The Great Escape

[Reltzik]

OOC thread: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15527228#post15527228


March 21st, 1942, 10:30 AM.

A dozen German Army troop transport trucks bearing the eagle and swatsika of the Luftwaffe sputtered their way along a dirt road to a camp outside of Sagan, in eastern Germany. Accompanying them were ten military motorcycles, two with sidecars, and two open-roofed staff vehicles. All of the trucks were tented, shielding the transported troops from the elements. One near the front (behind only the staff cars) had its back flack open, allowing the grim faced German soldiers gripping rifles to look out on the countryside. The flaps on the others were down and hooked into place, and extra care had been taken to cover the grommets. These contained RAF prisoners of war.

Two had already tried to escape, by jumping out the back of their trucks at thirty miles per hour, hoping for the dust and some shrubs for cover. They'd been returned scraped, bruised, and dusty for their efforts. One had a twisted ankle. Everyone had heard the warning shots being fired into the air before they'd promptly surrendered. The German soldiers who had returned them wore stone faces hinting at a mix of scorn and exasperation.

Sentries opened the front gates to the camp. The trucks pulled into a precise line abreast, and thirty German riflemen with weapons at ready (though not... quite... aimed at the trucks) formed a line twenty yards behind the prisoner vehicles. Only then were the flaps drawn up, and the prisoners motioned out at gunpoint.

By and large, these prisoners were in good health. Each had a dress uniform, either an original or a replacement issued by the Luftwaffe, with full insignia and honors. Partly this was due to the Luftwaffe's insistence on affording courtesies due to prisoners' ranks (and no one present had any doubt but that the Gestapo or the SS would have been less accomodating), but it was also a measure of their determination that the prisoners should be easilly and immediately identifiable on sight.

An orderly headcount was done. Prisoner faces were compared to photographs. When the count was short, the trucks were searched and a final prisoner found, having contorted himself to fit under a riding bench. Transfer orders were signed, countersigned, stamped, and witnessed. Finally, the prisoners were let free to wander the compound, save for one with the four cuff-rings of a group captain, who was lead into a squat office labeled "Kommandant".

These prisoners begin wandering about the sections of the camp they were permitted access to. They have been told that there will be no escapes from this camp, and most of them see that as a challenge. Many of them subtly (but obviously to the expert eye, and there aren't many eyes here which weren't expert) looked around for weaknesses -- gauging the placement of the guard towers, the height of the fences, the quality of the dirt and how it would hold up to tunnelling, the distance to the trees, the construction force of Russian prisoners being lined up to exit the camp. But others make more mundane assessments -- looking into the long prisoner cabins that would be their homes, examining the sanitation facilities and the exercise fields, and looking around for familiar faces.

A small clump of about half a dozen forms, people who knew each other from previous camps...

((We're on a roughly 15-minutes of game time to 1 day of real time schedule while you get to know the camp and hatch your plans. If the entire group gets involved in a verbatum conversation I'll relax that a bit, but try to make posts summarizing conversation rather than word for word. Have at it!

Things that you can notice without actively trying to find them out:
The camp is laid out like a box within a box. The prisoner area consists of 15 long cabins for lower-ranking officers, 4 shorter cabins for more senior officers, a rec hall, and a kitchen. There's also a wide open field where inmates can play football, rugby, and so forth. About thirty feet away from the exterior buildings (and the play field) is a low wire, held about one foot off the ground by stakes. This is the "line of death", and you know from previous camps that crossing it is grounds for the machine gunners in the towers to open fire, though they're usually nice about making the first volley warning shots. Ten feet past the line of death is the main fence. The fence is fifteen feet tall and made of two sections of barbed mesh, five feet apart, suspended between fifteen foot posts and topped by coils of more barbed wire. It can in theory be climbed without serious injury if one is careful, or cut through with wire cutters if you can find any, but you'd be easilly spotted. Every 50 yards along this fence is a guard tower, manned by a single watchful soldier in full battle dress and equipped with a spotlight and a heavy machine gun. Past the fence the woods have been cut back about fifty feet.

