Yelena tipped her rifle upward as friendly troops started moving between her and the enemy. She reloaded while speaking to Lena. [Language unknown: "Ingureeve hi sansi? P ers kor os iveenc-mansan ckacho t ver iveavebut." ]

Yelena scanned for any remaining combatants that would be a danger to her or Lena, then nodded to the other woman. [Language unknown: "Ic ti to. Red ee mound ev maet lat ncro."]

Taking her own advice, Yelena quickly moved to join the new Russian forward line. She listened for any reports from the Soviets, then translated for Lena to keep her updated on the situation.

"[Language unknown: Ckut diei ho.]"

Lena moved, keeping her pilfered sidearm ready, for what good it might do.  She had been trained on the most basic American and German small arms before being sent, but having so little recent practice, for it would not make sense for her cover to have much access to such tools, she wouldn't be a great shot.  But she might not have a choice.

As all the squads converge around the former German position, the Soviet artillery fire seizes again. The sudden silence is unnerving, with many of you expecting the crack of a rifle gun shot, another sniper hidden somewhere.

Emma Zholdina nods grimly at Yelena, still limping from the wound she had taken before, her face determined, but oh-so-deadly pale.

Lena kept her mouth shut.  She was here to confirm identities and name names (hopefully those of corpses), storming the building wasn't in her line of expertise.  Besides this was a military unit, some civilian piping up and telling them what to do, well that would go over like a lead balloon.  If they asked, that was different.

She began to ponder whether she had learned anything useful about this building that would be good to recall right about now, having spent so much time in the enemy's service.

Yelena nodded solemnly at Emma. [Language unknown: "Anyhe icaom foel ereof estnteouroerlin, icalte. Napr lat nd...Ca om resthuent."] She smiled slightly at her fellow sniper before turning toward Lena.

Aware that it was at least mildly annoying to be unable to keep up with conversation, Yelena roughly translated. [Language unknown: "U resforrut butichvir illnc arevortrance hape aiev peos a und to wasardsom ratoneera o Pre ng latantrom. Voron redat, Paeenc'ches. P she p art nc."]

The sniper looked around for those in command to see how they were arraying the forces at their command.

((OOC: I assume the other PCs are jumping in now? Or are we still split?))
This message was last edited by the player at 03:26, Tue 07 Dec 2021.

Lena couldn't help but smile at the news.  It was sadistic of her, but after all that time among them, she'd grown to hate them so much.

As the disparate forces convene on the German position, Kapitan Konnikov starts quietly issuing orders, "Leytenant Shagidzyanov, [Language unknown: mali ee leenro ckenad ovesa yintrasanandati iswi'monc A alfor k heain werna mimo'omst astastoul, a.]  Strelnikov, [Language unknown: wil winama heilfi o omplek dinut, ard has atna plnolest ol day el in sihimo chmoee mo er Andoereen iou Bletedess resshewer anynderes ouin ne ameencwhiion ek uthiee yin.  As u som i utut korwa whi icla no o, E rea isic urrea und hou et hi.]  Lyubimtsev, [Language unknown: ndeineers evst caat, latundith reasanare nc ai ofer acnot encandticith.  Ssngta, temianse p latr th a posila o taekonbe, tr conai nt sanoutnti strectantder antillect."]

He looks around "Bala... ahh.  Yevgenievich.  [Language unknown: Larpe, ugh, ch latwitess ar tama, asceil di somsi] American kapitan, [Language unknown: us mi n ac si p] Shagidzyanov's [Language unknown: nceouryin fipr seriuron."]  He claps the man on the shoulder, [Language unknown: "Ngho stisi est lariouma thiersiouave urselial, niulusdi nceom Wityinthuher."] then he lets him go and nods towards Captain Jackson.


((OCC;  Reminder, Konnikov ordered two squads to guard the metro car, one from the First and Second platoons.
link to a message in this game ))

Jackson had given some orders of his own, then he nods back at Konnikov and calls for Major Lewis.

He gestures towards the inner yard and the ramp leading down into the ground.
One of the British soldiers approaches and salutes.  He hands one of the bottles to Lewis.

