Going over their last minute preparations, Sherman and Franks prepared for the patrol. They removed much of their equipment, save for a few grenades and their ammo pouches. They arranged a recognition code with the guards at the Darby Road guardpost, and headed out.

[Sherman]
Both Sherman and Franks left the guard post and were swallowed up by the darkness. Sherman took the lead and Franks followed behind. Keeping to to the cover offered by the surrounding structures both men waited for their night vision to adjust. Shermans first thought as he headed out into the dark was what am I doing out here. But he needed to be sure that the bodies lying out under the night sky were not members of his old company. There could still be wounded out here....

"Franks." whispered Sherman. As Franks came closer Sherman could not help smirk at the look of the onetime student now soldier who had smeared ash all over his face. We both must look ridiculous, something out of one of those commando movies.

"You follow me. Firstly we check out to see if any raiders are still lurking around then we'll move back to the bodies. You keep a lookout, got that?"

[Franks]
"Check, Sarge"

[GM]
For perhaps 100m north of the Hospital grounds, most of the houses and other buildings had been flattened or cleared out. This gave a decent field of fire. After that, there were row upon row of demolished houses, which offered pretty good cover and/or concealment.

Franks and Sherman scouted the area beyond the guardposts, moving forward under what cover they could find. Neither could see any other attackers. Some 50 meters out, they came across the first body. A large portion of his right leg had been chewed off, and the limb lay a meter away from the body. Neither man recognized the dead man. He was dressed in a shabby one-piece black coverall. From all appearances, the clothing had been rather hurriedly, or perhaps badly dyed.

The man was armed with a bolt action hunting rifle (.30-06). He wore a military surplus ammo pouch rig. He also carried a light backpack, the type college students carry their books in. The tube that had so held Sherman's interest lay about 20 meters to the dead man's right.

Franks took the rifle, and ammo pouches, while Sherman grabbed the pack. The two men spotted another body, this one closer to the tube.

Slowly, Sherman and Franks crawled over to the tube. As it turned out, there were actually three bodies around the tube. It had been difficult to see from their earlier position. Sherman first checked the bodies. All were quite dead, one with a head wound, the others with multiple wounds, perhaps from automatic fire.

All wore coveralls similar to the first man -- they looked like something a farmer or maybe a maintenance man would wear, only they were dyed black. Between these three, there was a .22 revolver(9 shot), a .380 automatic, and another .30-06 hunting rifle. There was very little ammo for any of their weapons. All three also carried student-type backpacks. These were quite heavy.

The tube was definately a recoilless rifle. Sherman could not recognize the model, but he was sure of what the tube was. The whole thing was painted black, was around 1.5 meters long, with a bore diameter of about 80mm. Franks could lift the thing, which weighed in the neighborhood of 10 Kg. The dead men's backpacks each contained 3 rockets, (for a total of 9), presumably for the weapon. Each rocket weighed about 3Kg.

Time: 0152
Place: N of Hospital
People: Sherman / Franks (NPC)

[Sherman]
Sherman was somewhat disappointed that the tube turned out to be a recoilless rifle. But then what else could it have been... Sherman is relieved... satisfied that the dead were not from the MP company... But that meant Ralston was yet to show up.

Deciding that the RR could be very valuable, Sherman and Franks set up an ambush. Whoever left it behind might just come back to get it. Sherman picked two spots that gave good field of vision, and from there he and Franks covered the RR.

"Franks you lie over there and stay alert. Don't fire unless I do. If these 'guys' come back I want 'em caught in a cross fire. Stay quiet... we might be here for a few hours. Any questions?"

[Franks]
"Gotcha, Sarge"

Franks and Sherman each found positions with cover and concealment, and lie in wait of whoever would come. The night became still again, as the crickets began to chirp, the occasional bird would call, and the other natural sounds of night returned, as the animals became more settled...

