Going Home: At Sea

15 Nov 2000 1200H. Aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73).

Quarters on board the overloaded flagship were spartan. Lt. Col. Maksymilian (“Maks”) Zając at least had the rank to avoid hot-bunking, but poor Wojciech wasn’t so fortunate.

The rest of his party was at least on board the same ship, but they’d been reassigned, hopefully temporarily. They barely had time before boarding to hurriedly sell off some last bit of stuff to the Germans, who paid little.

Triage with his equipment

Each person is only allowed 100kg equipment allowance across the Atlantic, so my brother made careful lists, and let go of quite a bit of gear. (I’ll attach his final list at the end of the post.)

He was going back through old notes, and noted that he’d looted 8 blades and 10 rolls of textiles from the defeated marauder Krol, but we’d never determined what exactly they were.

So, he asked me, what type and quality were the blades and cloth?

For a quick random roll, I reversed the Equipment Availability table for a different use.

I used the “Town” row, and told him to roll a d10. If the roll was 8 – 10, the blades and cloth would be Very Common, 5-7 Common, 2 – 4 Scarce, and 1 Rare.

Here are his rolls, first the blades, then the cloth.

For the Blades, one of the rolls was a “1”. I told him he could decide what the sword was, within reason.

For the Cloth, he got three “1”s(!). Likewise, those could be silk, ballistic cloth, or whatever.

Status Decline

After the heady days of leading 300 men across Europe, now Maks was experiencing the hangover. The only person left under his command at the moment was Wojciech [“Voy-check”]. And the brass seemed really unhappy with him.

Maks has few contacts left in the Army. Many of his contacts were German or Polish, and left behind in Europe. Of his contacts in the US Army before the July offensive, a half-dozen were MIA or KIA, 4 died of cancer or disease, and one of untreated diabetes.

The passage across the Atlantic is expected to take 10 days.

Maks decided to make the best of the next week-and-a-half at sea. On the Washington, he was among many veterans of the war in Europe. Maks explored the tight passageways through the carrier to carouse. Make new Contacts. Learn what others have seen in Europe. He had a notion to write an oral history of the war.

Captain Resper

The officer who’d been the observer during Maks’ contentious debrief showed up again, saluted.

“Would you mind if we spoke down in the carrier’s hangar deck?” the enigmatic captain asked.

On the way down, they made polite small talk about life on board the aircraft carrier. Maks noted the captain had a name on his uniform this time. “Resper”. Once down on the hangar deck, Maks could see why Resper wanted to speak there. The cavernous space was noisy, with maintenance crews and machinery. Nobody that wasn’t standing right there could hear them talk.

Resper told Maks he was with the DIA. In contrast with the Army colonel, Resper liked Maks’ record, and his feats in Operation Omega. In Europe, he led with initiative and decisiveness, witnesses testified. And Maks’ choices show he’s always focused on the greater good.

“I don’t know how much you’ve heard about conditions back in the US, Colonel.”

“America is circling the drain“.

MilGov only has a small fraction of country in firm control, and that area has been shrinking. Isolated enclaves around the country are menaced by large armed militant groups, with little or no supply lines. Mexico holds much of the US Southwest. The Russians have moved in to stay in Alaska.

“Norfolk’s comms were down for 3 weeks until a part was brought in… from somewhere. We had to use ship radios just to contact Fort Dix, and from there, get orders from Colorado.”

“We have no more satellites… No air… We are blind.”

The DIA is employing small teams to range far and wide into uncontrolled territory. To be the eyes and ears of the decision-makers of our country. Recover important assets. Eliminate threats.

Captain Resper wanted Maks’ party to join this effort.

Maks signaled his interest, but had two issues:

He’d lost contact with wife and daughter, who’d been transported to America back in ’97. They’d been in Sacramento first, and then in the Puget Sound region, and then nothing. No letters or information.

Resper replied: “You work for us, we’ll work for you.” He took down their names, personal info. Will look up military records. Also they may have signed up at some point for a Blue Card – registration for emergency benefits which could indicate location.

Maks requested an amnesty for actions taken in Europe. Resper said that the military inquiry needed to run its course. As long as Maks was truthful in his debrief, Resper could and would advocate for him. “No dead babies, Colonel?” he asked. Maks shook his head.

With that, Resper asked “Are you ready to hit the ground running?”

