Location: 1 km south of the village of Ladek Starey
Time: 1440 20 July 2000
<Lee takes the lead in the Red Star duece (the captured one) and everyone follows his lead to a point about
a klick south of the village (about halfway to the farmhouse that the individuals were spotted at).>
CPT Wolfe say, "let's get a hasty defense setup. Keep an eye or two out on our 6. What are the unfriendlys
doin'? Where they headed? Let's get our war faces on boys. We might have to plan a little surprise for some unexpected
guests." I rummage around in my ruck muttering, "I know I brought my Bouncing Betty collection home."
CPT Wolfe rummages through his ruck, then realizes that he used all his Bouncing Betties up...he does find several
claymores though.
Lee speaks to the group "Ok, here's the plan. Captain Cappanetti, you take Sergeant Brantley, the HMMMV with
the M-60 and whatever weapons you need. Set up an OP about 100 meters north of us, between the village and here.
See what the enemy has in that village. If they make a move towards you, pull back here. Meanwhile, the rest of
us will be digging in here. Captain Wolfe, if you're setting out mines, coordinate some safe routes for Cappanetti
and Brantley. If the enemy is weak enough, we hit them tonight. If not, we pull
out."
Lee looks at the other HMMMV and points at the tankbreaker. "Who knows how to operate that thing? I handled
one of those back in OCS and I'd rather someone who can actually hit something use it. Captain Wolfe, you're in
charge of the Mk-19 and tankbreaker. Make sure they are both manned at all times. We'll set up a laager here, the
HMMMV with tankbreaker facing the village, the trucks flanking it. I want the vehicles camoflauged and every
man in a foxhole. Nothing too elaborate, we may need to make a quick getaway. Martinez and Martinez, you're not
related are you? Anyways, we have two spare M203's, use em. Cutter, you have a radio, keep it ready in case our
scouts check in."
"Alright, if any of you grunts has any ideas, now is the time!"
Lee takes the spare M-249 and ammo and begins camoflauging the vehicles and digging foxholes. He issues the 4 villagers
who remained with the group the RPK, PK MG and AK-74. If they do not know how to use them, they stick with their
own weapons.
Brantley and Cappanetti jump into the humvee and move out. Brantley guns and Cappanetti drives.
About 5 minutes later the rattle of a machine gun is followed by a frantic call on the radio of "THIS IS RATTLER
1, CONTACT TROOPS NORTH OUT!!!!!"
Brantley screams "GET THE HELL OUTA HERE!!!!" as he fires his '60 in the direction of the troops.
As Cappanetti slams the humvee into reverse, Brantley dives into the cab, as the return fire slams into the humvee!
The rounds bounce off the engine and into Cappanetti! Cappanetti gurgles, then falls silent, except for raspy breathing.
Brantley pulls a smoke grenade off his LBE and tosses it in front of the humvee, giving himself a few precious
seconds. Brantley fires off a long burst from the '60 then reaches to check Cappanetti...he sees Cappanetti's chest
and realizes he's gone. "DAMN" mutters Brantley, and goes back to the '60. He fires another series of
bursts, to which he gets no return fire...
The smoke is beginning to thin, and Brantley needs to decide quickly. He keys the mike and sends the following
message "This is Viper 1, Rattler 1 zapped, victor is down. OVER!" Brantley readies another smoke grenade
as he kicks the radio bracket apart.
1700 meters south of the village of Ladek Starey
Time: 1450 20 July 2000
<About 300m north of the farm Ikeman calls a quick halt. He turns to SGM Stewart and says "how do you want
to approach the farm? One of us on the perimeter, covering or both move in?">
SGM Stewart tells Ikeman to cover him and to stand by on the radio in case its not a friendly reception he gets,
no sense both of them getting whacked.
SFC Ikeman dives behind cover after his last rush and nods his head to the SGM when he
gives him the security hand signal. Ikeman places the radio on the ground by his head,
and aims his M-4 at the barn, covering the SGMs movement.
SGM Stewart then begins to pick his way towards the house, keeping an eye out for any visible signs.
<CPT Whitedog glances about the farmhouse, looking for any sign of life. From the looks of the place, no one
has lived here in a few months...the farmer probably moved into the village for protection. Satisfied that he's
alone in the house, Whitedog eases back to the window and flips back his veil so he can get a better view. He brings
his PSG-1 up to his shoulder, ready to pop anyone that crosses his field of fire.>
Instead of waiting for the enemy to come to him, Ingle goes to them. Ingle slips out the backside of the barn,
picking his way towards the village. Knowing that he needs to get into position as possible, Ingle tries not to
break any branches, though occassionally he still does.
Ikeman, scanning the farm, hears movement to his left. He immediately swings his rifle to the left, but it takes
him a few seconds to acquire the source of the noise. He realizes that there is a bush that wasn't there a few
moments ago, a bush with a metallic branch...about 40 meters out.
About 250 meters north of the farm, Ingle freezes as he catches movement about 40 meters to his left. Focusing
on it, he realizes that he's looking down the barrel of a rifle!
Location: 2km East of Highway 43, 14 km Southeast of Ladek Starey
Time: 1250 20 July 2000
<As Pickett nears the truck, he catches a flash of movement near the rear of the truck. He instantly dives behind
cover and clicks the safety of his CAW off. Gunn picks up on Pickett's movement. Gunn then slowly begins a wide
sweep around the truck.
SFC Smith's eyes focus in the dimly lit bed of the truck, revealing that the bed contains nothing more than a few
blood stained bandages.>
SFC Smith continues to move with caution, but now with more haste, as he senses something not right......he quickly
takes inventory of everything in the truck and slowly proceeds to the passenger seats, moving with deliberate
caution and when he reaches the door, he hears "Identify your self! I'm Major Ron Pickett Army Medicine. Can
we talk? Ok to approach?"
Smith scans for the voice and spots the gaping maw of a shotgun aimed at him, a mere 40 meters away.
"Now, if you would kindly point your weapon away from me, I will do the same and we can converse."
SFC Smith thinks carefully before responding...