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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: 6918545" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 101, “The Submersible" September 12, 1882, 4:30 AM.</strong></p><p></p><p>Ruby has been given the two magical items. The group of George, Ruby, Lawrence, Mina, Abby, Mengesha, Freya and Maurice board the dirigible. "If you are going to try to disarm the bomb Ruby, I want it near the door. However, we hadn't decided if we wanted to use it as a distraction." says George going through final take off checks. Ruby replies, "Well, I think we are dropping it somewhere, right? Perhaps in the water near the ship for the distraction. But that assumes that we get there in time. Maurice, is there anything else you can tell us about the ship?"</p><p></p><p>Maurice describes the Armide as a three-mast ironclad that is approximately 225 feet in length. He says that the wizard's main modification has been in the propulsion system, that the magical enhancements has greatly increased its speed. Lawrence says, "Let's aim for her stern. If the bomb knocks out the propeller, she'll be dead in the water until they can raise the sails." Ruby answers, "Whatever that means! Sounds like Larry here knows what he is talking about. However; we also have to discuss where will we try to find the Princess and General. Anyone have ideas which part of the ship that might be?"</p><p></p><p>Maurice says, "The problem with that plan is that we don't know how large the explosion will be, it could damage or sink the ship, which we would not want to do while the Princess and General are chained to the wall. As to their specific location, we can approximate where the ship's hold may be based upon what we saw from the inside. I would estimate mid-ship just above the waterline. My vessel that is currently watching them is a submersible, so we could surface alongside the Armide if that would help. She replies, "I don't think that would be particularly stealthy, would it? Then again, us dropping from the sky from a huge balloon wouldn't be either."</p><p></p><p>He says, "We should be arriving on the scene a half-hour before the first light of dawn comes over the horizon. That would give us a short time to rendezvous with my ship out of sight of the Armide and then get alongside. But once it is light out the submersible would probably be spotted by those on the Armide, my team's vessel is rather large."</p><p></p><p>"My question is if you know if the Armide has any guns modified to elevate significantly? If we come in from above I want to make sure we won't be fired upon. That may be the use of our bomb. Drop it off one side of the ship, say a half mile from the ship. As we pass over, hopefully the ice will still be intact. We may be able to add some if need be. Once in the ocean the ice will melt, the bomb explode. The subsequent attention will distract the crew as we descend quickly from above and the opposite side." suggests George Maurice says, "It does have guns, but I do not think they can be elevated. But we know from experience that those wizards can throw Lightning Bolts."</p><p></p><p>Ruby comments, "And you said this ship is out in the water or docked at the island they are investigating?" Maurice replies, "The Armide is anchored above the ruins of the ancient city. My submersible is just below the surface not far from the coast, around three miles distant from the Armide." Ruby asks, "Since you are familiar with the ship Maurice, if we took your ship under the water, would we swim out of your ship and what, climb up the edge of the other ship?" Mina interjects "Or perhaps use some of your newly acquired magical items." George says, "Oh yes we do. But with Mengesha, Freya and the ring, I foresee several shock troops landing early and separately from the airship."</p><p></p><p>"I figured one of us would use the ring of levitation to drop from the airship as Mengesha and Freya fly down. Another one of us can use the amulet to perhaps swim up to the ship's water line and enter through the hull." says George Ruby says, "All that after we drop the bomb? Will we be able to get into position fast enough? Before the bomb explodes?" "Well, if we drop the bomb with enough ice on it, it will take a few minutes to melt. Since ice is buoyant the bomb will float and we shouldn't have problems with submersion. But that should buy us 10 to 15 minutes I think, based on ambient ocean temperatures, that should be plenty of time to get in position." replies George</p><p></p><p>"Okay George, I think that sounds like a plan. Good enough starting point anyway, these things never seem to go the way they are supposed to. But that's usually when it gets fun," Ruby laughed. George laughed and leaned over and kissed Ruby. "Yes my dear that is very true and in the chaos created is when you shine." Mina reminds the others that "The last Daguerre and Chevreul saw this dirigible it was in Cairo under the control of their wizards. We could always attempt a ruse of making them think we are their allies."