Eddie's Journal August 21st, 2000
Cap, Doc and Lou left last night to do a bit of recon. They planned to stay overnight at Camp Pow and view the watch changes and morning roll. Get a solid idea of their competancy and their numbers before they drew up plans. It must have gone well, cuz they came back in one piece. Cap told us top give her 4 hours and wake her with a strong pot. Since I won't drop one on her, I'll raid the MRE stash for coffee and sugar instead.
Note to tell Cap; we're real low on sundries from the MREs
Captain Paterson
The discussions been rolling around the group for about half an hour now. We keep getting hung up on the numbers. I'm letting Doc get into details about the prisoners we observed and her inferences about their treatment and health. Gives me time to get my thoughts organized again.
I lean in as she finishes, "Thank you Major. Llewellyn, Leonid, how about you."
Llewellyn takes the lead, Leo leans back and nods along as he agrees. "Cap, no doubt Leo and I can get in there. We could move up the stream divert, cut the fence, and make like sneaky snake. But that's still two of us, three if we took George, against nearly seventy of them. I could kill their power. Make a lot of noise. I'm awesome, I admit, but not that good."
"Could we all make it over the wires?"
"I can't get us all through the wires. You're all not good enough and their perimeter security is good. The OTs might rip through the fence line until the wires fouled the wheels. The Bump would clear it clean, but its back in Krakow. Anyway, the sound of engines would be heard far before we got to the fences. Those BMPs they have would make short work of ours. Nope, I'm not seeing it."
Alphabit speaks up all eager, "Just get me inside. I'll blow up their barracks! Dynamite, C4. Set some charges and KABOOM you're down to managable numbers."
Leo, "No, my friend, we get you close, but not inside. Their tight like your..."
Llewellyn, "Not a a chance in hell."
Alphabit gives us a look like we kicked his puppy.
Llewellyn starts back up. "Look Captain, I do green ops, not black ones. Find the enemy and phone it in so the tankers and arty can finish the job. Then I go home for steak and eggs."
He looks towards heaven, "I could really use a steak, rare-rare. Anyway, we got plenty of tools, but not enough workers. Now George over here said the convoy might have, what, 20 or 30 guards and no armor. That's doable. We take'em by ambush and we're done. That gives us what, George, two hundred odd vets. We give'em a meal, split out the guns and come back here. Then we straighten this place out. What ya think?"
George starts in with some perfunctory objections. I talk over him. "Now that's making sense. Let me see that map again." Trace the expected route back. "They're walking, they shouldn't be any further than here. They're making what, 20 to 30 klicks a day. We can get to this forested area and still have two days to set things up."
George, "Think they'll stick to that route?"
"Is there anything you aren't telling us about the prisoner column? So, no, if they want any chance of making the schedule you've laid out then they have to be on these roads or near to it."
I stand and wave at my troop. "Let's pack it up. We've got enough light left to move and find a good place to overnight. Tomorrow we got some killing to plan."
Doc gives me a grin, a cackle, and a double-thumbs up before rushing off to pack. The others share a mixture of relieved and determination. Eddie looks a little sick, but he's staring after Doc, so I let it slide. Hell, even George looks like he's with it though we're trashing his ops plan in the process.
We'll be back here, just wait till next week.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
032: Road Trips and Recon
Eddie's Journal, August 18th, 2000
Cap, George, Leo, Lou and Doc all put their heads together today and decided we're on a rescue mission. Guess who got left out. Then, predictably, orders came down the line.
We're on a tight schedule to take over a campful of POWs before another group of POWs comes through enroute to Lublin. I had a madhouse day working on the OT and BMP while others filled our fuel trailer, spare drums, set up security details and did some last minute shopping. Alphabit scored some white paint for me so I marked up my OT. Christened it the "Damnation Alley" after that mini-series I saw way back when. Still no Tommygun.
The officers spent the day crunching logistics. I could have skipped the BMP work. Our Bump is a thirsty beast. It would gulp down the same ammount of fuel as our OT, the 2-1/2 and the other OT our firends liberated. Even with a second fuel trailer we would have been cutting it close. Instead we're taking all wheels.
Even though we'll be gone, Cap has Arun and jana straw-bossing the workers. She's leaving them with enough script to cover a two week trip. Arun's supposed to get some security together as well, bue we're not leaving desirable behind.
Early start tomorrow.
Eddie's Jounral, August 19th, 2000
Cap's having me add a logo to the truck. I christen thee the "Red Shift Special".
All day on the road. We went east out of Krakow following the river road. Saw more than our share of refugees heading west. Decided to pass them by. Turns out we shouldn't have becasue pretty soon we saw thick smoke rising in the distance.
We slowed our approach. Found a good hidey spot and dismounted Lou and Leo. They did a foot sweep to see what's the matter. Lou radioed back that they had a large group of men and a T-72 heading out north from a burning village. We waited till they were gone, disapearing into a copse of trees some klicks to the north before continuing on. They'd hit that town hard. There were dead in the streets and buildings burning.
We found the same in another town many klicks further up the road. Except much older. Lou says maybe a week.
Cap kept working her jaw, but didn't say anything.
Once we diverted north into the hills, you can't call this mountains, the trip was uneventful. We just had to divert around one site and do a little off-road work.
Cap figures we're within 10 klicks of the camp. Lou and George are going to stretch their legs in the morning.
---------------
Llewellyn Chilson, August 19th, 2000
"Yeah, Leo go ahead and pack that long arm of yours. Cap, I'll take George as well. You any good at sneakin'?"
"Good enough, not at light on..."
"Look George, I don't care what you heard about me at the commisary or the barracks, but Mama Chilson didn't raise no poof."
"Er, ok. Yeah, I'm plenty good at sneaking."
Spook boy can't take a joke. I trust Leo to have his shit straight. Not bad for a rooskie, but George, I double check his kit. For a desk jockey he's got it all laid out right and tamped down properly. No battle rattle from him. We'll see how he moves on the trail. I'll turn this car around if he fucks up. No regrets.