Maks agreed. The captain produced an official DoD letter placing Maks and his men on detached duty with Defense Clandestine Service (DCS), Directorate of Operations, DIA.

New Jersey

Resper produced an annotated map of the central East Coast of the US. Maks suppressed a gasp at the pitiful state of MilGov’s strategic holdings.

It was grim. The naval base at Norfolk had been damaged from a near-miss nuke, but was still operating at reduced capacity. Just to the north, the former Coast Guard station in Cape May, New Jersey had been upgraded to Naval Base status, and was relieving Norfolk of some ships. There was somewhat regular naval traffic between them.

MilGov only controlled the area immediately surrounding Norfolk, Cape May, and Fort Dix. Plus the Navy had control of the coast.

Outside those areas, every family and community was on its own.

CivGov’s activities weren’t well understood, save that they had an enclave in the Maryland/Virginia region, presumably capitalizing on pre-war assets of the federal government, those that hadn’t gone up in nuclear fire.

Our first “America scenario” won’t actually be a published module.

“A Rock in Troubled Waters” is an excellent Twilight 2000 article in Challenge Magazine, issue 42. It details New Jersey in post-war America, and links Going Home with the modules set in the United States.

MilGov has identified New Jersey as an important objective to reassert central authority. The Navy has decent control of the coast, but no more. The region has well-watered farmland, now mostly gone fallow from predation. Plus it’s crucial to establish supply line by land between CMNB and Ft. Dix – land convoys are threatened by local marauders.

Geography and the burnt-out, radioactive ruins in Philadelphia and along the Delaware river isolates the area. Fort Dix controls the potential bottleneck. Once control is established, MilGov should be able to maintain order in southern New Jersey. Garrisons at the bases will be boosted from new enlistments from Europe.

DCS directs Maks team to scout the region of southern NJ.

Assess attitudes of the locals, taking the guise of Census workers.
Record dispositions of armed groups in the region, and their affiliations.
Pathfind viable, securable highway routes between CMNB and Ft. Dix.

Other notes:

The Pine Barrens dominate the area (noted in dark green outline on the map). Marshy land increasingly sandy toward the coast. Thickly forested, and good shelter for those who don’t want to be found.

There is good farmland on west side of the Barrens.

Barrier islands run all the way up the coast, offering refuge to non-ocean-going traffic. Small rivers penetrate into the interior.

CivGov spies are probably in area. Rules of Engagement: You can’t kill them, but you can and should inconvenience them, and thwart their plans.

Maks wanted to know what to do if they shoot at him… Resper replied, “Then defend yourself. But remember that your operations here will always have a political dimension. Let them be the bad guys.”

Appendix: Maks’ Team Gear

GOLD

Combined: [carried by Maks at all times = 2.5kg, $119,000]

$1000 in gold coins from Object 266 map era

$100,000 from T72 sale

$18000 from gold teeth

Ammunition

Combined: [74kg, $3750]

4.7mm Cls – case of 1800 [10kg, $1300]
9mm Makarov – boxes totaling 500 rounds [5kg, $67]
9mmx39 SP-6 AP – 5x box of 100rds [3kg, $600]
5.45mm B – 2x case of 840 [20kg, $200]
7.62x63mm PZAM – 2x box of 50 [2kg, $750]
7.62mm T – boxes totaling 1000 rounds [14kg, $100]
7.62mm L – 1x case of 600 [15kg, $70]

Communications

Combined [45kg, $15,000]

AN/VRC-91A Singcars Secure Manpack/Vehicular Radio – x2: This is a version of the US Singcars radio. This radio has a short range of 8km/35km. It can be man portable or mounted in a vehicle. This unit has a built in frequency-hopping unit. Any radio can communicate with any other by means of a special frequency-hopping unit that changes frequency (all 2300 of them) at 30-second intervals so that it is almost impossible to listen in on a conversation for any long period of time. However, both radios must be on a same link to be able to communicate. A Vinson scrambling module may be added for maximum security. [Wt: 15kg; Price: $6000]
Broadcast Monitoring Equipment: This kit, combined with an electronics repair kit, permits characters with Electronics skill to listen in on cellular phones, radios and other broadcast signals, provided that the operating frequency of the broadcast source is known. Wt: 1 kg; Price $400 (C/R)