</p><p></p><p>The ride take around 45 minutes, during which time the ice block has shrunk some more due to the heat inside the gondola. They arrive at the coastline to the sea, following along a peninsula. Maurice has George lower the dirigible inside of a cove to the left of the peninsula's end. He has George set the dirigible to hover approximately 30 feet above the surface of the water. He explains "From here we will have line-of-sight to where the submersible now is, but the land will block us from view of the French warship." Maurice then gets out a signal light and sends off a very short message in Morse code.</p><p></p><p>Lawrence asks, "Maurice, does your boat have a spar torpedo? We could tie the bomb to it." He says, "I am not certain, we will have to ask the Captain." Lawrence adds, "It'll solve the problem of the bomb floating away from the ship." They notice a disturbance in the water immediately below the dirigible, as hundreds of air bubbles now break as they reach the surface. A faint red glow is then seen rising up from the deep. A crimson-colored hundred-foot-long giant squid brakes the surface of the water, its tentacles stretching towards them and glowing eye clearly visible. Lawrence blinks in surprise. "What in Gehenna is that? Is that your submersible?"</p><p></p><p>Maurice smiles and says, "Indeed, there is no need to attack the beast. The disguise works quite well, any sailors seeing it from a distance on the surface will report only seeing a sea serpent or giant squid." They now notice that the tentacles are all firmly mounted to the side of the craft and that the squid’s glowing eyes in the front appear to be made of opaque glass, with people underneath. Once it has fully surfaced the eye-hatch opens and a man in a military-style uniform exits, although it is not from any navy that George or Lawrence know of.</p><p></p><p>As they exit the dirigible gondola onto the craft Maurice says, "Welcome to the Nautilus.” They approach the tall man wearing the naval officer’s uniform. He has a neatly cropped beard and mustache of a tan-blond color and appears to be in his forties. Maurice gestures to the man and says, “Allow me to introduce you to Captain Andre Nemo. He is a scientist, mechanic, engineer, inventor, freedom fighter, and to some a pirate. He is also the creator of this wonderful craft that you are standing on. The Nautilus, otherwise known as the Sword of the Ocean.” George looks appreciatively at the craft. He whispers to Ruby "I may have to get one of those" he says with a grin.</p><p></p><p>Captain Nemo proudly states in what appears to be a French accent, "Welcome. The Nautilus he has seen the world over and over, from above and below." Lawrence shakes the captain's hand. "Nice to meet you, Captain Nemo. I'm Commander Lawrence Cantrell, US Navy. That's a mighty fine ship you have here. I bet you've seen a lot."</p><p></p><p>Ruby's eyes narrowed slightly, obviously not trusting the situation. "Amazing ship you have here, Captain Nemo. What sort of name is Nemo, if I might ask?" "French" he replies. George extends his hand to Captain "Well meet Captain. I am George Eastman, and your aquatic accomplishment is well known to me. Though I do wonder, as you are a man without a country, and owe allegiance only to yourself, what prompts your presence here?" Nemo replies, "Mr. Beaujoulais and I both share a deep mutual hatred for the French, and these French wizards in particular."</p><p></p><p>Lawrence interjects, "Then you've come to the right place. Did you have a plan in mind for keeping the Armide from escaping? We don't want to blow it up. There may be hostages on board." Nemo replies, "My plan is to sink it. Hostages are merely collateral damage." "I take umbrage with that Captain. Those hostages are not collateral damage. They are far from it. You will wait to sink the Armide until any and all hostages have been searched for and removed safely. Then I fully endorse the sinking." replies George. Ruby adds, "Oh yes, and that. The future Queen of Egypt is most likely on that ship."</p><p></p><p>Beaujoulais says "George, Andre has never been overly concerned about those who are in the wrong place at the wrong time." George says, "I understand that. I however am quite concerned. I understand Andre's ideas but is methods are not amoral. I will not stand in the way of his sinking of the ship. He will wait though. There is too much at stake right now." "Agreed," says Maurice.