We head out into the morning mists. Ten klicks to the camp if Cap's done the navigating right. If the map's any good. If George is right about where it is in the first place. Lots of ifs. I could stop and ask directions, but I don't feel like killing some crapsack farmer today.
Close to four hours when we clear the woods. I am mighty pleased that this car didn't get turned around. And all the "ifs" turned out right. Across the roadway a spur climbs up into the hills. Bit of woodsmoke on the wind and the faint sound of a generator chugging away. That's a big one if we can hear it from here. We wait and watch.
Between the three of us we pick out a number of OPs scattered about. They've got the approaches well covered on this side of the camp. Their field craft is crap. Or they're feeling safe. Either way, bonus points to us.
George is playing cartographer while Leo and I work our jaws. He figures we can head off east a ways and cross the road. Use that big stretch of woods to get closer. It'll put us a little behind schedule, but hell, I didn't come this far not to get a good look.
The camp keeps partols closer in. We hear them a long ways off. Lousy noise discipline. One almost stumbles over us in the woods. Clumsy, stupid fuckers. We stalk them back to the trail they're using. Wait as they continue on out then follow their back trail in. Fast, clean, and even George keeps it up. Trail splits once, heading out to another OP on the wood's east end, before coming to an end. And what a view we have.
George gets busy with his pencils. Leo keeps an eye out. I count heads. We'll work this out once we're back with the Captain, but I'm not feeling good with this.
Cap, George, Leo, Lou and Doc all put their heads together today and decided we're on a rescue mission. Guess who got left out. Then, predictably, orders came down the line.
We're on a tight schedule to take over a campful of POWs before another group of POWs comes through enroute to Lublin. I had a madhouse day working on the OT and BMP while others filled our fuel trailer, spare drums, set up security details and did some last minute shopping. Alphabit scored some white paint for me so I marked up my OT. Christened it the "Damnation Alley" after that mini-series I saw way back when. Still no Tommygun.
The officers spent the day crunching logistics. I could have skipped the BMP work. Our Bump is a thirsty beast. It would gulp down the same ammount of fuel as our OT, the 2-1/2 and the other OT our firends liberated. Even with a second fuel trailer we would have been cutting it close. Instead we're taking all wheels.
Even though we'll be gone, Cap has Arun and jana straw-bossing the workers. She's leaving them with enough script to cover a two week trip. Arun's supposed to get some security together as well, bue we're not leaving desirable behind.
Early start tomorrow.
Eddie's Jounral, August 19th, 2000
Cap's having me add a logo to the truck. I christen thee the "Red Shift Special".
All day on the road. We went east out of Krakow following the river road. Saw more than our share of refugees heading west. Decided to pass them by. Turns out we shouldn't have becasue pretty soon we saw thick smoke rising in the distance.
We slowed our approach. Found a good hidey spot and dismounted Lou and Leo. They did a foot sweep to see what's the matter. Lou radioed back that they had a large group of men and a T-72 heading out north from a burning village. We waited till they were gone, disapearing into a copse of trees some klicks to the north before continuing on. They'd hit that town hard. There were dead in the streets and buildings burning.
We found the same in another town many klicks further up the road. Except much older. Lou says maybe a week.
Cap kept working her jaw, but didn't say anything.
Once we diverted north into the hills, you can't call this mountains, the trip was uneventful. We just had to divert around one site and do a little off-road work.
Cap figures we're within 10 klicks of the camp. Lou and George are going to stretch their legs in the morning.
---------------
Llewellyn Chilson, August 19th, 2000
"Yeah, Leo go ahead and pack that long arm of yours. Cap, I'll take George as well. You any good at sneakin'?"
"Good enough, not at light on..."
"Look George, I don't care what you heard about me at the commisary or the barracks, but Mama Chilson didn't raise no poof."
"Er, ok. Yeah, I'm plenty good at sneaking."
Spook boy can't take a joke. I trust Leo to have his shit straight. Not bad for a rooskie, but George, I double check his kit. For a desk jockey he's got it all laid out right and tamped down properly. No battle rattle from him. We'll see how he moves on the trail. I'll turn this car around if he fucks up. No regrets.
We head out into the morning mists. Ten klicks to the camp if Cap's done the navigating right. If the map's any good. If George is right about where it is in the first place. Lots of ifs. I could stop and ask directions, but I don't feel like killing some crapsack farmer today.
Close to four hours when we clear the woods. I am mighty pleased that this car didn't get turned around. And all the "ifs" turned out right. Across the roadway a spur climbs up into the hills. Bit of woodsmoke on the wind and the faint sound of a generator chugging away. That's a big one if we can hear it from here. We wait and watch.
Between the three of us we pick out a number of OPs scattered about. They've got the approaches well covered on this side of the camp. Their field craft is crap. Or they're feeling safe. Either way, bonus points to us.
George is playing cartographer while Leo and I work our jaws. He figures we can head off east a ways and cross the road. Use that big stretch of woods to get closer. It'll put us a little behind schedule, but hell, I didn't come this far not to get a good look.
The camp keeps partols closer in. We hear them a long ways off. Lousy noise discipline. One almost stumbles over us in the woods. Clumsy, stupid fuckers. We stalk them back to the trail they're using. Wait as they continue on out then follow their back trail in. Fast, clean, and even George keeps it up. Trail splits once, heading out to another OP on the wood's east end, before coming to an end. And what a view we have.