Audio Recorder, Advanced: The advanced recorder has better recording quality, including the ability to record a greater sound range (including ultrasonic and subsonic), varied playback speeds, and so on. Wt: Simple, 0.3 kg; advanced, 2 kg ; Price: Simple, $75 (V/V); advanced, $750, (S/S)
Audio Recording Cartridge x 168hrs: A cassette that records sounds from an audio recorder. Available in one-, two-, three- and six-hour versions. Wt: Negligible. Price: $1 per hour of recording time.
Parabolic Booster: A small dish-shaped booster used to increase the range and acuity of a sound amplifier 30 times. The booster also allows the user to zero in on specific sources and eliminates confusing background noise. Wt 0.2kg; $60 (R/R)
Radio Direction Finder: A specialized radio receiver designed to determine the specific direction a particular radio broadcast is coming from. These are useful for a variety of tasks. Getting a directional fix using one of these is a task (Easy: Electronics) and requires one minute (provided that the signal stays on the air that long). The result is a compass bearing, not a distance. Two or three such RDF units, spaced far apart, can get two or more bearings for triangulation of broadcast source. Wt 2 kg; Price. $1500 (C/C).
AN/GRA-39A Radio Set Control Group (x2 complete kits): This unit consists of two pieces: one is attached to the antenna and the other to the radio, connected by WD-1. This system allows both the radio and its human operator to be up to one mile from the antenna, thus removing them from danger. To set up the AN/GRA-39A requires WD-1 along with a successful Electronics: ESY task completion. Use of this device is Electronics: ESY task. Wt: 15 kg Cost: $2000
WD-1 Telephone Line
- 1/4 Mile Spool x1
- This line is highly useful for a wide variety of purposes, including, but not limited to, the laying of telephone lines. It is also used in wiring remote electronic detonators, claymore mines, or trip wires—or simply stringing something up. The cost of the wire includes a linesman set—a leather belt pouch containing a set of wire cutters/strippers, a roll of electrical tape, and a pocketknife. The WD-1 comes in three size reels—one mile (1609m), one-half mile (805m), and one-quarter mile (402m). Weight: (1 mile) 22 kg (1/2 mile) 10 kg (1/4 mile) 5 kg; Cost: (1 mile) $200 (1/2 mile) $75 (1/4 mile) $35 (all)
TA-312/PT Field Telephone: This small, rugged, battery-operated, field telephone is quite common in US Army field organizations. It is used, for the most part, in areas where units are planning to stay for an extended period of time. The field telephone unit consists of a handset, as well as a box-like base that has a hand crank. To set the unit up requires WD-1 telephone line (commo wire), run to a switchboard or destination phone, and an Electronics: ESY task completion. Wt: 2.5 kg Cost: $250 (C/S)
TA-1 Field Telephone – x2: Requires commo wire to link it to other field telephones. Secure unless the wire is tapped. Includes 30m of commo wire. Sound-powered. Wt 3kg; Price $200

Repair/Maintenance

Combined: [45kg, $5000]

Siphoning and fuel transfer supplies (mini-pump, siphon hose, funnels, etc)
Wheeled Vehicle Tools [10kg, $500]
Tracked Vehicle Tools [15kg, $1000]
Small Arms Tools [5kg, $200]
Electrical Repair Tools – x2 [6kg, $1000]
Electronic Repair Tools – x2 [6kg, $2000]
Cans of camouflage paint [1kg, $100]
Case of duct tape [1kg, $100]
Bullhorn [1kg, $100]

NBC

Combined [15kg, $4000 total]

Chemical Protective Over garment (CPO) x6 [12kg, $1200]
- The Chemical Protective Over garment (CPO) suit is the Navy’s current issued garment used to protect the wearer from all known chemical agents and has a ten year shelf life in its sealed container. Once the CPO suit is removed from its sealed container bag, it is good for a total cumulative wear time of 100 hours within 30 days after opening. The foil bag and plastic over bag should be retained for stowage of uncontaminated CPOs between uses. In a contaminated environment the suit will provide six hours of protection. Although the CPO suit provides good skin coverage, it provides no special protection against biological contamination. Currently issued one per USMC Solider Weight 2 kg, Price: $200
Geiger Counter [.5kg, $500]
Optical Chemical Sensor [2kg, $2000]
M256 Chemical Detector Kits x10 [1kg, $200]
M291 Skin Decontamination Kit x5 [Nil, $225]
- The M291 Skin Decontamination Kit consists of a wallet-like carrying pouch containing six individual decontamination packets, enough to perform three complete skin decontaminations. Each packet contains an applicator pad filled with decontamination powder. The M291 allows you to completely decontaminate your skin through physical removal, absorption, and neutralization of toxic agent with no long-term harmful effects. This item is for external use only it may be slightly irritating to eyes or skin. Be sure to keep the decontamination powder out of eyes, cuts, or wounds, and avoid inhalation of the powder. Decontamination is accomplished by application of a black decontamination powder contained in the applicator pad. Application to skin exposed to contamination is explained in the technical manual. Weight: Nil, Price: $45