</p><p></p><p>While his men secure the airship to the vessel, Nemo takes them below. They head down a metal ladder to the next level. The first room reached is a combination drawing room/salon/museum, that is thirty-feet long, eighteen-feet wide, and fifteen-feet high. This incredible room contains a pipe organ, an art collection of great value and very large number of marine specimens. There is also a fountain made from a shell about six-feet across. Finally, the salon has two large oblong windows protected by sliding panels.</p><p></p><p>Ruby says, "This is all beautiful Captain Nemo. You took a lot of care in building this ship, and so cleverly hidden no less." She walked over to the window, trailing a finger across the shell fountain. "What can be seen through these windows? Out into the sea?" Nemo replies, "And when submerged, the various creatures of the deep." "That is amazing! Can we see what their ship looks like?" she said, thumbing towards the battleship. He replies, "After we move forward. Let me send up some crew to pilot the dirigible while we are at sea."</p><p></p><p>The upper hatch is shut and the vessel begins to move forward. "Prepare to dive," Nemo exclaims as he chimes a bell along the wall. George eagerly observes all he can (or is permitted to without being intrusive) of how this wondrous vessel operates. like with the airship, one never knows when the information will be useful, either speculatively or operationally.</p><p></p><p>Abigail looked curiously around the inside of the submersible ship. She'd remained quiet now for several hours, and felt much better for it. Her particular skill set hadn't been needed, and she'd needed rest. For her, last hour and change had been filled with catnaps, and when she couldn't sleep she lived inside her mind. But now was time to come out, although she was still uncertain what help she could be at this point. Catnaps weren't enough to recharge her magically. But brainpower never went out of style.</p><p></p><p>"So, how are we getting over to the ship again? Swimming? These robes are not exactly made for that," Ruby laughed. Abby says, "A vessel like this with a Captain like Nemo? There's a method, probably often used." Ruby smiled, "And I'm hoping the dear Captain will share that information with us. You're not dressed for swimming either!"</p><p></p><p>Nemo gestures to the periscope and says, "You should be able to see the ships now." Ruby says, "George, I think that's a job for you." Looking through the portal he sees not only the large three-mast ironclad battleship, but anchored alongside it is large wooden two-mast yacht. George says, "Hrm the Armitage seems to have company in the form of a yacht. Perhaps visitors? More likely a very comfy tender vessel. Potentially they could have moved the prisoners out on the ship, but it is more likely they moved them out on the airship. Looks like we will need to search both."</p><p></p><p>Nemo says, "That sailed in only a few hours ago. I believe that the vessel is owned by the Egyptian King, or rather was until his recent death. Thus far only a few crew have gone back-and-forth between the ships, they have not transferred any cargo or supplies, probably waiting until dawn for that." Georges states, "There is almost no way to know who commands that vessel at the moment with the fluid state of things politically." Ruby says, "Then the Princess could definitely be there. Though, in the crystal ball we saw two people in what looked like the battleship. Of course, they could be decoys."</p><p></p><p>Ruby continues, "Either we break into two groups to check both ships or we start with the battleship and try to get to the others after. If will obviously be more difficult to get to the other ships if they catch us on the battleship. But I think we should head there first. Anyone else have thoughts?" Maurice says, "If no cargo was transferred, and we saw the trunk with the Princess an hour ago, so they're still in the ship's hold on the battleship. That wasn't the hold of a luxury yacht."</p><p></p><p>Abigail did not hear anybody come up behind her, but a pair of arms circle her waist from in back and Callum Stuart's voice whispers in her ear, "I've missed you darling." Abby's elbow was halfway to his ribs before she registered the voice and spun herself around instead. An enormous sigh escaped her and she said, "Thank the gods. I've had to not think about what's become of you a lot today. Where in seven hells have you been?"</p><p></p><p>He replies, "I saw you from a distance at Gizah, but you were around too many people for me to get any closer. For the past five hours I've been here on this ship, watching the Frenchies. Their balloon dropped off some cargo to the battleship a few hours ago." "We thought we saw you in Gizah, but there was too much else going on to try to track you down. Five hours ago? What time is it now?" "Almost dawn" he replies, "Sunrise is in half an hour."