 (Reloading HE round)

Tuck works his way into firing position in the southern roadside ditch. He rises to his knees and sights on the small cluster of enemy fleeing towards the woods on the left, leading them just a little. He pulls the trigger and watches the deadly metallic orb sail towards its targets.

Shortly before Tuck’s grenade gets airborne, Yazzie and Clarence pop up out of the ditch almost in unison and begin firing at the retreating enemy (Yazzie single shots; Clarence in a single burst). Neither register any hits before Tuck’s 40mm grenade detonates a few meters ahead of the enemy group. There’s a flash and puff of white smoke and all three enemy go down in the long grass. It’s impossible to know whether they’ve been killed or wounded and, if the latter, how badly. Tuck’s satisfaction is mitigated by the realization that the back of his left pant leg is heavy and wet with blood- his own blood...

Gunny maintains his position by the rear wheels of the Ural. Due to the white smoke between him and the enemy, he can’t make out any of their movements. Over the sound of the Ural’s running engine, he calls for Anneka to attend to the wounded Uller.

Anneka responds to Gunny’s call, making her way down the ditch to where Adam sits next to the pale, reclining Uller. She tears Uller’s trouser around the site of the wound in order to get a better look. She sees a jagged, quarter sized puncture wound in his upper, left thigh. It doesn’t look too deep and there’s not much blood- a very good sign.  The bone does not appear to have been broken either. Anneka is confident that she could remove the fragment and sew up the wound under more favorable circumstances. For now, she expertly applies a field dressing to the wound in order to keep it clean and stop any remaining bleeding.

Wayne, meanwhile, has moved to the towed mortar at the back of the Ural just in time to witness Tuck’s successful grenade shot. Unfortunately, he’s a second too late to get a photo of the action. [Private to Wayne Freeman: From his standing position, however, he can see movement in the grass where the enemy trio went down. It looks like two of them have started to crawl towards the treeline.]

Konrad, at the nose of the Ural, stays put, reloading an HE round into his HK-69. He notices the sound of liquid splashing off a hard surface and takes a look beneath the Ural. Clear fluid is leaking from the engine compartment. He doesn't detect any tell-tale smell, though, that might indicate what the fluid is.

Joost shifts laterally to his right along the northern roadside ditch. He gets to a position where he can see past the smoke and spots a fleeing man limping away towards the woods. He’s well over a hundred meters away now, but Joost sends a slug his way as a little added incentive. Miraculously, the target tumbles forward into the grass, hit. As Joost admires his wonder shot, the man crawls back to his feet and continues limping- albeit in a more pronounced fashion- towards the woods.

Snow lies on his back in the ditch reloading his M4 while trying to coordinate actions via radio with the others on the western side of the Ural, about 30 meters distant.

Blue lies in the ditch nearby, trying to clear the cobwebs from his aching skull.

Max heads back towards the Ural along the southern ditch. With the gunfire dying down, he can hear that the engine is still running. He can’t see through the spider-webbed windshield but he does notice Adam, Uller, and Anneka in the ditch ahead. Konrad kneels at the front of the truck. As Max nears the Ural he observes fluid leaking out the bottom of the engine compartment. The truck's front, left tire is flat as well.

There is no longer any incoming fire nor any visible enemy. However, your eyes start to sting and water a little and some of you feel a slight, unpleasant burning sensation in your lungs. Snowy immediately recognizes the tell-tale taste of tear gas. It’s a small dose, though- just the lingering remnants of the white cloud now dissipating in front of your positions.

Actions?
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:04, Wed 06 June 2007.

Tuck raises his fist from the rifle/grenade launcher combo and shakes it at the area where he just took down three guys with the HEDP round.  "TAKE THAT MOTHERFUCKERS!" he screams out as the pain in his leg begins to feel more noticable and he comes down just below his cover/concealment.  Tucker breaks the slide open on his M-203 and lets the empty HEDP shell slide out and reaches into his MOLLE vest and replaces the chamber with a HE grenade, closing the action.  Tuck puts his hand to the back of his wounded leg to see how bad it is bleeding.

Tucker grabs his radio and keys the mike, "Team, this is Tuck.  I got three down going to the treeline with my last shot.  Let's get a SITREP, Over!"

Tuck
M-16A2 [30]/M-203 [0]- Reloading HE
Reloading M-203 w. HE round and trying to make immediate assessment of situation and of his wounds (as practical for round time)
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:19, Wed 06 June 2007.

Wayne lets out a curse at missing the grenade shot but takes a picture of the aftermath, then lowers is camera to call out to no one in particular, "One down, two crawling toward treeline!"  He then brings the camera back up and scans the battlefield again, snapping a few shots of the friendlies around.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:20, Wed 06 June 2007.

To the gunny,

"Guns, are we going to clear the ambush zone?"

To all, " 3 down in my sector from last call, no targets"

John will wait in current position until ordered to move.

John
AKM
waiting in ditch for orders
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:34, Wed 06 June 2007.

Parks, hearing the others report, stands and slings his SVD and grabs his AKR while staying behind the Ural's rear tires. "Doc, How bad's the driver? Is he movable?" Parks says while looking around for the others positions. " I am clearing the UAZ. Someone needs to check out tha' Ural. She's leakin'. Tuck, keep whoever you need and secure this perimeter. Check your ammo and your buddy. Walking wounded get to the doc. We move out as soon as the ural and UAZ check out." Parks barks then turns to wayne."Times, can you help get the big Aussie to the doc? I gotta do some bomb sniffin'." Parks finds his unnamed spotter and gives him a hand signal to advance along the northern ditch toward the UAZ. With that done, Parks raises his AKR to his shoulder, thumbs the safety, and starts a slow advance on the UAZ along the southern ditch.



Parks
Advancing east along the southern ditch toward the UAZ.
AKR [30] + 3x 30rnd mags
Observing and slowly advancing on the UAZ.

This message was last edited by the GM at 21:23, Wed 06 June 2007.

To Gunny Parks, "Guns, I will move on the north ditch and cover your flank."

John will move out with the gunny and stay on the north ditch until told to do otherwise. John will move with weapon at the ready (weapon in shoulder parallel with the ground looking over sights) John will continue to look for targets from the ambush area and his sector.


John
AKM
Moving with Gunny
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:24, Wed 06 June 2007.

"Got it Wayne!"

Clarence rises from the ditch to sites over his chopped-off AK on the vicinity of the impact of Tuck's sweet grenade shot.

Keeping his eyes out for enemy movement, Clarence shouts out, "Is everybody OK? Sound off!"

He notices Gunny and the quiet guy head out east along the drainage ditch.

Well Clarence, I guess you're on your own again...

He squeezes the transmit button on the radio handset to fill Snow in on the situation at the tail end of the Ural (of course anyone else listening in can hear this too): "We got three enemy down in the grass on the left, status unknown. Gunny and the quiet guy are headed your way. Over"

Clarence Milk
In the northern ditch at the back of the Ural
AKSU-74
Scanning the field to the north/trying to coordinate ops
This message was last edited by the player at 01:51, Thu 07 June 2007.

Snowy tastes the acrid smell of tear gas and shouts

"GAS! Mask Up!"

Putting his mask on, he leopard-crawls over to Bluey and takes Bluey's helmet off.