To the east is the guards' section of the camp, which consists of several long huts you haven't been permitted to examine. Presumably they include an armory and two or three barracks, and possibly a vehicle shop. Clearly labeled in German is the command building (equipped with a radio antenna) and the infirmary. There's also a large cinderblock and cement building (the only one in camp not made of wood), which is clearly the isolation cells, or "cooler" in prisoner slang. There is a double gate between this section and the prisoner section, with the inner door opening inward and the outer opening outwards. They are latched but not locked. Each double gate has four armed Germans guarding it, in support range of the ones guarding the other double-gate, and in clear view of four guard towers. A pair of double gates leads from the guard section of the camp to the road leading north, presumably towards the local town. It's accompanied by power lines, or telephone lines, or both. You can't see past the woods, though, and have no idea what lies beyond the treeline or how far away it lies.

There are several guards equipped with full battle dress (sans grenades) and whistles patrolling the prisoner area. These guards are universally known as "Goons" by the prisoners, and one early prisoner managed to convince most of the prison system that the name stands for "German Officer Or Noncom", so they don't mind the appellation. In most camps these are common soldiers, with only the actual officers being Luftwaffe, and generally they're okay chaps if you're not insulting them or trying to escape. The Luftwaffe is known for giving the courtesy due to rank to captured prisoners and abiding by the Geneva convention. Whether any of this holds true in this camp is unknown.

More details may become known as you investigate.))

[EriktheRed]

Captain Luther "Scarface" Pope

A mountain of a man paces the grounds available to the prisoners to roam freely, like the others mentally probing the camp for weaknesses, counting guard towers, making a note of the distances between them, checking sight lines. A sigh escapes his lips, betraying the grim determination on his scarred face. Escape from here might be impossible, but he didn't sign up to be a guest of the damned Jerries, he signed up to kick'em in the slats. After pacing the grounds and greeting the fellow prisoners that he recognizes, he heads to the bunkhouse to give it a once over as well.

[Brett Nortje]

Joeseph

Joeseph longs to get out of here! it is like... too unhappy. he will try to get a radio set up in the log cabins, but for that he will need some parts of radios or something... or something else. the only problem is, who would be listening?

Joeseph wanders around the football field for a while, looking forwards to fouling people. he likes that, cheating. he is also racist! he likes white people only, so will get along with the guards. he thinks of a way to get into the pockets of the sentries, but that will take something special.

Remembering a trick he learned from someone back in france, he tries to spot whether any of the soldiers is gay. if he can do that, maybe he will have something to threaten the guard with - showing him to be gay - and then get a foot into the escape. he surveys all the guards he can.

[Mr White]

Jan 'Jaco' Coppens

Jan wandered around seemingly aimlessly. Just casually walking from one spot to the other without really focussing on any possible tactical weakpoint.
All he was doing at this time was catalogueing every POW and guards face, rank and behaviour. Jaco saw people already devising escape plans and guards being aware of all but the most subtle of first estimates. No use in joining the first rash escape attempts if they are going about it this obviously. First he needed a feel for the prison regime and the most capable of POWs.

[Waitingnomad]

Tommy glanced around the grounds long enough to get a general feel for the layout of the area. He knew he'd be spending enough time here that he needn't let himself stand out by making his surveillance obvious; that would be done over time, with seemingly innocuous observation. On the first day, the guards would be casing everyone out, trying to judge the highest escape risks. Of course, their histories were doubtless laid out in their respective prisoner profiles, but the chances of each guard having bothered to read it were slim to none. No, only the prisoners that truly stood out were ever likely to have the guards all briefed in their histories, and he doubted strongly that any guard here would understand the significance of his tattoos, should they ever get close enough to see them. Instead, Tommy scanned the people. He looked for those that could provide allies, that could provide unnecessary risks or useful skillsets that could aid him in his escape. It was easy enough to catalogue the new arrivals by their facsimile dress uniforms, anyway. After a time spent peoplewatching- something Tommy did similarly subtly so as to avoid anyone trying to start a fight with him for casing them out, He moved towards the bunkhouse to get an idea of their living conditions. After all, if someone started a fight with him, he would be forced to defend himself, and once you show your strength in prison its difficult to remain unnoticed. Whether he won or lost, he would become known, which right now was something he didn't want.