George gets busy with his pencils. Leo keeps an eye out. I count heads. We'll work this out once we're back with the Captain, but I'm not feeling good with this.
 |
| "Alright, we approached from the south. They have a checkpoint in that cluster of buildings at the crossroads. We could see a few sentry posts. George marked them 'S' instead of OP like he should have. Hills and large stretches of woods all around. The camp itself is surrounded by grain fields, but they've got clear fields of fire all around the perimeter. There's doubtless more OPs on the other side of the camp. We'll find them on another trip." |
 |
| "Here's the set-up Cap. Perimeter is double chain-link filled with concertina wire. We got 5 watchtowers with MGs (brown corner aquares with the black lines). Looks like a good size mortar battery (the circles), 2 large barracks buildings and some small outbuildings (brown rectangles). That black square is a concrete bunker. The other black building is sheet metal. POW housing is in the tents (green). Orange cross-hatching indicates gardens. The squiggly black lines are power transmission wires. They have some sort of production facility in there. Just south of the concrete bunker is a generator building, 3 tanks for fuel storage and 3 covers for stills. We observed 5 deuce and a halfs, 2 BMPs amd a fricking tank. The tank seems to be down for maintenance, they've got the engine pulled apart Finally the stream cuts through the corner of the camp." |
Sunday, October 16, 2011
031: Morning After
"George", August 18th
Tinker, tailor, soldier, spy. I've got a hammer and a pot full of nine. Thread and needles and cloth to wrap the broken down MP5s. A pistol, PM Mak, in my pocket as a just in case. And a head with secrets.
I'm knocking and inquiring about odd jobs in the early morning hours. Do you need a pot patched? Can I darn some socks? Fix a torn seam? I take payment in trade or script. Clever fingered Garin Nowicki is known outside the old town. Not that it matters, few of the folk have script to trade, but it works me down to the American Block where work hammers are already ringing on the worst of the houses.
Captain Paterson thinks big. She's taken over an entire block, surveyed the houses and hired local labor. One team is taking apart the less stable structures while another is using the parts to fence off the back street of the block. She's saving all the glass she can and made it known she'll pay for large panes. Some of the more loose lipped in her command have talked about a greenhouse. If need be, she's ready to stay for the long haul.
Hope whoever inherits the grounds appreciates the work.
I'm challenged before I reach the front door by their techie, little Eddie Cutler. "I'm looking for work, George told me you're hiring."
He gives he a closer look, doesn't like what he sees, but motions me forward anyway. Once close he speaks quietly, "Man, didn't we see enough of you last night. What do you want?"
"I've got a delivery for your captain and information she'll need to take into your planning. You letting me in."
He indicates I'm to go before him and follows closely calling for Captain Paterson as soon as the door is closed. We follow her answer to the dining area where she's breaking fast with Doctor Miller and Lance Corporal Chillson. She's sitting in fatigue pants and a muscle shirt. I can see the bruises running across her arms and face. They have the faded look of days old damage, not 8 hours old. Strange.
I set the bag on the table. "I've got a pair of MP5SD3 SMGs broken down in here. They have a built in suppression system that's better than anything you're going to find in Krakow. I also have 4 silencers and adapter kits for the M9 pistol. You'll have to provide those yourself. If I can have a seat I'll let you know what the future plans are."
She nods and points to a chair. "Chillson, look over the hardware."
"Captain, before I begin, do you want this to be a private conversation?"
"No, George, we're a small team. We all have need to know on this."
"Very good," I say with a smile. "I'll begin with some covert actions last night. Seems a group of Americans hijacked a OT-64 and were observed loading a very heavy footlocker into it by a survivor of the patrol. The OT was logged as crossing the Vistula by the western bridge checkpoint after presenting paperwork indicating they were conducting a sweep of the south side of the river. Needless to say, the OT and crew did not return to Krakow. With any luck the competition is going to chase that down. Still, you should keep a close eye out for them as they may decide you still know something or were of assistance to the Americans who left. The bit with Koko and the watch on your block was an inspired bit of luck. You're clear with the ORMO."
"Now, regarding our future plans for the item, if it should be recovered. There are three methods we can use to get the it back to friendly territory:
1. Krakow has a functional helicopter and a sizable cache of aviation fuel. A large enough team could capture the Wawel, hold off counterattack long enough for the aircraft to be prepped for flight. The Mi-17 helicopter could transport up to 24 from here to eastern Germany. This is our fastest and maybe safest option. We do have access to a pilot, no worries.
2. Our second option involves an old man and a river trip. Adam Rataj has discovered his son and family are still alive in Warsaw. He attempted to reach them by sailing down the Vistula. He lost a tugboat and nearly lost his life after being attacked on the river. The old man still has a boat and barge, but he can't get the Rada to support him in another attempt to get to Warsaw. He's been so persistent they've banned him from the building! He's looking for mercenaries to protect him on a trip to Warsaw and back. Instead, he'll be making his trip to Warsaw and you'll take that tug all the may to the mouth of the Vistula. If the boat's seaworthy, then you can hug the coast to Germany. If not you'll have the opportunity to trade it for one that is or steal one if needed.
3. The bad option. We stock you up with food, fuel and an extra OT-64. You travel back through the Margrave's lands and try to overland it to friendly lines. Intel indicates the front has dissolved into chaos which means even with uniforms and orders you're as likely to get killed by Reds as by friendly fire.
"In all the cases, the more men you have under your command, the better your odds of punching through. The camp is where you'll find your troops. I wouldn't give much for anyone whose been a prisoner for all this time, but the convoy we know is heading in from Lodz will contain veterans from the 5th ID. Those are them men you'll need to pull this off."
"So, I've got all day. What questions do you need answered?"
Tinker, tailor, soldier, spy. I've got a hammer and a pot full of nine. Thread and needles and cloth to wrap the broken down MP5s. A pistol, PM Mak, in my pocket as a just in case. And a head with secrets.
I'm knocking and inquiring about odd jobs in the early morning hours. Do you need a pot patched? Can I darn some socks? Fix a torn seam? I take payment in trade or script. Clever fingered Garin Nowicki is known outside the old town. Not that it matters, few of the folk have script to trade, but it works me down to the American Block where work hammers are already ringing on the worst of the houses.
