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AGELESS Campaign Episode 2 - Temple of the Cat-Goddess
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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 6315509" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 78, “The Ambassador” September 11, 1882, 12:00P.M.</strong></p><p></p><p>The group is interrupted by the arrival of three men who the Egyptian soldiers immediately let inside. Two of the three men are armed with rifle, pistol and sword and are wearing uniforms of the United States Marine Corps, with insignia of the rank of senior sergeant. They are clearly the bodyguards of the third man, a distinguished looking gentleman in his mid-forties immaculately attired in a freshly pressed suit. George looks up quizzically "Yes, may we help you?"</p><p></p><p>The man says, "Why yes, let me introduce myself. I am George Potwin Pomeroy, the United States of America's Ambassador to Egypt. I have an important communication to deliver to a Mrs. Willamina Parker and a Mr. Lawrence Cantrell." "Greeting's Ambassador, I suspected it was you by your escort, but these days I can never be sure. Now what is the nature of your missive to Mrs. Parker and Mr. Cantrell?" asks George without indicating that either person is here or identifying them.</p><p></p><p>Pomeroy says, "The Communication is directly from William E. Chandler, the Secretary of the Navy. He is personally acquainted with both, having met them back towards the end of the War when he was the Navy's Judge Advocate General. Sir, you are clearly not Mrs. Parker, and are too young to be Mr. Cantrell. If you could direct me to either of them I would greatly appreciate it." "Of course sir, as soon as you again inform me as to the nature of the correspondence, and provide acceptable credentials. In such tumultuous times one cannot be sure of impostors. You understand I am sure Ambassador." replies George cooly.</p><p></p><p>He states "This should satisfy your curiosity regarding my credentials." He removes from his jacket pocket an envelope containing his official Appointment papers, dated July 1, 1882 signed by President Arthur. Another paper is signed by the Egyptian King, accepting Pomeroy as the United State's official representative. He then says, "As to the contents of the communication, it is not up to me to reveal that to you. It will be up to Mrs. Parker and Mr. Cantrell whether they wish to share that with you sir. And on that subject, could I please see your passport and any other credentials so that I know who it is that I am speaking to?"</p><p></p><p>Realizing that the group lacks passports noting their official entry into Egypt, Mina steps forward and says, "He is my future grandson-in-law George Eastman. I am Mrs. Parker, and this should clear up the fact that I know William Chandler." She fishes through her satchel and removes one of several photographs clipped together inside. Handing it to Pomeroy she says, "This was taken in 1865 with my current husband along with Mr. Chandler and a pair of men with the last name of Lincoln." </p><p></p><p>Seeing the earlier picture of her with the former president and the current Secretary of the Navy alongside the current Secretary of War does appear to put the Ambassador at ease. She takes the communication and reads it over, laughing "It appears that James has been busy. The telegram from us stating that the Queen wanted to have me executed prompted him to exercise a countermeasure."</p><p></p><p>She passes the letter over to Lawrence and continues. "James Parker was once an officer in the Navy. Back in '75 when the corrupt New York politician William Boss Tweed fled to Spain we were dispatched to retrieve him. In order to make the arrest official James was reinstated to active duty and The Magnificence was temporarily made a Naval vessel. Lawrence, Roy Huggins and I were also given official Naval Commissions for that mission. James has apparently convinced our friend Mr. Chandler to do so again."</p><p></p><p>Pomeroy continues "Yes, Secretary Chandler has reinstated The Magnificence, now the USS Magnificence, to active duty with Mr. Parker as its Captain. Mrs. Parker and Mr. Cantrell are both reinstated at the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Your official duties and mission are listed as simply "Supplementary Service", which gives you a great deal of latitude. This is not to say that the King cannot still bring you up on charges, but doing so would now require him to go through lengthy and official protocols and could also spark an international incident with the United States. That said, how can I be of assistance to you?" Ruby exclaims, "Holy cow Nana, that's crazy!!!" Ruby looks at her with wide eyes. "There is still so much I don't know about you!" </p><p></p><p>Abigail interjects, "While that's lovely for Lawrence and Mrs. Parker, it's not really going to help the rest of us who decided not to enjoy the hospitality of his Majesty's dungeons. So we should probably still avoid him. But before we do that, we have some lives to save outside," Abby said. She wasn't sure about this Ambassador and how could interfere in what they were doing. A representative of the US Government may want to assume command, and for some reason that was sitting very poorly with her. Mina says, "Agreed, although it is me personally who the Queen has the longstanding grudge with, the rest of you were more-or-less collateral hostages."