[Reltzik]

Luther (and anyone else who checks the bunkhouses later):

There are two types of bunkhouses. One, for lower ranks, are essentially just long rooms with bunk beds and cabinets, enough for 40 each. The door is at one end of the length, and at the other is a group shower. It looks like something out of boot camp. The other type, for more senior officers, has a pair of rooms with bunks for ten people, with a common table, a few chairs, and dressers. It also has a couple of rooms with two beds each, a table, chairs, and a full-sized cabinet. They also have a smaller bath, not exactly private but better than the lower-rankers' bunkhouse. All the rooms have electrical lighting and stoves for warmth.

Both types of bunkhouse are wood construction, basically 2x4s nailed in place over a wood frame and varnished (not painted) and a sloped roof suggesting that it snows here. There's glass windows, with external wooden shutters that the Goons can open and close at will. There's no locks on any of the doors, but there is a latch on the external doors that the Goons can padlock. The bunkhouses have been raised off the ground by 3 feet, and it's very easy to crawl under them; this is probably to make it difficult to tunnel out, as the Goons could easily check underneath. The foundation is held up by brick-and-cement squares about three feet wide, except for the ones underneath the plumbing facilities and stoves, which are about six feet wide.

Jan and Tommy:
You're slowly building up your mental profiles. It'll be a while. You do spot several escape attempts in progress. Some seem genuine attempts, while others seem to be about testing the guards.

Joeseph:
No response from the guards in any sense. It's possible that the gay community among the guards here uses a different set of signals than those in France. Or that there isn't much of a gay community among the guards.

[EriktheRed]

Captain Luther "Scarface" Pope


Luther notes the raised buildings. "Not going to be pulling a Monte Cristo here," he thinks to himself. "Unless..." he ponders, noting the wider supports under certain areas of the building. He goes inside, and takes a look at the wooden floor around the stove, looking to see if he could pry up a board to access the inside of the brick support under it, either as a possible entry point for a tunnel, or as a potential hiding place for contraband.

[Brett Nortje]

Joeseph

I decide to try to make a weedgy/oudja/oudjie board out of cardboard and use an eye piece or glass to contact the spirit world. i want to know everything about some of the guards, or, one of the guards, so that i can speak to him about his past, claiming to be a prophet that has visions!

Can i make this board? are you familiar with it?

If that doesn't work out, then i want to learn german with the guards, so, that when i escape this filthy dinge hole, i can speak to the towns people without being found out...

[Phelix-Mu]

Michael Shaunessy (Rain)

Michael is worried about the possibly imminent discovery of his having given the Germans false technical info. While this may or may not end up with him getting shot, what he's really worried about is more face time with interrogators and more questions.

Accordingly, Michael wants to carve out a place for himself here, so that when the decision is made about whether to punish the Irishman further for his deception, there is at least the thought that having him in the camp isn't such a terrible thing.

Yet it's also important to make friends with capable POWs, who remain the best chance for getting out of here eventually. A spy's cover is never 100% impenetrable, so getting out is a priority.

Accordingly, Michael goes about looking carefully at the uniforms, posture, gait, and general demeanor of the POWs. Michael is good at sizing people up, and makes a note of those that look nervous, fidgety, or strung out. These are in contrast to those with good composure, those that purposefully walk about, and any that seem in good spirits (often a sign of people that feel that this new prison is more of a challenge than a final resting place). Anyone that seems chatty is noted, and Michael eagerly awaits the developments of the in-camp pecking order, which will reveal a great deal about which lot he would be best off cooperating with.

Finally, Michael's main quarry are the guards and officers. He clings within earshot of any guards, listening for their accents and syntax. It's unlikely that the guards are gossiping much on a day of such import, but any that do venture to speak now are likely to loosen up considerably in the long days and nights to come. Their posture is also noted, in an attempt to see who is more relaxed about this day's big events, who is nervous, and who is highly professional.

While doing all of this, Michael feigns interest in the same things that everyone else is looking at, and generally sticks near any clusters of POWs to reduce chances that he'll stand out. He knows that any security measures here are deliberate, systematic, and thorough, in that classically German manner, but with extra attention due to the high profile. A serious inspection can wait for a less auspicious time.

Wow. I might need to tone down my post length. Please tell me if it's problematic.