Date: 01 MAY 02
Time: 0137
Place: Haverford Hospital garage
People: Hannah / Ronny (NPC)

[Hannah]
Hannah jumped off her mount. "Hi, Ronny. I'm Hannah. Want to help me tie these horses up?"

Ronny approached the young lady, and he and Hannah began to quickly tie the reins near the water trough. When she finished, she glanced around and found the safest corner of the building to shield her and Ronny from errant rounds. She moved to that corner and sat down.

"Why don't you come over here and I'll tell you a story about a little boy a lot like you named Erat."

[Ronny]
Ronny slowly but steadily approached. "Erat? What kindof name is that? Or is this one of those stories like the movie "The Neverending Story"?

The rifle fire picked up, and a grenade burst somewhere 20m from the stable. Ronny appeared to nearly jump out of his skin.

"Do you know who's attacking us this time? Well, I guess it doesn't really matter. If we make it, we're ok, and if we don't, we're dead... Do you have anything to eat?"

Time: 0152
Place: N of Hospital
People: Sherman / Franks (NPC)

[Sherman]
As his eyes got used to the dark, Sherman scanned his position, noting trees and other objects. Sherman let his thoughts ovretake him...

"Strange how things appeared to move in the night... I could be here a while... May as well make myself comfortable".

He shifted his body and untightened the grip on his shotgun. Then he placed his grenades within easy reach. Again Sherman thought to himself.

"Always liked grenades... you never have to clean them when you use 'em..."

Date: 1 MAY 02
Time: 0455
Place: N of Haverford Hospital Perimeter
People: Sherman, Franks(npc)

Sherman waited for what seemed like hours, but suddenly, there was no sound, no movement, no nothing. The first light of dawn approched, and with it the odd stillness of the normally-noisy animals.

Sherman was about ready to pack the recoiless rifle back to the hospital perimeter, when a green flare burst overhead. Fire broke out in small groups all around this, the north side of the hospital. Turning around slightly, Sherman could see that the east and west walls were taking fire as well. The south side of the grounds was so far removed, and on the other side of the hill where the main building was, so it could not be determined what the fate of that side of the complex was...

Franks could be seen to shrink into his position, trying to become "one" with a footlocker-sized boulder. He shot Sherman a look of "What next?..."

[Sherman]
Rolling his eyes as a reply to Franks, "This is just great...", thinks Sherman. "Stuck out here during a dawn attack. Just how many enemies could this hospital have?..."

[GM]
Signaling to Franks to stay put, Sherman peered out from behind his cover, hoping to find some higher ground. From there he could observe the attack. Unfortunately, there was no such high ground. Only the cleared free fire zone around the hospital.

However, it didn't take a genius to recognize a few of the vehicles of the MP company, which apparently had been put back into order. The impetus of the attack seemed to center around an M113 armored personell carrier. The .50 caliber MG in the cupola was fairly well protected from small arms fire, yet the Haverford defenders blazed away at the vehicle, wishing for luck or divine intervention or both...

What was odd, was that the strength of this attack seemed to indicate that of a company. Sherman shook his head in disbelief, recalling that the MP "Company" had been at platoon strength, 40-50 effectives, since the cholera outbreak last winter...

[Sherman]
"Damn! Looks like someone's got reinforcements." Sherman said to himself under his breath. Maybe Ralston's attack was all part of an authorised plan by HQ of the 56th Mech Brigade. Although perplexed at this thought Sherman called over to Franks.

"Hey Franks... think we could set up the RR to take out the APC?"

[Franks]
"Hell yes! It's worth a try. I'll load and you fire, Sarge."

Franks dug in one of the backpacks and retreived one of the oddly-shaped missiles. The weapon's breach appeared to resemble that of a regular field gun. There was a lever, that Franks threw, which opened the breach. He then rammed in a projectile, and turned it 1/4 left, as indicated by the arrow on the projectile, to engage it. Finally, he threw the lever again, closing the breach.