In the back, the allied soldiers try their best to extinguish the fire on the truckbed.

Max nodded at the reports they received, though frowned at the last. He raised an eyebrow and looked around at those who were reporting. [Language unknown: "Liac? Ssnte...preovelar nde ore ratntiame. Ev ma ter, oeriveandove ing n tra olwe rea est a comol el ounvenith terromatetin, tioeraate us estoustin parout nopeon haswitwer teer."]

He looked back at the other senior members of the Western Allied forces. [Language unknown: "Aiou o com ofen outdinometiothu?" ]

Jackson nodded.

He had been the second in command of the Americans. A role that would now have to pass to Master Sergeant Ralph Jenden.

After a few short minutes Konnikov stops by Lyubimtsev, [Language unknown: "Leytenant, Ofne liarni om Americans ca aton undei e tree herhatund-statra hounrial pari ughtioout, anan howa sifo.  A tra Kemmel sslien, to ti kormi om rutndeame nd Tedonsout elsi eenaee wil str."]  He turns, and signals to third platoons lieutenant, [Language unknown: "Leytenant Strelnikov, acchpofo prodinrut ntsece.  Shagidzyanov, preyinent isofth la inas ul ntianddin ardersall atean ol whme nche'fost, ilplek ofreli beeina i oerrutlarnte adfila siati ourareout saalul."]

As second platoon moves past he stops Malkin for a moment, [Language unknown: "Kor ent wene'evmaon din teck, elwa ai sa ce ca notass ain Kemmel, llch chil n erch, ortpr ie e ivun."]  Then he clasps her shoulder and sends her in with the rest of second platoon*.




(( * Presuming that Lena and Yelena are going in with First and Second Platoon and aren't doing something totally different of course.  If so, just say the word and I'll shift this post to reflect, if necessary. ))

Yelena nodded at the orders from Semyon. [Language unknown: "Ei, Lomiro, Hi strit le n ne...man A ast ioublenteted."]

She turned toward Lena. [Language unknown: "Et popeme ss eserfila p enoselevne ol ndeeek tio comounwil miev, Camitoalma. N iv laurit aiadad we fo om ureomeate Alpa ouame terbutica t ri paomos ivewh butli rina whhifo. Hontwh, mi al i pothte san il rea ivethiith thumenithwil ntiom ere rut ilna po hat ioseet ro rifi utdipeun, ithai?"]

She nodded to the platoon leader that would be organizing their advance. One benefit of being on the shorter side is that she'd be lost among the taller men that would be first in.

"[Language unknown: Un o din o k atitictrathe.]"  Lena answered with a smirk.  "[Language unknown: Is ratantall, Ous er er com fiine.]"

Not having any idea how to improve the plan, she took her place in it.

Is there time to scavenge a Mauser from one of the dead on the way in?  Not planning on fighting but Rifle > Pistol.

With the orders given, the Soviet platoons move into the inner yard of the former department store, the Western Allies following behind them.

A ramp was dug into the middle of the yard, leading down into the underground. It's wide enough for a truck to fit through, with enough space left and right for two men to walk shoulder to shoulder, but definitely too narrow to allow for any oncoming traffic.
The first few yards down into the underground are unlit, with the only light provided by whatever daylight would be available. But as you get a little deeper, the first bulbs show up, hung on the side of the walls.

About 50 meters below, the road curves to the right and widens significantly, enough for oncoming traffic to pass if both trucks were to cling to the edge of the tunnel. There is noise up ahead, but it is distorted by distance and echoes, the air smelling of gasoline and oil.

The men and women of 1st platoon cling to the left side of the tunnel, while 3rd platoon stays on the right.

There are lights ahead, at the end of the tunnel, and through the noise can be heard shouting, indistinct still, but there is a sense of urgency.

((Notice, if you please))

---

Outside, on the upper level, the scouts Konnikov sent around the building arrive, huffing and puffing and out of breath.
[Language unknown:
"Ponowe iees u fi adoun onsionnde'sonlar, Adanme Atouan, illla m ntidinfor anatpa haal se. Hi miwiut ac u asmo Oreareintent ecich oneforent butenctersan oveen eialof."]

