Katka leaned against a wall and scratched her head. "Ukrayinets, no unit. Pointy end towards enemy, tak?" She looked to the others with a whimsical smile. "Any of you have soap?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:25, Mon 18 Sept 2006.

Now that it's daylight you can see that the building you are in appears to have been missed entirely by looting. There are also many signs that whoever had lived here before left in a hurry - decayed food remains in the kitchen, some still half eaten and sitting on plates. Thoughts of such ghost ships as the Mary Celeste spring to mind...
You could almost believe they had left just days before if the occasional broken window and damage from the elements didn't say otherwise...

Corrigan smiled slightly as he spoke, "Was part of a larger group out doing a patrol I guess you could call it, and we got ambushed...  Lost a few and then we got separated.  We originally came from another group, I was on my way to find them when I ran into you guys...  I have an idea which direction to go assuming they haven't already moved on, but other than that..." he shrugged slightly trying to make light though the stress was evident on his face.


Pointy end towards enemy, yeah sure, bet she's a freedom fighter of some sort, it would be handy to have more combat experience in this group... he said to himself silently though to be fair everyone these days had at least some combat experience, if you didn't you generally didn't survive long...  "Tak, pointy end towards enemy..." he said with a grin, a little levity going a long way right now.  "Well, I guess we should rest up here for a little while, see what food we can find, just keep out of sight as much as possible and keep extraneous noise to a minimum.  We don't need to advertise we're here..." he said, stepping into the leadership role without even thinking about it as a group without direction would quickly become fodder for someone else...

At Katka's comment about soap he grinned, "And I guess it wouldn't hurt to clean up a little as well...  Doc, as we're getting settled can you give everyone a once over, make sure we're about as healthy as we can be?  Also, at least one of us on duty at all times, I'd prefer two, to cover as much area as possible, but we'll figure something out...  If no one else wants it I'll take first..." he said with a shrug, though it was at that moment his stomach decided to give it's opinion of the whole matter...


Glancing around and getting a feel for the building, having noted the remains of food left in a hurry he began to wonder what the cabinets might still hold, any canned goods would be very welcome, fresh stuff would be even better though he doubted any such stuff would be found.  "Well, let's try and find some food, get ourselves checked up, get some rest and perhaps dry clothes, or at the very least our clothes dried, and from there we can figure what our next step will be.  Sound ok?" he asked, still not happy about stepping into the leadership role, not after what had happened before...

He shook his head to stop the thought from completing itself, it was an ambush, no one could have foreseen it...  "Keep your weapon handy at all times, no saying who else is going to stumble upon us, but for the moment let's rest and eat a little..." he said, stooping to pick up the RPK before moving slowly towards on of the windows to start his watch, being very careful not to reveal himself...

Doc Brooks nods, "I'll get right on that... um, what do you go by? Sergeant Major or Sir?"

With his answer he go upstairs and rumages through his pack for dry or dryer clothes and socks. After changing Doc lays the wet clothes on a bed to dry and makes his way to the kitchen trying to find a bag to toss the nasty spoiled and rotted food into to get it away from everyone.

As he moves through the house he will stop briefly with each person and ask, "Got any injury or ailments you want me to take a look at?" All the while doing his own mental evaluation and looking over each person out of a force of habit dealing with Marines that rarely admit to hurting or feeling bad.

"Just a broken heart." Sebastian smiles and indicates the pitchfork wound in his left shoulder. It appears to be healing quite nicely. "You did a fine job, Doc."

Encouraged by Katka's apparent lack of modesty, Sebastian strips off his damp uniform and socks. Much of the imbedded moisture had been transferred to the sheets on the bed upstairs during his long slumber but they could still do with some drying. Wearing only his undershorts, combat boots, and Uzi, he begins to rumage through every cabinet and draw working his way from the kitchen, upward but always keeping away from the windows.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:58, Tue 19 Sept 2006.

Doc Brooks unzips his medical bag and sets it on the table in the kitchen, "Well Sebastian, while I got yah half naked, take a seat and let me take a look at that wound and make sure it's not infected. Plus I need to put a new dressing on it." He'll to a chair as he pulls one out from the table in front of him.