Franks wondered to himself if an old warmovie was flashing thru Sherman's mind. Franks pictured "Pork Chop Hill", or maybe it was some such other flick from the early 60's...

Franks patted Sherman on the back to let him know the weapon was readied. Franks had his M16 in one hand and the backpack with two more missiles in the other. The two observed the M113, which was 150m due north of their position, and prepared to move.

The M113 veered off at an angle, exposing it's left side to Sherman and Franks. A cluster of 6-8 troops advanced by leapfrogging, alongside the vehicle. The cupola-mounted MG began ripping up the defenders on the wall, some distance to the two men's left.

Franks asked, "So do we wait here, or should we advance?..."

[Sherman]
Sherman thought about a cup of coffee and maybe a few donuts, the ones with red sprinkles would be nice...

Hearing Franks he was brought back to the here-and-now. He guessed the distance to be about 150 meters to the APC.

"We should get closer. I'm not much good with recoilless rifles."

Both men began to move forward using the little cover they could find.

"Franks you ever wonder what happens to bazooka crews that miss?"

[Franks]
"I can imagine Sarge, so don't friggin'-well miss! Let's try to get abit closer."

[GM: we go to rounds...]

0455:05
The two men, in a desperate move, scorned cover for speed, and charged the M113. The M113 veered off to it's right again, giving a flank/rear shot to Franks and Sherman. Fire from the compound scatters a few of the troops, who seem disinterested/unaware of the Recoilless Rifle team fast approaching them.

0455:10
Franks and Sherman have covered 30m, distance to M113 is now 120m.

0455:15
Franks and Sherman have closed the range to the M113 to 90m. Franks, carrying his M16 and 3 spare rounds, and Sherman carrying his pistol, and the RR with one round readied in the weapon.

Two infantry turn, fire quick bursts, and then go to ground 80m from Franks and Sherman, firing all the time. Franks fires a few quick bursts at them, keeping them occupied...

0455:20
Franks takes a hit in the leg, and sprays both infantrymen with fire. Their hunting rifles are no match for his M16... Sherman crouches and takes aim with the RR...

0455:25
Franks cannot react this round due to shock, pain, etc from his wound. He is, however, still conscious. Sherman fires. The rocket takes off, and slams into the left upper hull of the vehicle. A couple more inches to the right and it would've been a miss. The rocket plowed thru the passenger area, and slammed into the engine compartment, and then exploded...

The vehicle ceased moving, but....

The opposing infantrymen are hesitating, reloading, bleeding, etc.

0455:30
[Sherman]
"We got it Franks!" Sherman wipes the grime and sweat from his forehead. "Time to get out of here."

0455:35
Both men hesitate, as a few stray rounds kick up the dirt in front of them. 0455:55 [Sherman] Sherman took two smoke grenades from his harness, and threw both, to lay down a cover of smoke between him and the enemy.

0456:00
"We can't leave the RR. You got any frag grenades?"

[Franks]
"Yeah, two or three..."

0456:10
Sherman pulled a grenade from Franks' pack, but thinking better of his idea, he simply pulled out his M92 sidearm, and fired five rounds into the recoilles rifle tube.

He then hoisted Franks to his shoulders, and ran like hell...

Date: 1 MAY 02
Time: 0456:10
Place: N of Haverford Hospital Perimeter
People: Sherman, Franks(npc)

0455:25
Franks could not react this round due to shock, pain, etc from his wound. He was, however, still conscious. Sherman fired. The rocket took off, and slammed into the left upper hull of the vehicle. A couple more inches to the right and it would've been a miss.

The rocket plowed thru the passenger area, and slammed into the engine compartment, and then exploded...

The vehicle ceased moving....

The opposing infantrymen were hesitating, reloading, bleeding, etc.

[Sherman]
"We got it Franks!" Sherman wiped the grime and sweat from his forehead. "Time to get out of here." Taking two smoke grenades from his harness, Sherman threw them both, in order to lay down a cover of smoke between him and the enemy. "We can't leave the RR. You got any frag grenades?"