Captain Paterson thinks big. She's taken over an entire block, surveyed the houses and hired local labor. One team is taking apart the less stable structures while another is using the parts to fence off the back street of the block. She's saving all the glass she can and made it known she'll pay for large panes. Some of the more loose lipped in her command have talked about a greenhouse. If need be, she's ready to stay for the long haul.
Hope whoever inherits the grounds appreciates the work.
I'm challenged before I reach the front door by their techie, little Eddie Cutler. "I'm looking for work, George told me you're hiring."
He gives he a closer look, doesn't like what he sees, but motions me forward anyway. Once close he speaks quietly, "Man, didn't we see enough of you last night. What do you want?"
"I've got a delivery for your captain and information she'll need to take into your planning. You letting me in."
He indicates I'm to go before him and follows closely calling for Captain Paterson as soon as the door is closed. We follow her answer to the dining area where she's breaking fast with Doctor Miller and Lance Corporal Chillson. She's sitting in fatigue pants and a muscle shirt. I can see the bruises running across her arms and face. They have the faded look of days old damage, not 8 hours old. Strange.
I set the bag on the table. "I've got a pair of MP5SD3 SMGs broken down in here. They have a built in suppression system that's better than anything you're going to find in Krakow. I also have 4 silencers and adapter kits for the M9 pistol. You'll have to provide those yourself. If I can have a seat I'll let you know what the future plans are."
She nods and points to a chair. "Chillson, look over the hardware."
"Captain, before I begin, do you want this to be a private conversation?"
"No, George, we're a small team. We all have need to know on this."
"Very good," I say with a smile. "I'll begin with some covert actions last night. Seems a group of Americans hijacked a OT-64 and were observed loading a very heavy footlocker into it by a survivor of the patrol. The OT was logged as crossing the Vistula by the western bridge checkpoint after presenting paperwork indicating they were conducting a sweep of the south side of the river. Needless to say, the OT and crew did not return to Krakow. With any luck the competition is going to chase that down. Still, you should keep a close eye out for them as they may decide you still know something or were of assistance to the Americans who left. The bit with Koko and the watch on your block was an inspired bit of luck. You're clear with the ORMO."
"Now, regarding our future plans for the item, if it should be recovered. There are three methods we can use to get the it back to friendly territory:
1. Krakow has a functional helicopter and a sizable cache of aviation fuel. A large enough team could capture the Wawel, hold off counterattack long enough for the aircraft to be prepped for flight. The Mi-17 helicopter could transport up to 24 from here to eastern Germany. This is our fastest and maybe safest option. We do have access to a pilot, no worries.
2. Our second option involves an old man and a river trip. Adam Rataj has discovered his son and family are still alive in Warsaw. He attempted to reach them by sailing down the Vistula. He lost a tugboat and nearly lost his life after being attacked on the river. The old man still has a boat and barge, but he can't get the Rada to support him in another attempt to get to Warsaw. He's been so persistent they've banned him from the building! He's looking for mercenaries to protect him on a trip to Warsaw and back. Instead, he'll be making his trip to Warsaw and you'll take that tug all the may to the mouth of the Vistula. If the boat's seaworthy, then you can hug the coast to Germany. If not you'll have the opportunity to trade it for one that is or steal one if needed.
3. The bad option. We stock you up with food, fuel and an extra OT-64. You travel back through the Margrave's lands and try to overland it to friendly lines. Intel indicates the front has dissolved into chaos which means even with uniforms and orders you're as likely to get killed by Reds as by friendly fire.
"In all the cases, the more men you have under your command, the better your odds of punching through. The camp is where you'll find your troops. I wouldn't give much for anyone whose been a prisoner for all this time, but the convoy we know is heading in from Lodz will contain veterans from the 5th ID. Those are them men you'll need to pull this off."
"So, I've got all day. What questions do you need answered?"
030 Chinese Fire Drills
Eddie's Journal, August 17th, 2000
Do you remember cruising when you were growing up. You'd pack your friends into the one car between you that worked and just go driving. Eventually that got old and you'd start playing games like Chinese Fire Drill. You'd come up to a stop light and everybody would jump out of the car and race around it until that light changed. Then you'd pile back in before heading to the next light. Wash, rinse, repeat. It would irritate the hell out of the drivers stuck behind you. You never make the light on time. In the end, there'd be a load of jocks driving Dad's Caddie. When you played Fire Drill, they'd get out and smack you around. Well, that's been today.
We had our first fire drill with Doc. Performed another one at the house. Ran down to the Judicial College where Leo and Moonie did a third. Got a hold of Adom's men and did a fourth right back a the College. Somewhere in there a couple of sleepy guards got their throats slit, some papers got lifted, and we pissed off this muscle head named Koko.
He came with a 2x4, an attitude and about a dozen guys toting everything from pistols and shotguns to AKs. He said some choice words about us and when Leo tried to step in and do the talking he yelled that he wasn't talking to anyone but that big bitch. Cap was already running high and just hit the roof. While he's yelling about his guards, she's telling him he ought to be thankful for showing him who his incompetents were. They almost ended up throwing down right in the middle of the street. Instead, we're 'invited' back to the College that night. Him and Cap, in the pit, until one or the other goes down.
Lt Adom is trying to tell her nie, nein, nyet, fucking no! Cap just tells Koko to be ready. She's going to kick his ass. The big guy laughs and leaves.
The Lt's mouth is running a mile a minute as he tells her to leave town. Nobody gets into the ring with Koko and leaves unbroken. Yes, they're supposed to be able to signal a surrender, unless it is a deathmatch, but that doesn't mean Koko can't break you skull, crush your throat, gouge out your eyes, rip your sack, snap your lower back or a myriad of other permanent injuries before you get that surrender out. Cap just tells him to have somebody he trusts take care of the house, cause she's going to show him. And we're not going to get left out.
We set guards at the house and over the vehicles. Cap got to work on her hand-to-hand. We're waiting.
