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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: 6926491" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 104, “The Very First Airship Battle" September 12, 1882, 5:45 AM. </strong></p><p></p><p>Wolseley's troops were barely three hundred yards from the Egyptian entrenchments and dawn was just breaking. The Egyptian sentries saw them and fired. The first shots were followed by several volleys from the entrenchments. British troops, led by the Highland Brigade on the left flank, and the 2nd Brigade on the right flank with the Guards Brigade (commanded by Queen Victoria's third son, Prince Arthur, the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn) in support, charged with the bayonet.</p><p></p><p>When the dirigible is twenty miles distant from the battle they see explosions and smoke coming from that location. "Now that I have a little more time, let me look our friends over." Ruby takes her time and concentrates. None of the three show any visible wounds or anything that impairs them, but none rouse from unconsciousness. Realizing the real Drury-Lowe would be helpful to stop the conflict, George summons the power of Athena to awaken him as he casts a healing spell. The spell partially works, and there are some minor effects in that more color returns to his face, but he remains asleep. "OOh!" Ruby caught that George's spell worked somewhat. Still, she is frustrated that it didn't wake him up. She kneels down and takes him up the shoulders, shaking him gently then shaking him more... briskly... to see if that will work.</p><p></p><p>At 10 miles distant they can make out the forces at war. The Egyptian army appears to number around 20,000 strong with 40 artillery guns. The British and Indian force appear to comprised 11,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry and 45 artillery guns. Lawrence draws a spyglass from its case. He attempts to find out where the commanders are. Most of the British Officers are still further back from their forces. It appears that General Graham is currently the only British commander in the front line.</p><p></p><p>Ruby exclaims, "Nana, do you know any of the British fighting down there? Enough that they might believe you if you told them what was going on?" She says, "The British officers will know of me. They owe a rather large favor to both myself and James for our intervention in the Opium Wars back in 1859." Ruby says, "Alright look. The idea here is to stop the war, correct? But even if we get the British to stop, by using Nana, that doesn't mean the Egyptians will stop. We need some ideas, and fast, as to how we are going to do this. Frankly, I'm much better at starting fighting than stopping it. The only I idea I have is to somehow crash this balloon in between the armies. That might give us enough time to get Nana to the British side. But without the Princess and Orabi to stop the Egyptian side, I just don't see how this is going to work." Mina says, "Too late for that, the infantries are already engaged."</p><p></p><p>George says, "Ok, let's give Mina the levitation ring and send her down to Woosley. Meanwhile I will get the dirigible headed down fast. Has anyone seen if Freya made it back?" Maurice says, "I have somebody on the British side as well, but he is under very deep cover and would be in mortal danger if I even attempted to contact him. Mina says, "Well then, maybe I could contact him." Maurice says, "I cannot reveal his identity." She smiles and says "You don't have to, I've know it before we even arrived in Egypt." Ruby says, "Oh? Who is he talking about? And even if you do know, how can that help us? We don't want us contacting him to put him in mortal danger, at least not more than he already is." Mina says, "Nobody would question me talking to him, he is my Godson."</p><p></p><p>Abby exclaims, "Then we need to wake these three, or get someone to impersonate them magically. Which is sneaky but might get it done. Could the sleep be linked to the person who was imitating them, just as the spell is linked to their continued life? I'm no healer, unfortunately, and I'm done magically today, so I can't try to see the spells on them." Maurice says, "We did a magical check back on the ship and nothing was apparent on them."</p><p></p><p>Ruby, obviously frustrated, said, "I checked them for spells Abby but I didn't find anything but what was on the shackles. I fear whatever is keeping them asleep is more powerful than any of us can deal with. I just don't know what to do. And that's not like me! This is just way bigger than any of us and we all sort of got thrown into it. Here I was, thinking this was a vacation!!" "Oh come now my love" calls George over his shoulder. "You got to see the Nile and the pyramids and even met a real princess. What more could you ask for?" replies George with a grin</p><p></p><p>Lawrence points out Gen. Graham to George. "Try to set us down there. The Brits will listen to him." "It's as good as any idea. Hopefully they will pause, thinking the dirigible is the French and picking up wounded." says George steering the dirigible towards Graham and descending as fast as is safe. Unlike the Dreadnaught, this dirigible is filled with flammable gas, so George has it descend well south of the artillery.