</p><p></p><p>Ruby turns to Pomeroy. "So, what exactly do you have at her disposal? I mean, a ship I guess? I'm not sure how that might help us in the middle of the desert." She pauses, then extends her hand. "Oh, I should introduce myself I suppose. I'm Ruby West, Mrs. Parker's granddaughter." He says, "We have one small warship docked on the Nile here in Cairo with a crew of thirty-one sailors and twelve marines onboard. There are two larger United States warships docked at the end of the Nile north in Alexandria."</p><p></p><p>Lawrence shakes Pomeroy's hand. "I'm Lawrence Cantrell. You have a letter for me?" Lawrence looks over the letter. "This is unexpected news. Thank you Ambassador. Looks like I'll have to walk a finer line now." He smile Mina says to Pomeroy, "I think that we can handle it from here, but please let me know the address of the Embassy that you will be at as well as which Dock the American Warship is situated at." </p><p></p><p>He replies, "The Embassy is just three blocks south of where we are now, a small structure made of white brick with an American flag on the flag pole outside. The ship is the USS Franklin Pierce, it is a two-mast paddle steamer, approximately 100 feet in length, docked to the southwest after the merchant ships loaded with rice." He and his marines then depart After Pomeroy leaves, Lawrence says, "Very interesting. The ship will be good to make a getaway. Could come in handy if we need some extra firepower." "That was... odd," Abby said finally. </p><p></p><p>She then gathered the items they had retrieved from the Bast Priestess and laid them out reverently for Sabah to examine. "We were as respectful as we possibly could be. Not being familiar with the rituals, I hope it was enough. Do you think this will help?" Sahab looks over the crown, belt and necklace. She exclaims with awe, "The vestments of Djeserit Mew-Shir. This is amazing. Where did you find them?"</p><p></p><p>Abby says, "There was a hidden room under the Palace. We found it while we were making our escape from the dungeons. Meren said there were rumors that the Priestess had been moved to the Palace from her original resting place." Sabah states, "These need to be put in their proper place, a temple to Bast. But we cannot do that with Champollian and those other French grave robbers about, they will just steal them as they have Bast's other treasures." Lawrence says, "We'll have to chase them off then. Barring that, we can make the vestments undesirable." </p><p></p><p>Ruby says, "Sabah, is there a way one of us or even you might be able to use these items to help us with our current problem? We're not interested in misusing anything, but this war is just the kind of thing the Goddess created these items for. Barring that, is everyone clear on our plan and theirs roles?" Lawrence interjects "Sorry, Ruby. My head is still abuzz from my return to the service. What do you need me to do?"</p><p></p><p>Sabah continues to examine the artifacts and says, "Do you people know the history of these items? They were used to bring Bast herself to Egypt to rid the country of Persian invaders. But doing so cost the High Priestess who wore them her life. It the present situation that dire?" Abby says, "No. Things here are unfortunate, but not desperate. We want to save as many lives as we can but not at the cost of others. Or yours. There are other options. Like Mr. Eastman's plan with the illusion."</p><p></p><p>Ruby says, "Alright, what I know is that I have to stop someone from doing bad things. We'll have to go out and find this someone, so I will need help with that. As to anyone else's plans, that is up to them. Speak up now people!" The group reviews what they have for equipment. </p><p></p><p>Ruby states, "Okay, we should keep the four clerical healing potions on different people, in case we get separated. How about Nana, George, Abby and Lawrence each takes one. I am taking the rifle. I would say we should attempt to break up the crowd with the food carts. If that doesn't work, at least it should thin out the crowd. Then we try the illusion? Who is casting this illusion we keep talking about? Abby? Nana? And then whomever is left after the illusion, well, that's what the rifle is for. I only plan on trying to take down the crazy leader and I will try not to kill him, though this may prove difficult if I end up at a long distance. My hope is if he falls, his followers will leave, leaving the gates clear. </p><p></p><p>Lawrence, George, Abby, Nana and myself will all take horses, in case we have to move quickly.