</p><p></p><p>She says, "Dawn. Gods I need some sleep. Real sleep. You got here fast from the pyramids. Is it possible the cargo they dropped off could have carried the Princess or Orabi? Or both?" Callum says, "We got here on a flying carpet, it went rather fast. There was only one large trunk unloaded. It could have held the Princess, not Orabi. So he wasn't the one who killed the King then?"</p><p></p><p>Abby says, "It's unclear. One of the French wizards was creating potions that needs flesh from a person. Then the person who uses the potion can imitate that person, and it will hold up as long as the flesh donor is still alive. So the murderer might not have been Orabi." "Orabi didn't kill the King," Ruby said confidently. "So he was someplace else when it was all happening. Why not here? I say we hit the battleship first." George says, "Yes, I think Orabi was already a captive, I think they only brought the Princess over this evening."</p><p></p><p>Nemo calls out "Ahead, quarter speed." Turning to Maurice he says, "What is your plan." The spy replies, "While it is still dark, surface just enough that the upper hatch is above the water. We'll disembark at that point." Turning to George and Ruby he says, "Anything else?" Ruby says, "I don't think so, though George will speak for himself. I am ready to get started, no more words and talk." She ran her hands through her hair, pulling it back off her face. "Oh, actually there is one more thing. We have an active bomb we need to dispose of. The damned French left it behind in the city." Maurice says, "Yes, it's back with the dirigible."</p><p></p><p>Abby says, "Well, you know the French do have a reputation for being rude. Are we at least going to try to sneak? I mean, I'm finding I don't mind a good fight, but I'm not that good yet." Maurice says, "We'll be right at the waterline, we'd have to either get up to the main deck or though the ship's wall using that magical item." George takes his best guest at the hold location they are looking for, having Nemo move the submarine forward alongside the battleship until they reach that spot. Mina uses her jewelry as the Sheik commanded her to and opens the portal, causing the metal over wood side of the ship to turn into a round four-foot diameter hole in the side of the ship.</p><p></p><p><em>Source Material: The exterior design of the Nautilus was derived from Alan Moore’s "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen"; The interior of the Nautilus was taken nearly verbatim from Jules Verne’s "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea"; The life story of Captain Andre Nemo (and French nationality) was derived from Kevin J. Anderson’s novel "Captain Nemo".</em></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 6918545, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 101, “The Submersible" September 12, 1882, 4:30 AM.[/B] Ruby has been given the two magical items. The group of George, Ruby, Lawrence, Mina, Abby, Mengesha, Freya and Maurice board the dirigible. "If you are going to try to disarm the bomb Ruby, I want it near the door. However, we hadn't decided if we wanted to use it as a distraction." says George going through final take off checks. Ruby replies, "Well, I think we are dropping it somewhere, right? Perhaps in the water near the ship for the distraction. But that assumes that we get there in time. Maurice, is there anything else you can tell us about the ship?" Maurice describes the Armide as a three-mast ironclad that is approximately 225 feet in length. He says that the wizard's main modification has been in the propulsion system, that the magical enhancements has greatly increased its speed. Lawrence says, "Let's aim for her stern. If the bomb knocks out the propeller, she'll be dead in the water until they can raise the sails." Ruby answers, "Whatever that means! Sounds like Larry here knows what he is talking about. However; we also have to discuss where will we try to find the Princess and General. Anyone have ideas which part of the ship that might be?" Maurice says, "The problem with that plan is that we don't know how large the explosion will be, it could damage or sink the ship, which we would not want to do while the Princess and General are chained to the wall. As to their specific location, we can approximate where the ship's hold may be based upon what we saw from the inside. I would estimate mid-ship just above the waterline. My vessel that is currently watching them is a submersible, so we could surface alongside the Armide if that would help. She replies, "I don't think that would be particularly stealthy, would it? Then again, us dropping from the sky from a huge balloon wouldn't be either." He says, "We should be arriving on the scene a half-hour before the first light of dawn comes over the horizon. That would give us a short time to rendezvous with my ship out of sight of the Armide and then get alongside. But once it is light out the submersible would probably be spotted