Eddie's Journal, August 18th, predawn
Don't want to see that again. Cap went a full minute with Koko in one of the most brutal bare knuckle fights I've ever seen. I'm not writing this to rah-rah, but if they hadn't thrown a bunch of weapons down there on the 30 second mark, she might have wore him down. He was fast and visciously strong, but she kept gettting inside his guard, pushing him hard, and never stopping the attack.
She called it off after he switched to a weapon and got two rib splitting whacks in with a club, knocking her to the ground, she'd only got one shot in to his off arm in the same time. I thought we would have to pull our hold-outs cuz Koko boy didn't want to stop. He came to his senses before that, but I think it was close.
So he's doing a Rocky impersonation while the Cap pulled herself to her feet, She gave this bright, sunny smile and thanked him for the exercise. Held out a hand to shake. He shook himself once, didn't take her hand, and limped to his side of the pit to exit. Cap walked over, waved us off, and climbed out over her own power. She held it together until we closed ranks and got her to a sideroom. She cursed that son of a bitch up one side and down the other while Doc took care of stitching up her head and wrapping her ribs. Privately, I bet she'll be back to normal in one to two days. I know Doc's taking notes for the disertation.
They let us go, no problems, after the show. They cleaned us up for a tidy amount on bets and got a bit from the locals who really wanted to see Koko get thrashed. Blood money for two guards far as I'm concerned.
Leo told us that a man had come up during the fight and told him the Cap had an appointment at the river side train station ASAP. Cap and all the rest of us thought that mighty suspicious. We ended up going anyway. If they want to tangle with 5 heavily armed, pissed off Amerikanskis that's their business.
No worries, instead it is our good friend George. He's got some work for us. I can't write up the details right now because, like every word out of George's mouth, it has to be vetted for operational security. Cap tore him a strip off of him for the mushroom game. GRU and KGB in Krakow hunting for the box and you're only telling us now! George had the decency to look chagrined. It's his bosses fault. Which got him another strip torn off cuz his boss isn't here and his ass isn't in the blast zone.
She told him we'd do it, but he needs to fork over more details before anything actual happens. We turned and left him sputtering in the dark.
At least Adom's friends in the 3rd regiment didn't let the house burn down.
Do you remember cruising when you were growing up. You'd pack your friends into the one car between you that worked and just go driving. Eventually that got old and you'd start playing games like Chinese Fire Drill. You'd come up to a stop light and everybody would jump out of the car and race around it until that light changed. Then you'd pile back in before heading to the next light. Wash, rinse, repeat. It would irritate the hell out of the drivers stuck behind you. You never make the light on time. In the end, there'd be a load of jocks driving Dad's Caddie. When you played Fire Drill, they'd get out and smack you around. Well, that's been today.
We had our first fire drill with Doc. Performed another one at the house. Ran down to the Judicial College where Leo and Moonie did a third. Got a hold of Adom's men and did a fourth right back a the College. Somewhere in there a couple of sleepy guards got their throats slit, some papers got lifted, and we pissed off this muscle head named Koko.
He came with a 2x4, an attitude and about a dozen guys toting everything from pistols and shotguns to AKs. He said some choice words about us and when Leo tried to step in and do the talking he yelled that he wasn't talking to anyone but that big bitch. Cap was already running high and just hit the roof. While he's yelling about his guards, she's telling him he ought to be thankful for showing him who his incompetents were. They almost ended up throwing down right in the middle of the street. Instead, we're 'invited' back to the College that night. Him and Cap, in the pit, until one or the other goes down.
Lt Adom is trying to tell her nie, nein, nyet, fucking no! Cap just tells Koko to be ready. She's going to kick his ass. The big guy laughs and leaves.
The Lt's mouth is running a mile a minute as he tells her to leave town. Nobody gets into the ring with Koko and leaves unbroken. Yes, they're supposed to be able to signal a surrender, unless it is a deathmatch, but that doesn't mean Koko can't break you skull, crush your throat, gouge out your eyes, rip your sack, snap your lower back or a myriad of other permanent injuries before you get that surrender out. Cap just tells him to have somebody he trusts take care of the house, cause she's going to show him. And we're not going to get left out.
We set guards at the house and over the vehicles. Cap got to work on her hand-to-hand. We're waiting.
Eddie's Journal, August 18th, predawn
Don't want to see that again. Cap went a full minute with Koko in one of the most brutal bare knuckle fights I've ever seen. I'm not writing this to rah-rah, but if they hadn't thrown a bunch of weapons down there on the 30 second mark, she might have wore him down. He was fast and visciously strong, but she kept gettting inside his guard, pushing him hard, and never stopping the attack.
She called it off after he switched to a weapon and got two rib splitting whacks in with a club, knocking her to the ground, she'd only got one shot in to his off arm in the same time. I thought we would have to pull our hold-outs cuz Koko boy didn't want to stop. He came to his senses before that, but I think it was close.
So he's doing a Rocky impersonation while the Cap pulled herself to her feet, She gave this bright, sunny smile and thanked him for the exercise. Held out a hand to shake. He shook himself once, didn't take her hand, and limped to his side of the pit to exit. Cap walked over, waved us off, and climbed out over her own power. She held it together until we closed ranks and got her to a sideroom. She cursed that son of a bitch up one side and down the other while Doc took care of stitching up her head and wrapping her ribs. Privately, I bet she'll be back to normal in one to two days. I know Doc's taking notes for the disertation.
They let us go, no problems, after the show. They cleaned us up for a tidy amount on bets and got a bit from the locals who really wanted to see Koko get thrashed. Blood money for two guards far as I'm concerned.
Leo told us that a man had come up during the fight and told him the Cap had an appointment at the river side train station ASAP. Cap and all the rest of us thought that mighty suspicious. We ended up going anyway. If they want to tangle with 5 heavily armed, pissed off Amerikanskis that's their business.