Corrigan sighed softly and shook his head, "A title like either of those is only befitting a commissioned or non-commissioned officer of a powerful military...  Corrigan's fine, Andy, Andrew, 'hey you', whatever..." he said, lightening his tone at the end to further lighten their spirits a little before turning to continue his watch, catching Doc's movements out of the corner of his eye he smiled slightly, he had at least one ally here it seemed...

When he caught Sebastien, stripped to the waist to allow his clothes to dry and carefully and methodically going through the house, while doing his best to remain clear of the windows, he couldn't help but smile again, another ally it seemed...  They all needed to be allies if they were to survive, and giving them the ability to dry out their clothes, rest and find what food they could would help with their disposition towards himself...  Not that he minded if someone disliked him, they needed each other, and he had been on his own when he found these three so if worst came to light he would bow out as he had arrived, and leave them be, no hard feelings.  But, they all must know their chances were far better together...

He continued his watch carefully and silently, moving periodically to watch as much territory as he could while the others settled a little, letting them decide who would take next watch and hoping some decent food was found...

Peering out the window you see a column of smoke rising from the direction of the incident during the night. Not a building burning, more likely a cooking fire...
Many items of value are easily found although no food besides a few old containers of herbs and spices. Apparently whoever lived here had cleaned the pantry out, obviously not in a panic but certainly not waiting about to clean up the remains of their last meal.
All evidence you find shows that nobody has lived there for at least a year. A calender on the wall still shows March of 1999 - It's now mid August 2000.

When he first saw it he made careful and mental note of it's position, calculating direction and approximate distance as best he could before moving off on the rest of his 'round', assuming it was probably nothing.  Upon his return to that spot he noted the smoke a little more and, considering he had seen enough building's and vehicles burning in his more recent life, knew it was neither of those...  Which meant...  A cooking fire?

He scowled and tried to picture in his mind whereabouts it might be, but as dark and as rainy as it was it made it difficult, after a few moments he turned back inside and went to relay the news...  "Doc, Sebastien, Katka!" he called softly, not loud enough to be heard outside and yet loud enough to carry within the walls...  "We may have friends, or an unsuspecting enemy ripe for picking up supplies, just across the way...  What do you guys want to do?" he asked, knowing he would himself at the very least go and scout out who it was, but not wanting to make the decisions for the four of them just yet...

  Having no luck at aquirring a fresh bar of soap from the boys, she gave the bathrooms a once over again. It had been dark when she searched the house before and perhaps something had been overlooked, no luck. Only a flacky, half used clump of what was once a disk of soap was left and that was dried from the ages. So it was down and to the back ally where she had deposited a large pot the night before, situated strategicly as to catch the vast amount of rainwater that poured off the roofs. The ally was a tiny little back road used for garbage collection and the like, no garbageman was likely to be by for a long time tho.

  She brought the pot in to the back hall near the kitchen. It seemed clear enough and tasted like water so she retrived a canteen and filled it up. The rest she used to take a sponge bath, a couple towels and some vigerous scrubbing would go a long way despite the lack of soap or a sponge, and according to the towel, she had been suprisingly dirty. It was refreashing to finally take some time to take care of herself.

  All cleaned up, it was time to join Dok and Sebastian in the kitchen. She jumped up on the table, having been cleaned since the last time she saw, and unbuttoned. Dok looked like he was about finished patching up Sebatian's wound. He was in nice shape otherwise.

  "My turn now? My feet are hurting and I am hungry all the time, got pill for that?" Smilling and letting her dress fall back. "I have few cans of food upstairs. Meat, that is what they tell us. I could maybe mix food and make something good for us, if you like." She tugged at the bottom or her sweater, "You want me undressed also?"

  Hearing the brit call their way she replied, "We want to eat!" She smiled and lean into the others, whispering "What is his name?"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 19:33, Tue 19 Sept 2006.

Yes, please. Sebastian thought. This girl was certainly not shy. But, that sort of thing had gotten him in trouble recently. Doc wouldn't have to be patching me up right now if only I could think more clearly around attractive women... Think of something else... football... food!





