Paterson
Matchsticks and kindling floating downstream. Bodies too, if you look hard enough. Damn fools thought they were getting a big easy catch. I wonder what they thought that shape was on the bow before the tank fired. Between the cannon, mortars, and heavy machine guns they didn't have long to think much. Maybe I should ask?
I ordered Leo to bring three of the swimmers aboard. We finished the rest. They're talking now, trying to buy themselves time or a life. Won't help them any. Whatever they tell us, now that's a help.
"Kapitan."
"Yes, Leo?"
"We're done. They claim thirty boats. Twenty-four now." I can hear the pleasure in his voice at a job well done. "They're hazy on details. Two or three 82 mortars, 3 KPVs, and an AGS for heavy weapons. Some of the other boats have 60 mortars. The rest... small arms."
"And the big boat?" We know, from Captain Rataj, there's an old coastal patrol boat. It took down the Rzeka Ksiezna on his first attempt down river.
"Da, the Wislakrew, the flagship of Admiral Jerzy. She's a torpedo cutter. No torps, they say, but I know they mount 23mm cannons front and back. You can expect MGs down the sides for raking fire, but mostly cannons."
"Not much danger to the tank, but plenty for any shipping. The cutter has top priority in any engagement. Pass the word to Gunny to prioritize the 120 for it. The 82's can be tasked for the small fry."
"Da, Kapitan."
"Now, this admiral. Who dies and makes him god of the river?"
"Why, the lord of Warsaw, Baron Czarny. Kapitan Paterson, we're not dealing with pirates here. We're dealing with the warlord's handpicked men."
There's a name we've heard before. Back in Krakow, when we took Old Man Rataj's money, I went to a local arms manufacturer, Wojo, to get mortar shells. He had a screaming fit at us, thought we were Czarny's agent come again looking for chemicals. Blood and blister agents, something we've seen too much of and something Wojo wasn't going to fork over to some marauder king who'd just turn it against the city.
"Rataj's kin are in more danger than we thought. Get anything on the land forces?"
"Some, men in 'large numbers'. Trouble between Czarny and communities in the rubble. He wants control of them all. Some fall in. Other fight hard. Rubble favors the defender; no sight lines. no vehicle support, is hard to wriggle infantry out."
"The prisoners Leo, do we have everything we can get out of them?"
He gives it some thought, "Yes. Yes, we do. They eager to cooperate and buy life or freedom."
"Well, they haven't. Let's take care of them."
Leo and I head back, loosening the pistols in our holsters.
-----------------------------
Admiral Jerzy Waitrowski (two hours later)
Damn them, damn them all to rot in hell.
His scouts on the shore have spied the "big boat" his missing vessels engaged. It is true, they have a tank riding on the deck. Must make those fucks feel confident. Biggest gun on the river. Let them think that.
He looks out from the bridge at the patched deck below. The forward 23mm is long gone, victim to an engagement in the Baltic many years before, in its place crouches the long barrel of a 125mm Rapira-3 anti-tank gun. Yes, more than enough gun for a tank.
"Take us downstream pilot. We'll anchor in the Swider just before it opens into the Wistula. The bluffs will screen us from them until it is too late. We'll get the first shots in as they clear the headland."
Monday, February 27, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
042: Surface Contact
Kat, September 15th
Leonid's voice crackles over the radio, "Bow to Bridge, surface contact 1500 meters. One boat coming our way, moving fast. Over."
"Bridge to Bow, feed me details as you can. Over"
"Da."
"Karl, give me three short blasts from the horn." That's 'stand ready' for the crew. "And let the Captain know we've go another contact."
"Yes, Major."
Activity on the barge picks up. The men putting away cards and maintenance tasks with gratifying speed before taking position at their stations. In just a few moments we're cleared for action.
Gunny and Captain Rataj join me on the small bridge. First Mate Uller hands command off to the Captain and steps out the hatch, close enough to listen, but giving us some needed elbow room.
"We've got one boat incoming Captain. No further details yet. Gunny, keep an updated plot to the mortar battery. I'll talk if they will. If any surprises pop out you don't need my permission. Understood?"
"Understood, Major."
The boat, a largish cabin cruiser, has approached to about a kilometer. Leo radios back that he can't see any gun mounts. Tadeuz stands on our bow, signal flags waving back and forth, telling them to cut their engines.
Nine hundred meters out. Leo clambers up onto the tank turret. Eight hundred meters. Our tank elevates the barrel and rotates from side to side before settling back onto the boat. Seven hundred meters and their wake falls down. Several men come onto the deck. One waves something white.
"I'm going forward."
--------------------------------------
I hate the scared shitless look. We've pulled up along side the cruiser. Three men and a pair of women on deck. Grubby children's faces peering out from the cabin. Leo's telling them for the third time that we're not going to shoot them, maroon them, rape them or loot them. I think it is just beginning to get through.
One of their number, I'll call him Tom, begins gabbling rapidly back in Polish, just a bit too fast for me. Something, something, pirates, something, something more.. Got it. He gestures obscenely down stream.
"They're running from pirates, Kapitan."
"Can you tell him to slow down to five-year old speed."
"Nah, I'll handle the talk. It is my job."
Alphabit's brought up a feel good sack; root veggies, bread, a small bottle of Tadeuz's home brewed paint thinner. Leo hands it down. He's all open faced smiles and good cheer. Damn if I know how he turns it off and on like that. Captain Tom appropriates the bottle and a chunk of the bread. The rest gets passed into the cabin. They happy sounds.
Leo, "Six you say?"
Captain Tom, "Yes, two midsize houseboats. Four smaller ones. They got between us and home."
"Arms?"
"The big moats had MGs, at least one of the smalls had a mortar. They fired a warning shot."
"How come they didn't catch you?"
"Two of the smalls had sails. They're between us and home. They can follow at their own fucking pace."
"Not good my friend. So you're just running till your out of fuel?"