No worries, instead it is our good friend George. He's got some work for us. I can't write up the details right now because, like every word out of George's mouth, it has to be vetted for operational security. Cap tore him a strip off of him for the mushroom game. GRU and KGB in Krakow hunting for the box and you're only telling us now! George had the decency to look chagrined. It's his bosses fault. Which got him another strip torn off cuz his boss isn't here and his ass isn't in the blast zone.
She told him we'd do it, but he needs to fork over more details before anything actual happens. We turned and left him sputtering in the dark.
At least Adom's friends in the 3rd regiment didn't let the house burn down.
Friday, October 14, 2011
029 Q&A
Captain Paterson
By the time I can pull my disparate men together and get us across town I discover the Doc has the situation in hand. She's got 6 ORMO down on the ground outside the facility and Dr. Krol begging her not to kill them too. I have my troops take over guard duty, let the pukes stand up, and get the story from Doc. She's still running on an adrenelin high so the details get related loudly.
Of the six prisoners three react with honest shock, two look worried and the last, well he doesn't react at all. Cold fish. Time for the shit to flow.
I give them my opinions on what happens to those who threaten my people. The stories of how we handled the marauders have made the rounds. The three little Indians are quick to implicate Sarge and his buds. Sarge and his good friend roll over on the cold fishy. The two have a nice roll of script between them to back up the story.
Where are the patrols?
Lt Adom and a jeepful of Warta show. They had a nice view of Doc and I from one of the castle OPs. We have a working relationship so I give him the rough draft of kidnapping and corruption. He's got a thing about law and order so that gets him firmly on my side when the ORMO foot patrol shows with Jana single-handedly pushing their reluctant asses along.
Jana sees things well in hand and starts appologizing for bringing the ORMO as Adom and their patrol leader start tearing strips from one another about jurisdiction. I take the time to reassure her she preformed brilliantly before heading the shit storm off. The ORMO puke shuts right down when I flash the roll I took from their comrades. A scary rep is good to have as I 'politely' wonder what took him sooooo long to respond to a city facility. I use it to my advantage, suggest he split his patrol, part to resume ops at the facility and the rest to escort the prisoners to their HQ, before I looked through his pockets as well. We keep the cold fish.
That man's been waiting for his own opportunity. Once he haul his ass into the hospital and take him up to the unused fourth floor he knows it isn't coming. I can see the emotion leaching back into his body. Leo has told me half the secret to a successful interrogation is getting the prisoner to want to talk. Sometimes that involves pain, sometimes you use a soft approach, and other times they collapse when you remove hope. Leo lays down the options in his native Russian, our new friend replies in the same.
He's GRU and knows exactly how this could go down. He talks. They're after Mr. Box. The Americans stole it. Marauders killed the Americans. More Americans killed the marauders. Ergo, we have the box. Doc was an excellent target of oportunity, ferquently isolated from the group and a non-combatant.
Doc's hot headed enough to take that as a personal slight. So I praise her quick action and the denigrate the GRU's stupidity. She's smiling again.
Adom wants to know why they didn't come after Warta personnel. After all it was a joint op a the end. He assures Adom that they know Warta doesn't have it, and no, he doesn't know the source that came from. Our good friend has a mole on the hill.
So, after giving us all the background he can, stretching out the interrogation with the hope of an intervention, we come to important questions. He wants to hold that back, but time hasn't brought him any help. Leo doesn't have to get physical at all, just lean a bit, on that nonresistant hope. Ten man group, well seven now, operating out of the Collegium Juridicum.
Adom is quick to let us know the Collegium is the worst kept secret in Krakow. Black market medicine, drugs, booze, sex, gambling, blood sports, or whatever can be had there. All you need is gold or crisp script. Both Zygmund and Josefmaly know that it happens, but it is viewed as a necessary safety valve for citizens and undesirables alike. I ask Adom if he believes that and he answers, "Nits breed lice."
It is probably too late to catch them, but we're going to pay a visit anyway. Send a certain message if thye're still there and another if they're not. He'll run interference.
By the time I can pull my disparate men together and get us across town I discover the Doc has the situation in hand. She's got 6 ORMO down on the ground outside the facility and Dr. Krol begging her not to kill them too. I have my troops take over guard duty, let the pukes stand up, and get the story from Doc. She's still running on an adrenelin high so the details get related loudly.
Of the six prisoners three react with honest shock, two look worried and the last, well he doesn't react at all. Cold fish. Time for the shit to flow.
I give them my opinions on what happens to those who threaten my people. The stories of how we handled the marauders have made the rounds. The three little Indians are quick to implicate Sarge and his buds. Sarge and his good friend roll over on the cold fishy. The two have a nice roll of script between them to back up the story.
Where are the patrols?
Lt Adom and a jeepful of Warta show. They had a nice view of Doc and I from one of the castle OPs. We have a working relationship so I give him the rough draft of kidnapping and corruption. He's got a thing about law and order so that gets him firmly on my side when the ORMO foot patrol shows with Jana single-handedly pushing their reluctant asses along.
Jana sees things well in hand and starts appologizing for bringing the ORMO as Adom and their patrol leader start tearing strips from one another about jurisdiction. I take the time to reassure her she preformed brilliantly before heading the shit storm off. The ORMO puke shuts right down when I flash the roll I took from their comrades. A scary rep is good to have as I 'politely' wonder what took him sooooo long to respond to a city facility. I use it to my advantage, suggest he split his patrol, part to resume ops at the facility and the rest to escort the prisoners to their HQ, before I looked through his pockets as well. We keep the cold fish.
That man's been waiting for his own opportunity. Once he haul his ass into the hospital and take him up to the unused fourth floor he knows it isn't coming. I can see the emotion leaching back into his body. Leo has told me half the secret to a successful interrogation is getting the prisoner to want to talk. Sometimes that involves pain, sometimes you use a soft approach, and other times they collapse when you remove hope. Leo lays down the options in his native Russian, our new friend replies in the same.