[Waitingnomad]

Entering the bunkhouse himself and familiarising himself with its layout, Tommy notices the large man carefully examining the supports- and it doesn't take a large leap of the imagination to deduce he is searching for a means of facilitating an escape.

"'Ello there" says Tommy in neutral tones, keeping some distance from the man whilst he speaks in case he decides to react violently. Hopefully, Tommy thinks, this man can be of some use during an escape attempt- and keeping company with such a... noticeable fellow could be good, as noone would think twice about his own actions.

[EriktheRed]

Captain Luther "Scarface" Pope

Luther grunts noncommittally in response to being hailed as he examines the support structure around the stove.

[Waitingnomad]

Moving forwards and crouching down beside the large man, Tommy had a look at the stove, before commenting further "We'd need a few men, and some tools, to get in there. Don't reckon there's no way to budge that stove without causing some obvious structural damage, but it could make quite the little nook for keeping a few bits and bobs out of Jerry's way, if you get my drift." He shoots the man a crooked half-smile as he speaks, relaxing his body language so as to appear as non-confrontational as possible.

[Reltzik]

I'll say it's about 10:30 AM now.

Luther and Tommy (and anyone else who checks out the stoves):

The stoves are set on a tiled square corresponding to the support, probably because putting a stove on a wood floor was deemed a fire hazard. Pulling up a tile reveals a layer of solid cement. It looks like they made a square of bricks, and filled the interior with concrete. The plumbing and stove footings do not appear to be load-bearing. The stoves themselves can be moved with two men (or just someone built like Luther), assuming it isn't too hot. Its only connection is a chimney pipe going out the roof.

Joeseph:

I won't make any promises about its effectiveness, but making a ouija board might be possible. You'll need materials, but I'd say you can get a rough mockup out of discarded crate wood and a smooth rock as a pointer with about an hour's work.

Learning German is a much more long-term prospect. I'd say everyone knows a little bit of German already, but learning another language to the point that you can pass as a native takes months or years.

Michael:

The guards are on VERY high alert. They're not gossiping, and their only conversations with each other seem to be to point out one or another prisoner doing something funny. They all seem highly professional. Michael's read is that it's opening-day starch that will wear off in time.

((That looks about half the length of one of my normal IC posts, so no complaints here.))

The general murmer and shuffling of soldiers getting settled in is suddenly interrupted by machine gun fire, at the southeast end of the camp near the sports fields. Goons and PoWs (and possibly some PCs, though that's optional) rush to see what has happened, and as they do more machine guns open fire at the southwest point.

There's a PoW standing at the southern edge of the western fence, across the Line of Death, with his hand on his head and the ground near his feet churned up with bullets. The two nearby towers on the western fence cover him with machine guns, while Goons point rifles at him. A similar scene is in evidence on the southern side of the eastern fence. The camp Kommandant is storming over, followed by the RAF Wing Captain that was being led away earlier. The Kommandant takes in the scene, and then points soldiers at the middle of the south fence (the last place anyone's looking) where a PoW has improvised camoflauge out of grass and is lying on his belly cutting at the fence with a pair of stolen wire cutters. Several warning shots are fired, and the would-be-escapee holds his hands out to the side, tossing away the wire cutters, and then puts his hands on his head in surrender. The Kommandant's expression is a mix of disgust, exasperation, and resignation, and he orders those three prisoners segregated.

[Phelix-Mu]

Michael Shaunessy (Rain)

Michael moves toward the noise, clinging to the crowd, but far enough back that he can still see the movements of the officers and the expressions of any that seem to be intentionally ignoring the hubbub. He looks for faces among the PoWs that might indicate that one of them knows the would-be escapees.

He follows the reactions of the Kommandant and that captain, and their interaction, with carefully veiled interest.

[EriktheRed]

Captain Luther "Scarface" Pope

Luther takes advantage of the distraction to turn his attention to the plumbing, looking to see if there are any nooks/crannies where the plumbing goes beneath the building that could be used to conceal things.

[Mr White]

Jan 'Jaco' Coppens

"Cratch those faces from my list to 'work with' in the near future. Though the camoeflage guy may prove useful if this imprisonement should last longer than intended." Jaco thought by himself. "I'm curious how the camp Kommandant will punish these would be escapees. Better to talk to that RAF Wing captain to get a better feel for the Kommandants character."