"Give us some space to think. Maybe hide up a tributary till they pass. At the very least, we could have grounded and taken what we could."
"They're a sorry lot Kapitan. What should I tell them?"
"Tell them to fall in behind the Wistula Krew. We're going to Warsaw. They can tag along."
Leo pats the tank and tells them in most colorful terms just how much we hate pirates.
Leonid's voice crackles over the radio, "Bow to Bridge, surface contact 1500 meters. One boat coming our way, moving fast. Over."
"Bridge to Bow, feed me details as you can. Over"
"Da."
"Karl, give me three short blasts from the horn." That's 'stand ready' for the crew. "And let the Captain know we've go another contact."
"Yes, Major."
Activity on the barge picks up. The men putting away cards and maintenance tasks with gratifying speed before taking position at their stations. In just a few moments we're cleared for action.
Gunny and Captain Rataj join me on the small bridge. First Mate Uller hands command off to the Captain and steps out the hatch, close enough to listen, but giving us some needed elbow room.
"We've got one boat incoming Captain. No further details yet. Gunny, keep an updated plot to the mortar battery. I'll talk if they will. If any surprises pop out you don't need my permission. Understood?"
"Understood, Major."
The boat, a largish cabin cruiser, has approached to about a kilometer. Leo radios back that he can't see any gun mounts. Tadeuz stands on our bow, signal flags waving back and forth, telling them to cut their engines.
Nine hundred meters out. Leo clambers up onto the tank turret. Eight hundred meters. Our tank elevates the barrel and rotates from side to side before settling back onto the boat. Seven hundred meters and their wake falls down. Several men come onto the deck. One waves something white.
"I'm going forward."
--------------------------------------
I hate the scared shitless look. We've pulled up along side the cruiser. Three men and a pair of women on deck. Grubby children's faces peering out from the cabin. Leo's telling them for the third time that we're not going to shoot them, maroon them, rape them or loot them. I think it is just beginning to get through.
One of their number, I'll call him Tom, begins gabbling rapidly back in Polish, just a bit too fast for me. Something, something, pirates, something, something more.. Got it. He gestures obscenely down stream.
"They're running from pirates, Kapitan."
"Can you tell him to slow down to five-year old speed."
"Nah, I'll handle the talk. It is my job."
Alphabit's brought up a feel good sack; root veggies, bread, a small bottle of Tadeuz's home brewed paint thinner. Leo hands it down. He's all open faced smiles and good cheer. Damn if I know how he turns it off and on like that. Captain Tom appropriates the bottle and a chunk of the bread. The rest gets passed into the cabin. They happy sounds.
Leo, "Six you say?"
Captain Tom, "Yes, two midsize houseboats. Four smaller ones. They got between us and home."
"Arms?"
"The big moats had MGs, at least one of the smalls had a mortar. They fired a warning shot."
"How come they didn't catch you?"
"Two of the smalls had sails. They're between us and home. They can follow at their own fucking pace."
"Not good my friend. So you're just running till your out of fuel?"
"Give us some space to think. Maybe hide up a tributary till they pass. At the very least, we could have grounded and taken what we could."
"They're a sorry lot Kapitan. What should I tell them?"
"Tell them to fall in behind the Wistula Krew. We're going to Warsaw. They can tag along."
Leo pats the tank and tells them in most colorful terms just how much we hate pirates.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
041: Downstream
Eddie's Journal
You remember that movie with the boat where they're going upriver to kill a man?
marginalia - maybe you don't. do they show movies again where you are?
"Never get off the boat!" they warned. Good advice that. Just head downstream. Drop a few lines in the water. Let your meal come to you. Don't mess with us and we'll return the favor. I swear, people are idiots.
sept 11th
Let's start with our first idiot. Mr. "I'm going to beat a civvie for waving at us". Leo and Taduez, he takes soundings and watches for snags, are on the bow as we come up to this little town on the southern bank. There's folk on the bank doing the fishing and cleaning routine. Some of them scamper off as we come into sight. Others are just standing, staring at us. Leo gives them a big wave as we pull past. One guy gives a tentative wave back. Just then, some soon to buy it moron comes out of the crowd and buttstrokes him right in the back. I'm open mouthed having a WTF moment when there is a crack from the bow. Leo had snatched up his SVD and took a 200 meter shot on the fly. Drilled that man right in the head.
Capt, nope, Major Paterson now, chewed him right up one side and down the other. We're not starting things.Leo just shrugs it off. "He won't hit anyone again."
mp = major (only one captain on this boat) paterson
MP's right though. Less than a half-klick down river it starts raining mortar shells. Someone wants their pound of flesh. We're getting wet from rounds dropping in the drink, but they can't hit us. Leo spots an OP, he says later, so he climbs up into the commander's seat of the T-72 and takes the gun. Puts two rounds of HE on the bluff, redecorating the landscape a bit, and the mortar fire falls off and behind.
We sail on.
sept 12th
Next day, we're passing a big town on the north bank with a bridge. Rataj tells us there's still a working drydock here if we need repairs in the future. Signalman on the shore waves flags at us. Orders us to stop and prepare for inspection. Leo points the big gun at them. They run and hide. A little "customs launch" leaves the dock area. We outweigh and outgun it by a factor of a billion or so. They decide to turn right around. The men they had on the bridge could have dropped grenades or rocks if they'd wanted to. Seems they had a sanity attack too. They left us alone, we did the same.
Pity the raiders at the next bridge didn't have the same response. We could see some guys shaking down a pair of wagons. Got big ideas when we sailed up. Let the civvies pull a runner as they preped for us. Morons dropped a couple Molotov Cocktails on us. No one got hit and we put out the minor fire easily. In exchange, we put a few tank shells into the bridge and sprayed the survivors as they ran. Darwin awards all around!
GD-it, Doc tells me they only count if they kill themselves. Suicide by tank does not count.
