Smith takes off his sandy bush hat and says to Captain, "It's a difficult decision for you to make. I would give the walking wounded weapons and put the rest who aren't mortally wounded in the trucks and make your way out of here preferably at night. And if you play your cards right you'll be in P*&* by morning. We'll take the Doctor. Quick question, the Doctor mentioned to us some of her staff that went missing and well, she wants us to get them. Do you happen to know where they are?"
He then says, "Please don't be too hard on Louis. He is a good soldat and wanted some excitement."
The captain shakes his head at Smith. "Can't say that I have. Listen, I like Louis, but I can't have soldiers under my command simply running off to do their own thing, you understand that. I think I am going to see what I can do to get the survivors on the trucks and get going. We could use your help keeping them safe, but it sounds like you've got your own deal." He nods to Smith and then gets to ordering his men to start packing the rest of the camp.
Just then, an American male, looking distinctly out of place, runs up to you, or more specifically, Natalie. "Cynthia! Thank god! I had assumed the worst after the attack. Sounds like they're packing up and heading out, which means my stay here is coming to an end, so I was wondering... if I could tag along with you guys, you know, as an official correspondent. You seem to know what's going on and I could use the info for my article."
Natalie looks over at the reporter. She mouths the word 'Majors...' before she reassumes her persona properly. Concern crosses her face, even with this friendly sort. She looks over towards Smith and the captain, then slinks away to talk.
"Jeff..." She manages a weak smile then gestures back, "I have no idea what's happening anymore. First we start packing up, then my investor went and got himself killed or worse..." She blows out a breath, "Now I'm still hanging with these two..three. Hoping they can get me out of the country. There's this whole conversation about finding some lost people..." Cynthia shakes her head, "Its good to see you, someone who has actually been a little nice...but I'm not sure what Timothy'd think. He's all guns and soldiery...I've been hoping they can find these missing guys so they can get me out of the country. They promised."
The words are a bit hollow as deep down Cynthia believes she's going to die here, but that's not the first time the wounded gazelle gambit has been used by the actress...
Jeff nods, looking over Cynthia. "That's perfect! I can add that to my story. Picture it: Lost Medical Team Found in Warzone by Red Cross Official. What do you think?" He winks at her and looks over at Smith and Macomb.
Smith nods to the Capitain and says, "We'll try to pitch in best we can."
He sees the man talking to Nat and walks over. "Cyndi, Hello, is this man trying to work a glide?" as he gives her a wink.
Realizing that they probably don't get the Salisbury Slang, he extends a hand and says, "Smith formerly of the Rhodesian SAS and who mightn't you be?"
Cynthia seems apprehensive next to Smith, and gingerly introduces the man, "This is Jeff. He's a reporter, we met a bit ago. He was trying to find out the connection between the camp and the Russians. I wasn't much help." She managed a depreciative smile.
Jeff holds out a hand to Smith. "As the lady said, Jeff Majors, freelance reporter and all around handy guy. Cynthia was telling me how you were looking for some lost folk in these parts. I'd love to help out if you'll let me get a story.", he pauses. "And a ride out of here."
Smith says, "Well Jeff, did you do any slottin' in your day?"
He then hands him an empty .45 pistol and says, "This may sound somewhat indecent but I have a feeling you don't want to end up like Mr. Stewart did six months ago, plus we have to contend with the Sovies, the Muj and then there is also the Opium dealers. Field strip!"
Jeff takes the weapon and looks it over. "I've been to the range a few times, but can't say I've actually had to put a bullet in someone." He then proceeds to slowly but confidently strip the weapon.
Macomb head perks up as he hears the words about ride out of here.
If your needing a ride we may have room. But our priority is the finding these lost people which as Smith said will most likely put your life in danger. None of us have time to worry over if you're shot or not. So if you do come with us know that your life is in your own hands. We aren't playing bodyguard to a damn typewriter.
"Fair enough.", the reporter says as he puts the weapon back together. "Shall we get going?"
Cynthia looks a bit abashed, actually wincing at Razor's words. They *were* playing bodyguard sorta, for her.
But in for a penny, in for a pound
"I don't really like all this, but, well if this is what we have to do to get out of the country, I trust Smith." She looks over to Timothy then back to Jeff, "Have you heard anything that may help us narrow down where these lost people are? Mr. Chambers may be with them."
"Probably nothing more than you know. Thing is, after the Soviets took some of these guys, I get a feeling they may actually know where your lost scientists are. Just a hunch though." Jeff shrugs.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Smith says to Jeff, "Mr. Majors show me these people and let's see if we can get some info."
As the camp begins to pack up, you find some of the nurses taking care of a few patients and getting them ready for transport. "This is Afziya," Jeff says. "She was in the same tent as her husband when the Russians attacked. They were here because of wounds caused by landmines. They took him, not her."
