Twisted Water

Situation

Theseus is currently under contract for peacekeeping duties in the Kunduz River region in Afghanistan, which is still in the grip of a low-level insurgency. Our contract is in consortium with ION PMC.

Insurgent activity in the area is financed and abetted by smuggling, where the Kunduz River serves as a natural barrier. Although the consortium has been conducting air patrols and random searches, all indications are that smuggling activity has accelerated rather than being slowed down.

This contract is too underfunded to justify constant drone coverage of the area, and recent intelligence has suggested that the insurgent have a sophisticated operation monitoring drone sorties. This has allowed them to move only when we do not have loitering reconnaissance.

To combat this, the consortium has obtained authorization to destroy most of the bridges on the Kunduz River, manning the remainder with checkpoints. At the same time, Theseus has brought in armed RHIBs to provide a riverine patrol presence.

FRIENDLY FORCES

• Theseus Inc.
• ION PMC

ENEMY FORCES

• Kunduz Insurgents

Objectives

We are to conduct a riverine patrol using our armed RHIBs up and down the Kunduz River between checkpoints alpha and charlie, and destroy any smuggling operations found as well as their smuggled goods.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES

• Destroy all encountered smuggling operations.
• Destroy any smuggled goods found.

Equipment

GROUND

• N/A

AIR

• N/A

SPECIAL

• 6 x RHIB HMG

Intelligence

• Enemy Capabilities: Militia
• Enemy Vehicle Composition: Soft Skinned Vehicles
• EOD Required: Demolitions
• Est. Enemy Force: 3 x Platoon Sized Elements (32-50)
• Est. Time Frame: 2 Hour
• Locked Doors: No

All but three of the previous river crossings across the Kunduz River have been destroyed, with remaining traffic concentrated on the remainder where manned checkpoints restrict traffic.

While the Kunduz River is not a large barrier to traffic, the water has been polluted enough that the local subsistence fishery has long since collapsed, so any boats encountered are almost guaranteed to be cross-river traffic for avoiding checkpoints.

The river is usually peaceful, but the recent destruction of the bridges is such that it has likely concentrated insurgent activity along the banks. Based on contraband seized at checkpoints, smuggled goods are likely to include illegally trafficked animal parts, drugs, and arms.