Diving

Combined: [58kg, $2000]

Rebreather x2 [20kg, $800]
Rebreather Recharge Kit x4 [20kg, $400]
Dry Suit x2 [10kg, $250]
Davies Occasional Divers Kit (ODK) [1kg, $250]
- The Davies ODK allows the submersion and operation of virtually any two-way radio. All OSK’s and ODK’s feature a fully submersible single-sided TASC1 Headset, a sealed Junction Box with a Clothing Clip and a tactile PTT Switch. For non-waterproof radios a Waterproof Radio Carry Bag with a zipper is utilised.
Diving Light x2: Very broad flashlight, Runs 10 hours on four batteries [1kg, $100]
Underwater Carrier: A sealed container to transport weapons, ammunition and equipment underwater. This cylindrical container is 1.5 meters long and about 0.4 meter in diameter. It opens like a clamshell for ease of access, and contains several straps and lashing rings to secure gear inside. When sealed, the container will protect its contents from water damage. By inflating or deflating several internal flotation/ballast bladders, its buoyancy can be adjusted to enable it to float, sink, or be neutral (preferable for hauling gear long distances underwater). Pulling a lever will inflate several emergency bladders, making the loaded container capable of supporting the weight of an average person as well. The carrier has sever rings as well as straps to pull the carrier underwater (or carry over land). The container can carry up to 50 kilograms of equipment, and when neutrally buoyant, has the same effect on a swimmer as light personal equipment. The weight given below is empty. The carrier weighs this plus the weight of any contents when out of the water. [6kg, $170]

Total of all personal gear below = 232kg

Personal Gear – Maks

Total = 34kg

Makarov (concealed silencer) 1kg
G11 4kg
Fatigues 1kg
Kevlar Helmet .5kg
Kevlar Vest 4kg

Combat Webbing [empty = 2kg, full = 18.5kg] containing:

Polish cavalry sabre 3kg
M42A2 Combat Vehicle Crewman Mask: The M42A2 series mask has the same components as the M40A1 with an additional built-in microphone for wire communication. The filter canister is attached to the end of the hose with an adapter for CPFU connection. Weight: 3 kg Price: $230
Flashlight .2kg
Dagger .3kg
Personal Medical Kit .2kg
Magazines, Personal Weapon x8 6kg
Magazines, Sidearm x3 1kg
Maps, regional and world
AN/PRC-139 Hand Radio:
- This radio operates over either the 30-88 MHz, 136-174 MHz, or 403-470 MHz bands, depending on what transceiver is installed. (Changing transceivers is a task requiring a Phillips screwdriver and no special skills.) It features an embedded Vinson (scrambler) module. The radio may also function as a modem, at a data rate of 16 kbps. This radio is in use by most US forces, particularly the US Army and Air Force. Short range is 2 km. Weight: 1.35 kg; Price: $1,000
25x Image Intensifier [1kg, $2500]
Light Intensifier Goggles [.5kg, $1800]
- These amplify existing light thousands of times, rather than heat emanating from objects and people. They have the same range as IR Goggles when used in the passive mode, but double their range and allow for better short-range vision clarity when used in the active mode. The drawback to active mode is that the goggles are acting as a flashlight and show up clearly to starlight scopes, IR goggles, thermal vision, and passive/active IR viewers.