by those on the Armide, my team's vessel is rather large." "My question is if you know if the Armide has any guns modified to elevate significantly? If we come in from above I want to make sure we won't be fired upon. That may be the use of our bomb. Drop it off one side of the ship, say a half mile from the ship. As we pass over, hopefully the ice will still be intact. We may be able to add some if need be. Once in the ocean the ice will melt, the bomb explode. The subsequent attention will distract the crew as we descend quickly from above and the opposite side." suggests George Maurice says, "It does have guns, but I do not think they can be elevated. But we know from experience that those wizards can throw Lightning Bolts." Ruby comments, "And you said this ship is out in the water or docked at the island they are investigating?" Maurice replies, "The Armide is anchored above the ruins of the ancient city. My submersible is just below the surface not far from the coast, around three miles distant from the Armide." Ruby asks, "Since you are familiar with the ship Maurice, if we took your ship under the water, would we swim out of your ship and what, climb up the edge of the other ship?" Mina interjects "Or perhaps use some of your newly acquired magical items." George says, "Oh yes we do. But with Mengesha, Freya and the ring, I foresee several shock troops landing early and separately from the airship." "I figured one of us would use the ring of levitation to drop from the airship as Mengesha and Freya fly down. Another one of us can use the amulet to perhaps swim up to the ship's water line and enter through the hull." says George Ruby says, "All that after we drop the bomb? Will we be able to get into position fast enough? Before the bomb explodes?" "Well, if we drop the bomb with enough ice on it, it will take a few minutes to melt. Since ice is buoyant the bomb will float and we shouldn't have problems with submersion. But that should buy us 10 to 15 minutes I think, based on ambient ocean temperatures, that should be plenty of time to get in position." replies George "Okay George, I think that sounds like a plan. Good enough starting point anyway, these things never seem to go the way they are supposed to. But that's usually when it gets fun," Ruby laughed. George laughed and leaned over and kissed Ruby. "Yes my dear that is very true and in the chaos created is when you shine." Mina reminds the others that "The last Daguerre and Chevreul saw this dirigible it was in Cairo under the control of their wizards. We could always attempt a ruse of making them think we are their allies." The ride take around 45 minutes, during which time the ice block has shrunk some more due to the heat inside the gondola. They arrive at the coastline to the sea, following along a peninsula. Maurice has George lower the dirigible inside of a cove to the left of the peninsula's end. He has George set the dirigible to hover approximately 30 feet above the surface of the water. He explains "From here we will have line-of-sight to where the submersible now is, but the land will block us from view of the French warship." Maurice then gets out a signal light and sends off a very short message in Morse code. Lawrence asks, "Maurice, does your boat have a spar torpedo? We could tie the bomb to it." He says, "I am not certain, we will have to ask the Captain." Lawrence adds, "It'll solve the problem of the bomb floating away from the ship." They notice a disturbance in the water immediately below the dirigible, as hundreds of air bubbles now break as they reach the surface. A faint red glow is then seen rising up from the deep. A crimson-colored hundred-foot-long giant squid brakes the surface of the water, its tentacles stretching towards them and glowing eye clearly visible. Lawrence blinks in surprise. "What in Gehenna is that? Is that your submersible?" Maurice smiles and says, "Indeed, there is no need to attack the beast. The disguise works quite well, any sailors seeing it from a distance on the surface will report only seeing a sea serpent or giant squid." They now notice that the tentacles are all firmly mounted to the side of the craft and that the squid’s glowing eyes in the front appear to be made of opaque glass, with people underneath. Once it has fully surfaced the eye-hatch opens and a man in a military-style uniform exits, although it is not from any navy that George or Lawrence know of. As they exit the dirigible gondola onto the craft Maurice says, "Welcome to the Nautilus.” They approach the tall man wearing the naval officer’s uniform. He has a neatly cropped beard and mustache of a tan-blond color and appears to be in his forties. Maurice gestures to the man and says, “Allow me to introduce you to Captain Andre Nemo. He is a scientist, mechanic, engineer, inventor, freedom fighter, and to some a pirate. He