"Sorry mate, this is going to hurt like hell."

He drags Bluey's mask over Bluey's head and pats his shoulder. "Probably just CS," he calls out in a muffled and hoarse call, "but coughing with a concussion is not going to be much fun either."

Gathering up his weapon, he scans about again and adjusts his helmet mike to work with his gas mask.

"(Channel 3) Snowy again, are we securing the ambush site or blowing through? Over."

If still feasible, "Milk's, it's Tuck.  Took one to the leg.  Doesn't seem to bad, Break!  All posts, stand fast until we get you some cover if you're moving out.  We should be clearing that jeep first,  Over!"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:44, Thu 07 June 2007.

Max slaps his hand down on the bonnet of the still running Ural.  He drops to his haunches and looks at what the engine is dumping on the ground.
Max looks for where any of the injured are, spies them in the north (?) ditch and moves towards them yelling
"Mount up!

Get in the truck.  Get in the bed of the truck!  Get all the injured into the back of the truck."

Max turns to Snow
"Snow, Truck is hit and dumping water.  I'm driving out of here with the wounded.  We'll clear the area and regroup then.  I dont know what the shelf life is for a truck running without any water, but we're about to find out.  If we can drive the truck to the boat before it ceases, we'll be in front."

Max then turns to the wounded in the ditch to help them get into the rear of the Ural.

If there is anyone with the wounded (Anneka, maybe others) Max will speak to them while helping wounded bodies into the rear of the Ural
"We're going to drive out of here.  Others look to have us covered, lets go"


Max
Ak-74 slung over shoulder
Helping wounded into the truck, then driving Ural East out of the danger zone.

"Clear to the front at the moment, no movement"
Konrad calls out

With people already moving to check out the UAZ, Konrad will stay with Ural and provide local security and covering fire if required.

Konrad takes this opportunity to switch his radio on as well (Channel 3)

"Any plans to sweep the ambush site for wounded and/or weapons/ammo ?"

Konrad Bayer
Front of Ural, covering those moving up to the UAZ
G36/HK69 (HE Round loaded)

Max is helping the injured onto the back of the Ural, when Konrad asks his question.  Max is puffing as he answers.

"I have no plans Konrad to sweep the area.  Lets just get the wounded out of harms way.  It looks like the other guys have them on the run, we should be safe to move out now.
(puff puff) Plus, ... (puff) the engine has lost its water.  Lets get out of harms way and the equipment to the boat before the engine overheats and ceases up.  Theres a flat tyre too.  But if we can get away from here i'm sure no one will mind a bumpy ride for a while".


Max
Evacing from the area.
Driving the Ural when injured passengers are on board
Hoping it'll make it to the boat.

Clarence blinks away some tears as he gets a whiff of tear gas. He's still keeping an eye on the ambush site and the northern woodline.

Damn...

He pushes the transmit button on his radio handset,

"Alright boys, we got two options. We either stay put where we are and provide cover to the team clearing the UAZ from here or we push out to the ambush site and do the same from there. What'll it be? Over."

He shouts over his shoulder to the Southern ditch,

"Hey Tuck, you want the medic to check you out?"

Clarence Milk
(no change)
This message was last edited by the player at 15:51, Thu 07 June 2007.

Tuck checks his leg again to see how much blood is flowing out and yells back out, "Yeah, Roger that!  I can't see how bad it is!"

Blue lies in the ditch, he hurts, his head hurts, his neck hurts, his arm hurts.  Then Snow turns up and pulls his gasmask over his throbbing head just to turn the pain up a notch. "Fuck me drunk Snow.  That stings." says Bluey just as he starts to sit up.  "We get em?" he asks.

"I dunno." Says Snowy simply. "Looks like some local lads were in a ditch about a hundred metres out, and the boys dumped some M203 on them so they took off. I can't tell if we got them all. Max wants us to hop back in the truck, but some of the other guys seem a bit unsure that the place is secure. I gotta admit, I'd hate some smart-arse to get lucky and ping me because I was over-confident."

Snowy is still crouching in the ditch, watching Max curiously to see if he gets shot.

"Someone shot somethin' explosive at the truck - it coulda' been an RPG or a rifle grenade. I guess someone's going to have to crawl over there and check it out before we hop back in, they could be layin' low and waiting for us all to enbus again."

"Thanks mate, fucking smart arses." Blue says looking at his arm "We better take a look at the UAZ as well, it could be booby trapped to blow.  Gimme a sec to see if this ringing stops, and we'll take a look."

The fleeing bandit centered in his ghost ring sight drops like a sack of potatoes as Joost pulls the trigger and absorbs the kick of his Mossberg.  He smirks in quiet satisfaction at the improbability of having made that shot from such a distance, but his momentary pride fades as the target gets back up and keeps on hobbling.  He racks the slide of his shotgun and considers a follow on shot, but questions his likelihood of performing an encore.

The dissipating gas cloud has now wafted over Joost's position and has begun to irritate his eyes.  It appears as though the bandits have been mostly neutralized, but Joost knows it is not yet time to get comfortable.  He turns to look down the ditch to the west and sees the Indian Marine advancing intently on the East Bloc utility vehicle barricading the road.

"Aye! Secure that jeep, mate?" Joost nods toward the suspect truck, careful to phrase it in the form of a suggestion.

Looking farther down the ditch, he eyes the big, black American scanning in the direction of the attack.  He whistles sharply then hollers "Hey, Shaq! Keep 'em pinned down while I make sure they stay dead!"

Pursuit of a fleeing ambush is always a dicey proposition, but he is hopped up on adrenaline and feeling lucky to boot.  Plus, he figures, it would be a bitter shame to get nailed again so soon for want of properly cleaning up after one's self.  After a momentary consideration of his general lack of any discernible self-preservation instinct, Joost rises out of the ditch onto the field north of the road, and begins moving slowly in the direction of the downed attackers.  He can still hear their pathetic screams clearly over the fog shrouded expanse.

Still crouching, Joost stops to hold position and exhales half way.  "I am the Angel of Death and the Time of Purification is at hand," he mutters to himself under his breath as he draws a long bead on the injured bandit still limping toward the far treeline and squeezes the trigger.

[Joost]
In the field north of the road
Mossberg M590 - 1 slug, 6 buckshot
Rallying support to close with and engage bandits

Anneka applies a field dressing to Uller's wound, then glances westward down the ditch to see Tucker contorting himself in an effort to look at the back of his own leg, which appears to be bleeding heavily. She moves down the ditch to his position.

"Let me take a look at that. Roll on your belly."

She pulls a pair of surgical scissors from her chest pocket and gets to work.

Anneka Soleblume (NPC'ed)
In the southern ditch with Tuck
Uzi
Treating the wounded

Clarence keeps watch on the apparently abandoned enemy positions from the northern ditch at the back of the Ural.

Suddenly one enemy pops up from the tall grass, about 125m distant, and makes a ragged sprint towards the wood-line, zagging right and left. It appears that he’s unarmed.

Clarence opens fire instinctively (opportunity fire) despite the unlikelihood of a hit at this range. The target's legs stop working mid-stride and he pitches headlong to the ground a dozen or so meters short of the trees. A bit surprised by his improbable shot, Clarence calls, "Target down! Clear back here."