[Waitingnomad]

Mentally striking off the prisoners who attempted to escape from his list of potential collaborators, Tommy sighed to himself in exasperation. It was the first day- the guards would be at their most vigilant. Why would anyone think today is a good time? Not to mention that each failed attempt makes it that little bit harder for him to make his own way out. A faint look of irritation on his face, he began to scout the crowd for anyone else that seemed particularly perceptive or that otherwise may pose some benefit to an escape attempt. The camouflaged man may have ben one, if not for his being discovered. Besides, Tommy already new how to camouflage himself.

[Reltzik]

Michael and Tommy:

You notice several PoWs subtly slipping away to the north, probably hoping to take advantage of the distraction. Singletons registering the same opportunity, nothing that looks coordinated.

You also notice a group of six lounging around the steps of the nearest bunkhouse. Though outwardly they're settling down to relax (after it's become obvious that no one was killed), something about their manner suggests that they're watching everything in a very clinical manner. A bit like lions surveying a herd of zebras, before the fun begins.

Luther:

For the most part, the pipes go directly into and out of the cement, with no gaps. However, the drains in the common shower resemble storm grates more than anything else, with a four-foot square depression about two feet deep and a couple of six inch pipes at its corners to drain it. Those pipes might make a good hiding place for anything that doesn't wash away easily. The sinks are also utilitarian metal basins on legs, bolted to the ground and secured by pipes but not actually set into the walls. This leaves a gap between the sinks and the wall that might make a good place to tape something.

Everyone: There are a lot of familiar faces here. There aren't that many PoW camps for airmen, and frequent escapees would have been transferred once or twice before, meaning that the majority of people here have been in the same camp with others at some point.

[Brett Nortje]

Joeseph

Okay, as soon as he has all the things he might need for a 'board,' joeseph walks up to a soldier and asks if he could become a spy for hitler! he says that he will join the cause of the emperor of europe, and will work for free.

Then he says he will do anything to help! he is so sorry! he hates jews and the english, speaking in french. he says he just wants to get involved in the german cause.

[Phelix-Mu]

Michael Shaunessy (Rain)

Michael moves toward the group of six in a nonchalant manner, cloaking the movement as some interest in the interior layout of the building. What he's actually doing is sizing up the six. Do they use body language eye contact between themselves? Are they talking? Accents? Ranks? Does Michael recognize any of them by sight or by voice from the other camps he was at?

After glancing into the bunkhouse for a few seconds and making note of the layout and going back outside, Michael makes some passing remark to no one in particular about lousy accommodations in this joint, trying to see if any of them take notice of his remark and their general response to his presence.

[Reltzik]

It's now 10:45, and it looks like the Germans are going to start moving the Russian work crews out soon.

Michael:

You recognize the whole lot of them, though not by name. Just as familiar faces. They were a group all together back at one camp, and you recall them doing several breakouts as a team. Some tunnels, some con jobs, and one case of drugging a Goon just before he was on duty in a tower to create a point where they could go through undetected. All carefully planned, nothing impulsive or off the cuff.

They note you as you approach, give you a few friendly nods, and shift their conversation from whatever they were talking about before to who they recognize and who they don't.

EDIT: Their ranks vary. Most of them are mid- or high-ranking, by PoW standards, but you see a couple lieutenants and a warrant.

Joeseph:

The Goon doesn't understand French, but calls over a buddy who does. They consider Joeseph's offer, exchange a few words in German, get Joeseph's name, confirm his face on a picture roster they all seem to be carrying, and say they'll pass it on to the Kommandant and that Joeseph should expect to hear back soon.

Edit: Jan, were you actually going over to talk to the group captain, or just making a note to do so?

[Phelix-Mu]

Michael Shaunessy (Rain)

Michael saunters casually over toward the Russian work crews. With ears peeled, he gets as close as possible, listening for any talk by the workers or their guards, while pretending to be inspecting the fence or some other likely security feature. The cover identity of Michael has no likely reason to know Russian, so Michael is hesitant to speak any Russian before the guards. He might risk it if the guards aren't particularly attentive or if any of the Russians are talking much, as the workers could conceivably have valuable details regarding the construction process of the camp.