is also the creator of this wonderful craft that you are standing on. The Nautilus, otherwise known as the Sword of the Ocean.” George looks appreciatively at the craft. He whispers to Ruby "I may have to get one of those" he says with a grin. Captain Nemo proudly states in what appears to be a French accent, "Welcome. The Nautilus he has seen the world over and over, from above and below." Lawrence shakes the captain's hand. "Nice to meet you, Captain Nemo. I'm Commander Lawrence Cantrell, US Navy. That's a mighty fine ship you have here. I bet you've seen a lot." Ruby's eyes narrowed slightly, obviously not trusting the situation. "Amazing ship you have here, Captain Nemo. What sort of name is Nemo, if I might ask?" "French" he replies. George extends his hand to Captain "Well meet Captain. I am George Eastman, and your aquatic accomplishment is well known to me. Though I do wonder, as you are a man without a country, and owe allegiance only to yourself, what prompts your presence here?" Nemo replies, "Mr. Beaujoulais and I both share a deep mutual hatred for the French, and these French wizards in particular." Lawrence interjects, "Then you've come to the right place. Did you have a plan in mind for keeping the Armide from escaping? We don't want to blow it up. There may be hostages on board." Nemo replies, "My plan is to sink it. Hostages are merely collateral damage." "I take umbrage with that Captain. Those hostages are not collateral damage. They are far from it. You will wait to sink the Armide until any and all hostages have been searched for and removed safely. Then I fully endorse the sinking." replies George. Ruby adds, "Oh yes, and that. The future Queen of Egypt is most likely on that ship." Beaujoulais says "George, Andre has never been overly concerned about those who are in the wrong place at the wrong time." George says, "I understand that. I however am quite concerned. I understand Andre's ideas but is methods are not amoral. I will not stand in the way of his sinking of the ship. He will wait though. There is too much at stake right now." "Agreed," says Maurice. While his men secure the airship to the vessel, Nemo takes them below. They head down a metal ladder to the next level. The first room reached is a combination drawing room/salon/museum, that is thirty-feet long, eighteen-feet wide, and fifteen-feet high. This incredible room contains a pipe organ, an art collection of great value and very large number of marine specimens. There is also a fountain made from a shell about six-feet across. Finally, the salon has two large oblong windows protected by sliding panels. Ruby says, "This is all beautiful Captain Nemo. You took a lot of care in building this ship, and so cleverly hidden no less." She walked over to the window, trailing a finger across the shell fountain. "What can be seen through these windows? Out into the sea?" Nemo replies, "And when submerged, the various creatures of the deep." "That is amazing! Can we see what their ship looks like?" she said, thumbing towards the battleship. He replies, "After we move forward. Let me send up some crew to pilot the dirigible while we are at sea." The upper hatch is shut and the vessel begins to move forward. "Prepare to dive," Nemo exclaims as he chimes a bell along the wall. George eagerly observes all he can (or is permitted to without being intrusive) of how this wondrous vessel operates. like with the airship, one never knows when the information will be useful, either speculatively or operationally. Abigail looked curiously around the inside of the submersible ship. She'd remained quiet now for several hours, and felt much better for it. Her particular skill set hadn't been needed, and she'd needed rest. For her, last hour and change had been filled with catnaps, and when she couldn't sleep she lived inside her mind. But now was time to come out, although she was still uncertain what help she could be at this point. Catnaps weren't enough to recharge her magically. But brainpower never went out of style. "So, how are we getting over to the ship again? Swimming? These robes are not exactly made for that," Ruby laughed. Abby says, "A vessel like this with a Captain like Nemo? There's a method, probably often used." Ruby smiled, "And I'm hoping the dear Captain will share that information with us. You're not dressed for swimming either!" Nemo gestures to the periscope and says, "You should be able to see the ships now." Ruby says, "George, I think that's a job for you." Looking through the portal he sees not only the large three-mast ironclad battleship, but anchored alongside it is large wooden two-mast yacht. George says, "Hrm the Armitage seems to have company in the form of a yacht. Perhaps visitors? More likely a very comfy tender vessel. Potentially they could have moved the prisoners out on the ship, but it is more likely