Later that day the river began to wind northwards and we came to yet another bridge. This one has some Polish soldier boys camped out on it. Doesn't look like more than a rifle or two among them. All except one grabs some ground. The hero of the moment, puts one foot up on the railing, shades his eyes and gives us the once over. Polite wave from Leo. Polite wave back. He hails us once we're in shouting range. Leo and him have a nice chat. Very reasonable man.
He tells us; "My superiors say I should tell you to pull over to the bank and make ready for inspection." We decline. "Oh, my superiors say I should check your vessal for contraband heavy weapons. Do you have any?" No, not us. "Good, my superiors say that I should check your papers. Do you have your papers?" Leo reaches into the tank and waves a clipboard at him. "Very good. Those are nice papers!" He recognized Tadeuz once they got close enough and inquired about Captain Rataj's health. Told him he was crazy, but wished him luck none the less. Told us to give the river scum an ass beating. Gave us some final advice as we pulled away. "My superiors, on the east bank, are worried about American marauders. I know Captain Rataj would not work with American marauders, but others, on the east bank, do not know him as well. I will tell them, when they ask, that I have seen no American marauders."
Tadeuz tells me the man used to work the barge trade before the war
Sept 13th
Passed the wreck of Rataj's first attempt to get to Warsaw. Ran into a houseboat going south. They bailed out onto the river bank after we turned the gun to cover them. Adults with children.
MP told me later she was that close, fingers held an inch apart, to telling Leo to kill it.
sept 14, 2000
Swamp land on either side now. Found a cabin cruiser, dead in the water. They'd been with a group, a floating city, outside of Warsaw. Things were too hot so they headed out one day for Krakow. They'd had engine trouble. MP and Leo pumped them for information while Iosef banged out a part in the tug's machineshop. Once underway, MP got us all together and laid out the new facts.
___________________________
"I'm going to lay out the situation as I understand it. Leo, let me know if I got something wrong, your Polish is much better than mine."
"Da, Kapitan"
"The boaters told us they were part of a much bigger riverine community based out of Praga, a district in Warsaw. The pirates forced them out of Warsaw proper and upstream. "
"The community has enough arms to make taking them a risky proposition for the pirates, but the individual boats have to leave the safety of the community to fish, trade and salvage. The pirates hit those boats every so often and take what they want. Some of them do a catch and release while others just kill everyone. Depends on the captain and how hard the boat people fight"
"Unfortunately, the boaters and the pirates know their own vessels and crews, so no one's flying helpful flags."
"Not that it would matter, Major. The pirates would false flag if the people of the river adopted a pennant."
"Correct, Captain Rataj. We'll need to exercise extreme care as we head closer. We want to be sure that we hit the right targets, not just any targets."
"We have one advantage Kapitan. The boat people mostly operate alone or in pairs. The pirates wolf pack."
"Thank you, Leo. I'd missed that. Our friends don't have exact numbers to share. However, they did say the biggest is the river patrol ship that scuttled Captain Rataj's first attempt. They claim there are another 4 boats, smaller than the Vistula Krew, with "big" guns and maybe twenty odd small boats, cabin cruisers and speedboats with a mix of machineguns and light mortars. Oh, and boarders, lots of cutthroat boarders."
"We know what to look for, groups of boats, five or more, packed to the gunwales with armed men. We'll work them with the tank and mortars. I trust they won't last to get into melee. If they do, that's what the RPGs and Machineguns are for."
"If we see a smaller group, or one without obvious armament, we'll approach and try to talk. Leo, pass on to Sgt Ormen that we'll keep the tank on them the whole time. If they try to charge he doesn't have to ask."
"Any questions?"
"Dismissed."
_________________________
"Captain Rataj, could I have a moment?"
"Yes, Major."
"There is more, but it wasn't anything my men needed to know to get their jobs done. The boaters didn't have any current information about communities inside Warsaw. They did recognize your brother-in-laws name though. He was a leader in the Sielce community before they were forced out. Does that name mean anything to you?"
"Yes.... Sielce is one of the Warsaw districts. On the south of the city and on the west bank. We wouldn't have to go that far in to reach it."
"Last they heard, this Baron Czarny was pressing the settlements hard. We'll get through the pirates, but extracting your family could be more akin to a hit & run than a 3-day stop over."
"I understand. tell us what to do. The crew and I will make it happen for you. Then we can all go home.
You remember that movie with the boat where they're going upriver to kill a man?
marginalia - maybe you don't. do they show movies again where you are?
"Never get off the boat!" they warned. Good advice that. Just head downstream. Drop a few lines in the water. Let your meal come to you. Don't mess with us and we'll return the favor. I swear, people are idiots.
sept 11th
Let's start with our first idiot. Mr. "I'm going to beat a civvie for waving at us". Leo and Taduez, he takes soundings and watches for snags, are on the bow as we come up to this little town on the southern bank. There's folk on the bank doing the fishing and cleaning routine. Some of them scamper off as we come into sight. Others are just standing, staring at us. Leo gives them a big wave as we pull past. One guy gives a tentative wave back. Just then, some soon to buy it moron comes out of the crowd and buttstrokes him right in the back. I'm open mouthed having a WTF moment when there is a crack from the bow. Leo had snatched up his SVD and took a 200 meter shot on the fly. Drilled that man right in the head.
Capt, nope, Major Paterson now, chewed him right up one side and down the other. We're not starting things.Leo just shrugs it off. "He won't hit anyone again."
mp = major (only one captain on this boat) paterson
MP's right though. Less than a half-klick down river it starts raining mortar shells. Someone wants their pound of flesh. We're getting wet from rounds dropping in the drink, but they can't hit us. Leo spots an OP, he says later, so he climbs up into the commander's seat of the T-72 and takes the gun. Puts two rounds of HE on the bluff, redecorating the landscape a bit, and the mortar fire falls off and behind.
