Part 2 (Conclusion) - Grim Occupation : Die you Fascist! Damn It, I said Die!

From the Beginning: https://rigglew4.blogspot.com/2020/06/e1-grim-occupation-killing-pacifist.html

Brian (Eric) could not make it.

1300/15 August, 1944: Knowing a German patrol is somewhere behind them, north of this hilltop town, with a wicked smirk on his face, Petty Officer 3^rd Class Eric Jones gives orders, “Donald, you and Lewis storm the castle and deal with the Fascist. I’ll take our ‘guests’ to help remove the southern blockade so we can get the hell out of here. You’ve got 2 hours before I leave your sorry asses behind.” The German deserter Herman is more than happy to labor versus facing whatever evil lurks inside the Keep. As for Anna, the French maiden follows, always keeping the murderous Eric in sight, ahead of her.

Donald and Lewis take time to observe the Keep before advancing. A shadow briefly passes behind an opaque bay window on the upper floor. Wanting to observe longer but fearful of what torture/experiments are being performed on the American captive Gregory Evans. The gate barred with multiple chains and padlocks; so, using wire-cutters to remove the concertina wire, Donald scales the northern perimeter wall. He and Lewis bypass a window (concern for sound of breaking glass) and climb the steps to the front doors. “Click.” Lockpicked, the double-doors open out revealing a dimly-lit foyer. An eerie cold. Unnerving.

A huge tapestry on the far wall, between two archways. They study the ancient recreation of the storming-of-the-castle oh so many centuries ago. Foreboding as they continue thru an archway into a grand ballroom. Unkept and unclean. On the far wall, a grand staircase curves left going up while an opening to the left suggests stairs descending curving right. But most important: the stash of weapons upon a table between the archways. Low on ammo for their own weapons, they dive into the pile. Old ramrod hunting rifles, pitchforks and sickles, along with German rifles and pistols. Donald digs for Karbiner rifles while Lewis finds Walter P38 pistols.

Donald [Hard Listen] turns at the sound of something approaching. Enough warning for both to grab a weapon and ammo before seeking cover of an archway. Gasp [Sanity: -1 and -3; Lewis had to burn Luck to avoid a fumble] at the sight of the deformed humanoid. Donald fires and hits as the unholy creation charges at him; the bullet slushing thru the rubbery skin [i.e. armor; half-damage from projectiles]. Lewis too shaken to properly aim, misses. Claws swipe [81] at Donald who fights back clubbing the thing with the rifle stock. A solid crunch. Donald now off-balance, missing his own attack which opens him to a claw swipe. Lewis firing into melee and luckily hitting foe versus friend. Finally, another rifle stock clubbing fells the experiment.

Unfortunately, both are so involved in the fight, neither hears the approach of another deformed humanoid. Donald shocked [failed Sanity] as claws swing upwards from this humanoid. While the fiend misses, Donald swings a wrench, barely grazing the thing. Lewis on the other-hand, shoots and hits [extreme – 20 pts]. The bullet impacting and exploding out its back, as if human flesh [no armor]. Another dead experiment. And tormented screams echo from below. “Probably another experiment. No telling where those winged things took Evans but we did see movement upstairs.” [Indeed, the screams of one of the last German soldiers in its experimental transformation. Gregory Evan’s calls for help [Sanity – 97, Listen-94] are drowned out by its screams.

Up the stairs to a landing. Century old portraits hang from the walls. Most slashed by ransacking German SS. Gilded double-doors to the south. Lewis stoops to peer thru the keyhole: nothing. With Lewis covering, Donald pushes the doors inward; their weight pulling him along. The only clean room they’ve found. A master bedroom, complete with a large canopy bed. A huge bay window to the east. Lewis wise to trickery, stops at the window to remove the curtain rod which he uses to sweep under the bed. Donald already at the northwestern door waiting for Lewis to cover his entrance.

And that’s when the window smashes in, and a winged beast lands near the prone Lewis at the foot of the bed. [Lewis fooling around the window attracted the winged experiment which swooped in.] Both Donald and Lewis caught flat-footed. Donald gasping in fright since this the first time he’s seen the winged creation up close. Lewis on the other hand, [Sanity -99; 7 pts and 20% threshold = Indefinite Insanity] sees his Great-War hero uncle before him. “Pops, what are you doing here? Your war is over. Pops, it’s me. Don’t raise your foot at me!” Lewis fails to roll out of the way in time as the winged beast stomps with clawed feet.