</p><p></p><p>When it appears safe to depart Mina heads to the door with the Ring of Levitation on her finger and tells Ruby, "Wish me luck dear." Ruby exclaims, "Nana, should I go with you? I don't want you going alone!!" "Sure, we make a good team," Mina says and she grabs her Granddaughter and steps out of the dirigible while it is flying 200 feet above the desert. Abby's mouth hung open for a moment as she had been about to say something when the women jumped out of the balloon in flight. " George blows a kiss to Ruby as she leaves with Mina, as though two Victorian-era women leaping from an airship flying 200 feet above a battle zone were an everyday occurrence.</p><p></p><p>Abby says, "Alright then. I guess I'd better get my weapons in order. It's going to be ugly when we get down there." George comments, "Okay Lawrence, let's get Cal up here and ready. We need a recognizable face for Graham to see. Abby, I want you to guard the Princess, Orabi and Drury. Until they wake up, we have to keep them safe." "That I can handle," Abby states.</p><p></p><p>"Well, no time for long goodbyes then," Ruby laughed in nervousness. "I just couldn't let you do this alone Nana. You mean too much to me. But once we get down there, I will try to let you do the talking. At least at first." She gripped on to her grandmother tightly as they drifted down closer to the ground. "Although if you think it would be helpful I can try to detect thoughts..." As they reach the desert they notice another dirigible, around half the size of the one their friends are on, rapidly moving towards them. Ruby says, "Oh no, more trouble. I guess another French warship?"</p><p></p><p>"We have company," Maurice says. George sees another dirigible moving in their direction. George unleashes a torrent of swearing in half a dozen languages. "Well the wizards are back. I am going to put this thing on the ground willfully before they take that option from me, we cannot assume they think we are French." says George putting the airship into a sharper decent. "Keep your eyes peeled folks, if you see anything coming our way from the other ship, holler out and return fire. Abby, find some blankets or something to haul our three sleeping guests with. We need to get them out in case of fire in the dirigible and I would also prefer their identities remain a mystery until it serves our purposes."</p><p></p><p>The other dirigible closes to 200 yards and 100 yards above and Maurice yells "Incoming" as a beam of light shoots forth from the smaller airship down to the one the party is on. George does his best to cause the airship to swing wide port-side to avoid the beam, meanwhile still maintaining the rapid decent and calling out "Return Fire!!!!"</p><p></p><p>His rapid movement at the controls is successful, the beam just missing the airship and striking the ground some 200 feet below. A huge explosion follows where it hits, sending up a cloud of sand and knocking to the ground a squadron of British troops a short distance away. The smaller airship continues to descend towards the larger one that George is piloting. Above, Abby moved faster, making sure the sleepers were out of the line of fire before grabbing up her rifle and moving to help defend the ship. Lawrence realizes he won't be of much use in combat at this range. He tries to shield the unconscious passengers.</p><p></p><p>On the ground below Mina and Ruby are watching the battle taking place in the sky above them. Below, Ruby says, "Nana, look! They are shooting at our ship!! We can't let it blow up Damn those wizards!!!!" Ruby and Mina are not alone as spectators to the airship battle above, as all forces both Egyptian and British have stopped attacking one another and are watching above. Mina comments "What's that?" as she points to a rapid steak of black moving through the sky from the north towards the pair of dirigibles. Meanwhile, glad her feet were on the ground Ruby reached into her robe and yanked out the Mexican Fire Rod. "Don't stand behind me Nana!" She planted her feet on the ground, took aim at the other dirigible, and prepared to fire off a shot.</p><p></p><p>Another beam of light shoots forth from the smaller airship and there will be no way for George to maneuver away from it this time. It travels around 100 feet on target towards the larger ship. Then the black blur moves between the vessels and intercepts the beam. A loud and bright explosion follows, as the party sees that the blur was Freya in black-dragon form and flying at a speed much faster than they had imagined that she could. A large spot on her back and right wing is smoldering and giving off flames as she crashes hard to the ground and remains still.</p><p></p><p>The Mexican Fire Rod's shot goes skyward and is on target. The smaller dirigible explodes in a pair of massive fireballs, the first from the Fire Rod, the second from the dirigible's gas exploding. Debris rains down onto a significant amount of the battlefield.