Location:Base Camp 20 km South of Kalisz
Time:1300 19 July 2000
<SSG Martinez speaks up "CPT Cappanetti, I suggest we move out no later than 0500, if these guys had a
radio, that means they were part of a larger unit. That means they have friends, friends who will come looking
for them. As for the prisoner...what caliber round do you want?">
CPT Cappanetti thinks for a few moments then speaks:
"Never one to mince words, are ya', Martinez? Well, see if y'all cain't get us a location on 12GTD... Then,
after ya' take his uniform and gear, finish'im real quiet and humane-like, if that's what yer wantin' ta' do. No
caps busted. Do 'im the kindness with yer knife, gentle-like. Then hang the skin where every muther-lovin' one
of 'em can see it after we leave, and do it right. If ya' don't have the heart for THAT, then tie 'im to tree and
maybe his friends' find 'im. Remember, no firing. We're sneaky ninjas now, not GI Joes no more.
Brantley, yer with me. Ah need a wire that'll be secure until dawn. You
an' Wolfe're relieved of responsibility for the prisoner. Martinez owns him now. I want somethin' that we can take
down in a hurry, in the dark.
Whaddya suggest?
We roll out at 0400, long before somebody starts thinkin' about catchin' us at dawn. We'll move real quiet like
and see if we can sneak up on some fat convoy armor or some unsecured armor while they're out foraging. Heh, Ah
reckon we might even be able to bust a bunker or two with some fourth o'july surprises Ah got in the deuce. Ain't
bottle rockets be-ooo-ty-ful?"
SSG Martinez turns to CPT Cappanetti "I'll be as gentle as can be" as he pulls out his knife and tests
the edge. SSG Martinez takes the prisoner and heads toward the far end of the perimeter, away from the rest of
the group.
CPT Cappanetti speaks again:
"CPT Wolfe, make sure the vehicles get topped off, then hook up the still to the Duece & a 1/2. That'll
keep the humvees free if we need 'em."
CPT Cappanetti then turns to Brantley:
"How many claymores ya' need for this line? What kind o'boobies can we leave 'em? Ah've got some extry special
boxes o' chocolate in the deuce, if ya' know what ah mean."
Brantley replies "I ain't the best at this blowing stuff up, I'm better at sneaking and peeking. Punji pits
are always fun to set."
CPT Cappanetti speaks again:
"Hopefully Martinez can get some info out of the prisoner, if not, I know a few shopkeepers on what used to
be our side of the line. Ask and ye shall receive!"
CPT Wolfe distributes the fuel to the vehicles (10 L to each of the humvees, 15 L to the Duece & 1/2), then
take a look at his maps.
SSG Martinez carries on his "conversation" with the prisoner (with Cutter translating). Martinez practices
noise discipline and gags the prisoner before a little more encouragement. After a few hours and many strips of
skin, Martinez and Cutter conclude that the prisoner knows nothing more, other than his unit is somewhere to the
north, on the edge of the forest. Martinez says he'll watch over the prisoner until it's time to let him go.
SSG Martinez reports to CPT Cappanetti that the prisoner knows nothing further, and he should last the night...maybe.
Brantley sets another claymore out (for a total of 2) and digs a half dozen or so punji pits. Brantley points them
out to everyone, so that no one decides to step on them.
CPT Wolfe looks at his maps, and picks out several likely convoy routes. Wolfe shows these to Cappanetti and they
discuss them. After consulting with Brantley, Cutter, and SGM Martinez, CPT Cappanetti points out the most promising
routes. "I'll make the final decision on our route come morning."
During the night, SSG Cutter gets a little jumpy, as he hears movement in the brush. He uses his NVGs (Night Vision
Goggles) and quickly realizes it 's just some deer.
The last rotation guard rotation wakes everyone at 0300, to prepare for movement.