He's GRU and knows exactly how this could go down. He talks. They're after Mr. Box. The Americans stole it. Marauders killed the Americans. More Americans killed the marauders. Ergo, we have the box. Doc was an excellent target of oportunity, ferquently isolated from the group and a non-combatant.
Doc's hot headed enough to take that as a personal slight. So I praise her quick action and the denigrate the GRU's stupidity. She's smiling again.
Adom wants to know why they didn't come after Warta personnel. After all it was a joint op a the end. He assures Adom that they know Warta doesn't have it, and no, he doesn't know the source that came from. Our good friend has a mole on the hill.
So, after giving us all the background he can, stretching out the interrogation with the hope of an intervention, we come to important questions. He wants to hold that back, but time hasn't brought him any help. Leo doesn't have to get physical at all, just lean a bit, on that nonresistant hope. Ten man group, well seven now, operating out of the Collegium Juridicum.
Adom is quick to let us know the Collegium is the worst kept secret in Krakow. Black market medicine, drugs, booze, sex, gambling, blood sports, or whatever can be had there. All you need is gold or crisp script. Both Zygmund and Josefmaly know that it happens, but it is viewed as a necessary safety valve for citizens and undesirables alike. I ask Adom if he believes that and he answers, "Nits breed lice."
It is probably too late to catch them, but we're going to pay a visit anyway. Send a certain message if thye're still there and another if they're not. He'll run interference.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
028: Kidnap
Doctor Alexandrea Miller, August 17th, 2000
I hate this. Hate it.
"Keep his leg straight."
Life boat rules. Triage.
"Cut the pant leg open."
Rationing. No F'ing X-Rays!
"Good, looks like a simple break. How does that feel?"
If I ever have one of the fuckers that started this under my knife... He'll be missing a few parts.
"I want you to pull, firm and steady. I'll let you know when it slips back into place. Ready?"
Hey, why did that guy just pass a roll of bills to our infirmary guard? Where is he going?
"Slowly release your grip. Think you can apply the splint?"
The safety coming off is loud in the room. "Major Miller?" He's speaking English and the russian accent is pronounced. The AKR steady in his hands.
"Yes." Wipe my hands on a towel. My pistol is clear across the room. My mistake, I didn't want a panicky patient to grab it.
"You will come with us." A second man is at the door, also armed. "We have questions."
"Oh Yeah! So?"
Insincere smile, "you answer quickly, truthfully, we let you go." The AKR waves around the room, my patient and Jana hold very still. "No one gets hurt."
"Oh, I understand all right mister. They stay here and I'll go."
"I glad we can come to understanding." He gestures towards the back of the exam room. "We go out back way. My comrade will follow once we leave. Now."
I'm first, mind racing, as we go down the hall. At the end is the emergency fire door. They aren't letting anyone go. But they want me, intact enough to talk. I slump my shoulders. Start top drag a bit. Cowed prisoner, that's me. F' them.
I push open the emergency door. No alarm, the electricity's off and the battery is long dead. Hold the end as I emerge into sunlight. Pause, sigh, feel the prod of the submachinegun in my back. Stumble forward and around the door. He starts to order me to stop as I throw my weight against the door and him.
He's stuck painfully between the jam and the door. His gun crushed close to his chest with the barrle sticking outside. I grab the barrel, release the door and pull for all I'm worth. He staggers into me. I stomp down on his instep, raising a howl, and twist from the waist. The AKR pops free as he falls. I jump back, reversing the gun, and line him up. Clamp the trigger, the gun fires once and he writhes.
There's shouting masculine from inside. A burst of gun fire. Bastards! I really liked that kid. I look down at my kidnapper. Toss my short hair back while giving him my best smile. I put one right between his legs. That gets a good scream high enough to be anyone, even a woman. Fuck you..
I can't get back inside so I take cover as best I can and wait for dumb fuck number two. He comes right through the door at a charge. Bet he figures his friend had to pop me not the other way around. Five rounds center of mass correct that assumption.
One each to the head. Pays to be sure.
----------
I come around the corner just in time to see a black brick of a car leave. I think about pouring the rest of the clip into it, but there's no telling who else might get hit. First, do no harm. To the bystanders anyway.
All the ORMO fucks are gone. I should get out of here before the authorities show up. But I can't not look into the exam room first. I have a responsibility there. More than one. Kaz, thepoor man with the broken leg, is dead. Jana is no where to be seen.
I grab by web vest and head up to the roof. The hand radio ought to reach the house. The big set is plugged into the box so we can keep an emergency channel open at all times. I'm not leaving without my apprentice.
I hate this. Hate it.
"Keep his leg straight."
Life boat rules. Triage.
"Cut the pant leg open."
Rationing. No F'ing X-Rays!
"Good, looks like a simple break. How does that feel?"
If I ever have one of the fuckers that started this under my knife... He'll be missing a few parts.
"I want you to pull, firm and steady. I'll let you know when it slips back into place. Ready?"
Hey, why did that guy just pass a roll of bills to our infirmary guard? Where is he going?
"Slowly release your grip. Think you can apply the splint?"
The safety coming off is loud in the room. "Major Miller?" He's speaking English and the russian accent is pronounced. The AKR steady in his hands.
"Yes." Wipe my hands on a towel. My pistol is clear across the room. My mistake, I didn't want a panicky patient to grab it.
"You will come with us." A second man is at the door, also armed. "We have questions."
"Oh Yeah! So?"
Insincere smile, "you answer quickly, truthfully, we let you go." The AKR waves around the room, my patient and Jana hold very still. "No one gets hurt."
"Oh, I understand all right mister. They stay here and I'll go."
"I glad we can come to understanding." He gestures towards the back of the exam room. "We go out back way. My comrade will follow once we leave. Now."
I'm first, mind racing, as we go down the hall. At the end is the emergency fire door. They aren't letting anyone go. But they want me, intact enough to talk. I slump my shoulders. Start top drag a bit. Cowed prisoner, that's me. F' them.