</p><p></p><p>Ruby screamed out, "FREYA!!!" She began to run to the fallen dragon. "Watch out!!" she yelled to all around as the dirigible started to break up and fall to the ground. "And watch for French wizards, I doubt they are extinguished so easily!!" George has no time to mourn or wonder or worry about Freya, yet. He does recognize the source of the fireball and silently thanks Ruby. With the other dirigible destroyed there is less urgency, but there is no guarantee that the wizards are dead.</p><p></p><p>George keeps the dirigible headed to ground, although doing so now at a safer pace. George's biggest problem with the landing becomes finding a spot without burning debris from the other gondola. He eventually locates an area of sufficient size to put down and brings the dirigible to a halt. Lawrence looks around for a clear patch of ground. Finding on that is relatively undisturbed, he sits. "Ah, that feels good."</p><p></p><p>Ruby scrambled over to the dragon and looked her over quickly. She put a wavering hand over the body and cast a heal spell on her, hoping to at least keep her from getting worse. The large black dragon appears to still be alive and the spell helps to seal over the wound. A large patch of the dragon's scales are missing where the beam struck and smoke is still coming off from the charred leather hide that was beneath the scales. Ruby gently stroked the dragon's scales. "I'm sorry friend, there isn't much more I can do. You were so very brave up there."</p><p></p><p>Mina approached. "Ruby, we must hurry before the fighting begins again. Now is the time to speak to the British." Ruby replied, "No, I can't leave her unprotected Nana. She's done a lot for us." She placed a hand on her granddaughter's arm. "I will help." Mina casts a cure light on the fallen dragon. Mina says "She is alive and will be alright. Come, the fate of a lot more than one rests on this. We must go." She led a worried Ruby away to find General Woolsely. The artillery temporarily stops and infantry troops that had been clashing pull back to await further orders following the interruption of the battle.</p><p></p><p>George secures the controls, the dirigible was still functional and now there was at least a chance of reusing it. He turns to Lawrence and Abby and Cal. "Okay folks, Cal and Lawrence grab Orabi and Drury, cover their heads, I don't want anyone doing anything strange happening." George bends and picks up the princess. "Abby I need you to run interference for us as we leave. We need to get out and see about Freya and get the leaders of both armies to listen to us." They cover the heads of the unconscious men with hoods. Cal supports Orabi on his shoulder while Lawrence does the same for Drury. "Let's go. The surprise won't last for long."</p><p></p><p>Ruby and Mina head in the direction that a large number of officers seem to have assembled. A man British officer with Captain's insignia hurries up to them and exclaims "You women should get to safety, there is a battle taking place here." "We noticed," Ruby replied tersely. Mina raised an eyebrow at her granddaughter which caused her to step back. Mina said, "We are here to help end this. I need to speak to General Woolsley, i have information for him. Where can I find him? He is a friend of mine. Obviously this is of great importance and must be done quickly." The Captain replies, "The General is currently unavailable, he is busy managing this battle. I can bring you both to a place of safety in the rear of the fighting lines and get word to the General that you wish to see him. If he feels it of importance he might find time once the fighting has ceased."</p><p></p><p>"NO," Mina insists, "We need to see him NOW so we can stop the fighting NOW before anyone else dies. I am a personal friend of his and I am certain if you do not bring us to him now there will be hell to pay. At the very least tell him Wilamena Parker from the United States of America has news that is most important, it will change this war for certain." While her grandmother spoke Ruby looked around to see if she could spot where the general was. Meanwhile, both lines of forces move slightly further back, clearly awaiting orders before resuming fighting.</p><p></p><p>She does not see the General, but she does spot a canvas tent around 200 yards away that has been erected behind a sand dune, blocking its view from the Egyptian army. There are around a dozen horses are being held by enlisted and a few more enlisted men guarding the flaps to the tent. Ruby hooked her arm through her grandmother's. "Come, Nana, if they won't help us we will find the general ourselves. And they will later regret making this huge mistake." She began directing her grandmother towards the tent and they started walking there quickly. Ruby and Mina push past the captain and march in the direction of the tent with the Captain chasing behind them and calling out "Wait for me." "Wait for you for what, my dear man? You were so helpful before..." They continue to walk to the tent.