We sail on.
sept 12th
Next day, we're passing a big town on the north bank with a bridge. Rataj tells us there's still a working drydock here if we need repairs in the future. Signalman on the shore waves flags at us. Orders us to stop and prepare for inspection. Leo points the big gun at them. They run and hide. A little "customs launch" leaves the dock area. We outweigh and outgun it by a factor of a billion or so. They decide to turn right around. The men they had on the bridge could have dropped grenades or rocks if they'd wanted to. Seems they had a sanity attack too. They left us alone, we did the same.
Pity the raiders at the next bridge didn't have the same response. We could see some guys shaking down a pair of wagons. Got big ideas when we sailed up. Let the civvies pull a runner as they preped for us. Morons dropped a couple Molotov Cocktails on us. No one got hit and we put out the minor fire easily. In exchange, we put a few tank shells into the bridge and sprayed the survivors as they ran. Darwin awards all around!
GD-it, Doc tells me they only count if they kill themselves. Suicide by tank does not count.
Later that day the river began to wind northwards and we came to yet another bridge. This one has some Polish soldier boys camped out on it. Doesn't look like more than a rifle or two among them. All except one grabs some ground. The hero of the moment, puts one foot up on the railing, shades his eyes and gives us the once over. Polite wave from Leo. Polite wave back. He hails us once we're in shouting range. Leo and him have a nice chat. Very reasonable man.
He tells us; "My superiors say I should tell you to pull over to the bank and make ready for inspection." We decline. "Oh, my superiors say I should check your vessal for contraband heavy weapons. Do you have any?" No, not us. "Good, my superiors say that I should check your papers. Do you have your papers?" Leo reaches into the tank and waves a clipboard at him. "Very good. Those are nice papers!" He recognized Tadeuz once they got close enough and inquired about Captain Rataj's health. Told him he was crazy, but wished him luck none the less. Told us to give the river scum an ass beating. Gave us some final advice as we pulled away. "My superiors, on the east bank, are worried about American marauders. I know Captain Rataj would not work with American marauders, but others, on the east bank, do not know him as well. I will tell them, when they ask, that I have seen no American marauders."
Tadeuz tells me the man used to work the barge trade before the war
Sept 13th
Passed the wreck of Rataj's first attempt to get to Warsaw. Ran into a houseboat going south. They bailed out onto the river bank after we turned the gun to cover them. Adults with children.
MP told me later she was that close, fingers held an inch apart, to telling Leo to kill it.
sept 14, 2000
Swamp land on either side now. Found a cabin cruiser, dead in the water. They'd been with a group, a floating city, outside of Warsaw. Things were too hot so they headed out one day for Krakow. They'd had engine trouble. MP and Leo pumped them for information while Iosef banged out a part in the tug's machineshop. Once underway, MP got us all together and laid out the new facts.
___________________________
"I'm going to lay out the situation as I understand it. Leo, let me know if I got something wrong, your Polish is much better than mine."
"Da, Kapitan"
"The boaters told us they were part of a much bigger riverine community based out of Praga, a district in Warsaw. The pirates forced them out of Warsaw proper and upstream. "
"The community has enough arms to make taking them a risky proposition for the pirates, but the individual boats have to leave the safety of the community to fish, trade and salvage. The pirates hit those boats every so often and take what they want. Some of them do a catch and release while others just kill everyone. Depends on the captain and how hard the boat people fight"
"Unfortunately, the boaters and the pirates know their own vessels and crews, so no one's flying helpful flags."
"Not that it would matter, Major. The pirates would false flag if the people of the river adopted a pennant."
"Correct, Captain Rataj. We'll need to exercise extreme care as we head closer. We want to be sure that we hit the right targets, not just any targets."
"We have one advantage Kapitan. The boat people mostly operate alone or in pairs. The pirates wolf pack."
"Thank you, Leo. I'd missed that. Our friends don't have exact numbers to share. However, they did say the biggest is the river patrol ship that scuttled Captain Rataj's first attempt. They claim there are another 4 boats, smaller than the Vistula Krew, with "big" guns and maybe twenty odd small boats, cabin cruisers and speedboats with a mix of machineguns and light mortars. Oh, and boarders, lots of cutthroat boarders."
"We know what to look for, groups of boats, five or more, packed to the gunwales with armed men. We'll work them with the tank and mortars. I trust they won't last to get into melee. If they do, that's what the RPGs and Machineguns are for."
"If we see a smaller group, or one without obvious armament, we'll approach and try to talk. Leo, pass on to Sgt Ormen that we'll keep the tank on them the whole time. If they try to charge he doesn't have to ask."
"Any questions?"
"Dismissed."
_________________________
"Captain Rataj, could I have a moment?"
"Yes, Major."
"There is more, but it wasn't anything my men needed to know to get their jobs done. The boaters didn't have any current information about communities inside Warsaw. They did recognize your brother-in-laws name though. He was a leader in the Sielce community before they were forced out. Does that name mean anything to you?"
"Yes.... Sielce is one of the Warsaw districts. On the south of the city and on the west bank. We wouldn't have to go that far in to reach it."
"Last they heard, this Baron Czarny was pressing the settlements hard. We'll get through the pirates, but extracting your family could be more akin to a hit & run than a 3-day stop over."
"I understand. tell us what to do. The crew and I will make it happen for you. Then we can all go home.
040: Bon Voyage
Captain Paterson, September 10th
Busy, busy days.
I've told the sergeants our plans. They've tell the men. And by God we've got this op is running.
My command swarmed over that barge; filling sandbags, creating fighting positions, and lining the inner hull. The engineers laid structural members taken from Nowy Hut across the forward deck and welded them into place so we'd have a place for our tank to park. Captain Rataj and his men laid in the last of the supplies we'd need for the trip. Three busy days and done.