</p><p>Sabah, Meren, will you be helping us? If so, what do you have to offer for our plan? How about you, Callum? As for the goddesses belongings, I hope it doesn't come to anyone having to use them. I'm not certain anyone here is even in the position to do so. We can deal with returning them where they need to go later."</p><p></p><p>Abby says, "That sounds about right. There's no reason not to try everything we've come up with, least invasive and damaging first. I can do a couple things. Either I can go with Mina and add sound to her illusion, or I can go with you, Ruby, and cast a spell on you that will improve your aim. So much that it's almost impossible to miss. Possibly I can do both, depending on the timing." Without realizing she was moving, Abby had landed next to Cal as she talked to the others.</p><p></p><p>George says, "Yes, it will all be sequential, food, then illusion, then rifle then troops. Hopefully by staging this as we have we can avoid the worst of the bloodshed. We still have the problem of the princess arriving by airship with the French, even if we disperse the crowd we have that to deal with." </p><p></p><p>Ruby says, "We need to hurry and get this all figured out. Nana, is there a certain spot you need to be to cast your spell? George, where do you have to be with the food carts or how is that working? Me, I just need to find this fanatic then probably get up to the roof. We need details people!" Mina replies, "I will need an unobstructed view of where you want me to cast it."</p><p></p><p>The food vendors have instructions on where to set up, they are just waiting for our orders to begin. I want the illusion set up over the gate the crowd is gathered in front of, so as long as Mina can see that we should be good. Ruby and Mina may be best up on the roof. We will use the carts first. Then the illusion. That should thin the crowd out enough for Ruby to spot and shoot the fanatic. That will hopefully break the last of the crowd. Then we can get to the gate ourselves and stop this thing" summarizes George. "I think once you two get in position, we can start"</p><p></p><p>Ruby says, "Alright, let's get going then, we still need to find the crazy guy. We just need to start doing... stuff. George, send these food carts out to scatter at the very edges of the crowd so we pull them away from the palace, okay?" Abby adds, "It sounds like there'll be some time before the illusion then, so the food carts have time to do their magic. I think I'd like to mingle with the crowds and see if I can spread some completely unfounded, and some founded, rumors." </p><p></p><p>Lawrence slips a potion into his pocket. He says, "The important part is stopping him. If the gods have decided that he die, then who are we to go against them?" Hardin replies, "Okay Mr. Cantrell, what do you say that the two of us go take a look-see about what is taking place?" Lawrence replies, "That sounds like a capital idea, Mr. Hardin. Let's make sure our pistols are ready, in case we need them." Once the pair makes their preparations, they set forth. </p><p></p><p>It is now high noon, and the food vendors are sent off, each with specific instructions on where to set up. Ruby and Mina head off shortly thereafter, accompanying them are two Egyptian soldiers (disguised as regular Egyptian citizens) with the sniper rifle and ammunition concealed inside large wicker baskets. They head towards the building with highest roof close to the palace's main entrance, where Abdullah has the largest number of followers.</p><p></p><p>George got the food vendors on their way after confirming again where he wanted them set up. He tells the men that if any should ask as to why the food was free that the temple of Bast is paying for it. He then puts on some white robes and a turban, wrapping as the merchants do, rather than the peasants. He applies some walnut stain to his skin and heads out to mingle with the crowd. So disguised he notes with some satisfaction the people leaving for the docks as well as those heading to the food vendors. </p><p></p><p>Callum and Abigail are now also both attired as locals, and head off to mingle into the crowds. They see that while the crowds have now grown to nearly 4,000 people, they have also moved further back, as the fifty or so palace guards have had time to construct better barricades and are keeping most of the people back with well placed rifle shots. About 100 armed of Abdullah's group have likewise barricaded themselves closer, behind objects facing the palace. These men take an occasional shot back whenever a palace guard shows himself to fire, but the constant gunfire appears to have now ceased.</p><p></p><p>Abby and Cal slipped into the crowd. She did some listening first, deciding what rumors would be best to spread and help shore up the illusion when it came. The five most talked about topics of discussion are: (1) The King's betrayal of Egypt to foreigners; (2) The possible rice shortage due to a smaller than usual flooding season; (3) The god Horus coming down to anoint either Abdullah or General Orabi as the next King; (4) Political unrest in Tunisa due to the French loosing control of their African colonies; (5) What Princess Neferka's wedding gown looked like.