In any case, it's likely the last chance to know anything about them or what went on prior to the PoWs arrival, so Michael carefully conceals his interest. Even if the workers don't speak, he looks for signs of significant work injuries, the presence of any tools, wear patterns on clothing and shoes, variations in the color of dirt/mud on shoes, hands, and clothing, and any unusual behavior or the like.

[Reltzik]

Michael:

The lot seem beaten down and exhausted. Though they don't seem to have been abused (except maybe through overwork), several sport old wounds and signs of past frostbite. Most have various tools slung over their shoulders -- picks, pitchforks, saws -- as well as kits. It looks like they're moving out even as you're moving in. Their clothes are quite muddy. Mostly it's the blackish gray mud of the dirt of the camp, but Michael spots several tan stains that look much more sandy.

There's not much talk between them, mostly the occasional mutter back and forth. They don't seem to want to talk while the Goons are watching them.

The Goons aren't watching them carefully enough. Michael spots at least one familiar RAF face in among them, carrying a pickaxe and sporting a ushanka.

[Mr White]

Edit: Jan, were you actually going over to talk to the group captain, or just making a note to do so?

As long as the group captain is in the vicinity of the kamp Kommandant, than Jan will keep his distance. If the captainmingles with the other POWS, than Jan will introduce himself and try to 'become friends'.

[Reltzik]

At 11 o'clock, right on the dot, the Russian prisoners are moved out.

A headcount is done and comes in high. The picture rosters are broken out, and eight PoWs are separated from the Russians. Another headcount is done, comes in low. A search is conducted, and a Russian prisoner is found hiding in the rec hall. The whole process takes 20 minutes.

The Kommandant watches it all with a stopwatch. At the end of it, he nods his approval and the Goons relax slightly.

He then speechifies a bit, telling the prisoners that they can now see that all attempts at escape are folly, and they should devote their energies to recreation and sitting out the war peacefully. He says that there will be no punishment... today... for this foolishness, as the PoWs hadn't had a chance to learn the facts of life here. Now they have, and any further escape attempts will be punished severely.

Finally, the Kommandant withdraws to the German section of the camp, and the Group Commander that was with him gathers people around for a talk. He's got a severe limp, an Oxford accent, and seems every inch the British gentlemen, right down to his cane.


"I'm Group Commander Bentley," he informs the PoWs, "and I am told that I'm the senior Allied officer at this camp. It is therefore my responsibility to liaise with our captors so as to ensure our own well-being. Any particular needs or requests you may have -- medications, reading materials, so forth -- may be passed through me, as with any specific complaints about the actions of our guards. I would ask that you do not waste my time with the unfeasible. There is no point in my requesting guns or motorcycles, as these requests will certainly not be granted, nor would a request to, say, have the Goons stop tossing our barracks. Indeed, such requests would only heighten suspicions and impede the meeting of our genuine needs, and so I shall not pass them along.

"The Kommandant spent a considerable length of time impressing upon me that there will be no more escapes. I think he wanted me to issue orders to that effect. Instead, I reminded him, as I'll remind you now, that it is the responsibility of every officer to attempt to escape, and I shall under no circumstances issue orders to the contrary. However, I will set down some rules of engagement regarding escape attempts. If you know anyone who isn't here, pass this along.

"First, the parole system must remain sacrosanct. If you give your parole, either generally or in a narrowly inscribed endeavor, you must honor it. This war's already descended far enough into barbarity, and it is our responsibility as officers and gentlemen not to descend with it by abandoning the last forms of etiquette and integrity. If nothing else, the parole system benefits us all, and there is no purpose to souring it for every Queen's Officer held in German hands simply to benefit a half dozen prisoners in an impulsive blitz to freedom.

"Second, we are being held prisoner by the Luftwaffe, and however they may have treated our civilians back home in the course of their bombings, for our purposes they have respected nearly every measure of our rights as prisoners, far more than the SS would have in their place. We may expect hard discipline from them, but well within the letter and spirit of the laws of war, and the Kommandant has assured me that his men shall be neither cruel, nor capricious, nor undisciplined. I order you to return courtesy for courtesy, lest courtesy be abandoned by all and for all. If you manage to get beyond the fence, you are soldiers free to engage the enemy as necessary to accomplish your mission, and in any case I would have no authority over you in such an event. But there are to be no assaults on the guard force here while you are prisoners here, and no escape attempts reliant on such force.

