0016 - Scene IV – Return to Sieradz (1600 21 JUL 2000)

Five of the seven trucks have been recovered. The suspension on the remaining two are destroyed and the characters do not have access to parts to repair them, so they must be abandoned. Maybe the Major can send another group of unfortunates to recover the rest.

Before they leave, the characters decide to check the dead East Germans. In order to do so, Harris has to find and clear a path through the third mine field.

[Detect minefield #3 – Asset Level 13 – Average (x2) – Target Number 19 - Roll(s): 20] – Fail.

Harris does not find the third field but since the mines are AT mines, the characters will not set them off. Searching the three dead, the find:

• RPK-74 with 2 magazine(s)/belt(s)
• AK-74 with 4 magazine(s)/belt(s)
• AKR with 2 magazine(s)/belt(s)
• 50 loose rounds of 5.45mm B
• Hatchet
• Knife
• Thermite Grenade
• 3 Fragmentation Grenades 2 Steel Helmets
• 9kg of Domestic Food
• 3kg of Soviet Field Rations
• 2kg of Wild Food
• 2 Packs
• Gas Mask
• 3 suits of Combat Webbing
• 2 Personal Medkits
• Flashlight

There was a Vz-59 in the bunker when it was destroyed. The question is whether it is still in a usable condition. Time to ask the GME:

GME Question: Was the Vz-59 destroyed in the explosion? - Somewhat Likely – Chaos Rank 6 (80% chance of yes) – 34 – Yes. That is unfortunate.

Being practical people, the characters will take the weapons, ammunition, food and medical supplies. The rest is too heavy compared to its value.

Once the loot is loaded, the characters will mount up.

Now for the scene setup:

Return to Sieradz: The characters will board the trucks and then proceed to return to Sieradz. They will move in convoy with Jerry leading and Bud driving tail.

Now it is time to check if the scene is modified. The current CR is 5, meaning the scene will be modified on a 5 or less. A roll of a seven means the scene plays out as planned. I will not roll for random encounters, as the distance is not that great and the characters are still smarting from the last encounter.

The scene resolution can be handled with a simple text description. To make it more interesting, we can ask our narrator (Marshall) for her view on things.

I was one of the dissenters. The discussion started after the smoke cleared. We had to figure out what to do with the rest of the marauders that tried to jump us. Logan and Griff were of the opinion they got what they deserved. I was for hangin’ from the nearest tree. Rabid dogs need to be put down.

I ain’t got nothin’ against the Russians or Poles that fire us up occasionally. The war is over for all intents and purposes and everyone has gone into survival mode. Any armed body you meet, regardless of what side they were on at the beginning, may do you harm. Trigger fingers are loose and fast now a’days.

Marauders are something different. They just want to kill, take, burn and worse. It has nothin’ to do with survival, it is just pure evil. Put ‘em down and be done with it.

Anyway, we got back on the road and were spread thin doing so. The hummer and Bud both had two on board, but both passengers were wounded. The pucker factor was great but, I have to admit, I was happy when we topped the rise and I saw that T-80 behind the berm watchin’ us. We made it and no one had to bleed to do it.

The team had the scene under control and the Chaos Rank drops to 4. Now they just need to hand over the food.

The remaining marauders will stay on the NPC list. Maybe we will see them again, when they have their courage up and are burning for revenge.