I push open the emergency door. No alarm, the electricity's off and the battery is long dead. Hold the end as I emerge into sunlight. Pause, sigh, feel the prod of the submachinegun in my back. Stumble forward and around the door. He starts to order me to stop as I throw my weight against the door and him.
He's stuck painfully between the jam and the door. His gun crushed close to his chest with the barrle sticking outside. I grab the barrel, release the door and pull for all I'm worth. He staggers into me. I stomp down on his instep, raising a howl, and twist from the waist. The AKR pops free as he falls. I jump back, reversing the gun, and line him up. Clamp the trigger, the gun fires once and he writhes.
There's shouting masculine from inside. A burst of gun fire. Bastards! I really liked that kid. I look down at my kidnapper. Toss my short hair back while giving him my best smile. I put one right between his legs. That gets a good scream high enough to be anyone, even a woman. Fuck you..
I can't get back inside so I take cover as best I can and wait for dumb fuck number two. He comes right through the door at a charge. Bet he figures his friend had to pop me not the other way around. Five rounds center of mass correct that assumption.
One each to the head. Pays to be sure.
----------
I come around the corner just in time to see a black brick of a car leave. I think about pouring the rest of the clip into it, but there's no telling who else might get hit. First, do no harm. To the bystanders anyway.
All the ORMO fucks are gone. I should get out of here before the authorities show up. But I can't not look into the exam room first. I have a responsibility there. More than one. Kaz, thepoor man with the broken leg, is dead. Jana is no where to be seen.
I grab by web vest and head up to the roof. The hand radio ought to reach the house. The big set is plugged into the box so we can keep an emergency channel open at all times. I'm not leaving without my apprentice.
027: Down Time
Ed writes,
August 16th, 2000
It's nice to have a week with no one shooting at us, ripping us off or dicking around. We've hired a crew to work on the house and tear down a few of the neighboring ones that aren't safe or really block the view. We get to straw boss rather than sweat. I like.
Captain's chief spy, Arun, was released from Dr. Krol's care. She paid well for his treatment and offered him a job with us. He used to be an accountant type with the roads department here in Poland. He's taking over a bit of the supply side of things at the house. He helped the Cap pull together the work crew from folks he knew out in the camps.
Each of us got some liberty, in a rotation.
Leo brought back a string of fish from the riverside.
Yummy, wonder how many PCBs we're chomping down. "And they're good for the compost pile we're starting." Ugh.
Lleywellan decided to get some hunting in north of Krakow. He took Doc and Arun with him. Wanted to see if the new guy still rememberd how to shoot from his mandatory stint back in the day. They took a boar! While Doc and A. butchered it he went off on his ownsome for a second try and found a cow. Like a real cow. Moo. Says he walked right up to it and put a rope around the neck. Milk, it does a body good. Once it gets back up to weight I'll run the GC past the pail. Just to be sure.
Donald and I went shopping. I found a box of guages salvaged off some armored vehicles. I took the whole box, if I'm lucky half will work. Luck was with me, there was a CRT and disassembled joystick at the bottom. I might be able to get the ATGM station functional.
I also spent some time looking for a souvenier. I know were getting home and by God I want something unique. Everybody has an AK or Makarov if they want one. I got my sights set on one of those Sov. Tommyguns with the wood stock and drum mag. Now that's cool. I could hang it over the door and say, "I took that in the war!" Take it down on the Fourth and run a drum or two through it. Haven't found one yet, but there's a guy who knows a guy. We'll see in a few days.
The techies, that's Leo, Donald and I if you're keeping score, are going to try to repair the BMP tomorrow. I already told Leo and Donald since neither one has any electronics experience they'll be doing the drivers position. I get the ATGM panel. Hope it is just the CRT so I can get it wrapped fast and give the others encouraging advice.
August 16th, 2000
It's nice to have a week with no one shooting at us, ripping us off or dicking around. We've hired a crew to work on the house and tear down a few of the neighboring ones that aren't safe or really block the view. We get to straw boss rather than sweat. I like.
Captain's chief spy, Arun, was released from Dr. Krol's care. She paid well for his treatment and offered him a job with us. He used to be an accountant type with the roads department here in Poland. He's taking over a bit of the supply side of things at the house. He helped the Cap pull together the work crew from folks he knew out in the camps.
Each of us got some liberty, in a rotation.
Leo brought back a string of fish from the riverside.
Yummy, wonder how many PCBs we're chomping down. "And they're good for the compost pile we're starting." Ugh.
Lleywellan decided to get some hunting in north of Krakow. He took Doc and Arun with him. Wanted to see if the new guy still rememberd how to shoot from his mandatory stint back in the day. They took a boar! While Doc and A. butchered it he went off on his ownsome for a second try and found a cow. Like a real cow. Moo. Says he walked right up to it and put a rope around the neck. Milk, it does a body good. Once it gets back up to weight I'll run the GC past the pail. Just to be sure.
Donald and I went shopping. I found a box of guages salvaged off some armored vehicles. I took the whole box, if I'm lucky half will work. Luck was with me, there was a CRT and disassembled joystick at the bottom. I might be able to get the ATGM station functional.
I also spent some time looking for a souvenier. I know were getting home and by God I want something unique. Everybody has an AK or Makarov if they want one. I got my sights set on one of those Sov. Tommyguns with the wood stock and drum mag. Now that's cool. I could hang it over the door and say, "I took that in the war!" Take it down on the Fourth and run a drum or two through it. Haven't found one yet, but there's a guy who knows a guy. We'll see in a few days.
The techies, that's Leo, Donald and I if you're keeping score, are going to try to repair the BMP tomorrow. I already told Leo and Donald since neither one has any electronics experience they'll be doing the drivers position. I get the ATGM panel. Hope it is just the CRT so I can get it wrapped fast and give the others encouraging advice.
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