</p><p></p><p>Abby adds, "We may want to spread some talk about how the gods aren't pleased with Abdullah. Suggest the battle would have been started and won by now, maybe.” He replies, "While the Horus high priest is Adhullah's second-in-command it might be hard to convince people that the gods are not with him. Battle news is often unreliable and many people know it, without actually seeing evidence it would be hard to prove.”</p><p></p><p>Abby changes the conversation by asking, “So, how did your trip with the naked ladies go?" Callum replies, “The naked ladies were both twice my age, so I had little interest beyond their rescue. Truth be told, I have my eyes on a particular young woman, regardless of her attire." Abby says, "I was more wondering if they gave you the hard time about the manner of their escape that you were expecting. Ladies twice my age tend to be sensitive about that.</p><p></p><p>About what we overheard, can we use the possible rice shortage? Suggest there may be a run on rice starting? I don't know if any of these people would go running home trying to get rice if they thought they wouldn't be able to get it." Callum says, "I think you're on the right track, but I think we'd have to up the ante from just trying to get them to go shopping at the local market. Maybe something about the storages of rice stored in the city's warehouses down by the docks."</p><p></p><p>Abby says, "That's exactly what I meant. If there's a sudden run for some reason, most people will rush to get theirs before it can't be gotten anymore. I hate to mess with the economy like that, but we're looking to save lives here." She looked around, noting the definite lack of women. "I'm not sure how effective I can be here. Maybe we should just talk loudly to each other where we can be overheard." He says, "Well, I am fluent in the local language. Let us begin." </p><p></p><p>Abby led Cal through the crowd, listening not only for someone discussing the rice situation, but also someone who already sounded worried about it. She was looking for someone most likely to believe what they overheard. Once she found that person she stopped Cal and began to speak loudly in Egyptian. "My father and brothers wanted to come here, but the rice... There's nothing more going to the store houses. Then my eldest brother came home and said people were lining up at the storehouses to get the rice. They went there instead. They weren't taking the risk."</p><p></p><p>Continuing on and keeping this story up, it moves quickly through the crowds and approximately 10% of the people depart during the next fifteen minutes. Aiding Abby's efforts and priming the crowd, George stands and listens then mutters in Egyptian loudly enough to be heard "Ra will not be pleased with this" as he shakes his head and wanders off through the crowd only to repeat his mutterings again and again.</p><p></p><p>Abby had hoped to get a few more people to leave, but after another thought, she smiled. "What man with a sword can say he took out 10 percent of the enemy's forces in fifteen minutes? Now we just have to hope that things here wrap up before they can decide to come back." She took another look around, trying to think of another tactic, something else they could do from here. "I'm not sure what else we can do here. How much longer until the Princess gets here?"</p><p></p><p>Lawrence and Hardin make their way into the crowd. Lawrence looks over his shoulder and says to the gunfighter, "Let's try to get closer to that high priest. I want to see how he gets the crowd so riled up." "Right behind you," says Hardin. The High Priest is telling of Egypt's long history, and of how the Egyptian deities and the Pharaohs worked as one. He says that is no longer the case, that the current King no longer has the proper respect for the gods, preferring to please foreign kings instead. </p><p></p><p>Hardin whispers to Lawrence, "Let me guess. He's just the man to show Pharaoh the error of his ways." Lawrence nods, "Men who think they have the ear of the gods can be very sure of their themselves. It can be dangerous. Let's move around to gauge the crowd."</p><p></p><p>Meanwhile, Ruby squints into the crowd. "Can you see where this crazy man is? I'd like to know what he looks like before I have to... you know... This might be difficult with this large crowd, I hope the plan works to break them up a little."</p><p></p><p>Mina spots a man speaking to a group of around 300 of the crowd. She says, "That man, based upon his attire he would be the Horus High Priest, the man that is Abdullah's second in command. Abdullah is probably one of those two men behind him." Ruby sees the trio, the Priest in elaborate robes with a jeweled staff. Behind him are two men in simple but clean and well-made white Egyptian clothing similar to what she had seen the King's retainers and advisors wearing.