With his telephoto lense, Wayne snaps pictures of the fleeing man going down from next to the towed Vasilek. [Private to Wayne Freeman: Through his zoom lense, he can also see signs in the grass that another enemy is still crawling towards the woods, not far from where the enemy runner just popped up...]

In the southern ditch, east of the Ural, Snow puts on his gas mask and helps Blue do the same. Blue is in considerable pain, but he’s lucid and fully mobile. As Blue makes a valiant effort to rise, Snow returns to his knees and continues to scan the battlefield, M4 at the ready.

Joost, covered by Clarence and Snow, takes the initiative and leaves the northern ditch to begin sweeping the field. He begins to feel the effects of the tear gas almost immediately. His target makes it to the relative safety of the wood-line before Joost can overcome the burning sensation in his tearing eyes to get a good shot. Ignoring the discomfort, he continues to advance towards the enemy position, finally arriving at an area of matted-down grass, littered with spent shell casings. Among the brass is a headless corpse, neck-stump still steaming. Bits of flesh and bone cling to the damp grass in an orbit around it. The corpse is dressed in tattered, dark-blue coveralls and lies over a damaged AK-74 rifle.

Gunny and Yazzie approach the dark blue UAZ. From the wire window grates and the paint scheme, they ascertain that it likely once belonged to a unit of riot police. As the pair nears the vehicle, it is clear that it’s unoccupied. The interior has a certain “lived in” look. There are food containers, empty bottles, cigarette butts, rounds of loose ammunition, a few leaves from a paperback novel (in Polish), some items of filthy clothing- even a torn pair of ladies’ undergarments- scattered about in plain sight. If it weren’t for the sting in your nostrils from the dissipating tear-gas you reckon the vehicle would stink.

Max walks back along the southern ditch towards the Ural, meaning to move it up the road and out of the danger area. He doesn’t bother to look under the hood- he’s convinced the fluid leaking from the truck is coolant water. He attempts to herd the others- especially the wounded- into the vehicle. He’s resolved to get the truck back on the road before the enemy can rally.

From the nose of the Ural, Konrad continues to scan the northern side for signs of danger, a fresh 40mm in the chamber.

Tuck is in the southern ditch across from Clarence. He’s starting to feel a little woozy and the pain in his upper left leg is really starting to kick in.

Anneka finishes applying a field dressing to Uller’s minor wound, then trots down the southern ditch, past Max, to the wounded Mountain soldier. She makes Tuck roll onto his stomach and cuts the tear in his BDU trousers to access the wound. She finds an ugly, but non-life threatening bullet wound. A high velocity round (probably 5.45mm b) entered his upper left thigh right below his buttocks, flipped around about 90 degrees in its own length, and blew out the other side about an inch-and-a-half from the entry wound. As you examine the exit wound, you can see yellow masses of fat and red muscle between pulses of blood. It’ll need about a dozen stitches, but he should recover fully. She begins to apply pressure to the wound with her right hand while using her left, along with her teeth, to tear open another field dressing.[Private to Anneka Soleblume: It looks like Tuck's lost about a pint of blood from his wounds.]

Actions?
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:39, Fri 08 June 2007.

Tucker half-smiles at the female medic as she approaches him lying there in his ditch.  Without saying a word, he grimaces with some pain as he rolls onto his stomach so that his leg wound can be evaluated.  "God Damnit that friggin' hurts!  I lost a lot of blood didn't I," he asks and waits for a reply from Anneka.  While he's over on his stomch, Tucker can at least try and keep an eye out downrange on his companions while they look around the ambush site and the UAZ.  Tucker grabs his radio and transmits, "It's Tuck.  Use extreme caution out there everyone.  We don't know if there's any IED's or other shit they got coverin' their escape.  Anyone got a status on our truck?  Over."

Tuck
M-16A2 MAG [30]/M-203 HE [1]
Getting medical attention from Anneka and trying to get a SITREP
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:34, Fri 08 June 2007.

Parks holds up a closed fist to his cover man as he hears the others preparing to remount. Parks grabs his radio. " Shut the Ural down for now. We might be able to fix it but as long as it's running we are just pumping water out of it." Parks pauses a second to think then looks at the UAZ and continues. "Do we have a mechanic? If so get him on the truck. The UAZ seems clear but we aren't done yet. We might be able to use it to help fix the ural. We will cover from here. Parks turns to his spotter and motions for him look over the UAZ. Parks sets the safety on his AKR and releases it to swing to his side. Unslings his SVD, Parks sets the bipod and sets it on he UAZs hood. Using the UAZ as cover and support he scans the ambush area for targets.


Parks
on south side of UAZ leaning over hood.
SVD [9] + 3x 10rnd mags
Covering the rest of the team and scanning for targets.

This message was last edited by the player at 22:12, Fri 08 June 2007.

After snapping the picture of death in action he pulls the camera down and calls out, "Crawler in the grass near the runner!"  Leaning back behind the towed weapon he checks the film count then steps back out.

John will give the beat up truck a quick check and try to observe anything out of the ordinary. John will shrug his shoulders and say to the gunny..."Whatever you say boss".

John will then walk back to the truck the same way he got there, weapon at the ready. He will cover the gunny by scanning the terrain as they move. John’s heart is still racing from the combat and he is now starting to sweat hard from the last few minutes' work out.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:37, Fri 08 June 2007.

Max quits yelling for the wounded to get into the truck, it seems the danger has ceased for the moment, and the nurse is tending to the injured where they lay.

Max hears Gunny call to shut the Ural down.  Max moves from the rear of the Ural to the drivers side, and turns the Ural off.

"Shes lost alot of water"

Max walks back to the ditch where Snow and Blue are.

"Snow, they may need a hand at the UAZ, they seem to think its clear, but ..."

"Blue, the nurse aint far away, no ones hurt real bad.  I guess we'll mount up when we can and after the UAZ has been cleared".

After his film check, Wayne will walk out onto the battlefield and move toward the treeline.  About halfway there he will call out over his shoulder, "Anyone policing up the hostiles equipment or checking them?", as he continues walking toward the treeline careful to avoid any exposure to the mysterious cloud that was hanging around earlier.

With the other team members securing the UAZ and ambush site Konrad stands from his crouch beside the Ural.

"We need to get this beast back on the road, anyone mechanically minded to have a look at the engine ?"

Once the question has been asked Konrad begins to look for a spare tyre on the Ural to replace the punctured one.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:00, Sat 09 June 2007.

Max hears the request for someone to look at the Ural.  After speaking to Snow and Blue, he yells back over his shoulder ...

"Hey, if its just a hose thats gone on the ural, maybe we can get one from the UAZ.  If its the radiator itself thats gone, i dont know if we want to spend the time to fix it"

Does the Captain know how far we are from the river?".

"I'm a mechanic," calls out Snowy, "and Bluey's a trained combat engineer. Let him check out the UAZ, he's good with IEDs."

"Max, Joost has gone to check the shooters, maybe if you grab someone and back him up while some of the wounded guys can cover you from here. I'll get the spanners on the Ural and we'll be on the road faster than you can down a stubbie."

Watching Wayne stride into the field, Clarence keys the handset on his radio,

"I'm heading out into the field after our friend, 'Mr. Shutterbug'. Keep us covered."