The woman looks up, her hajib in disarray, and attempts to wipe her tears with a bandaged hand. She can't be more than twenty years old. One of the nurses helps her. She speaks in Pashto. "My husband, Juzef, they take him. He did nothing. We are only poor farmers. Why they want him?" Afziya sobs again.
Jeff speaks up again. "It's the same all over the camp. Seemingly random refugees were taken. They are still counting exactly how many, but my guess is about a dozen."
Smith speaks in his broken Farsi, "Did you see any scientists?"
The woman shakes her head. "Only soldiers, with guns."
Smith says, "Macomb, you got any questions for her? As far as I am concerned we should kit up, grab the Suzdal and go."
With a look of compassion Macomb asks the lady in Pashto. Is your farm near here? Where is it exactly? We will do our best to return your husband to you.
He then turns to Jeff and asks in English Did the Soviets only take men? Where they all locals like Afziya's husband?
He then turns back to Afziya and says in Arabic "So verily with the hardship there is relief, verily with the hardship there is relief"
Macomb turns back to Jeff and asks How many Soviets? in fierce strained voice with rage-filled eyes.
Afziya points towards what you know to be the direction of the city of Lashgar Kah. "That way. Towards the city. Hanumab district, for farming and goat-herding. They only take our wounded men from here. No women."
Jeff nods in confirmation. "They are still calculating the total loss, but so far, the only have several men missing, about a dozen so far. All men of working age and wounded but ambulatory. There were two trucks, so I imagine at least two squads if not a full platoon." He shakes his head. "The longer we wait, the less chance we have of catching them. Something tells me they are taking them to your lost scientists."
Smith nods and says, "Ok, I am going to get Suzdal. Mack, I trust you can keep up this alone."
Smith moves quickly towards Suzdal's office amongst the chaos, prepared for anything. Kalashnikov on his back and .45 on his pistol belt. He gets to the door of her office...
Notice
Watch your six Smith. Macomb calls after him then turning towards Jeff. Right-o you have 5 minutes to gather any supplies you want to take with you. Meet here in 5 minutes.
Jeff nods and checks his clothing and the backpack he is carrying. "I'm good friend. Didn't bring much so I wouldn't have to carry much."
Smith approaches Doctor Sudal's tent, pushing his way past running nurses and other doctors, patients, refugees and FFL troopers. He hears her barking orders to her subordinates, using foul language complete with expletives you wouldn't usually hear a doctor use. When she notices Smith, she comes right over. Her stern look gives off a sense of anger and frustration. She's losing her cool.
"I hope this wasn't your doing. Seems not long after you left, the Russians started upping their numbers in the area. Lo and behold, it seems Captain Orsov has finally reneged on his end of the deal and this camp has been, how do Americans put it? Written off. Now they've taken my wounded and my rese... my notes. That French stick-in-the-mud has signed off as well, just worried about getting his men and the wounded back to Pakistan and leaving the rest for the Russians. I can't imagine it will be long before they send more trucks. What are you going to do, Smith? Run off like everyone else?"
Smith snarls at her because she seems to have lost her s*&& and back hands her and says, "Your lover has betrayed you and he has offered my friend Mac and I beaucoup dollars, the US kind not Rhodesian by the way to bring you to him to give you 10 cents of lead. I am a starch anti-communist and I would hate to see a woman get treated like that by her man. We need to know where the missing scientists are and get these folks now!!!"
After she calms down a bit, he says soothingly, "All warzones are the same, promises are broken, loves lost and then a jeep to the airport carrying everything you can fit in a briefcase before the terrs destroy everything and hopefully escape. We need to stop these commies, get the scientists, your research now!"
Somewhat shaken by Smith's slap, Dr. Sudal comes to her senses. "You're right, but I don't see you holding off the entire Soviet Army, bravado or not. I can tell you where I think they may have taken the wounded and the scientists, but just know that I'm signing my death warrant here. Not that it matters, seems Vasily has already done that." She hands Smith a map. "These mountains, you recognize them?" Smith does, they are where he found the hidden bunker. "Further up here, " she points to a gully between two large rises. "There is an old ammunition storage facility. Lately it's been used as a holding point for Vasily's 'merchandise'. Refugees and such." She sighs. "There. I'm going to make sure the Legion doesn't leave anyone behind. Good luck Smith. I mean it." She doesn't wait long for a response and turns to go back to her work, you can feel a sense of resolution emanate from her, as if something heavy was taken from her back.
Smith puts a gentle hand on the Doctor's shoulder and says, "If you want to continue on this planet, I suggest you get your things and we will be leaving in a half an hour. Wassili has been brainwashing people, hasn't he?"
Barring continued conversation from the Dr., Smith first gets his hands on a FFL ammo pouch and puts Louis' cut into it and then finds Louis and says, "Mon amis, keep your head on a swivel. "Vive la mort, vive la guerre, vive le sacre mercenaire."