</p><p></p><p>Now that they are safely on the ground, George moves to intercede on the rebel side. "Okay Cal, Lawrence and Abby, set down our friends and guard them well! Ruby and Mina are over with the British, I will head over and start talking to the rebels." George heads towards the rebel lines calling out loudly in Arabic with his hands up, open and empty. "My friends, I bring good news, but I need to speak with the general! We can end the hostilities!"</p><p></p><p>George's approach to the Egyptians is met with a squadron aiming their rifles at him and a man who George recalls seeing at Orabi's wedding saying to him, "Halt American. You wish to help us......just as you helped Ahmed?" Lawrence is the first to notice a quartet of men approaching. They are coming from neither the British or Egyptian lines, but from a side direction. Two are dressed in Arabian garb and the other two in European garb.</p><p></p><p>Lawrence moves towards them after rising to his feet with some effort. "Fine day for a walk, gentlemen. Don't you think? May I ask who you are?" One of the men in Arabian garb steps forward and says in English, "I am Ouaheed Al Kazim, the Sheik of the surrounding town of Tel El-Kabir. We are neutral in this conflict, I simply seek to keep my community from destruction." Lawrence bows. "Nice to meet you, Sheik al Kazim. I'm Lawrence Cantrell and this is my friend Abigail. We just got here, but is there anything we can do to help?"</p><p></p><p>Ouaheed says "The fighting appears to have stopped. I had thought to use this time to speak to my Egyptian brothers." Lawrence replies, "A wise plan. Take advantage of the quiet time while you can." The man says, "I had best be quick about it then, there is no way of knowing how long this lull will last." Lawrence replies, "Aye. Good luck to you. If you can end this fighting, all the better."</p><p></p><p></p><p>Abigail recognizes one of the two men in European clothing who is with Ouaheed. Back at the archaeological dig in Europe she saw him in several photographs. He is the archaeologist Edouard Armand Isidore Hippolyte Lartet, the founder of modern paleontology. She also recalls hearing the prior week, when she had impersonated Sarah Bernhardt, that Lartet was leading a team that was looking for the Atlantis gateway at a site down in Nubia. Lawrence says farewell to the sheik and rejoins his companions.</p><p></p><p>The Shiek and his companions continue onward. Abby waved Lawrence back over to where she and Cal were standing. Quietly, she said to them, "That man, he's a French archaeologist, his name's Lartet, and if what I heard in the French camp is correct, he was or is leading the search for the Atlantis Gateway. He's at the very least a rival, and I don't know where he stands in this." Lawrence replies, "If Lartet's searching for the Gateway, then he's an important piece on the chessboard."</p><p></p><p>Cal says, "They're heading over to the Egyptian camp. I have one or two colleagues over there now. I could head over and see if one of them could eavesdrop on the conversation." Abby replies, "What are your colleagues goals here? We need to stop this battle, and we need people to be on guard against this man. If that's what they'll do, clue them in." He answers, "One is young Henry Jones, he's around this battlefield somewhere, but could currently be on either side. The other is the one who helped my team escape the palace, the man who Maurice mentioned had the clerical spell that could hopefully wake one or more of those we rescued."</p><p></p><p>Abby answers, "We need them awake. If this man can do it... Let's get it done." Abby caught his eye and held it for just a moment. "Thank you. I mean it. You being here, I know you have your own job and your reason... but thank you." He heads off, not directly to the Egyptian camp but a more roundabout route. She sees him stumble down behind a sandbank at one point, and emerges now wearing a hooded cloak. He then heads towards the camp.</p><p></p><p>Ruby and Mina arrive at the tent and are stopped by a group of soldiers. "We'd like to see general Woolsley", Mina said politely. A man wearing Colonel insignia comes to the door of the tent and asks the Captain who has now arrived with the women what the commotion is. The Captain replies, "These women want to talk to General Woolsley. I have explained that he is currently quite occupied." The Colonel turns and gives the ladies a quick look.</p><p></p><p>Again Mina responds politely, "We are looking for my friend, General Woolsley. We have urgent information for him regarding the fighting and hope to put an end to this before it gets worse." The Colonel says, "If you would be so kind as to give me your names I will inform him." Mina replied, "I am Wilamina Hamilton Parker and this is my granddaughter Constance West." The younger woman cut her off, "Though I prefer Ruby," she grinned her trademark smile.