"Allowing for our own good conduct, the Kommandant has promised us reading and educational materials, sports and hobby equipment and facilities -- even tools for gardening -- and shipments and inspections by the Red Cross. Their first inspection is scheduled a week from today, in fact.

"Carry on getting settled and getting to know the camp. I'll be by to visit each bunkhouse individually this evening, and I'm sure we'll all get to know one another in due course. That is all."

((I'm speeding things up a bit. Post anything you want to do before evening.))

[Phelix-Mu]

Michael Shanessy (Rain)

Michael has a long, quiet reflection on what books to ask for, and whether to subtly convey to the group commander that he is, in fact, a spy. One matter is clearly more important, but the issue of books is also probably key to Michael's long-term sanity, so a good ponder is had on both points. All the while, he wanders about the camp, getting in a good walk and counting out paces between various features of the camp.

Telling the Group Commander might be useful, but it also would involve the group commander in Michael's crimes, which are likely to be much less leniently dealt with than what the PoWs generally have to deal with. So, it would be a big burden to inform anyone of this, and likely put them in personal jeopardy.

Thus, telling people is pretty much a last resort, saved for the day when the cover identity breaks down so much that any more lies about why an Irishman speaks Turkic won't be worth the effort. So...books.

Michael puts together a list of five books (not all necessarily needed now) that subtly imply to the Group Commander, should he be intelligent and well-read, that Michael is very smart, well-read, and is also a linguist. [I can put effort into researching which books best represent this, but that seems unnecessary.] Michael is also interested in paper and a writing implement, as it is a useful memory device for him to write stuff down and read it, but, as with all requests, patience may be his best ally, and he'll be clear that anything the Group Commander can get will be much appreciated.

In general, Michael turns on the charm with the Group Commander, attempting to be personable, respectful, compliant, while also appealing to the Group Commander's respect for professional, well-mannered, and gentlemanly behavior. It'll be hard to do all this and keep the Irish accent, and Michael knows it will stress the cover identity (which can't be much avoided), but the Group Commander is the first person with whom he must establish the best relationship possible, and so he practices his requests and some small talk before the moment arrives.

[Brett Nortje]

Joeseph goes to wait under a tree, if there are any. he tries to make it look like he is watching the other inmates.

[Reltzik]

All PCs end up bunking in the same cabin. You're now roommates.

Group Captain Bentley visits you just before dinner. He gets a list of your needs (including Michael's reading list) and spends some time chatting, exchanging war stories, et cetera. He shares that he was involved in four escape attempts personally before a machine gunner got him in the leg during a fifth, and after that he helped provide support for eight other attempts. However, he says that he expects to be watched very carefully here, and is thus adopting a hands-off approach. Instead, he's forming a cell system, and everyone in this cabin is now a cell. You are encouraged to keep your doings secret from the others until the last minute... and to formulate an escape plan that can accommodate as many other people as possible.

Shortly after Bentley leaves (feel free to post any other questions you had for him), the Goons show up and drag Joeseph off for a day in solitary, for attempting to con the guards.

[Reltzik]

At 9 o'clock, the Goons go around ordering everyone to their bunkhouses. They shutter the bunkhouse windows from the outside, and the tower spotlights are turned on the compound. The order is given that no one is to leave their bunkhouses.

There's a wake-up call at 6. Breakfasts are produced at the mess -- standard rations, nothing fancy, and it comes with a headcount. Two RAF pilots (and a Kiwi) are dragged in when the headcount came up short; they'd been trying to sleep in. You're informed that in short order you will be preparing your own meals in the mess.

And then you're free for the day.

Joeseph gets out of the Cooler at noon and escorted back into the main camp.

The next 24 hours of real time will cover one day of game time. Post everything you're planning to do or will be doing over the course of the day, including any inquiries, investigations, etc you'll be making.

[Reltzik]

Okay, the game's officially dead. Thanks for trying, everyone.