Shagidzyanov nods and turns to you: [Language unknown: "Aito wh tho aiullo, Urunwe Unacen?"]

One of the men shrugs off his acquired SS jacket and drops it unceremoniously on the floor. One of the others slaps him on the arm but he shrugs it off and responds: [Language unknown: "Eve onno linarecom preac prevro os po eeon ivchinsi."]

[Language unknown: "Ard, caic,"] he turns to Leytenant Shagidzyanov, [Language unknown: "Yurievich, oveoerdin taieas la."]

He checks his .45 submachine and follows First Platoon into the tunnel.


(( OOC:  Notice for BPO Company and Konnikov (just in case it matters for him):
18:02, Today: BPO Company rolled 3,11 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(6+5)11. Notice d8 [roll=1640300569.17327.347079]
18:06, Today: Semyon Yegorovich Konnikov rolled 3,10 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(6+4)10. Notice d6, in case it matters, which I doubt it will... 3,10

And wow, the Russians are on point today!))

Tsimmermann, the private on point in the tunnel raises his hand and half-turns, waving at everyone to stop and get back, then runs backward, too.
[Language unknown:
"Res thu Sonas ulhis e, Acfi ck m venstated ilin! Isisus ricareol stul cklat es nti utolli, oultersta ne saing mo rentma ss ho ie iv, strma k ng!"]

Everyone halts, with the two leytenants starting to quietly argue with each other in Russian. Jackson and Lewis ask what's going on in English, but are ignored by the Russians.

A few minutes later, Konnikov arrives and is immediately brought up to speed.

Lyubimtsev is the first to speak. [Language unknown: "Artureich Wasousrea, mento cematran se ek thoiourom te llhiek k e prceie hasou Ekfi. Po ingughnde ie ck werasting ri plur thaterthu nteciv ur i. Osacte urusll dinardtra ro but alilre le entons-ourwil stng k sti. Il tedlo u com of io hi i whnce deroreughous. Ndca nihemean ch er adasarwaeiun."]
Strelnikov, quite out of character, patiently waited his turn to oppose his comrade.
[Language unknown: "Limangom, ss wit onsntiera thncni evepl ri und, ousallard al fi neieelloou on korntiallcomthe ant ardil m ckpaie tapesi, m hi o icaencles elsan, e oltemi. Ta peee ndeonered not et hichasti, of ineonsore dayvirsom os e t."
"Arund usmen hichec na itofunma la noas erantedin unan san beeeinarss mihas!"
"Ame virastoul adilun ti llwh evati trcese po ceelsi e whany, essut prevenave?!"]

Shagidzyanov interjects: [Language unknown: "Nein'whdi, ineortter icaaveareess naos venmanble poilaipr ove n iters wepama! Onpo illen ti Yinouncom butfo Ecting'ichure vennceenc na ssasre ntresi ted latsonest Whe Wil?"]

Strelnikov turns to Konnikov: [Language unknown: "Daynceati Rihibe, Ielimi Ndpeet en comthienchatart webut llthai ha uluthepl ich Laronsove naof'ivin rono lo k."
]
Lyubimtsev mutters something under his breath that sounds like "fucking lunatic", but in a louder tone says: [Language unknown: "Llunei roarpl eeivha tinec san Eviein k Bleughman, Sistmipa?"]

[Language unknown: "Thoardant!  Atain yinticrea mest ev thaforate.  Strelnikov, m.  Alll ter dinineave.  Shagidzyanov icioomon atreat, Lyubimtsev noan.  Politruk Zholdin, nonawa erwi ounonsmenndende."] He checks his Thompson for the millionth time and as the Senior Lieutenants issue orders and then the Third Platoon rushes forth, Konnikov shouts, [Language unknown: "Roosusek, WHPOFI!"]


(( OOC:  Just a reminder Warmaster, the second squad from Third Platoon is strung out between this position and the metro.. and probably stretched too far by now.  There is a squad from both First and Second Platoon guarding the Metro car.  Or dead to Nazi warghouls by now, who knows.  ))

((Oh, Nazi warghouls, now that you mention it...
Strelnikov would charge with half a squad if that was all he had left.))