they moved them out on the airship. Looks like we will need to search both." Nemo says, "That sailed in only a few hours ago. I believe that the vessel is owned by the Egyptian King, or rather was until his recent death. Thus far only a few crew have gone back-and-forth between the ships, they have not transferred any cargo or supplies, probably waiting until dawn for that." Georges states, "There is almost no way to know who commands that vessel at the moment with the fluid state of things politically." Ruby says, "Then the Princess could definitely be there. Though, in the crystal ball we saw two people in what looked like the battleship. Of course, they could be decoys." Ruby continues, "Either we break into two groups to check both ships or we start with the battleship and try to get to the others after. If will obviously be more difficult to get to the other ships if they catch us on the battleship. But I think we should head there first. Anyone else have thoughts?" Maurice says, "If no cargo was transferred, and we saw the trunk with the Princess an hour ago, so they're still in the ship's hold on the battleship. That wasn't the hold of a luxury yacht." Abigail did not hear anybody come up behind her, but a pair of arms circle her waist from in back and Callum Stuart's voice whispers in her ear, "I've missed you darling." Abby's elbow was halfway to his ribs before she registered the voice and spun herself around instead. An enormous sigh escaped her and she said, "Thank the gods. I've had to not think about what's become of you a lot today. Where in seven hells have you been?" He replies, "I saw you from a distance at Gizah, but you were around too many people for me to get any closer. For the past five hours I've been here on this ship, watching the Frenchies. Their balloon dropped off some cargo to the battleship a few hours ago." "We thought we saw you in Gizah, but there was too much else going on to try to track you down. Five hours ago? What time is it now?" "Almost dawn" he replies, "Sunrise is in half an hour." She says, "Dawn. Gods I need some sleep. Real sleep. You got here fast from the pyramids. Is it possible the cargo they dropped off could have carried the Princess or Orabi? Or both?" Callum says, "We got here on a flying carpet, it went rather fast. There was only one large trunk unloaded. It could have held the Princess, not Orabi. So he wasn't the one who killed the King then?" Abby says, "It's unclear. One of the French wizards was creating potions that needs flesh from a person. Then the person who uses the potion can imitate that person, and it will hold up as long as the flesh donor is still alive. So the murderer might not have been Orabi." "Orabi didn't kill the King," Ruby said confidently. "So he was someplace else when it was all happening. Why not here? I say we hit the battleship first." George says, "Yes, I think Orabi was already a captive, I think they only brought the Princess over this evening." Nemo calls out "Ahead, quarter speed." Turning to Maurice he says, "What is your plan." The spy replies, "While it is still dark, surface just enough that the upper hatch is above the water. We'll disembark at that point." Turning to George and Ruby he says, "Anything else?" Ruby says, "I don't think so, though George will speak for himself. I am ready to get started, no more words and talk." She ran her hands through her hair, pulling it back off her face. "Oh, actually there is one more thing. We have an active bomb we need to dispose of. The damned French left it behind in the city." Maurice says, "Yes, it's back with the dirigible." Abby says, "Well, you know the French do have a reputation for being rude. Are we at least going to try to sneak? I mean, I'm finding I don't mind a good fight, but I'm not that good yet." Maurice says, "We'll be right at the waterline, we'd have to either get up to the main deck or though the ship's wall using that magical item." George takes his best guest at the hold location they are looking for, having Nemo move the submarine forward alongside the battleship until they reach that spot. Mina uses her jewelry as the Sheik commanded her to and opens the portal, causing the metal over wood side of the ship to turn into a round four-foot diameter hole in the side of the ship. [I]Source Material: The exterior design of the Nautilus was derived from Alan Moore’s "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen"; The interior of the Nautilus was taken nearly verbatim from Jules Verne’s "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea"; The life story of Captain Andre Nemo (and French nationality) was derived from Kevin J. Anderson’s novel "Captain Nemo".[/I] [/QUOTE]
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AGELESS Campaign Episode 2 - Temple of the Cat-Goddess
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