We're a tiger out for a swim. Four mortars down in the belly of the barge, 3 MG positions on each side with a RPG in case of heavy trouble, and the T-72 weighing down the front end. The OT-64 parked toy-like beside it. On the tug we've got another 2 heavy machineguns and 2 mediums on the deck. Finally, the AT-4 anti-tank missile launcher on the roof of the bridge. Rataj and Iosef have their own surprises, I'm sure, just in case we're troublesome.
I hope they see us coming. Decide to run. If they don't, well I've lost any notion I had growing up of a fair fight.
September 11th
I've issued my last instructions. The compound is on its own until we get back. Gunny Walter's picked men are in command. I have every confidence in them. Together with Arun they've got the script reserves and a stash of gold for emergencies. If they need to leave, they've got the BMP and the second OT-64.
I've made it especailly clear, with Gunny's support, that they are to take any instructions from Stark with a ton of salt. We may be carting George, super cargo extrodinaire, down the river, but they aren't to follow his lead. Give that man my company and he'll try to take the whole city. No, rest, refit, and prepare for the winter, anything outside of that contra-indicated.
We're out of here.
Eddie's Journal, Spetember 11th
Left Krakow by foot in the pre-dawn hours. Slipped our mooring in Nowy Hut with the sunrise. No band, no fanfare. Old Miss River, here we come.
Authors Note
Time slips by. Sorry for the wait.
Busy, busy days.
I've told the sergeants our plans. They've tell the men. And by God we've got this op is running.
My command swarmed over that barge; filling sandbags, creating fighting positions, and lining the inner hull. The engineers laid structural members taken from Nowy Hut across the forward deck and welded them into place so we'd have a place for our tank to park. Captain Rataj and his men laid in the last of the supplies we'd need for the trip. Three busy days and done.
We're a tiger out for a swim. Four mortars down in the belly of the barge, 3 MG positions on each side with a RPG in case of heavy trouble, and the T-72 weighing down the front end. The OT-64 parked toy-like beside it. On the tug we've got another 2 heavy machineguns and 2 mediums on the deck. Finally, the AT-4 anti-tank missile launcher on the roof of the bridge. Rataj and Iosef have their own surprises, I'm sure, just in case we're troublesome.
I hope they see us coming. Decide to run. If they don't, well I've lost any notion I had growing up of a fair fight.
September 11th
I've issued my last instructions. The compound is on its own until we get back. Gunny Walter's picked men are in command. I have every confidence in them. Together with Arun they've got the script reserves and a stash of gold for emergencies. If they need to leave, they've got the BMP and the second OT-64.
I've made it especailly clear, with Gunny's support, that they are to take any instructions from Stark with a ton of salt. We may be carting George, super cargo extrodinaire, down the river, but they aren't to follow his lead. Give that man my company and he'll try to take the whole city. No, rest, refit, and prepare for the winter, anything outside of that contra-indicated.
We're out of here.
Eddie's Journal, Spetember 11th
Left Krakow by foot in the pre-dawn hours. Slipped our mooring in Nowy Hut with the sunrise. No band, no fanfare. Old Miss River, here we come.
Authors Note
Time slips by. Sorry for the wait.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
039: Boats and Kids
Ed's Journal, September 7th (morning)
Captain Rataj showed us all over his dreamboat today. She's no QE2. She's made of rust, wire and smoke. He took us below decks. The damn engine doesn't even have a pressure guage! The engineer, Iosef, just snarls and spits when questioned. He built her, he knows her, and that's all you need to know. End of story. Captain Rataj, obviously know how to run the boilers, maybe a few others of the crew, but we're not going to get lessons. Trust issues already. Can you blame him?
I'm busy being baatman for our Cap. Taking notes on where to add MGs, sandbags, and stowage. The tug's already full of supplies, but we can add a couple PK emplacements to complement the Russian 50's he's already got. Cap gets her own cabin. The rest of us can share deck space.
The barge can hold tons of freight or people, but what we can't get on is the tank. The forward deck, the only place to put it so the turret could engage, is half holes and the rest rotten wood. Cap, our Cap, (I mean) Major Cap now due to the boat bump in rank, has a few ideas. We'll know tomorrow once our construction people get out here.
----------
September 7th (evening)
Doc's little friend Jana hasn't been around for awhile. Our combat accountant told us she's had to take care of her sick father. No more was said. We've been working our asses off geting settled back in and didn't spare it any thought. Wish we had.
Cap called me in to Doc's infirmiry just after evening meal. Jana was there and was not a pleasant sight. Dark splotchy bruises over her face and arms and that wasting look you get when you can't keep anything down. I seen it plenty before, so I wasn't surprised when Doc told me it was serious radiation poisoning. The only question was how.
Krakow is one of the luckiest cities in Poland. They hadn't caught one during the exchange and the serious ground fighting was further north. They'd had marauders, civil disorder, starvation and some fallout, but they hadn't been hurt. What a joke, this is don't well by the 21st century.
Her story was short. Dad had gotten sick, she'd stayed with him, she'd gotten sick and finally come to Doc for help. I gathered without being told that Doc Krol hadn't been able to help.
So now Leo, I and a few guys with guns were going over to their place and scope it out. We had a few MOPP suits from the POW camp and a second geiger counter. I had the training and Leo had the language skills. The other guys ould buy us some time if someone got upset with us poking around.
The apartment was on top of four flights of stairs. We're swimming in the suits by the time we reached the top. Leo knocked and yelled in. He got a weak answer. The old man was in much worse shape, further along and dehydrated to boot. My geiger was making unhappy little noises. Leo explained as best he could as I did a walk around.
I scanned the walls and fixtures not getting any spikes until I got near the bed. Fucking figures. Sleeping right in it. Got myself down on all fours and swept under the bed. Where do you hide your valuables? There's a box with some small, shiney gold nuggets. Hot little nuggets. Where do I find a lead box at this time of night?
We brought Jana's dad out with us. Left everything else behind. Leo warned the other occupants of the building. His sweaty head poking out of the top of a green rubber suit made for a convincing sight.