Regaining his senses, Donald charges with his wrench, “Batter up!” His challenge meet with a raised forearm. [Regular versus Hard fight back; Donald suffers 4 damage]. Lewis scrambling across the floor toward the northwestern door, “Stop trying to hurt pops!” The beast clawing at Donald who fights back [96 versus 91; they both miss]. Donald swinging his wrench while screaming at Lewis, “Save me you fool; that ain’t your uncle!” [Donald’s Intimidate (01 critical) versus Lewis’ POW (regular)]. Lewis comes to his senses and fires into the melee, hitting the beast. Donald suffers more wounds [down to 2 HP] before the beast is finally killed. Silence and the opportunity for Lewis to treat Donald’s wounds. [Donald also spends 20 Luck to gain 1d6 (5) HP].

The final door. Donald pushes it open and quickly readies his rifles as Lewis covers. The stoic Donald holding his ground as the wave of putrid air assaults them. Lewis on the other hand, spews his last meal. Both fail their Sanity at the sight of the lab room complete with operating tables. Two human torsos lay upon the closest table in the process of being stitched together: the attempted creation of another winged experiment. Sanity tested not just at the sight but realization its chest rises and falls! [Both fail their Sanity; Donald -3 pts, Lewis -1 pt and automatic Bout of Madness (3: Red Mist). Lewis’ Insane Talent: Insane Accuracy].

Lewis pushes past Donald as he strides into the room, gun blazing. Green goo oozing from the tabled creation that begins to rise. Donald slides around to distance himself and thus spots another deformed creation rising from its hiding spot behind the far table. Donald tosses a grenade [50 out of 50, regular for 31 damage] which obliterates the deformity.

Both so engaged that neither saw the deranged SS Richter step out from behind the door. His syringe held high as he stalks Lewis. Donald’s last second warning [required Hard POW for Lewis to momentarily suppress his insane violent focus]. Lewis spins around just in time to dodge out of the way.

Lewis aims his pistol and fires a 3-round burst. All hit [14 damage]. But all shatter into fragments upon hardened skin. Except for a small trickle of blood. [13 points of Flesh Ward]. Donald charges with his wrench, hitting a glancing blow. Too close and exposed; Richter plunges the needle into Donald’s neck [Extreme Brawl versus Extreme fight-back]. Donald stands his ground using his left hand to fight for control of the syringe. Lewis fires into the melee, hitting his intended target per his Insane Accuracy.

Donald now stumbling from drowsiness but still able to hit with his wrench. And knocks the needle away. Manically laughing and screaming for Donald to protect him, Richter draws his Mauser on Lewis, “Click.” [fumble 00; jam]. Then throws it before trying to back out of the room. Killed before he can take his second step. Only now do they remember the experiment upon the table. Yes, it sat up but was without sight. It’s creation incomplete. Interrupted. And now dead from Lewis emptying his gun.

Lewis’ Insanity subsides. Enough sanity to notice the open book beside the stitched body. He stuffs it in his backpack before turning his attention to his severely wounded partner. Donald rubbing his neck, bewildered, “Where are we? What’s going on?” His fractured Sanity from the needle injection causing amnesia. The least of his transformations. Lewis bandaging him, “Let’s get the hell out of here before those other Germans arrive.” Lewis too anxious to slip away so he can peek into the book he’s found; Donald’s amnesia robbing him of the memory of Gregory Evans still somewhere in the castle. (Per his keen sense of hearing) As they descend the stairs, Donald lobs another grenade down the stairs that lead to the basement, “A parting shot for whatever is screaming.”

They arrive at the southern gate finding it cleared. [Group Luck roll by Donald to determine available transportation: 00]. A narrow passage between burnt out hulks of cars. Eric and Anna already on bicycles with 2 more propped up, “Best we could find. Good news, they don’t run out of gas.”

EPILOGUE: Gregory Evan cowered in his cell at the thought of what had been injected into him. He’d watched the transformation of the German soldier beside him. His body popping and contorting and growing from the green serum. It’s screams of pain drowning out his own screams for rescue when he heard the soldiers attacking above. But slowly he realized he grew healthy. The mad SS officer had injected him with medicine. I guess he needed to start with a healthy body before beginning experiments.

And that’s when the grenade bounced down the steps. And exploded near his cell door. Yes, shrapnel wounds. But the cell lock also broken. Escape. The opportunity to return to Allied lines and bring back the critical information he possessed.

BEHIND THE SCREEN: The events of this scenario entail the aftermath of the town of Cauzerte during the occupation of Axis forces. A dark tome of knowledge, The Traveler’s Teachings, has inspired the vile SS Officer commanding the occupying forces, to commit horrific acts of an otherworldly nature, resulting in cosmic horror to descend upon the once innocent town. It’s population and regular German soldiers used in experiments.

When stuck by the syringe, Donald rolled a hard CON save. He needed an Extreme. But his Hard result lessened his outcome. “You permanently gain a 50% boost to your Spot Hidden and Listen abilities, while suffering 1d20+4 SAN loss (bout of madness). You are susceptible to commands as long as Richter lives!” Donald’s Bout was the amnesia. And Indefinite Insanity which led to his own Insane Talent (Insanely Hard to Hit).