Unit Roster

• “Hurricane” - Michael Ambler, S1C, Acting Squad Leader (Combat Medic spec.), 5th Infantry Division. Known to the squad as Mikey. Leadership role not formally trained for.
• Adrian Jr. "AJ" Ewing, Major, Logistics Corps (ex-CIA paramilitary liaison). VIP under escort prior to unit fragmentation.
• “Princess” - Eliza Monroe, Private, Gunner, age 19 (conscript). LMG operator.
• “Monk” - Mechanic, age 28. Conscripted; civilian mechanic by trade. Southern-raised; field cook.
• “Ace” - Master Sergeant, Sniper, age 25. Held squad command until his injury; command passed to Ambler.

Unit Cohesion Notes

Princess and Monk share a rapport over food and cooking.

Friction exists between Ace and Monkover the "Princess" nickname, which Ace regards as demeaning.

AJ has taken a protective, paternal stance toward Princess.

An unresolved tension persists between Ambler and Ace.

Setting Background

• Squad deployed to Poland in 1998 and has been in-theatre approximately two years. Maj. Ewing has been in country one week.
• No repatriation available - insufficient shipping to return personnel home.
• Nuclear winter conditions set in across 1999.
• Poland no longer functions as a country. Only military mapping remains current.
• One other US regular formation known to remain - Armored Cavalry, operating in southern Poland.
• Road network was deliberately rendered impassable to restrict Soviet movement. Degradation is intentional, not incidental.
• Maj. Ewing operates under cover as a civil engineer with prior military experience.
• Kraków stands as a free state with functioning water, electricity and government, and is actively hostile to both US and Soviet forces.

Situation Summary

Squad was tasked with escorting VIP Major Ewing out of the Kalisz sector following the collapse of the defensive line at the Battle of Kalisz (16 April, midday). The unit split from 1LT Marcus Brady's company during the retreat; Brady's element was observed to fall near Kalisz.

Strategic nuclear exchange was confirmed in the region overnight - multiple mushroom clouds observed on the horizon in all cardinal directions, with the nearest confirmed to the north. Persistent daylight conditions were noted through the night, consistent with the scale of the exchange.

The formation the squad had been attached to was obliterated at Kalisz. Coordination of the attack on Brady's group indicates Spetsnaz involvement. Known as the Oktober Guard - a unit reputed to take people rather than kill them. Status as a real formation unconfirmed.

Restricted Briefing - Maj. Ewing

• The United States no longer exists as a functioning state.
• The CIA is now regarded as a rogue force, and holds that any central government is itself the problem.
• Agency priority is establishing what Soviet forces remain present in Poland.
• CIA director in Poland identified as Turner.
• Maj. Ewing's standing mission is to locate the warlord known as The Eel, whom the Agency believes may be turned as an ally.
• The KGB remains the opposing service, running comparable tradecraft to inverted ends - a continuation of Cold War conditions.
• No information is to be shared with the DIA under any circumstances.
• Coordinates held for a safe house in Kraków.

Chronological Log

16 Apr, MiddayKalisz

• Squad transited the battlefield by M1114 HMMWV under fire.
• Visual confirmation of Brady's company being overrun near Kalisz.
• Objective destination reported overwhelmed by Soviet forces.
• Casualty (Radiological):S1C Ambler sustained radiation exposure while manning the gunner position.

16 Apr, NightRetreat

• Squad took unattributed small-arms fire from an unidentified position while withdrawing.
• Casualty:Monk (shattered neck), Ace (internal bleeding).
• Squad continued movement to distance from the contact.
• Ambler administered field treatment overnight. Both injuries initially demanded intervention within minutes; Ambler assumed care of Ace and Princess of Monk, easing both to checks every few hours.

17 Apr, DawnReconnaissance to Kępno

• Weather: fair. Visibility: dusk conditions persisting.
• AJ confirmed nearest detonation site to the north; forest fire observed burning north of the route, smoke drifting north.
• Squad elected to press toward Kępno in search of medical support for Monk and Ace. Ambler drove; AJ held watch.
• Monk's condition deteriorated under vehicle motion; Princess successfully calmed him.

17 AprKępno (Ghost Town)

• Town found abandoned: no personnel, no chimney smoke, multiple burnt-out and bullet-damaged structures. Air heavy with ash and woodsmoke.
• AJ identified a multi-storey lumber workshop with signs of movement inside (unidentified occupants).
• Two unidentified figures observed moving through the structure as the squad passed.
• Contact avoidance action: vehicle repositioned to a side street. Princess assigned overwatch and security of the vehicle with standing orders to withdraw if Ambler and AJ did not return within 30 minutes.
• Ambler and AJ conducted a dismounted recon of the workshop - no further contact after a 15-minute observation period.

17 AprClinic, Kępno

• Squad regrouped and moved to a clinic west of the workshop in search of medical supplies.
• Clinic found pre-looted. Salvage limited to a Polish American Psycho poster (no tactical value).
• AJ, from the clinic rooftop, spotted an inbound Soviet UAZ-469B troop transport escorted by armed personnel on the main track.

17 AprEngagement at Kępno Clinic

• Ambush prepared on the rooftop; Princess briefed on the signal to initiate.
• Engagement sequence:
  • Princess opened with suppressive LMG fire as the vehicle drew level.
  • Ambler's grenade throw missed the target.
  • AJ engaged with sidearm, wounding the driver (dislocated right shoulder).
  • Enemy dismounts (disguised in civilian clothing) broke and scattered into the town; most fled the engagement outright.
  • Princess continued suppression, scoring a confirmed hit.
  • Casualty:AJ took a hit from Soviet small-arms fire during the exchange.
  • Remaining hostiles eliminated; one attempted to flee and was cut down by Ambler and AJ.
  • One wounded Soviet soldier (shattered hip) refused to disarm on AJ's order (given in Russian) and was neutralised when he attempted to bring his weapon to bear.
• Result: enemy patrol destroyed or routed. Troop transport confirmed empty on search.

17 AprConsolidation

• Squad recovered fuel (siphoned from the captured transport), enemy small arms, and miscellaneous supplies.
• Transport's cargo bed yielded a set of manacles and assorted unidentified items.

17 Apr, DuskOleśnica Approach

• Squad departed Kępno; sustained a blown tyre near Oleśnica, rendering the vehicle inoperable without repair.

Casualty Summary

• S1C Ambler - Radiation exposure. Monitoring.
• Monk - Shattered neck. Eleven days until recovery. Initially required intervention within minutes; tended by Princess, easing to checks every few hours.
• Ace - Internal bleeding. Thirteen days until recovery. Unable to run; movement limited to a crawl for the duration. Initially required intervention within minutes; tended by Ambler, easing to checks every few hours.
• Ewing - GSW (Soviet small-arms). Sustained during Kępno engagement, status at session end unclear.

LOG ENDS