"Andy. I believe his name is Andy. Does anyone else think it might not be such a good idea to 'investigate'? Especially considering the welcome we received last night. I'd best get back into some clothes, either way..."

Doc shakes his head as he takes a look at Katka's feet, "Nah, you can keep your nice pretty dress on. Unless you got some other injury you want me to take a look at." He'll then tend to the blisters and nod at Sebastians comments.

"Yah I hear yah. Though taking a look might not be such a bad idea, I might go with the Sergeant Major if he heads out to take a look." He'll pause from his treatment of Katka's feet to look at Sebastian, "The two of you going to be ok if I head out with him? If he goes that is."

What does he mean? Is it that obvious?

"Ya, we will be fine."

Sebastian glances at Katka and nods, intending, somewhat awkwardly, to both reassure and solicit her feedback. Uncharacteristically embarrassed- and perhaps even a little ashamed- by his own thoughts and Doc's apparent ability to see right through him, he leaves the room without waiting for a reply and heads upstairs to get dressed. After putting on his fatigues, now only slightly damp around the junctions were the panels and pockets are fastened, he walks back downstairs. Pausing to take a deep breath and run his hand through his hair, he reenters the kitchen, composure restored, ego slightly bruised but intact.

He smiles, making eye contact with both Brooks and Katka, "Well?"

Nods a greeting as he zips up his medical kit and moves off to find Corrigan, stopping to add before he leaves the kitchen, "Katka, you should cook something. Who knows when the next time we get a chance to eat a hot meal."

When he finds Corrigan he'll kneel nearby, "You going to take a look? Mind if I come with yah? I'm sure Sebastian and Katka will be ok here as long as they keep an eye out for trouble."

Corrigan smiled slightly at Katka's mention of food, but Doc's question raised his own, he dearly wanted some food, but professionalism took over and the need to check out the 'neighbors' over-rode everything else...  With Doc knelt by he smiled thinly, "Yes, I'm gonna check everything out...  You're welcome along, just keep your head down and do as I say..." he said, trying to keep it light, though he meant what he said, hefting the RPK as he spoke...

Then, after a glance and a smile at Doc, moved towards the door opening and, after a glance outside he moved quickly and silently towards the next piece of cover.  After checking to be sure he was safe, he motioned for Doc to accompany him and, working on cover by cover, they made their way towards their new 'neighbors'....

Andy and Brooks head out the door and work their way towards the smoke rising into the air. Leapfrogging each other, their weapons follow their eyes as they scan for trouble.

Meanwhile Sebastian and Katka keep themselves busy preparing for the day ahead.

Brooks soon proves to be fairly competant with his feild craft, but, understandably for a medic, still not in the same class as Andy. Several minutes out they arrive in the area of the previous nights events. One more corner and the location will be in full view...

  Katka's eyebrows pop up as Sebastian takes his leave of the kitchen. She slowly pulls the dress on and buttons up, folding her arms in as she leans in on Dok. Soft tones so the sound wont travel, "It is bad idea." Knowing he will go anyways, "Be carefull."

  When Sebastian finally comes down from upstairs, Dok having finished with her, she jumps off the table and smiles. "They go. We cook! What food you have?" And so the hunt begins for a tasty stew, pots, pans, spices, canned foods and MREs. Untill their two comrades leave thru the front door that is, "Duren! They can have gone out back door!" She watches them move down the street then rushes upstairs to don her webbing and bring her rifle down to the kitchen.

  "I do not trust this Andy." She knifes open an unmarked can of meatlike substaince, something recently handbacked with a pop off lid that might have been a paint can at one time. "It is good they leave spice for us."

Corrigan re-evaluates his first impression of Brooks, and smiles slightly as he see him in action, competent to say the least which makes him feel a little better about things..  And soon they are approaching the last corner, Corrigan motions for Brooks to slow down and spread out a little so they're not grouped together, and then slowly approaches the corner careful not to show himself while watching for anyone who might be on watch, mindful of the sniper from the previous evening.

Using hand signals he motions Brooks into cover and tells him to watch for the sniper, as Corrigan carefully looked around the edge of the wall...
This message was last edited by the player at 15:24, Tue 26 Sept 2006.