He then rejoins his team.
Louis simply shakes Smith's hand and nods, a knowing look on his face.
Smith grabs three or four grenades from the legionnaires and then jumps in the truck to see Nat and Mac and maybe the Doctor.
Smith smiles at Mac and says, "Mac, BOHICA... my friend. I got the location of our doctors. Let's aggravate gravel!!!"
Righto! You tell me where to go and I'll get us there. Razor says as he slams the car into drive and maneuvers the vehicle through the crowded camp before really letting it go once free of the encampment.
The drive back to the location of the underground bunker doesn't seem as long, mostly due to the fact that Macomb has already driven there before. You pass the place where you had parked earlier and continue driving deeper into the mountains. The terrain starts to get more difficult and soon becomes near impossible to drive through. Eventually though, you come out to a road that will lead you straight into the area Dr. Sudal marked on the map. She didn't come with you, choosing instead to take her chances with the rest of the refugees. Unfortunately, as you are about to turn onto the road, you notice signs in Russian from the light of the fading sun.
RESTRICTED AREA
TRESPASSERS WILL BE SHOT
TURN AROUND NOW
Well Jeff here's the point of no return. Do you want to continue on with us or save your hide for a different story? Razor turns his head back to Jeff in the rear seat. Giving him a few seconds to contemplate his choices. Smith I assume we will be going forward beyond these signs do you want to do that on foot or by vehicle.
Smith chimes in, "In southern Africa we call it a Hemelvaartkommando. You need to be in it. The Russians will not hesitate from killing you and they probably would prefer to kill you first over us. Choose."
Jeff nods. "Hey, I said I needed the story. I'm in it to the end my new friends. Just... try not to get me killed on purpose, yeah?"
Smith says to Mac as he looks through a set of binoculars at the compound
Notice
"Take a look at that." As he passes Mac the binoculars.
Smith and Mac take turns looking up the road at the gatehouse to the compound. There is one building with what looks to be a steel crossbar across the road. Two guards are in the gatehouse itself and four more are patrolling the area around it. A small antenna on top of the guardhouse tells them that it has a radio in it, which means if trouble starts, reinforcements won't be far behind. All the guards are armed with AK-47s and look to be aware of their surroundings. From here, it is difficult to tell what unit they are with.
Smith says, "So Mac, your honey got a knaldemper? Silencer? If not got any ideas? We could wait till night time and knife them."
Macomb looks at Smith with a frown. No dice mon ami. I also have a knife but there's four of them. What long range firearms do you have?
I think taking down the radio is a priority. Lets wait a while and see what the pattern of patrol is and if we can sneak past the four and take down the two in the guardhouse we can disable the radio. Then dispatch the others.
Smith says, "I have this AK-47. To take out the radio, we need to either destroy the antenna, destroy the radio or liquidate its operators. Or screw with the power generator."
Razor calmly states I got my sniper rifle in the back. If I can get a clean shot at the radio I am pretty sure the FN won't leave it in working conditions. The real question then becomes where are the vehicles because their next method of contact would probably be in a vehicle. I would say that after the radio is gone they'd make a break for it. I think we need more information before we put any plan into action just spitballing here.
Smith says, "Taking out the radio is bound to get a response. The Sovies got that big Huey with all them guns on them which can attack like a Cobra and drop troops like a Huey. We should probably hide our vehicle and reconnoiter this place as best we can. Once we take down the radio, they will send in the choppers to see what happened. Jeff, do you happen to know where the nearest Soviet Airbase is?"
Smith I can guarantee a hit on the radio but I can't make a promise that I'll take out the right piece of equipment to totally disable it. It's a risk I give it close to 50/50. Should we find another way to disable it?
Smith says, "You don't have a silencer, so even if you were to destroy it, we would have kicked the hornet's nest. We don't know how many troops are here. Let me take a gander."
Smith then does a thorough recon, taking 20 on stealth for a total of 23. Notice , Tracking the guards to stay concealed and to notice their movements.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Smith channels his inner ghost and is able to fully reconnoiter the area without the six armed soldiers taking notice. . He is able to determine their patrol routes and their shift changes. While he isn't able to see into the base proper, this guardhouse is fully ingrained in his mind.
Smith says, "We don't have any Russian uniforms and we need to be quick and lethal to get into that building. So we can either shoot our way in or sneak our way in."
Smith I usually either fly by buzzing a chopper are drive by revving the engine. Sneaking my way past 6 guards is not something I am very good at. Although I don't like our odds of 2 on 6. No offense Jeff.
Any chance the patrolling guards would get out of range enough for us to take one down quietly? Otherwise we may have to try to sneak up to the tower and deal with hostiles if it all goes to hell. Jeff you might want to stay back at first with the truck.