I gave my report upon arrival. Cap tells me back that Jana'd turned her script into gold on the black market. Really? Really? Either those knuckleheads were trading wholesale in "hot" goods or they'd traded specificly to Jana. We'd made a lot of noise in this town. It wouldn't take much work to find out who we had working for us.
For now, we're passing on the news of the shines to our friend Adom on the hill. For now, we'll let it slide. For now, we got too much work getting the men settled and going downriver. But when we come back, it won't be now anymore. I really hope some dumb fuck was wholesaling and that it wasn't personal. Cause some kid's crying her eyes out cause she's responsible for killing her daddy, slowly. Cause if it's personal, I'll feed them shiney little stones until they rot from the inside out. And there'll be a line.
Captain Rataj showed us all over his dreamboat today. She's no QE2. She's made of rust, wire and smoke. He took us below decks. The damn engine doesn't even have a pressure guage! The engineer, Iosef, just snarls and spits when questioned. He built her, he knows her, and that's all you need to know. End of story. Captain Rataj, obviously know how to run the boilers, maybe a few others of the crew, but we're not going to get lessons. Trust issues already. Can you blame him?
I'm busy being baatman for our Cap. Taking notes on where to add MGs, sandbags, and stowage. The tug's already full of supplies, but we can add a couple PK emplacements to complement the Russian 50's he's already got. Cap gets her own cabin. The rest of us can share deck space.
The barge can hold tons of freight or people, but what we can't get on is the tank. The forward deck, the only place to put it so the turret could engage, is half holes and the rest rotten wood. Cap, our Cap, (I mean) Major Cap now due to the boat bump in rank, has a few ideas. We'll know tomorrow once our construction people get out here.
----------
September 7th (evening)
Doc's little friend Jana hasn't been around for awhile. Our combat accountant told us she's had to take care of her sick father. No more was said. We've been working our asses off geting settled back in and didn't spare it any thought. Wish we had.
Cap called me in to Doc's infirmiry just after evening meal. Jana was there and was not a pleasant sight. Dark splotchy bruises over her face and arms and that wasting look you get when you can't keep anything down. I seen it plenty before, so I wasn't surprised when Doc told me it was serious radiation poisoning. The only question was how.
Krakow is one of the luckiest cities in Poland. They hadn't caught one during the exchange and the serious ground fighting was further north. They'd had marauders, civil disorder, starvation and some fallout, but they hadn't been hurt. What a joke, this is don't well by the 21st century.
Her story was short. Dad had gotten sick, she'd stayed with him, she'd gotten sick and finally come to Doc for help. I gathered without being told that Doc Krol hadn't been able to help.
So now Leo, I and a few guys with guns were going over to their place and scope it out. We had a few MOPP suits from the POW camp and a second geiger counter. I had the training and Leo had the language skills. The other guys ould buy us some time if someone got upset with us poking around.
The apartment was on top of four flights of stairs. We're swimming in the suits by the time we reached the top. Leo knocked and yelled in. He got a weak answer. The old man was in much worse shape, further along and dehydrated to boot. My geiger was making unhappy little noises. Leo explained as best he could as I did a walk around.
I scanned the walls and fixtures not getting any spikes until I got near the bed. Fucking figures. Sleeping right in it. Got myself down on all fours and swept under the bed. Where do you hide your valuables? There's a box with some small, shiney gold nuggets. Hot little nuggets. Where do I find a lead box at this time of night?
We brought Jana's dad out with us. Left everything else behind. Leo warned the other occupants of the building. His sweaty head poking out of the top of a green rubber suit made for a convincing sight.
I gave my report upon arrival. Cap tells me back that Jana'd turned her script into gold on the black market. Really? Really? Either those knuckleheads were trading wholesale in "hot" goods or they'd traded specificly to Jana. We'd made a lot of noise in this town. It wouldn't take much work to find out who we had working for us.
For now, we're passing on the news of the shines to our friend Adom on the hill. For now, we'll let it slide. For now, we got too much work getting the men settled and going downriver. But when we come back, it won't be now anymore. I really hope some dumb fuck was wholesaling and that it wasn't personal. Cause some kid's crying her eyes out cause she's responsible for killing her daddy, slowly. Cause if it's personal, I'll feed them shiney little stones until they rot from the inside out. And there'll be a line.
Monday, November 21, 2011
038: The Old Man & the River
Krakow, September 5th and 6th, 2000
"George, the helicopter is off the table. Completely. Stop bringing it up."
"Captian..."
"No, it won't work. You're hanging most of our people out to dry and fucking over anyone else westward leaning in Krakow. We're not doing it. We've got other options, right."
"Two others." He unfolds our map. "One if by land and two if by sea."
--------------
"I had thought my family to be dead. Lost when Warsaw was struck. Last winter I receive a letter from a trader. They write, escaped Warsaw after Pact troops broke the siege. They live in a farming commune in, near, the city. My children and grandchildren are well."
-------------
"Going by land would be the most direct. Maybe even the safest to start. By your account Filipowicz owes you a big favor. That should get your command upriver and through his lands. That would leave you, 200 kilometers to walk to friendly lines. That's the easy part."
"Yes, the hard part is getting through the lines."
"No it isn't. Cap, the men are safe here. We need one vehicle to get there. I can lead us through the lines. That's what I do."
"We're not leaving them here, Moonpie. I'm taking them with me, just like I'm taking you."
"Then give me Leo and those guys from the insertion party. Hell, Ed too. We'll need a mech."
"Thank you, fuck no!"
"Ed, Moon, not happening. George, it's an option. Tell us about the river."
"Old Man Rataj, he has a boat and a mission."
-----------
"This spring I take the River Princess, one of my tugs downstream. I have cargo; bicycles, mortars, other items. I will bring back food for city; and my family. We had sailed for 2 days before we were attacked by an small group of boats."