Clarence leaves the relative safesty of the ditch for the tall grass of the field. His weapon is at the ready, its barrel following the movement of his eyes. He pays especially close attention to the area where Wayne indicated that he saw movement and he heads cautiously in that direction.

When he nears that area, he calls out in his standard battlefield Polish,"Surrender! Hands up! Surrender or I shoot!"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:56, Sat 09 June 2007.

Adam, sitting in the ditch next to Uller overhears Max's querry and replies,

"We are about 4 or 5 kilometers from the abbey. The Krolowa- 'Queen'-  is near there."

With the approach of a gunslinger Wayne slows down to allow him to pass.  He'll scan the area looking for weapons and bodies to check as he walks behind the security.  He'll also switch from the telefocus lens to the regular camera.

OOC: Out of pocket until Sunday Noon incase you need to know Skipper.

Barry will REPLY to Milks, "Roger that Milks, Break!  Can anyone give me a god damn staus report?  I'm wounded and I can't quite see everything. Over," Tucker says over the radio.

Tuck
M-16A2 MAG [30]/M-203 HE [1]
Getting medical attention from Anneka and still trying to get a SITREP

This message was last edited by the player at 03:34, Sun 10 June 2007.

Max nods at Snows suggestion to back Joost up.  He looks around to see whose still standing.

"Anyone up for a walk?

I'm heading out as backup to Joost?"

If anyone volunteers, Max will walk with them out into the field where Joost is (?).  Max will walk spread out a little from anyone who comes along.

As he leaves the ditch and enters the field, Max yells over his shoulder,
"Check the Ural, Snow - take what you need from the UAZ if you can.  Capt'n said the boat's only 5km away; she may limp along and make with without too much trouble".
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:55, Sun 10 June 2007.

Joost arrives at the former ambush position, surveys the carnage and crouches over the headless body.  He begins to search the corpse and police the immediate area for anything useful along the lines of documents or ammunition and the like.

[Private to Cap'n Rae: Does Joost recognize the blue coveralls as a ZOMO uniform?  You'd mentioned riot police.]

Keeping one eye on the task at hand, the other follows the blood-soaked trail toward toward the treeline.  Once Joost has determined to his satisfaction that there is nothing left to scavenge from this position, he kneels down in the pit to wait for the approaching overwatch before considering further pursuit.

Upon hearing Clarence call out a warning in Polish, Joost surmises that they may have spotted another live antagonist down in the tall, wet grass.  He motions to the photographer to hit the deck, loads a fresh pair of slugs into the receiver of his Mossberg and begins to scan the area through the shotgun's ghost ring sight.

[Joost]
In the former ambush position
Mossberg M590 - 3 slugs, 6 buckshot
Securing corpses, policing the area and watching for a rally

[Private to Max Fosters: Editted to remove the bit about flies: it's too cold for flies yet on this October morning.]

Max arrives at the location of the dead enemy. The scene reminds Max of an old saying the girls used to use before the war, at the pubs "red and green should never be seen".  Crimson blood stains the green grass before him.

Max raises an eyebrow at Joost, acknowleging him as he surveys the bloody scene before him.  Joost is patting down the bodies.  "Kodak" Freeman is changing lenses, as Max walks to the North, North East side of the position, standing between where the enemy has retreated and the two (or more if others followed?) friendlies who are searching the area.

Max speaks to both Joost and Freeman
"Good start to the journey".

After a brief pause he continues,

"... I guess this is the hard part over, too, eh?"

Max smirks at Freeman.
"Don't shoot me with that, eh?"

"So, why are you still tooling around taking photos?  Can you even develop them?"

Max stands staring out towards where danger is likely to come from while he speaks to Wayne.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:59, Sun 10 June 2007.

With Max, Joost and Wayne heading out to the ambush site, and others checking out the UAZ Konrad heads over to speak with Tuck.

Konrad crouches down beside Tuck as he is checked out by Anneka.
"Doesn't look too bad my friend." Konrad says looking at Tucks wound.

"Max, Joost, and our camera friend Wayne are checking out the ambush site while Blue is going to check out the UAZ for any IED's, the Gunny is also up at the jeep giving some cover, the rest of us are checking out the Ural and getting ready to move out hopefully."

Konrad will stay by Tuck scanning the woods while he waits for the other groups to return or someone to request his assistance.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:00, Sun 10 June 2007.

"Gives a new meaning to getting yer ass shot off though, huh?" Tucker says jokingly to Bayer.

He listens to Bayer's assessment and nods in acknowledgement, "Good job Bayer, thank you!  I was beginning to think that people were avoiding me.  I know there's a lot going on and I don't want to seem like I'm taking over.  I think that every branch handles things sightly different from each other.  We got some work to do!  How bad is the Ural and the UAZ?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:02, Sun 10 June 2007.

While Gunny sets up his OP on the hood of the UAZ, Yazzie gives it a slightly more thorough going over. In the filthy cab he scrounges up seven loose 7.62mm S rounds and three loose 9mm M rounds as well as a small bag containing gold teeth (crowns, caps, and fillings). There are no signs of booby traps in the cab or under the chasis. After finishing his search, Yazzie pockets the items he’s found and heads back towards the Ural.

Snow moves to the Ural and finds the hood release. He pops it, then climbs up on the front fender to get a look inside. After a few moments’ investigation, he discovers the cause of the leak. One of the radiator hoses has been severed by a bullet. Miraculously, the rest of the engine- though needing significant routine maintenance- is undamaged. The left-front tire, however, is another matter…

Anneka finishes dressing Tuck’s wound as Konrad arrives to brief him. The Israeli medic stands to leave and addresses Tuck, “Try not to move around too much and- you don’t really need me to tell you this, I’m sure- don’t sit down. It’ll need stitches once we’re somewhere safe and clean. I’m going to check on the others.” She moves off to where Blue is sitting in the ditch.

Meanwhile, in the field, Joost searches the decapitated body. He finds two full 5.45mm b magazines, a bayonet and a pair of knuckle-dusters among the man’s webbing and pockets. A grenade fragment has entered the receiver of the man’s weapon, detonating the round in the chamber and damaging it beyond repair. A few meters to the left, Joost finds a battered but apparently functional riot shotgun lying abandoned in the grass. Joost kneels in the grass next to the shotty and begins loading his own shotgun as Max arrives.[Private to Joost van den Haas: Yes, you know of the ZOMO and this guy is dressed as one with a couple items of standard military kit mixed in.]

A bit further to the northeast, Wayne slows to let Milks pass and almost trips on a body. A man lays on his back, his face incredibly pale, eyes closed, pants soaked in blood. He’s either dead or very soon will be. A couple of meters away lies an AK-74. Wayne begins changing the lens on his camera to better shoot the scene.

Milks approaches the spot where Wayne indicated that he saw movement and yells his awkward Polish warning. He can clearly see the matted trail in the grass where the man was crawling. Following the trail with his eyes he spots a man wearing a mix of civilian and Polish military garb, a tear gas launcher slung across his back. He looks over his shoulder, sees the muzzle of Clarence’s carbine centered on his face, and begins shouting,

“Don’t shoot! Don’t shoot! I’m wounded. Please! Please!”

Actions?
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:30, Mon 11 June 2007.

