Situation Summary

Squad continued toward Wrocław following the vehicle delays recorded at Oleśnica. A tyre failure forced the unit off the road into forest cover, where contact was made - first with wildlife, then with an armed mounted patrol - and the squad was escorted into a self-organised settlement operating under its own chain of command.

Negotiation for safe passage cost the squad the majority of its supplies, the HMMWV and weapons. All personnel departed intact.

Chronological Log

17 Apr, EveningRoadside, En Route to Wrocław

• HMMWV tyre failure. AJ observed lights within a nearby forest during the halt.
• Vehicle pushed down the verge off the road and became stuck in mud.
• Medical: Ambler stabilised Ace and Princess stabilised Monk. Neither is now assessed at risk of death.
• AJ established camp and attempted concealment of the vehicle. Effectiveness unconfirmed.
• Squad ate and drank.

17 Apr, NightPerimeter Contact

• Weather: cloudy.
• Ambler held watch while the remainder rested. A glint was observed just beyond the bounds of the camp.
• Ambler roused Princess, who roused AJ. Moving to flank, the party heard growling.
• AJ found the HMMWV trunk standing open and a hole torn in the supplies.
• Princess, turning back toward the vehicle, found an animal in the supplies and engaged with LMG fire.
• Ambler, moving to respond, was attacked out of the darkness by a black German shepherd.
• Ambler fired his M4 one-handed. The shot missed, but the dog released its grip and withdrew.
• AJ ordered Princess to stand back and shot the wounded animal.
• Princess apologised for the breach. The trunk had been left open by Monk, who had wanted fresh air.
• Casualty:Ambler - dog bite. Wound checked and found clear of infection. Rabies exposure risk noted and unresolved.
• AJ restarted the fire and the squad discussed onward plans. Concern was raised that the gunfire may have drawn attention from the forest lights observed earlier.

17 Apr, NightContact with Forest Patrol

• AJ waylaid the camp in anticipation of an approach. AJ, Ambler and Princess set an ambush position in the treeline.
• Lights and horses were shortly seen and heard. Two mounted men approached.
• First man: shielded lantern in one hand, civilian pistol in the other. Military dress of no recognised pattern - not Polish, US or Soviet - bearing a collection of unidentifiable medals. Hilt of weapon visible across his back.
• Second man: hunting crossbow, also in military attire, of a different pattern again.
• Only word of Polish overheard and understood during the approach: "Gunfire".
• AJ revealed himself with arms raised. The two men conferred and AJ drew closer; parley opened over the patrol's horse ("Nice horse" / "Horse is good").
• AJ introduced himself under his civil engineer cover. Ambler emerged and offered "friend" in Polish.
• The patrol escorted AJ, Ambler and Princess back through the forest.

17 Apr, NightSettlement Contact - "Lakovia"

• Forest clearing containing timber huts of near-medieval construction, one with a pig pen.
• Sentries posted outside each building, armed with pistols or crossbows, each in different mismatched military dress.
• Weapons were demanded before entry to the large hut. AJ surrendered his sidearm - clearing the magazine, racking the action and catching the ejected round by hand - while retaining an undisclosed boot knife.
• Ambler and Princess surrendered their weapons as directed.
• Squad was offered rest and accepted. Quarters were a living room laid with floor pillows. Internal discussion was held on the nature of the settlement.

18 Apr, MorningLakovia - Leadership

• Weather: rain.
• A local woman brought bread and a poached egg - a considerable change from issue MREs.
• The previous night's guide escorted the squad back out. The settlement population was out and watching as they moved down the path.
• Met by the Chancellor- male, 50s, greying, sheets wrapped about him in the manner of a toga, wooden staff, glasses. Took the squad's names, ranks and skills.
• The Chancellor did not address Princess directly until Ambler introduced her as Private Monroe.
• The settlement was named as Lakovia. Squad was taken to see the Prince.

18 AprAudience with the Prince

• The Prince - male, 40s, somewhat overweight, red beard, one eye held wider than the other, hair pulled back in a braid, wearing a tiara. Seated on a wooden chair dressed with cheap colourful rugs.
• Attending: a bald man in a dog collar dressed as an army chaplain, and two young women seated either side in silk nightwear.
• Squad was advised to kneel before the Prince and complied, and were told they had won his approval.
• Ambler was required to prove himself a real fighter by stripping, and complied.
• AJ was asked for his educational papers. Having none, he offered advice instead on concealing the settlement from the air and the road.
• Result: the Prince was unimpressed by either demonstration.

18 AprNegotiation for Passage

• Opening demand: 60% of squad supplies, and Princess.
• Ambler countered with only 80% of squad supplies.
• Counter from the Prince: 80% of supplies, and Princess.
• Ambler countered with offering the HMMWV.
• Final terms from the Prince: 80% of supplies, the sniper rifle, the LMG and the HMMWV. No personnel surrendered.
• Ambler accepted for the squad.
• Squad was expelled from Lakovia and the agreed materiel was taken.

18 Apr, DayWithdrawal

• Weather: torrential rain.
• Monk was returned to squad custody in a wheelbarrow, with boards provided to carry him.
• Plan: move into the forest and hunker down.
• Movement order: Ace carried on Princess's shoulders, Monk on boards between AJ and Ambler.

Casualty Summary

• Ambler - Dog bite. Clean of infection; rabies exposure unresolved. Prior radiation exposure still under monitoring.
• Ewing - Gunshot wound carried over from the previous report, unresolved.
• Ace - Stabilised, no longer at risk of death. Movement still limited; carried throughout the withdrawal.
• Monk - Stabilised, no longer at risk of death. Non-ambulatory; transported by wheelbarrow and boards.
• Princess - Uninjured. Prior radiation exposure still under monitoring.

LOG ENDS