[Franks]
"Yeah, two or three..."

A few stray rounds kicked up the dirt in front of them.

0456:10
Sherman pulled a grenade from Franks' pack, but thinking better of his idea, he simply pulled out his M92 sidearm, and fired five rounds into the recoilles rifle tube.

He then hoisted Franks to his shoulders, and ran like hell...

[Sherman]
Running back to the site where the shells for the RR were, Sherman put Franks down and looked at the wound on his friends leg. It didn't look that 'bad'. Using Franks medkit Sherman bandaged the wound.

"You'll be okay Franks. I've seen worse mosquito bites."

Once the wound was tightly bound, Sherman picked up Franks again. Both men moved away from the shells. Leaving Franks behind some rubble. Sherman returned to the RR ammo, this time with a frag grenade. Not being much of a demolitionist, Sherman simply judged how close he could get to hit the shells with the grenade, and then how far he could run to cover. Pulling the pin Sherman threw the grenade under arm and bolted back to Franks. He dove into the small cover offered by the rubble.

Both men had their heads down and covered their ears...

The munitions exploded violently and showered the area with sparks and smoke.

[Sherman]
"I'll get you back into the hospital Franks."

Again Sherman piggy-backed Franks.

"Don't think I'm going to carry you every where from now on, either..."

[Franks]
"Yeah, right, whatever you say, Sarge..." Franks was doing his best to be "a big man", but Sherman could tell it hurt some...

Sherman and Franks turned back into the perimeter of the hospital. Sherman was hopeful that things were quiet there and they could avoid being shot. Sherman looked for Hannah, hoping she was still okay.....

Date: 1 MAY 02
Time: 0456:10
Place: N of Haverford Hospital Perimeter
People: Sherman, Hannah (NPC) and Franks (NPC)

A patrol returned moments after Sherman and Franks entered the compound. They were escourting in four prisoners, (all of them wounded), and arguing loudly amonst themselves. A few people came closer to the din, where members of the patrol were handing out papers of some sort. The people inside the compound formed a throng, and more people gathered from God-Knows-Where. Sherman's instincts kicked in, and he thought of two concepts: LYNCHMOB, and HANNAH...

[Sherman]
Sherman was relieved to see that Hannah was okay. He carried Franks over to her and the other wounded. "Hannah, can you help Robert? He's been hit in the leg.?"

[Hannah]
"Yes, bring him over here into the light...."

[Sherman]
"I'm glad your alright, Hannah." Hearing the guards arguing with the prisoners, Sherman looks over towards the gathering crowd. Wonder what they're up to. "Hannah, stay with Franks... I'll see what all the fuss is about."

Sherman moved through the crowd and took one of the papers the guards were handing out.

Then Sherman read it.

A few of the guards and militia people looked suspiciously at Sherman, but continue arguing, and passing out papers to other people in the compound.

As Sherman read the paper, a lump formed in his throat, and if a mirror were available, his face would surely have been as white as a sheet...

The paper was an Official US Army wanted poster, from 56th Brigade HQ, offering bounty for any or all of the persons listed on it. There were names, and vague descriptions on the paper, but no photos. The people were accused of murder, sabotage, and theft. There were three names on the poster...

Sgt. John Sherman, Pvt. Robert Franks, and civilian-student Hannah Ruth Mordecai...

Sherman read the names on the list again. His grim face was stunned with disbelief. He swore violently under his breath and pushed back through the crowd towards Hannah and Franks.

"Hannah we have to leave." Sherman handed her the paper. As she read it, Sherman looked around, expecting any one of the hospital's inhabitants to immediately recognise him.

"Where are the horses?"

[Hannah]
"What the...", then as she finished reading, "... They're right over there, in the garage, I mean stables... S***!"

[Sherman]
"We better get them ready and move out. It won't be safe to stay here much longer. Is Franks ready to travel?"

