Not once was Kessler given an eyewitness's glimpse into what happened to Lukasz Piszczek, only second hand accounts, rumors. That is, at least none that the interrogation subjects were willing to admit more to. As pieces of the puzzle was filled in the German officer steadily lost hope that Lukasz was still alive. The most likely explanation seems to be that Piszczek and detachment of LoSA had been encircled at (or near) the railyard, as reported, and eventually overwhelmed with no survivors. By
most likely, Michael would put it at 80% probability. Two competing rumors include the LoSA commander captured and executed by the river, or being still alive and in captivity. But there was no supporting or evidence for either story. The Hauptmann concludes they are probably false rumors with only a 10-20% probability of accuracy.
Before the interrogations concluded for the night, Kessler was given one last story, and this had a more sinister nature. The subject, a squad leader from the Świt (Dawn) Batalion, informed Michael that Halina Nowak intentionally sacrificed Lukasz. He claimed the LoSA survivors were surrounded for hours, with no relief attempted, and that prisoners were taken after their ammunition had run out. Piszczek was then ransomed as part of an attempt to negotiate a prisoner exchange and amnesty for others. Allegedly, Nowak refused and the prisoners were subsequently killed (executed or accidently - the source isn't sure which). It was further asserted that Nowak let Piszczek die as she felt his rise in popularity was a threat. In the end though, Kessler is left with nobody who could corroborate this claim of betrayal. It could just be part of the enemy's pys-op plan in action, or simply a bitter prisoner looking to make trouble.
Kessler bunked at the post office but got little sleep. The interrogations went late into the night and his wounds kept him further awake, despite fatigue setting in. The building was active throughout the night too, with people or sometimes vehicles coming and going, and rooms being set up for various purposes. A few more prisoners are brought in as well. The post office is said to be the city's new government house. When he wakes in the morning, Kessler will still be tired.
"I speak English." Karolina Schleicher answers Per Kolstrup before giving him a quick head to toe look. The Dane had found the East German prisoner leaning on a mop in the gymnasium/sleeping quarters/infirmary. She's just finished swabbing the floor and the mop head is noticeably stained red, despite a few rinses. They get to talking, first with a rapport building question regarding the prisoner's wound.
"Healing." Karolina states simply, before adding a moment later,
"I can not stand for long periods. But at least I can walk now."
Kolstrup then shifts the topic towards what, if any, arrangements she has with Captain Kessler.
"He promised exercise time, days ago. I never got it." There's no bitterness or tonal accusation.
"Herr Gustek is usually my jailor, but he fell asleep or forgot to put me back, I don't know. It's not his fault, he's not a soldier, or a jailor." Schleicher explains. The Stassi operative then gives a kick against the metal bucket with the boot of her good leg. Her tone stiffens a little, perhaps defensively, rather than directed at Kolstrup.
"But I know how to clean a floor just as good as I know how to clean a wound. And I do both." Karolina then takes her weight off the mop and gently holds it out to the NCO.
"Am I relieved? Or do I continue to help your medics?"
Once Kolstrup has finished his business with the prisoner he moves on taking unit inventory. The storeroom is found locked with the combination lock but it's a mess. Without a dedicated quartermaster people just come and go, take things, return things, with no real standardization to the procedure. And sometimes they're rushed. Taking stock turns into somewhat of an ordeal, lasting longer than the Danish commando probably envisioned.
OOC - Inventory list has been updated to reflect Kolstrup's stock taking except firearms, body armor, and individual kit like that. The exceptions are for items issued to some of the ad hoc compound security (people from the school) and I haven't worked that out yet. Ammo is accurate though.
"Nie ma paliwa." There is no fuel.
Kaminski's reminder, relayed by Ferro over the radio, and submitted in person as a request by Kessler, is almost immediately shot down. Michael is informed at the post office that there is currently almost no ethanol fuel to be found anywhere in the city. The distillery was the site of heavy fighting, resulting in damage to equipment and storage tanks. Plus, Woermann's forces burned through most of what was on hand with Nowak's forces. And the rest has been looted from the marketplace. Lastly, even when ethanol starts to trickle back into circulation, it will be the motorized fishing boat that will have priority. Bottom line - no refueling for at least several days, maybe a couple weeks.
The Mad Dogs still have a couple thousand liters of diesel on hand, but no vehicle to run it. Artur Szukała will nevertheless see that Humvee "Alpha" has four wheels again. You won't be able to drive it but at least it'll be ready for when the time comes.
Rodriguez washes up, does laundry, and visits the infirmary for fresh bandages. Now that combat has all but ceased, this sort of ongoing secondary care is what the medics (and volunteers) are kept busy with. Initially fresh dressings are all which Jose is slated to receive by an unfamiliar medical orderly. Doctor Serrano is in earshot however, and he knows first hand that the Mad Dog has been in immersed in the city's drainage system, so there is an interjection on Jose's behalf. A herbal antiseptic is applied to Rodriguez's wounds in addition to fresh dressings.
Later, Jose sits in the hallway and cleans his kit. There's some minor rust starting to show on his weapon in places where its protective coating is scratched off, but that's easily rectified. So too is the typical carbon build-up in the gas affected parts. His presence and activity draws some interest, with Walek and Manio joining him first, followed up a little later by old Pawel. In the beginning, the civilians speak amongst themselves almost exclusively in Polish, which Jose doesn't understand. As the time passes though, there's a greater effort to converse in English and include the Mad Dog. Rodriguez is left with the impression that his present company are in fairly good spirits. The same
might not apply to everyone else from the school, but Walek and Manio in particular seem motivated to help with the compound's defense.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:12, Sat 23 Dec 2023.