[Adm.Lee]

At Origins last year, I ran a one-shot based out of Krakow. Buried in that book, there is mention of a USAF pilot being held in Myslenice. I had the DIA hire the PCs to go out and get him. Opposition was the local militia, especially a hard-core team that was actually holding him in a hotel/truck stop near the highway. I included the option to hire onto a merchant caravan heading that way. If things went too smoothly, I planned for an ambush by a Soviet outfit (roughly same size) on the way out-- they'd finally come to collect the pilot, too.

I allowed them time for shopping in Krakow before heading out, time for planning based on a town map, and then some recon. I set up a group of pregen NPCs, about half infantry or Ranger veterans, half combat-support or services troops, including medic and drivers; I included 1-2 HMMWVs and pickup trucks, depending on the number of players.

One group (11 players) tried a two-prong assault, which succeeded with moderate casualties to the diversionary/overwatch team.
The second group (4 players) went for infiltration instead, checking into the motel as caravan guards. Their recon also went badly, with a player getting arrested by the militia guards. They fought their way out so quickly that I set up the Soviet ambush on the way out, and nearly wiped them out.

I thought about running a follow-up: what mission was so important that the pilot was flying in the spring of 2000? Maybe next year, I'll delve into that.