------------
"The Old Man has a boat and barge. He tried to get the Rada to fund an expedition with ORMO or Warta guard. They refused. Nothing in Warsaw but rubble anyway. He pressed them hard. Made such an obnoxious pain of himself until they banned him from the building. He's not welcome at the Wawel either. Our information says he's been trying to hire mercenaries to make the trip. You've got a company, hell, a tank too."
"Which gets him to Warsaw, how does that help us?"
"You get him to Warsaw. He gets to be with his family. Then you take the barge and follow the river all the way to the Baltic. Last reports put the 50th Armored Division, 2nd Marine Division, and sundry other units, here. That's less than 100 kilometers by land. You can walk our item there. They can use a fishing boat to sail it the rest of the way to friendly lines. Or you could try to trade the tug for something seafaring and deliver it yourself."
------------
"Pirates in this day! I had expected marauders on the shore. Maybe paying bribes or trading to get under guarded bridges, but well organized pirates. These I did not expect. They herded the Princess into shallow water. Dropped mortars on us. If not for the fall of night they would have killed us. By the grace of God, we escaped to the shore and returned to Krakow."
--------------
"And you think he won't have thought of just that happening. What fail safes will he have in place? Damn it, I don't even know if any of us knows how to sail a tug or run the engines!"
"Nearly 400 kilometers to Warsaw by the river. You'd have plenty of time to learn."
"...."
--------------
--------------
"So, that Captain is my tale and why I need you. I have one tug, Wisula Krowola, the Vistula Queen. I have a cargo barge. You have brave, skilled men. Forgive me, soldiers. Together we can break them, retrieve me family, and return here to safety. I will provide you with food and medical care on the trip. You will take payment upon our return in script, food, or other goods."
"Mr. Rataj, I have, effectively, a reinforced company under arms, a tank, and several armored personnel carriers. If we go, I intend to take them all."
"So, 300 men? Good, you have many guns. They will flee or die. I care not which. What do you say to one hundred script or goods per man."
"It is not the..."
"I have pre-war medicinies..."
"Mr. Rataj, I don't want the medicinies.
"What do you want? Gold?"
"My men and I are far from home. I propose a trade. We will guard you and yours to Warsaw and back. In exchange, after your safe return, I want you to take us all the way down river to the Baltic. Naturally, we will provide security on that trip as well."
"....."
"You'll be the man who reopened the Vistula."
"...No, captain, I agree to your offer. This winter though will be as harsh as the last two have been..."
"If the weather prevents our passage this year, I would accept it in the spring. I'm sure you have friends in the city. They can tell you about our activities. We're prepared to stay the season if we have to."
"Then we have a deal; security for passage this winter or spring."
"Mr. Rataj, I'll shake on that."
---------
"George is going to have a fucking fit when he hears you told him you wanted a ride all the way down."
"He'll be foaming when I tell him he took the deal."
"My Ma always said, 'Honesty's the best policy'"
"Get some rest. I'll need the engineers and a security detail early tomorrow. We need to head out to Nowy Hut and look the craft over."
"George, the helicopter is off the table. Completely. Stop bringing it up."
"Captian..."
"No, it won't work. You're hanging most of our people out to dry and fucking over anyone else westward leaning in Krakow. We're not doing it. We've got other options, right."
"Two others." He unfolds our map. "One if by land and two if by sea."
--------------
"I had thought my family to be dead. Lost when Warsaw was struck. Last winter I receive a letter from a trader. They write, escaped Warsaw after Pact troops broke the siege. They live in a farming commune in, near, the city. My children and grandchildren are well."
-------------
"Going by land would be the most direct. Maybe even the safest to start. By your account Filipowicz owes you a big favor. That should get your command upriver and through his lands. That would leave you, 200 kilometers to walk to friendly lines. That's the easy part."
"Yes, the hard part is getting through the lines."
"No it isn't. Cap, the men are safe here. We need one vehicle to get there. I can lead us through the lines. That's what I do."
"We're not leaving them here, Moonpie. I'm taking them with me, just like I'm taking you."
"Then give me Leo and those guys from the insertion party. Hell, Ed too. We'll need a mech."
"Thank you, fuck no!"
"Ed, Moon, not happening. George, it's an option. Tell us about the river."
"Old Man Rataj, he has a boat and a mission."
-----------
"This spring I take the River Princess, one of my tugs downstream. I have cargo; bicycles, mortars, other items. I will bring back food for city; and my family. We had sailed for 2 days before we were attacked by an small group of boats."
------------
"The Old Man has a boat and barge. He tried to get the Rada to fund an expedition with ORMO or Warta guard. They refused. Nothing in Warsaw but rubble anyway. He pressed them hard. Made such an obnoxious pain of himself until they banned him from the building. He's not welcome at the Wawel either. Our information says he's been trying to hire mercenaries to make the trip. You've got a company, hell, a tank too."
"Which gets him to Warsaw, how does that help us?"
"You get him to Warsaw. He gets to be with his family. Then you take the barge and follow the river all the way to the Baltic. Last reports put the 50th Armored Division, 2nd Marine Division, and sundry other units, here. That's less than 100 kilometers by land. You can walk our item there. They can use a fishing boat to sail it the rest of the way to friendly lines. Or you could try to trade the tug for something seafaring and deliver it yourself."
------------
"Pirates in this day! I had expected marauders on the shore. Maybe paying bribes or trading to get under guarded bridges, but well organized pirates. These I did not expect. They herded the Princess into shallow water. Dropped mortars on us. If not for the fall of night they would have killed us. By the grace of God, we escaped to the shore and returned to Krakow."
--------------
"And you think he won't have thought of just that happening. What fail safes will he have in place? Damn it, I don't even know if any of us knows how to sail a tug or run the engines!"
"Nearly 400 kilometers to Warsaw by the river. You'd have plenty of time to learn."
"...."
--------------
--------------
"So, that Captain is my tale and why I need you. I have one tug, Wisula Krowola, the Vistula Queen. I have a cargo barge. You have brave, skilled men. Forgive me, soldiers. Together we can break them, retrieve me family, and return here to safety. I will provide you with food and medical care on the trip. You will take payment upon our return in script, food, or other goods."