Clarence yells back at the Pole, "Hands up! Hands up or I shoot!"

Then he calls to Wayne, "Yo, Freeman! You got a weapon? I could use a hand here."

The whole time, Clarence keeps the muzzle of his AKSU centered on the Pole. With his off hand, he reaches for the radio handset tucked into his suspenders and transmits to anyone listening.

RADIO CHANNEL 3: "This is Milks; I got a live one up here. Looks to be slightly wounded. We could use some help securing the area. Over."


If the prisoner tries anything foolish, Clarence will end the shenanigans with a burst from his AKSU.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:12, Sun 10 June 2007.

"Why do I keep doing it?" he repeats.  Shrugging he continues, "I guess mainly cause it's all I know how to do.  Maybe someday my pictures can be testiment to a darker period in mankinds history.  Guess I am a sucker for noble ideals."

Wayne looks through the lens at the deadman but just can't bring himself to take the shot.   Bending down he closes his eyes and mutters something under his breath before rising and continuing his answers, "If I find some plastic bins to hold the printing solutions I can, but I don't have much photo paper left and..."

Interupted by Milk's yell he snaps his attention over into the bushes.  He rushes over to the AK-74, slinging his camera he grabs the weapon and trots toward the sound of Milk's voice.  Removing the magazine to insure there are at least a handful of rounds in it before re-inserting it.  Then pulling the bolt back Wayne makes sure a round is chambered.

As he approaches Milk he clicks the safety off, "Behind you on your right.  Want me to cover or search?"

[Private to Wayne Freeman: Whoops! I was looking at the wrong spot on my battlefield map. The weapon Wayne found and picked up is an AK-74. I editted your post to correspond with the change.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:32, Mon 11 June 2007.

"If you'd secure the prisoner, that'd be great. I'm gonna make sure there aint no more surprises waiting out here for us."

With Wayne on the job, Clarence circles the prisoner to the left (east) in order to clear the area where the guy he shot earlier went down. He moves cautiously, senses on full alert, finger on the trigger.

Clarence will periodically sweep the nearby woodline with his eyes and weapon as he searches the grass.

Trotting over to Blue in the ditch Anneka drops down beside him and opens her small bag "It appears you have been using your body to catch some lead. Just let me have a look at your wounds and we can get you patched up."

{Private to Cap'n Rae: 07:31, Today: Anneka Soleblume rolled 7 using 1d10+3. Medical Diagnosis. ]

Tucker forces a smile at their medic, "Thanks Anneka, I'll keep that in mind!" he tells her as she trots away to the next in need.

Tucker turns to Bayer, "Bayer, you go ahead and follow Anneka around until we're ready to move.  I'll post here until we're ready to move on out.  And for god sakes, try to get someone to find out what's up with the vehicles!  Sound good?"

When the radio comes to life, he recognizes that it's Milks' voice and he's got a live one out there.  Transmitting on Channel Three, "Milks, Tuck.  Get him back here if you can or you know what to do!  Copy that?  Over!"

Tuck
M-16A2 MAG[30]/M-203 [1]HE
Trying to gather Intel from rest of squad

Secure the prisoner?! Wayne thinks to himself.  Bringing the AKM down and tucking it up against his body he moves a finger of his left hand to his lips, "Sshh.  Don't talk right now."

Max senses Wayne's uneasiness in securing the prisoner.

"Uh, you want me to do that?"

Max will sling his rifle while Wayne covers the prisoner if that looks to be OK with Wayne.

Max will step up to the prisoner, keeping out of the LOS between Wayne and the prone man. Max rolls the guy over, pins his arm behind his back, drops a knee into his back and holds him down.

"Got anything to secure him with?  Camera strap or something?  Or is there anything laying around of theirs that we can use?"


Max had listened to Waynes response around taking pictures, of this darker time in mans history.  Max also noticed wayne was reluctant to take the photo shot of the dying man.

"Some shots are just too dark, huh?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:40, Wed 13 June 2007.

"It's fuck-all, just a shot-through hose. I'll have a look under the seat and check out if there's any spares*. The tyre's had it though, best change it." He says to the members in the area. "Maxie had it right though, we can run for five klicks on an empty radiator if we don't go fast, and it's not like we've got a full load on board."

He looks over to where they're securing the prisoner, and says into his radio;
"(Channel 3) I've got some ziplok restraints here, I can run out to you if you need it."

*(OOC): All spares gravitate under the passenger's seat in a truck. No one knows why.

(OOC): People may remember that Snowy has steel handcuffs on his belt.)

Nods, a bit embarassed about not being sure what to do, "Yeah, not really sure what I am doing here so any assistance would be great."

After Milk asks about something to secure the prisoner with, Wayne unclips the camera strap then slides the camera into the satchel before unsecuring the second clasp and tossing the strap over. "Remind me to get that back later." he says with an uneasy smile.

Max takes the strap and secures the prisoner, then rolls him over so the prisoner is laying on his back, with his arms pinned behind him.

"Sure, depending on how this guy goes, you might get the strap back sooner than you think

Having secured the prisoner, Max looks out towards the woods.  Looking for any more danger.

"Is there anything else to be gained out here?  What do we do with this guy?" Max asks, indicating the prisoner.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:43, Wed 13 June 2007.

The comment from Max about taking pictures of a deadman finally catch up to Waynes mind and he answers in a reflexive manor, "Yeah, just never can bring myself to do it.  Sometimes they look peaceful sometimes they look like they died a violent death, but regardless... I just never can seem to take the picture after the fact.  Guess there's something wrong up here."  He taps his forehead with his left hand before returning it to his temporary weapon.

"You got it Tuck" he grins as he gets up to follow Anneka "Guess you will be standing up for the next few days."

Konrad follows Anneka over to her next patient, as he passes Snowy Konrad says
"Yell out if you want a hand, otherwise I'm just acting local security for now."

Konrad Bayer
Following Anneka on her rounds and keeping an eye on the surrounding area
G36/HK69
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:44, Wed 13 June 2007.

Adam overhears Snowy's assessment of the Ural's status and pipes in,

"We do not have spare hose or tire. If the engine stops, we will not be able to carry all of this cargo and our wounded. Can you not fix the leak some how?"

[Private to Trevor 'Snowy' White: OOC: I'm not much of a mechanic. Can a big truck like the Ural really drive 5km without coolant? I was thinking no. It's just a bit of a puzzle. There IS a solution to the hose dilemna, though. Gunny and Max have both mentioned it in passing, I believe.]

"Or I'll be on my stomach a lot," Tuck says back to Bayer as he moves off after Anneka to cover her.

Tucker turns to look at those by the truck and sees Snowy poking around.  He yells out to him, "SNOWY!  WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH THE URAL?" he says waiting for an answer.

John will talk to Gunny in a low tone.

"Found some rounds and some gold teeth- want any? It's 7.62x39 and some small pistol rounds.Nothing special...Did not see any traps or anything out of the ordinary. So, who did Adam put in charge of this goat fuck? We just had contact and I'm not too impressed are you? If all is well with you, I will just follow your lead and be your number 2 man for any actions."


"What do you say boss?"

John will play heads up with his actions, keeping weapon at the ready until the gunny tells them to leave.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:26, Mon 11 June 2007.