</p><p></p><p>Ruby nods. "You're probably right. And I have an idea to put the question to rest." She motions to men carrying the guns. "Stay here please." She slips around a corner, out of sight and quietly mutters some words to herself. She comes back to her grandmother and takes her hand. "Come with me Nana and keep watch, I will have to be concentrating. I don't know if this will work or not but it's worth a shot."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 6315509, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 78, “The Ambassador” September 11, 1882, 12:00P.M.[/B] The group is interrupted by the arrival of three men who the Egyptian soldiers immediately let inside. Two of the three men are armed with rifle, pistol and sword and are wearing uniforms of the United States Marine Corps, with insignia of the rank of senior sergeant. They are clearly the bodyguards of the third man, a distinguished looking gentleman in his mid-forties immaculately attired in a freshly pressed suit. George looks up quizzically "Yes, may we help you?" The man says, "Why yes, let me introduce myself. I am George Potwin Pomeroy, the United States of America's Ambassador to Egypt. I have an important communication to deliver to a Mrs. Willamina Parker and a Mr. Lawrence Cantrell." "Greeting's Ambassador, I suspected it was you by your escort, but these days I can never be sure. Now what is the nature of your missive to Mrs. Parker and Mr. Cantrell?" asks George without indicating that either person is here or identifying them. Pomeroy says, "The Communication is directly from William E. Chandler, the Secretary of the Navy. He is personally acquainted with both, having met them back towards the end of the War when he was the Navy's Judge Advocate General. Sir, you are clearly not Mrs. Parker, and are too young to be Mr. Cantrell. If you could direct me to either of them I would greatly appreciate it." "Of course sir, as soon as you again inform me as to the nature of the correspondence, and provide acceptable credentials. In such tumultuous times one cannot be sure of impostors. You understand I am sure Ambassador." replies George cooly. He states "This should satisfy your curiosity regarding my credentials." He removes from his jacket pocket an envelope containing his official Appointment papers, dated July 1, 1882 signed by President Arthur. Another paper is signed by the Egyptian King, accepting Pomeroy as the United State's official representative. He then says, "As to the contents of the communication, it is not up to me to reveal that to you. It will be up to Mrs. Parker and Mr. Cantrell whether they wish to share that with you sir. And on that subject, could I please see your passport and any other credentials so that I know who it is that I am speaking to?" Realizing that the group lacks passports noting their official entry into Egypt, Mina steps forward and says, "He is my future grandson-in-law George Eastman. I am Mrs. Parker, and this should clear up the fact that I know William Chandler." She fishes through her satchel and removes one of several photographs clipped together inside. Handing it to Pomeroy she says, "This was taken in 1865 with my current husband along with Mr. Chandler and a pair of men with the last name of Lincoln." Seeing the earlier picture of her with the former president and the current Secretary of the Navy alongside the current Secretary of War does appear to put the Ambassador at ease. She takes the communication and reads it over, laughing "It appears that James has been busy. The telegram from us stating that the Queen wanted to have me executed prompted him to exercise a countermeasure." She passes the letter over to Lawrence and continues. "James Parker was once an officer in the Navy. Back in '75 when the corrupt New York politician William Boss Tweed fled to Spain we were dispatched to retrieve him. In order to make the arrest official James was reinstated to active duty and The Magnificence was temporarily made a Naval vessel. Lawrence, Roy Huggins and I were also given official Naval Commissions for that mission. James has apparently convinced our friend Mr. Chandler to do so again." Pomeroy continues "Yes, Secretary Chandler has reinstated The Magnificence, now the USS Magnificence, to active duty with Mr. Parker as its Captain. Mrs. Parker and Mr. Cantrell are both reinstated at the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Your official duties and mission are listed as simply "Supplementary Service", which gives you a great deal of latitude. This is not to say that the King cannot still bring you up on charges, but doing so would now require him to go through lengthy and official protocols and could also spark an international incident with the United States. That said, how can I be of assistance to you?" Ruby exclaims, "Holy cow Nana, that's crazy!!!" Ruby looks at her with wide eyes. "There is still so much I don't know about you!" Abigail interjects, "While that's lovely for Lawrence and Mrs. Parker, it's not really going to help the rest of us who decided not to enjoy the hospitality of his Majesty's dungeons. So we should probably still avoid him. But before we do that, we have some lives to save