"Mr. Rataj, I have, effectively, a reinforced company under arms, a tank, and several armored personnel carriers. If we go, I intend to take them all."
"So, 300 men? Good, you have many guns. They will flee or die. I care not which. What do you say to one hundred script or goods per man."
"It is not the..."
"I have pre-war medicinies..."
"Mr. Rataj, I don't want the medicinies.
"What do you want? Gold?"
"My men and I are far from home. I propose a trade. We will guard you and yours to Warsaw and back. In exchange, after your safe return, I want you to take us all the way down river to the Baltic. Naturally, we will provide security on that trip as well."
"....."
"You'll be the man who reopened the Vistula."
"...No, captain, I agree to your offer. This winter though will be as harsh as the last two have been..."
"If the weather prevents our passage this year, I would accept it in the spring. I'm sure you have friends in the city. They can tell you about our activities. We're prepared to stay the season if we have to."
"Then we have a deal; security for passage this winter or spring."
"Mr. Rataj, I'll shake on that."
---------
"George is going to have a fucking fit when he hears you told him you wanted a ride all the way down."
"He'll be foaming when I tell him he took the deal."
"My Ma always said, 'Honesty's the best policy'"
"Get some rest. I'll need the engineers and a security detail early tomorrow. We need to head out to Nowy Hut and look the craft over."
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
037: Hard Math, Simple Breakdowns, and Other News
Log, Krakow, September 4th, 2000
268 mouths consume a little over 800 kilograms of food a day.
That's 268 in Krakow script or about 1/30th of our gold war chest.
There's not enough to make it through this winter.
---------
Troop morale and health continues to improve with adequate food and rest. Active numbers are up to 207. Doc reports that of the remainder another 27 should be back to duty within the week. That leaves 28 in the physically unfit (4) or heavily traumatized (24) category.
----------
Skill Sets
Support Personnel: 69 Marginalia -- All personnel listed below are employable by Krakow standards
5 Field Medics
3 Medical Assistants
3 Electrical and Electronic System Techs
6 Construction and Civil Engineers
4 Aviation Mechanics
7 Mechanics
6 Armorers
1 Veterinary Health Specialist
Marginalia -- these, only for manual labor
8 Cooks
7 Drivers
6 Logistics
-- 1 described as a "get it all"
5 Admin
8 Farmers Marginalia --keep these for the compound
Line Troops: 137
94 Infantry
-- 8 former Navy personnel
-- 2 former Air Force personnel
9 Combat Enginnering
19 Armor
15 Artillery
----------
Equipment
All the men are carrying a small quantity of personal items looted from the camp, blankets, and food
Armament
Rifles in various calibers for 72
Machine guns, RPK-74, PK, M-60, for 12
Shotguns for 15
Pistols for 26
Support Weapons
10 RPG-16 with limited ammunition (27 rounds total)
120mm Mortar (9 HE, 1 WP, 2 ILLUM)
3 82mm Mortars marked "FabrykaWojo" (no ammunition)
General Equipment
10 soviet style flak jackets
62 soviet style helmets
general kit for 25
------------
Noted in the Log
In addition to his assigned duties, Aron Sawicki organized a thorough inventory and requisition of abandoned materials in the compound area during our absence. Clothes, underwear, footwear, coats (fall and winter) and other cold weather gear, blankets, pillows, kitchen items, and bags were available to the troops upon their arrival.
Several cans of Red and Blue paint were discovered and set aside for tactical markings. A basket of red sheets, towels and rags is available for the making of Red Diamond shoulder insignia.
Out of his personal funds he has obtained a 1000 L water trailer.
268 mouths consume a little over 800 kilograms of food a day.
That's 268 in Krakow script or about 1/30th of our gold war chest.
There's not enough to make it through this winter.
---------
Troop morale and health continues to improve with adequate food and rest. Active numbers are up to 207. Doc reports that of the remainder another 27 should be back to duty within the week. That leaves 28 in the physically unfit (4) or heavily traumatized (24) category.
----------
Skill Sets
Support Personnel: 69 Marginalia -- All personnel listed below are employable by Krakow standards
5 Field Medics
3 Medical Assistants
3 Electrical and Electronic System Techs
6 Construction and Civil Engineers
4 Aviation Mechanics
7 Mechanics
6 Armorers
1 Veterinary Health Specialist
Marginalia -- these, only for manual labor
8 Cooks
7 Drivers
6 Logistics
-- 1 described as a "get it all"
5 Admin
8 Farmers Marginalia --keep these for the compound
Line Troops: 137
94 Infantry
-- 8 former Navy personnel
-- 2 former Air Force personnel
9 Combat Enginnering
19 Armor
15 Artillery
----------
Equipment
All the men are carrying a small quantity of personal items looted from the camp, blankets, and food
Armament
Rifles in various calibers for 72
Machine guns, RPK-74, PK, M-60, for 12
Shotguns for 15
Pistols for 26
Support Weapons
10 RPG-16 with limited ammunition (27 rounds total)
120mm Mortar (9 HE, 1 WP, 2 ILLUM)
3 82mm Mortars marked "FabrykaWojo" (no ammunition)
General Equipment
10 soviet style flak jackets
62 soviet style helmets
general kit for 25
------------
Noted in the Log
In addition to his assigned duties, Aron Sawicki organized a thorough inventory and requisition of abandoned materials in the compound area during our absence. Clothes, underwear, footwear, coats (fall and winter) and other cold weather gear, blankets, pillows, kitchen items, and bags were available to the troops upon their arrival.
Several cans of Red and Blue paint were discovered and set aside for tactical markings. A basket of red sheets, towels and rags is available for the making of Red Diamond shoulder insignia.
Out of his personal funds he has obtained a 1000 L water trailer.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)