[NPC'ed]

Parks replies to Yazzie, "Naw, keep the ammo. Thanks though. Gold teeth, huh? That's fucked up."

He pauses a moment, scanning the treeline through the scope of his Dragunov.

"Let's have one of the Australians check this UAZ out; see if there's anything wrong with it. Maybe we can use the parts to fix the Ural."

As she walked along she rearranged her medical bag and chatted to Bayer ”Sorry you got stuck nursemaiding me.” She pulled out some fresh dressings in readiness ”Once I finish here with our team I will check the prisoners as well.” Her eyes turned to the now perforated vehicle ”Looks like we could be here for a while till repairs are completed.”

Blus sits letting Anneka fuss over him, "It's only a flesh wound, my helmet saved the day though." he says looking down at the helmet and running his finger along the bullets course. "Hurts like buggery." he said rubbing his neck after he removed his gasmask.

He looked at the two newcomers and asks "Did we lose anyone?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:50, Tue 12 June 2007.

She smiled as Blue examined his helmet ”From what I have heard you Aussies don’t need the helmet anyway.” she chuckled and added ”But lets not put it to the test. Ok.” She worked quickly on the wounds, her slim fingers gently cleaned and dressed them before she sat back on her haunches. ”ok all set to take on the world again.”
Rising she turned toward the prisoners and started forward, she didn’t think these would be so easily patched up.

"Thanks, I'd prefer not to find out either.  Well, no rest for the wicked; I'd best go take a look at that UAZ." says Blue rising slowly, "Konrad wasn't it, look after our Florence here, they are hard to come by." he nods to the German before gathering his gear and moving over to start checking the UAZ for explosives etc.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:21, Thu 14 June 2007.

Joost continues to police the effects of the decapitated body he is knelt beside.  He gathers two full magazines of Bloc assault rifle ammmuniton, along with a bayonet and a brass knuckles.  He stuffs these into his webbing, then picks up the scavenged riot gun and checks the action.  Satisfied with its operational condition, he slings it crosswise over his shoulder and rises to a crouch.  He spits unceremoniously on the corpse at his feet, and then - keeping a watchful eye toward the tree line - falls back to join the crowd now gathering at the site of the wounded captive.

"So ... what 'ave we 'ere?" Joost sneers upon reaching the secured prisoner.  "A couple of ZOMO pricks going into private enterprise?"  He watches the blood-soaked bandit's eyes widen at Joost's mention of ZOMO, the Zmotoryzowane Odwody Milicji Obywatelskiej or "Motorized Reserves of the Citizens' Militia" - Polish riot police.  Joost nods.  "(In Polish) That's right, comrade.  I know who you are."

He thumbs toward the pit from which he just returned.  "I recognized the uniform on 'Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner' back there."  He turns to his team mates and explains, in a thoughtful and reflective tone seemingly focused at the photographer, as though conducting a seminar or leading a museum tour, "ZOMO was the Polish riot cops before the war.  Militia.  Bunch of thugs, mostly. An' bloodthirsty sadists the whole lot of 'em."

Joost lets the Mossberg fall gently from his hand and turns his attention back to the bleeding man helplessly restrained at his feet.  "Now," he hisses in angry Polish as he produces a balisong - or, more commonly, a Filipino butterfly knife - and flips open the blade in a ritualistic swiveling blur.  Joost drops to his knees, holding the knife snug against the detainee's quivering throat and leans in to place his lips close to his quarry's ear.  "Tell my friends why I shouldn't end you right here."



[Joost]
At the site of the injured bandit
Balisong to the bandit's throat
Conducting a field interrogation

Wayne nods as the man talks then turns and walks away, "Just don't get blood on my camera strap, I'll be needing that back."

He'll walk back toward the vehicles checking the ground just in case anyone missed an AK magazine or other equipment.  As he closes in on the back of the truck he'll remove the magazine and empty the chamber, replacing the round into the magazine.  Setting the magazine and weapon on the back of the truck he'll drop down into a squat and take in a deep breath letting all that just happened to process.

Max steps back from the prone soldier as Joost steps up.  Joost drops into his "ZOMO" speal, and Wayne backs away.  The butterfly knife of Joost is out in an instant, and blurs as the blade flicks out and becomes stationary, at the soldiers neck.

The neck bulges, as does the eyes of the helpless man.  His arms pinned tightly behind him, Joost only inchs from his face, the knife even closer.

Max kneels down at the top of the mans head, so looking up at Max, Max appears upside down to him, while Joost fills his vision as he looms over his chest.

"You ZOMO?" asks Max, rationally.

Wayne has turned his back and walked away.  Max glares at the scared soldier, who cant take his eyes off Joost.  Max continues with two more questions, asking sternly but without the direct confrontational approach Joost is employing.

"Are, you, ZOMO?"

(response)

"How many are you?"

(response)

Max will make eye contact with Joost, raise an eyebrow, crick his kneck, asking with these body signs "you really going to knife him?".

In the field, Clarence continues his sweep towards the woodline while Wayne and Max tie up the wounded prisoner. The ragged looking man has a grenade fragment in his right thigh. Clarence steps over an AKM as he approaches the spot where his target went down earlier. He finds the unlucky man lying face down in the grass, a sticky, matted lump in the man's shaggy hair indicating a single bullet wound in the back of his head. Clarence can now see a couple of dozen meters into the treeline. He sees no sign of the enemy.

After plundering the headless ZOMO corpse, Joost walks over to the bound prisoner. He produces his butterfly knife and begins menacing the haggard man.
Max and Joost's good cop/bad cop routine produces swift results.The man begins rattling off in Polish. Unfortunately, Max can't follow much of what's being said. Joost however, smiles in a knowing and somewhat sinister fashion as the prisoner tells his tale.

[Private to Joost van den Haas: "Yes, yes, most of us are ZOMO. It is true. I'm not, though. I'm army. There are- were- seven of us. We were, er, looking for bandits. We ran out of meth and the jeep died. Er, we thought you were going to steal it. That's why we opened fire!  Look, please don't hurt me. We've got a motorbike! I can show you where it is. Please..."]

Wayne returns to the back of Ural and kneels, spent as the adrenaline in his system begins to dissipate. Tuck leans out of the ditch on his belly a few meters away.

Back on the road, Anneka, accompanied by Konrad, finishes tending to the last of the wounded. Blue stands up from the ditch where he spent the entire fight and moves under his own power to the UAZ. Gunny repositions his OP as the big Australian checks under the hood. The vehicle engine is poorly maintained but he can't see anything wrong with it from above. Yazzie stands quietly nearby; he still hasn't spoken to anyone but the gunny.

Snowy fails to find any spares for the Ural. The truck may be able to make it to the Queen without repairs but it's an uncertain proposition. Old Adam, clearly, does not relish the idea.

The brief but violent firefight is over. The team was surprised and suffered a few minor casualties but still managed to break the ambush and route the enemy force. The ambushers didn't fare nearly as well. Three lie dead, one has been captured, and at least one other was wounded. All that is left now is to get the group back on the road towards Nowy Huta.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:06, Tue 12 June 2007.

Adam, clearly agitated, speaks up, almost shouting,

"We must hurry! If the ORMO patrol we passed heard this fight, they will come back to look. They will demand an 'investigation' and we will all be taken back to Krakow."