outside," Abby said. She wasn't sure about this Ambassador and how could interfere in what they were doing. A representative of the US Government may want to assume command, and for some reason that was sitting very poorly with her. Mina says, "Agreed, although it is me personally who the Queen has the longstanding grudge with, the rest of you were more-or-less collateral hostages." Ruby turns to Pomeroy. "So, what exactly do you have at her disposal? I mean, a ship I guess? I'm not sure how that might help us in the middle of the desert." She pauses, then extends her hand. "Oh, I should introduce myself I suppose. I'm Ruby West, Mrs. Parker's granddaughter." He says, "We have one small warship docked on the Nile here in Cairo with a crew of thirty-one sailors and twelve marines onboard. There are two larger United States warships docked at the end of the Nile north in Alexandria." Lawrence shakes Pomeroy's hand. "I'm Lawrence Cantrell. You have a letter for me?" Lawrence looks over the letter. "This is unexpected news. Thank you Ambassador. Looks like I'll have to walk a finer line now." He smile Mina says to Pomeroy, "I think that we can handle it from here, but please let me know the address of the Embassy that you will be at as well as which Dock the American Warship is situated at." He replies, "The Embassy is just three blocks south of where we are now, a small structure made of white brick with an American flag on the flag pole outside. The ship is the USS Franklin Pierce, it is a two-mast paddle steamer, approximately 100 feet in length, docked to the southwest after the merchant ships loaded with rice." He and his marines then depart After Pomeroy leaves, Lawrence says, "Very interesting. The ship will be good to make a getaway. Could come in handy if we need some extra firepower." "That was... odd," Abby said finally. She then gathered the items they had retrieved from the Bast Priestess and laid them out reverently for Sabah to examine. "We were as respectful as we possibly could be. Not being familiar with the rituals, I hope it was enough. Do you think this will help?" Sahab looks over the crown, belt and necklace. She exclaims with awe, "The vestments of Djeserit Mew-Shir. This is amazing. Where did you find them?" Abby says, "There was a hidden room under the Palace. We found it while we were making our escape from the dungeons. Meren said there were rumors that the Priestess had been moved to the Palace from her original resting place." Sabah states, "These need to be put in their proper place, a temple to Bast. But we cannot do that with Champollian and those other French grave robbers about, they will just steal them as they have Bast's other treasures." Lawrence says, "We'll have to chase them off then. Barring that, we can make the vestments undesirable." Ruby says, "Sabah, is there a way one of us or even you might be able to use these items to help us with our current problem? We're not interested in misusing anything, but this war is just the kind of thing the Goddess created these items for. Barring that, is everyone clear on our plan and theirs roles?" Lawrence interjects "Sorry, Ruby. My head is still abuzz from my return to the service. What do you need me to do?" Sabah continues to examine the artifacts and says, "Do you people know the history of these items? They were used to bring Bast herself to Egypt to rid the country of Persian invaders. But doing so cost the High Priestess who wore them her life. It the present situation that dire?" Abby says, "No. Things here are unfortunate, but not desperate. We want to save as many lives as we can but not at the cost of others. Or yours. There are other options. Like Mr. Eastman's plan with the illusion." Ruby says, "Alright, what I know is that I have to stop someone from doing bad things. We'll have to go out and find this someone, so I will need help with that. As to anyone else's plans, that is up to them. Speak up now people!" The group reviews what they have for equipment. Ruby states, "Okay, we should keep the four clerical healing potions on different people, in case we get separated. How about Nana, George, Abby and Lawrence each takes one. I am taking the rifle. I would say we should attempt to break up the crowd with the food carts. If that doesn't work, at least it should thin out the crowd. Then we try the illusion? Who is casting this illusion we keep talking about? Abby? Nana? And then whomever is left after the illusion, well, that's what the rifle is for. I only plan on trying to take down the crazy leader and I will try not to kill him, though this may prove difficult if I end up at a long distance. My hope is if he falls, his followers will leave, leaving the gates clear. Lawrence, George, Abby, Nana and myself will all take horses, in case we have to move quickly. Sabah, Meren, will you be helping us? If so, what do you have to offer for our plan? How about you, Callum? As for the goddesses belongings, I hope it doesn't come to anyone having to use them. I'm not certain anyone here is even in the position to do so. We can