[Hannah]
"Looks like he will hafta be ready..."

[Sherman]
"Things just couldn't be rosier." he said to himself sarcastically. Sherman was frustrated at the predicament he and his friends were in. His own name on a wanted list. According to this he was little more than a common criminal, like those he read about on the Rap Sheets every day in the State Troopers.

"Damn Ralston to hell." Sherman clenched his fists. Even here, he was still under Ralston's tyranny.

Sherman sent Hannah to the stables. She was better at the talking... Maybe she could persuade the guard that the group was going on another scouting mission for Director Marcus. Hopefully they would be able to get all three horses back.

Sherman wondered where Director Marcus was thru all of this... Maybe he could help, but it sure seemed that nobody was as friendly as they used to be. Sherman thought of the young boy with Hannah, and wondered what would become of him. In the same breath he wondered if the young handicapped person could perhaps be of some value, as far as knowledge of the Hospital. Sherman, in a way, felt ashamed at using young girls and disabled kids to escape, but then decided that now was not really the time for moral fibre...

At the moment, there was one man guarding the garage/stable. He was armed with a shotgun. Six other men were within 50 m of the stable, and perhaps 20 more were milling about, perhaps 100m away.

Sherman felt that if he and his friends were to "split" right now, it might attract MORE attention... He quickly talked with Hannah, and formed a plan...

Hannah went to the stables. She returned about 5 minutes later, trailing three horses, looking pale as a sheet. She tried to conceal her bloody clothes, but to no avail. It was obvious to Sherman that either she was hurt, or...

The guards and other armed people were drawn away from the stable and surrounding buildings, but it was not entirely the news Sherman wanted to hear. The mob was gaining numbers, shouting angrily, occasionally firing weapons into the air. They converged on the jeep from which Director Marcus had directed the defense of Haverford State Hospital. More shouting, then a single shot. Marcus fell, shot in the forehead, mortally wounded. The M60 mounted on the old-style Jeep opened up at nearly point-blank range into the crowd, mowing down scores of people.

[Sherman]
"What the fu..? Get down!" shouts Sherman to Hannah and Franks. Sherman looked around wondering who fired the shot. Was it someone in the crowd or maybe a sniper?

"Grab the horses!!! Let's go before the gunner decides to turn that '60' in our direction. You lead, Hannah. Franks you next, then I'll follow up." Sherman grabbed the reins of the horse, and placing himself on the side of the animal to use it for cover, followed the others right up to the main gate.

All the time, he wondered, "What the H***.... This is almost as crazy as Bryn Mawr College.

It was hard for Sherman to determine who had fired the shot. And really, there just wasn't time to "round up the usual suspects". The man on the M60 in the jeep was soon shot, and slumped forward over the still body of Director Marcus. A second guard manned the M60, and fired wildly, once again, into the crowd.

The group utilized the panic and confusion inside The Haverford Hospital's compound, and walked the horses straight through the gate, back onto Darby Rd. Everyone mounted up. Sherman did a roundabout with his horse, looking back toward the bloodletting that had overtaken the Hospital grounds.

Several buildings were on fire, and sporadic shots could be heard. And the ch-ch-ch-ch-chunk! of the M60 would probably be etched on all three persons' minds for quite some time...

[Sherman]
Sherman rode in front, and Hannah, by Franks. Once out of site of Haverford, Sherman halted the group.

"Okay. We're going south to Broomall. From there on RT 3 we should make it to West Goshen by the end of the day."

As if to answer the next question from his two friends Sherman continued. "I plan to take us to Du Bois up in Clearview County. I was up there when I first joined the State Police. Hopefully I've still got a few friends there. Unless either of you have any other suggestions?"

[Hannah]
"Yes, if it is rural, then probably that would be better than any built-up areas. But bear in mind, if you lived there, previous contacts might have moved, or been killed, but it still is worth a try..."

[Franks] "I'll go wherever you two do! Like I'd stay here!...."