Backpack containing [empty = 2kg, full = 8kg]:

Thermal Fatigues 6kg
Spare outfits
- Original Polish Uniform
- Alternative identity emblems and papers to disguise his original uniform as a fictitious Major in a Polish combat engineering brigade
- Contemporary US uniform
- Civilian Disguise – Wealthy/Leader
- Civilian Disguise – Academic/Engineer

Personal Gear – Woj

Total = 38kg

VSS Vintorez 5kg
PB silenced Makarov pistol 1kg
HK-79 grenade launcher 2kg
Fatigues 1kg
Kevlar Helmet .5k g
Kevlar Vest 4kg

Combat Webbing [empty = 2kg, full = 16.5kg] containing:

M42A2 Combat Vehicle Crewman Mask: The M42A2 series mask has the same components as the M40A1 with an additional built-in microphone for wire communication. The filter canister is attached to the end of the hose with an adapter for CPFU connection. Weight: 3 kg Price: $230
Flashlight .2kg
Combat Knife .3kg
Personal Medical Kit .2kg
Magazines, Personal Weapon – x8 6kg
Magazines, Sidearm – x3 1kg
AN/PRC-139 Hand Radio: This radio operates over either the 30-88 MHz, 136-174 MHz, or 403-470 MHz bands, depending on what transceiver is installed. (Changing transceivers is a task requiring a Phillips screwdriver and no special skills.) It features an embedded Vinson (scrambler) module. The radio may also function as a modem, at a data rate of 16 kbps. This radio is in use by most US forces, particularly the US Army and Air Force. Short range is 2 km. Weight: 1.35 kg; Price: $1,000
Lockpick Tools [.5kg, $20]
Light Intensifier Goggles [.5kg, $1800]
- These amplify existing light thousands of times, rather than heat emanating from objects and people. They have the same range as IR Goggles when used in the passive mode, but double their range and allow for better short-range vision clarity when used in the active mode. The drawback to active mode is that the goggles are acting as a flashlight and show up clearly to starlight scopes, IR goggles, thermal vision, and passive/active IR viewers. Weight 0.5kg; Price $1800 (S/S)
4x Day/Night Sight (mounted to Vintorez): This telescopic sight combines both magnification and night vision. It uses light intensification for night vision. Weight: 1.45 kg; Price: $1850 (S/R)
Infrared Aiming Light (mounted to Vintorez): This weapon, when properly boresighted to a weapon, provides a dot of light similar to that of an Aimpoint Laser Sight. This dot, however, is visible only to those using night vision devices. Maximum range of sight for this dot is 600 meters. These devices were first used by Coalition forces during Desert Storm. Allows +2 to hit when properly fitted and sighted. Weight: 0.13 kg; Price: $350 (S/R)

Backpack [empty = 2kg, full = 12kg] containing:

Thermal Fatigues 6kg
Breaching hand tools: Hacksaw w/ blades, crowbar, bolt cutters
Spare Outfits 3kg
- Civilian disguise – Worker/Tradesman
- Civilian disguise – Poor/Scavenger

Personal Gear – Standard +4 Gear

Total = 40kg so x4 = 160kg

Sidearm 1kg
Rifle 5kg
Fatigues 4kg
Kevlar Helmet .5kg
Kevlar Vest 4kg

Combat Webbing [empty = 2kg, full = 16kg] containing:

M42A2 Combat Vehicle Crewman Mask: The M42A2 series mask has the same components as the M40A1 with an additional built-in microphone for wire communication. The filter canister is attached to the end of the hose with an adapter for CPFU connection. Weight: 3 kg Price: $230
Flashlight .2kg
Dagger .3kg
Personal Medical Kit .2kg
Magazines, Personal Weapon x8 6kg
Magazines, Sidearm x3 1kg
AN/PRC-139 Hand Radio:
- This radio operates over either the 30-88 MHz, 136-174 MHz, or 403-470 MHz bands, depending on what transceiver is installed. (Changing transceivers is a task requiring a Phillips screwdriver and no special skills.) It features an embedded Vinson (scrambler) module. The radio may also function as a modem, at a data rate of 16 kbps. This radio is in use by most US forces, particularly the US Army and Air Force. Short range is 2 km. Weight: 1.35 kg; Price: $1,000
25x Image Intensifier [1kg, $2500]
Light Intensifier Goggles [.5kg, $1800]
- These amplify existing light thousands of times, rather than heat emanating from objects and people. They have the same range as IR Goggles when used in the passive mode, but double their range and allow for better short-range vision clarity when used in the active mode. The drawback to active mode is that the goggles are acting as a flashlight and show up clearly to starlight scopes, IR goggles, thermal vision, and passive/active IR viewers.