This ended up being longer than I expected and I don't want to cram it in with the IC material, so I'm just going to post it here.
Rolls were made on Interrogation with a secondary roll on Persuasion to modify the difficulty level of the first roll. These are the results:
Jacek Pszczoła went through a number of phases during the interrogation.
First came an assertion that there had been a mistake...
"Yes, I work for Germans... Waterloo Germans."
"Talk to Captain Woermann, please, he will tell you. I routinely supply his company with provisions. Someone is trying to interfere with my business, Handlowcy Unii I suspect."
This is actually probably true. Although mostly a regional trader, Pszczoła's company likely does legitimate local business here in Gdansk too. And (as Kaminski could attest) merchants who aren't don't hold cartels membership are routinely targeted by them.
Pszczoła expressed shock and disbelief towards the accusations facing him.
His second phase involved abandoning his cover story, for a different one... that he was duped.
"They told me they worked for Captain Woermann. I didn't know."
Tears were mustered. Regret expressed over and over.
At this stage Kessler almost bought it, a cover story within a cover story, with almost believable emotions. But he knew better and pushed back, laying pressure on the detained Pole. Threats were made to Jacek. It wasn't difficult for them to be believable either. The Golden Dawn alone would hang him in an instant. That is if a mob didn't lynch him on the way to gallows first. Kessler, perhaps unexpectedly, included threats levied against the man's wife as well though.
In the next stage came an admission to the truth. With this, Pszczoła was not overly apologetic however. He expressed regret that the DDR team committed the bombing, but he didn't directly feel responsible for it. He even claimed he wasn't supporting the DDR unit out ideological reasons.
"I provide food, set up places for them to stay, and sometimes medical or transportation needs, nothing more."
His motivation was explained...
"Before, before NATO came to Gdansk I mean, life was hard for everyone. Of course it was. The Generals in Malbork demanded so much from Gdansk."
"But there was order."
"Gdansk was organized, functional. You could look past Malbork's strong hand to see that it also meant there was order."
"Now? Gdansk is more divided than it ever was. More warlords than I can name, and yes, that is what they are. We are going backwards here. The choices made since NATO had come and left, have been so bad that they have affected the entire region. We need order again. That is why I helped Malbork's commandos. But maybe you are blinded by the old politics to see that."
The final phase of the interrogation was about compiling details:
1 = Strong likelihood of accuracy
2 = Moderate likelihood of accuracy
3 = Weak likelihood of accuracy
Note: Crosschecking information with the wife has helped establish some of the ratings.
- The name of the DDR unit is "Pine Tree Detachment". (1)
- Hauptmann Schweppenburg is still alive and in command. (1)
- Contact with the DDR unit is initiated by them. Normally, a message would be delivered informing Jacek of a radio frequency to listen in on and at which time to do so. Instructions were given in this way. (2)
- Schweppenburg accused Jacek of sloppy security and accused/thought he was under surveillance, which is why he preferred the hands-off/radio method. (2)
- Pine Tree Detachment no longer has a radio link with Malbork. The radio they use to communicate with Jacek doesn't have the necessary range. So written messages between the unit and their HQ come in and go out via Jacek's company. (1)
- Before going out the window, Jacek burned the only message that he had on hand before going out the window. He did not read it and has never done so before with other messages he was relay. (2)
- Jacek does not know why Pine Tree Detachment doesn't use the Soviet camp at Pruszcz Gdański to relay radio messages to Malbork, since they are close enough. (1)
- Pine Tree Detachment has six active members remaining. He knows this from the rations count but has not met all of them. (1)
- Jacek has met, at least once, Schweppenburg, a "German sniper who was a hero at the battle of Warsaw", a German woman that was not Karolina Schleicher, and some sort of specialist who may be Russian and not directly subordinate to Schweppengburg. The other two members are not known. (2)
- Jacek's trading company is Pine Tree Detachment's only means of logistical support in Gdansk. He believes this because they get angry if he can't provide something, (if because it's on too short of notice for example). There's obviously (to Jacek) no alternative supplier. (1)
- Jacek's wife was aware and supportive of his covert support to the DDR unit, but she not an active participant. (1)
- Jacek believes with his support gone, Schweppenburg will end his mission and attempt to return to Malbork. He feels the unit is exhausted and won't attempt rebuilding a covert logistics network. They are also low on morale. (2)
Note: no information was ranked 3. Jacek seemed to be cooperative
as much as he could.
"I can't lead you to them even if I wanted to. They come to me, understand? They look over their shoulders all the time. Ever since their Finn was killed, or whatever, in his apartment, I waste so much time changing different places for them to stay."
Lastly, when told his cooperation was not good enough, Pszczoła requested that his wife be excused. Failing no promises for that, he then offered to give up the Pine Tree Detachment if they make contact with him again (assuming they don't realize he's been compromised).
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:43, Fri 16 Apr 2021.