deal with returning them where they need to go later." Abby says, "That sounds about right. There's no reason not to try everything we've come up with, least invasive and damaging first. I can do a couple things. Either I can go with Mina and add sound to her illusion, or I can go with you, Ruby, and cast a spell on you that will improve your aim. So much that it's almost impossible to miss. Possibly I can do both, depending on the timing." Without realizing she was moving, Abby had landed next to Cal as she talked to the others. George says, "Yes, it will all be sequential, food, then illusion, then rifle then troops. Hopefully by staging this as we have we can avoid the worst of the bloodshed. We still have the problem of the princess arriving by airship with the French, even if we disperse the crowd we have that to deal with." Ruby says, "We need to hurry and get this all figured out. Nana, is there a certain spot you need to be to cast your spell? George, where do you have to be with the food carts or how is that working? Me, I just need to find this fanatic then probably get up to the roof. We need details people!" Mina replies, "I will need an unobstructed view of where you want me to cast it." The food vendors have instructions on where to set up, they are just waiting for our orders to begin. I want the illusion set up over the gate the crowd is gathered in front of, so as long as Mina can see that we should be good. Ruby and Mina may be best up on the roof. We will use the carts first. Then the illusion. That should thin the crowd out enough for Ruby to spot and shoot the fanatic. That will hopefully break the last of the crowd. Then we can get to the gate ourselves and stop this thing" summarizes George. "I think once you two get in position, we can start" Ruby says, "Alright, let's get going then, we still need to find the crazy guy. We just need to start doing... stuff. George, send these food carts out to scatter at the very edges of the crowd so we pull them away from the palace, okay?" Abby adds, "It sounds like there'll be some time before the illusion then, so the food carts have time to do their magic. I think I'd like to mingle with the crowds and see if I can spread some completely unfounded, and some founded, rumors." Lawrence slips a potion into his pocket. He says, "The important part is stopping him. If the gods have decided that he die, then who are we to go against them?" Hardin replies, "Okay Mr. Cantrell, what do you say that the two of us go take a look-see about what is taking place?" Lawrence replies, "That sounds like a capital idea, Mr. Hardin. Let's make sure our pistols are ready, in case we need them." Once the pair makes their preparations, they set forth. It is now high noon, and the food vendors are sent off, each with specific instructions on where to set up. Ruby and Mina head off shortly thereafter, accompanying them are two Egyptian soldiers (disguised as regular Egyptian citizens) with the sniper rifle and ammunition concealed inside large wicker baskets. They head towards the building with highest roof close to the palace's main entrance, where Abdullah has the largest number of followers. George got the food vendors on their way after confirming again where he wanted them set up. He tells the men that if any should ask as to why the food was free that the temple of Bast is paying for it. He then puts on some white robes and a turban, wrapping as the merchants do, rather than the peasants. He applies some walnut stain to his skin and heads out to mingle with the crowd. So disguised he notes with some satisfaction the people leaving for the docks as well as those heading to the food vendors. Callum and Abigail are now also both attired as locals, and head off to mingle into the crowds. They see that while the crowds have now grown to nearly 4,000 people, they have also moved further back, as the fifty or so palace guards have had time to construct better barricades and are keeping most of the people back with well placed rifle shots. About 100 armed of Abdullah's group have likewise barricaded themselves closer, behind objects facing the palace. These men take an occasional shot back whenever a palace guard shows himself to fire, but the constant gunfire appears to have now ceased. Abby and Cal slipped into the crowd. She did some listening first, deciding what rumors would be best to spread and help shore up the illusion when it came. The five most talked about topics of discussion are: (1) The King's betrayal of Egypt to foreigners; (2) The possible rice shortage due to a smaller than usual flooding season; (3) The god Horus coming down to anoint either Abdullah or General Orabi as the next King; (4) Political unrest in Tunisa due to the French loosing control of their African colonies; (5) What Princess Neferka's wedding gown looked like. Abby adds, "We may want to spread some talk about how the gods aren't pleased with Abdullah. Suggest the battle would have been started and won by now, maybe.” He replies, "While the Horus high priest is Adhullah's second-in-command