He doesn't have to add that such an invesitgation will mean having to pay heavy "fines", the confiscation of the heavy weapons, and perhaps even incarceration.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:20, Tue 12 June 2007.

Seeing Wayne move to the back of the truck and kneel down, Tucker uses his M-16 to steady him (muzzle up, safety on) getting up from the ground, favoring his wounded leg.  He slings his rifle over his shoulder and looks to Wayne, "You OK reporter man?"


"Millks, Tuck.  Listen, bring it in ASAP.  We might be having company that might delay our departure, Over," Tucker says into the radio.  He then turns to the others working on the vehicles, "All right, you heard the Captain, we got little to no time to get us moving again so let's see what we all can do.  We don't need to be losin' any of this stuff we just paid good money for!  How long do you need to get the truck rollin'?

Tuck
M-16A2/M-203 (Slunf over shoulder)
Trying to get people moving back to the Ural and move out

Keeping his eye on the treeline, Clarence stoops and picks up the discarded AKM, slinging it if possible. He stands, rolls the corpse over on its back with his boot, then squats again to begin searching it for items of use. Tuck's call mercifully interupts his task.

RADIO CHANNEL 3: "This is Milks. Roger that. We're bringing our guest with us."

He shouts over his shoulder, "Max, Joost, we gotta get back to the truck. Somethin's up. Take the prisoner and head on back."

Pausing just long enough to grab and pocket any useful gear in plain sight (mags, grenades, etc.), Clarence stands and begins to back away from the treeline, scanning for danger as he goes.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:18, Tue 12 June 2007.

Snowy looks up with a crooked grin at the barrage of advice and urging, and says "You can forget using 469 hoses on this beast, the lil' 469 has a seventy two horse donk and this Ural here has a monster engine with a radiator the size of Maddona's bed. Nah, she'll be right though. I'll just split the hose a bit, overlap the join and wire it up with some barbed wire." He removes his tactical gloves and pulls his bayonet and baton out, and uses the metal baton as a hammer to drive the bayonet into deep cuts in the severed hose. "I'll need some sort of rag to wrap around this to limit the leaking, but we can't do any fast driving or it'll probably pull loose as we hit bumps."

He whistles cheerfully as he works away at this, asking for a hand here and there and seemingly unconcerned about the recent ambush, although he can be seen scanning the area occasionally as he works. Soon, he declares it finished and clambers down the side of the big truck and checks the tyre. "Nope, this is a change job. I can fix this later, but it's a split rim truck tyre and I'm not screwing with it here. Let's get the jack out."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:12, Wed 13 June 2007.

Max looks up at Clarence as he calls out that we're returning to the vehicles, then looks at Joost.
"We've got all we're gonna get from him, lets make tracks".  At that Max stands.

"We'll leave him for his mates to look after.  You secured all the weapons, Joost?  Clarence?".




Max will pick up the prisoner by his collar and (help) drag him through the grass back to the Ural if either Joost or Clarance is not interested in leaving the prisoner on his own in the grass.

"Wayne, you can get your camera strap when we leave, depending on what we do with ZOMO here".

"Hey Snow, those tyres arent run-flats?"

Max
AK-74 (30)
BG-15 (0)
Hauling prisoner back to Ural
This message was last edited by the player at 03:18, Wed 13 June 2007.

Snowy looks over the truck and swears "Doesn't matter if they are or not, we'll be running on them. There's no bloody spare."

In a delayed response to the question Wayne waves a hand as he straightens up, "I'm good, just not my cup of tea having explosions going off nearby and pointing weapons at people."

Wayne then climbs in the back of the truck and starts rooting around for something to replace his camera strap with as a bind so he can have it back.  Relaing occassionally to take a deep breath.

"Anything that is not chained down in Krakow 'disappears', is that not right Uller?" Adam asks jokingly.

"Fuck you, Captain! That was Matusiak who forgot." Uller snaps back, cracking an awkward smile despite the discomfort in his leg.

Old Adam laughs heartily in response.

"We have run on flat tires before. It will be OK." He reassures those listening.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:55, Wed 13 June 2007.

Joost flips the balisong closed and pockets it.  Hearing the urgent undertone discernible through the calm delivery of Milk's message to fall back, he grabs his shotgun and then assists Foster in yanking the wounded Pole up by his collar.  They begin hustling through the still wet grass, moving double time toward the road in the direction of the Ural.

"Thanks for the heads up, mate." Joost hollers out to Clarence. "Call ahead and tell that pretty little medic she's got a customer?  And get somebody to check both petrol tanks on that ZOMO jeep."

Reverting to Polish, Joost addresses the captive as he and Foster continue to drag the Pole headlong across the field without regard to his health or physical comfort.  "I am not sure I believe you, comrade. But you will get the chance to sing that song to my partners before they decide how to dispose of you.  If there is fuel in that vehicle when we get there, you are a dead man."

Cocking his head toward Foster, Joost snaps, "Let's step it up, Ozzie - man's hurt an' he's got a story to tell."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:40, Wed 13 June 2007.

Max turns to Joost as Joost spurs him on.

"Man may be hurt, but he's gonna hurt some more .."

Max quickens up his pace.  The wounded soldier is now fairly being pulled, bumped and roughly manhandled over the terrain, with no regard to his condition.  His wounded leg takes many a knock.  Max and Joost try to keep in step, but its difficult given the height difference, the slighly wet and boggy mud, and neither man caring how they get "ZOMO" back to the Ural.

Max drops "ZOMO" to the ground when they reach the road.  Max wipes his sleeve against his forehead, raking off the sweat thats building.  The day is still cold and the wind has an icy chill, but hard work is still hard work.

Max stands looking out to the West as Snow works on the Ural.

"Hehe", Max quietly laughs to himself, overhearing the exchange between the old Captain and Uller.

Tucker looks the photojournalist up and down as he straightens up and speaks to him.  "You did OK camera man, it's not everyone's cup of joe to be out in the mix of things.  Listen uh, you got a firearm or something on you?  I understand your a civvie and all but, those cameras ain't gunna do shit in an another ambush on us.  You need a piece or something I suggest you let one of us know ASAP."

OOC; Unless I missed a pistol or something else on Freeman's person?

Tucker looks past Freeman as he climbs into the truck and turns his attention to Milks and his team coming in from checking the ambush site.  He sees the prisoner being lead/dragged back to the Ural and waves them over to him at the back of the truck.  He keys the radio to Milks (Channel 3): "Milks, Tuck.  Bring that asshole back here.  I'm cutting off the radio now.  See you in a minute, Over!" <wfr & shutting off radio after response>

[Private to GM: OOC 2; I don't want to overstep here so feel free to limit my actions from the rear of the Ural.  Tucker is just trying to set-up a feasible perimeter after the ambush until they leave.]

Tucker will then yell out to Gunny, "Gunny!  You and your partner (Yazzie) cover that part of the woods the Tango's retreated through until we get moving."

Lastly, when Anneka and Bayer come to check out the prisoner, Tucker will ask Bayer, "Can you go out about fifty meters to our rear and set up an overwatch on the road and see if anythings following us up after our little contact with our local militia friends here?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:02, Wed 13 June 2007.

Clarence continues backing away from the woods, keeping them under observation and covering the others' withdrawal.