[Language unknown: <Ouou>"Eenndeour, Nteblence Nohimi." </Te>]The young politruk looks a bit hesitant, then turns toward the Western Allies.

"Kapitan Konnikov has ordered Third Platoon to storm forward and to take the German position. We will have Kemmel secured for you in no time."

Major Lewis didn't understand Russian, but he understood body language and tone. And he didn't like either one right now. When the 'plans' were passed to him, he nodded.

"How can we support this...offensive?" Max arched an eyebrow at Zholdin as he asked his question.

Yelena pressed her lips together as she listened to the conversation between the officers. As had become her custom, she translated for Lena. [Language unknown: "Reenme un alou romtioain'preear wheerevir ashito we versomeau ie rohi'ilekunmi ureioustaove u llch. Fi ounsonhat ineli st il, k fi, n masttoeiom e. Om atimanousati ou whssse conhassti eraoreoun ch to lo be wilsomeen wa tha prtoet ie ousyinmenameare file prorester meus usha'lahaho."]

Yelena couldn't keep a bit of sadness from marring her features. She'd lost a lot of comrades, but it always hurt. The sniper checked her weapon to make certain it was fully loaded and ready to fire. She also double-checked the bayonet to make certain is was firmly attached. She looked over again at Lena. [Language unknown: "Reaad seie ure whrea. N ardatevir ear os i li ouricamen lithic, lowi itliasth di ekcesi."]

"[Language unknown: Sileesat est mensanred ro hisiouortyinund.]"  Lena mused, but she was listening to this sage advice.  She hadn't been trained for combat, and these people had been fighting the Germans, not spying on them.

[Language unknown: "Maroon Noivon: Ereno Manencthucon lili a of lalar nd as undhathas alrea butndebut."]

Strelnikov scoffs: [Language unknown: "Re day e ca reafo but setallres k tha ble nd inri hi reoul caosei areithati."]

[Language unknown: "We ntch al caol ma not, ti of weloic, to unioma halat rutyinlin.] Konnikov pauses and continues wryly, [Language unknown: "Ere tha llst nc enis ain i verus."]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:33, Sat 01 Jan 2022.

((Montage time))

Strelnikov tells Malkin to stay behind and protect the spy, to let the platoon handle this. Strelnikov turns around, not giving her a chance to respond.

The men and women of 3rd platoon get ready, their faces showing determination, defiance and fear. More than one crosses himself, ignoring official state policy, but the officers and non-comms ignore that display of outdated bourgeois superstitions.

Then, the trilling sound of a whistle sounds and with a large URRRRAAAAA!!!! the men of the Red Army surge forward.

For a sweet, ever-lasting moment, nothing can be heard besides the glorious screams of the Soviet soldiers. But then the Germans overcome their own surprise and fear and answer with the tak-tak-tak of MG42, at least two, as Tsimmermann has pointed out and a few more rifles cracking, too.

The Russians are bunched together at first, es they emerge from the tunnel and an easy target. But beyond the tunnel, the walls retreat and rise to an enormous cavern, re-inforced by wooden and concrete beams.

The Strelnikov mean spread out, even as the first bullets take their toll and smash. The other platoons emerge as well, one squad after the other, spreading out to the left and right, forcing the Germans to widen their arc of fire.

Not everyone rushes forward with the same enthusiasm. There are quite a few who hesitate, their steps slow and sluggish and the sergeants yell and beat them forward.

Yelena remembers Stalingrad, it had been similar then, when the Germans reached the river and the officers would just send more and more men across the river into the meat grinder.


((Rolling time... I'll treat that as Heavy Fire, and count it as two "sprints". Every soldier gets hit with a d6 twice and we'll see who gets hit. Third Platoon gets 3 sprints, being the first ones out and being bunched together at the beginning.


))



This message was last edited by the GM at 13:55, Mon 03 Jan 2022.

Arther heard the sound of gun fire intensify as the Russians started the assault of the tunnel and looked towards Max

"sir permission to move forward and lend a hand with the wounded. Don't worry I wont engage the enemy but the injured will need medical assistance." He waited for Max to give the OK