Andy carefully peered around the corner taking great pains to remain as much in cover as possible. Beyond the building and across the street two armoured vehicles sat menacingly. One a BRDM-2 scout vehicle in Soviet colours and the other a BTR-80 similarly painted. The three story building all the action occured at the night before sits just past the vehicles, smoke rising lazily from the chimmney.
Looking upwards towards the roof three stories above, Andy finds himself peering down the barrel of a scoped, high powered rifle. Although about 150 metres distant, he's in no doubt that if the owner chose to squeeze their finger just slightly, he'd find himself in a great deal of pain...
[Private to WO2 Andy Corrigan: Hard to see at this range, but you think you might know who it is. Got any binoculars, etc?]

"Well, he seems to be a decent chap but we shouldn't be splitting up like this. I may not be a commando, but I know better than that..."

Sebastian moves over to where his pack leans against the wall."We don't have much in the way of food, just some tinned rations and, er, a sausage..."

Sebastian winks at Katka as he removes a battered sausage from his pack."Courtesy of a friendly Polish farmer." Sebastian tosses the sausage to Katka. "Let's save the tinned rations.I think they can wait a little longer."

Sebastian shifts his weight from foot to foot nervously."If you don't mind, I think one of us should probably keep watch just in case our sniper friend decides to stop in for breakfast."

Brooks kneels a few feet back along the wall from Corrigan. He sweeps his rifle and gaze across the building tops and windows behind their position and across the street. As he watches their backs the seconds it takes for Corrigan to peak around the corner drag on like minutes. The sweat beads up on his forehead then runs down his face.

  "He is hungry for war." She shakes her head and laughs a little, "You see way he holds rifle? Like little malia." Imitating a mother craddling her child. "Peh, let him fight, I am tire... tiring of it."

  She sniffs the meatstuff but drops it on the table when Sebatian pulls out the sausage. Her eyes go wide, taking deep delight in its oder when he tosses it her way. Rattling off excitedly in Ukrainian, she take a bite off the end and groans at the extacy of real food, "Is so good! Sebastian, you are saint!" Hammers the lid back on, "No dog food today!"

  Looking around the kitchen, Katka waves off Sebastian when he mentions gaurd duty. "Stay away from window this time and keep drapes way they are when we come in."

Sebastian laughs soflty, "I've been called many things before, but never saint!"

He points to the sausage, "I look forward to sampling your cooking. Save some for the rest of us, eh?"

"I'd love to stay but..." He points towards the front of the house. He'd really rather sit and chat with Katka, but the idea of some heavily armed and unfriendly types just waltzing in through the unguarded front door will not allow him relax. He enters the front room/foyer, staying well back from the window. He thumbs the selector switch on his Uzi to full auto then inches closer to the window, until he can peer out from behind the tattered drapes. He quickly surveys the street outside, then, seeing nothing of interest, backs away and returns to far side of the room. He finds a chair and props it up against the wall, opposite a window facing the street. He feels that he is deep enough in the shadows to avoid being seen from outside, save by someone standing right outside the window. His view of the outside is subsequently quite limited, but he can also cover the front door from his seat. I hope Andy and Doc knock when they return...

He had to fight not to lose his cool as something about the manner in which the person was training the rifle on him sparked some recollection in him, added to the fact that he wasn't dead yet meant that maybe, just maybe, that person knew who he was as well...  He swallowed and slipped back behind cover to take a deep breath, taking a moment to ease his nerves as he glanced towards Brooks, "You got any binocs?  The sniper is there but the good news is they didn't shoot me even though they had the shot, and I'd swear I knew them, even at this range..." he briefly considered stepping out a little more from the cover so the sniper could get a better view, hoping if his hunch was right he wouldn't just get blown away but he wasn't sure he wanted to test out the theory just yet.

If Brooks had some binoculars or a scope, he could at least get a better feel for who it was and if he did, in fact, remember them...  He swallowed again, waiting for a response...

Brooks shook his head, "Nope. We going to have to move closer?" Lowering his rifle but scanning their six Brooks grew a tad more nervous.