"You got it!"

RADIO CHANNEL 3: "This is Milks. Looks like our guest has a boo-boo. Someone tell our nurse she's gonna have another customer. And have someone check the ZOMO jeep's gas tanks. Over."



RADIO CHANNEL 3: "Roger that. Out."

Clarence relays the message to Joost and Max,

"Drag Mr. ZOMO to the back of the Ural. Tucker and the nurse will be waitin'."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:27, Wed 13 June 2007.

[NPCed]

Gunny hears his name shouted from the behind the Ural but he can't really make out anything else that's being said. Clarence's request to check the UAZ's gas tanks comes in loud and clear.

Channel 3- "Roger that Milks. I'll get someone on the 'jeep'."

He sets his SVD down on the hood of the UAZ as soon as Blue finishes his eyeball assessment of the engine and pulls out his binnoculars to scan the woodline.

"Hey, can one of you fellas check out the gas tanks?" he asks Yazzie and Blue standing nearby.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:59, Wed 13 June 2007.

"Sure boss- on it now."

With that out Yazzie will inspect the gas tanks for booby traps then check for fuel levels. He will take is time doing this. He is not in a hurry to kill himself and others. Once he finds out the status, he will anwser to the gunny about the fuel level.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:05, Wed 13 June 2007.

Snowy's warbling to himself merrily while working and looks up to see the prisoner being dragged in. His face darkens momentarily and he watches his compadres pushing him about, it's clear that Snowy thinks they're mistreating him. He finsihes what he's doing and drops the hood with a bang. Sliding his baton and bayonet away, he walks over purposely to where the prisoner is and says firmly "Needs some help guys? It looks like you do."

Blue casts his eye over the UAZ considering it for parts, he'll quickly take out the battery and any spare wiring or fuel lines he can get quickly.  "Ya never know when this stuff might come in handy.  So Gunny, you're a marine, right? Which Division where you with?" Blue asks whilst he works at stripping the UAZ.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:40, Thu 14 June 2007.

Wayne hops out of the truck empty handed unable to find a replacement for his camera strap.  Scratching the back of his head he walks around the truck to see the prisoner being taken in.  Hearing Trevor close the hood and move toward the group Wayne calls out after hearing Trevor's statement, "If you got something to secure him with that would be great.  Got my camera strap around his wrists right now."

[NPCed]

"Yep. 2nd Marine Division. We were operating up north around the Vistula Estuary before we got knocked back on our asses and ended up E & E'ing down here. How the hell did you Aussies get stuck in Poland?"

"Long story mate, I was with the UN removing mines before the war started.  We got bounced around once the shooting started, the Italians sunk our relief ship I think and we ended up in Germany.  There's a brigade worth of us Aussies, Kiwis and Fijians rocking around Europe.   Snow and meself ended up with U.S. 5th Div after we got cut off."  Blue answers with a smile "Not sure about Max, different unit or he could be a tourist that got stuck.  He ended up with a couple of hundred recruits that way.  My wife's with 2nd Marine Div.- Sergeant Stephanie Miles- hopefully she's ok. She was last time I spoke to her but it's been a couple of months now."
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:42, Thu 14 June 2007.

Max nods at Snow as he offers assistance, and helps take some of the load carrying the ZOMO prisoner.
Between heaves and laboured breathing
"Thanks ... my arm was giving out ... and I didn't want to take my other hand off the AK".

With 3 people carrying the prisoner, a rhythm is quickly established over the remaining part of the journey.

"What are doing with him now (indicating ZOMO prisoner), I'm all for hitting the trail since the donk (engine) seems fixed".
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:39, Thu 14 June 2007.

Snowy nods to Max and the 'cop face' appears on his features - the blank don't-give-me-any-trouble-I-write-all-this-down look that gives zero emotional interplay in a discussion. He looks at the prisoner and slips his handcuffs out of their case.

"(Polish) Hands. Now."

If the prisoner complies, Snowy simply cuffs him. If the prisoner does not due to pain, incomprehension (Snowy's Polish is lousy) or truculence, he grabs his wrists and cuffs him anyway. Snowy's actions all have an inevitability about them, designed to make the prisoner feel that it's best to cooperate. He removes the strap and thanks Freeman for using it.

Snowy returns his gaze to the prisoner and checks him for wounds, lifting him firmly but not roughly with the help of the others onto the truck bed so Anneka can look at him. He takes his baton out and holds the prisoner during the examination and treatment so he doesn't get any funny ideas.

While treatment is ongoing, Snowy says to Joost, Max and Wayne "can we get a good Polish speaker back here? I'll note what laughing-boy here says and we'll see if there's any more suprises on the way to were we're going. By the way, we should tow that UAZ or put some fuel in it, it'd come in handy as a runabout that doesn't suck the juice."

"And guys, smiley here might el speako the English, so let's keep our mouths shut around him."

Wayne gladly takes his camera strap back and fishes in his satchel for his camera.  As he's attaching the camera strap he drops the unattached end to take a picture of the customs agent placing handcuffs on the prisoner.  Pulling the camera down as he reaches for the unattached part of the strap, "No one will believe that was taken in the middle of Poland during the war."

As the crew went about their various chores Anneka sorted her medical bag and noted down what had been used and what she needed. Later she would have to put some sutures in Bluey’s wound so she added those to her list. Medical supplies were always a constant problem and one of the hardest commodities to come by.

"No probs Tuck, give us a call when you want me to pull back in"
Konrad says

Konrad will move at a quick rate back down the road and once he gets about 50 meters away will drop to a crouch and depending on the view range will either use the naked eye or his binoculars to look back in the direction they came to see if anyone is coming.

Konrad Bayer
50 meters behind the Ural, watching the rear.
G36/HK69 (HE Loaded)
This message was last edited by the player at 10:52, Thu 14 June 2007.

Under Snow's expert gaze, Joost continues the questioning of the prisoner. The man sticks to his story about being part of an anti-marauder patrol. Blue finds the gas tanks on the UAZ empty and that seems to confirm the man's account. Adam however, becomes curious at the mention of the ZOMO. He walks back to where the field interrogation is taking place. Upon hearing descriptions of the distinctive uniforms worn by the three dead men lying out it the field, he speaks up,

"These bastards are bandits; they came poking around the abbey about a week ago. The guards chased them off after a short fight."

He pauses for a moment in thought before continuing, "He already knows about the abbey. Bring him. We will decide his fate later. We must get off the road."

Security is pulled in and the Ural is loaded, the weapons and ammo crates shifted towards the rear. Uller sits near the tailgate. The prisoner sits wedged between snow and Max. Tuck lies on his stomach in the bed, squeezed between pieces of cargo. Several of you sit facing outward on wooden boxes, weapons poised on the side railings. Joost sits alongside Adam in the cab. After toying with the undamaged tires' pressure settings, Adam gently applies the gas and the big vehicle begins to pick up speed. It pulls around the abandoned UAZ, now sans battery and spark plugs as well as fuel, and begins moving towards Nowy Huta.

The Ural cruises agonizingly slowly along the blacktop, rarely exceeding 20kmph. Only five kilometers remain between you and your destination. Traversing those last 5km promises to be a long, tedious, and tension filled journey…
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:36, Thu 14 June 2007.