it might be hard to convince people that the gods are not with him. Battle news is often unreliable and many people know it, without actually seeing evidence it would be hard to prove.” Abby changes the conversation by asking, “So, how did your trip with the naked ladies go?" Callum replies, “The naked ladies were both twice my age, so I had little interest beyond their rescue. Truth be told, I have my eyes on a particular young woman, regardless of her attire." Abby says, "I was more wondering if they gave you the hard time about the manner of their escape that you were expecting. Ladies twice my age tend to be sensitive about that. About what we overheard, can we use the possible rice shortage? Suggest there may be a run on rice starting? I don't know if any of these people would go running home trying to get rice if they thought they wouldn't be able to get it." Callum says, "I think you're on the right track, but I think we'd have to up the ante from just trying to get them to go shopping at the local market. Maybe something about the storages of rice stored in the city's warehouses down by the docks." Abby says, "That's exactly what I meant. If there's a sudden run for some reason, most people will rush to get theirs before it can't be gotten anymore. I hate to mess with the economy like that, but we're looking to save lives here." She looked around, noting the definite lack of women. "I'm not sure how effective I can be here. Maybe we should just talk loudly to each other where we can be overheard." He says, "Well, I am fluent in the local language. Let us begin." Abby led Cal through the crowd, listening not only for someone discussing the rice situation, but also someone who already sounded worried about it. She was looking for someone most likely to believe what they overheard. Once she found that person she stopped Cal and began to speak loudly in Egyptian. "My father and brothers wanted to come here, but the rice... There's nothing more going to the store houses. Then my eldest brother came home and said people were lining up at the storehouses to get the rice. They went there instead. They weren't taking the risk." Continuing on and keeping this story up, it moves quickly through the crowds and approximately 10% of the people depart during the next fifteen minutes. Aiding Abby's efforts and priming the crowd, George stands and listens then mutters in Egyptian loudly enough to be heard "Ra will not be pleased with this" as he shakes his head and wanders off through the crowd only to repeat his mutterings again and again. Abby had hoped to get a few more people to leave, but after another thought, she smiled. "What man with a sword can say he took out 10 percent of the enemy's forces in fifteen minutes? Now we just have to hope that things here wrap up before they can decide to come back." She took another look around, trying to think of another tactic, something else they could do from here. "I'm not sure what else we can do here. How much longer until the Princess gets here?" Lawrence and Hardin make their way into the crowd. Lawrence looks over his shoulder and says to the gunfighter, "Let's try to get closer to that high priest. I want to see how he gets the crowd so riled up." "Right behind you," says Hardin. The High Priest is telling of Egypt's long history, and of how the Egyptian deities and the Pharaohs worked as one. He says that is no longer the case, that the current King no longer has the proper respect for the gods, preferring to please foreign kings instead. Hardin whispers to Lawrence, "Let me guess. He's just the man to show Pharaoh the error of his ways." Lawrence nods, "Men who think they have the ear of the gods can be very sure of their themselves. It can be dangerous. Let's move around to gauge the crowd." Meanwhile, Ruby squints into the crowd. "Can you see where this crazy man is? I'd like to know what he looks like before I have to... you know... This might be difficult with this large crowd, I hope the plan works to break them up a little." Mina spots a man speaking to a group of around 300 of the crowd. She says, "That man, based upon his attire he would be the Horus High Priest, the man that is Abdullah's second in command. Abdullah is probably one of those two men behind him." Ruby sees the trio, the Priest in elaborate robes with a jeweled staff. Behind him are two men in simple but clean and well-made white Egyptian clothing similar to what she had seen the King's retainers and advisors wearing. Ruby nods. "You're probably right. And I have an idea to put the question to rest." She motions to men carrying the guns. "Stay here please." She slips around a corner, out of sight and quietly mutters some words to herself. She comes back to her grandmother and takes her hand. "Come with me Nana and keep watch, I will have to be concentrating. I don't know if this will work or not but it's worth a shot." [/QUOTE]
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AGELESS Campaign Episode 2 - Temple of the Cat-Goddess
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