</p><p></p><p>The two are soon admitted into the tent. It is approximately 15 feet deep and 60 feet wide on the inside. It is also very crowded with around two-dozen British officers, each of who appears to have at least one enlisted man as his aide. There are also a group of five French wizards inside not far from Woolsley. Of the five, Ruby has only seen one of them before in Egypt, the youngest man who Mina had spoken two at the dinner party a week earlier. She also sees another familiar face, the British General Drury-Curzon Drury-Lowe, looking far livelier than the unconscious man they rescued from the ship an hour earlier. Ruby gripped her grandmothers arm and nodded towards the Drury-Lowe imposter.</p><p></p><p>Mina saw the fire in her granddaughters eyes, knowing she was about to run off and do something bold. She placed a knowing hand over her granddaughters to calm her. Ruby responded by taking a deep breath in and waiting calmly, at least for the moment. Mina turned toward the approaching British commander and says, "General Woolsley, we realize you are quite busy but we need just a moment of your time. I know that you know me, and I would not request this from you at this critical moment if it was not of the utmost importance."</p><p></p><p>One of the Frenchmen, an older clean-cut thin man with short salt-and-pepper hair, pushes his way over and says, "Garnet, get away from that woman. She is the one who just murdered our friend Andre Ampere!" Mina states, "We have done no such thing, we are not murderers. What we HAVE done is try to help put a stop to this war, and try to save as many innocent lives as we can. There is much more going on than meets the eye General." Ruby cut off the older woman, "Fine words coming from you," She pointed a finger at the French, "You and your countrymen have done nothing but murder, lie, kidnap and manipulate the situation to turn the events the way you want them. Well too late, you failed! We figured out your plot and you've been foiled!!"</p><p></p><p>The man says, "That is cow excrement! General, did you not see that the younger woman used a magical rod to destroy the airship that Ampere was on! She murdered both him and his pilot! And she is probably here not to murder you as well!" Mina interrupts, "General, I am not going to waste time here with some long speech, time is of the essence. you know me and my disposition. We have proof that you are being manipulated by some people in this very tent. I am asking you come with us or at the very least send some soldiers to see this proof. This must be done now." Ruby's fists and teeth were clenched, her green eyes narrowed at the lying Frenchman.</p><p></p><p></p><p><em>The opening paragraphs are the historical account of how the Battle of Tel El-Kabir began (albeit 24 hours later). In both the historical account and this game the battle only lasted for an hour, however the historical battle did not have any exploding airships, flying dragons or French wizards as part of it. That battle ended in an overwhelming British victory, and the start of a 72-year-long British occupation of the country. This story is clearly taking things in a different direction.</em></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 6926491, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 104, “The Very First Airship Battle" September 12, 1882, 5:45 AM. [/B] Wolseley's troops were barely three hundred yards from the Egyptian entrenchments and dawn was just breaking. The Egyptian sentries saw them and fired. The first shots were followed by several volleys from the entrenchments. British troops, led by the Highland Brigade on the left flank, and the 2nd Brigade on the right flank with the Guards Brigade (commanded by Queen Victoria's third son, Prince Arthur, the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn) in support, charged with the bayonet. When the dirigible is twenty miles distant from the battle they see explosions and smoke coming from that location. "Now that I have a little more time, let me look our friends over." Ruby takes her time and concentrates. None of the three show any visible wounds or anything that impairs them, but none rouse from unconsciousness. Realizing the real Drury-Lowe would be helpful to stop the conflict, George summons the power of Athena to awaken him as he casts a healing spell. The spell partially works, and there are some minor effects in that more color returns to his face, but he remains asleep. "OOh!" Ruby caught that George's spell worked somewhat. Still, she is frustrated that it didn't wake him up. She kneels down and takes him up the shoulders, shaking him gently then shaking him more... briskly... to see if that will work. At 10 miles distant they can make out the forces at war. The Egyptian army appears to number around 20,000 strong with 40 artillery guns. The British and Indian force appear to comprised 11,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry and 45 artillery guns. Lawrence draws a spyglass from its case. He attempts to find out where the commanders are. Most of the British Officers are still further back from their forces. It appears that General Graham is currently the only British commander in the front line. Ruby exclaims, "Nana, do you know any of the British fighting down there? Enough that they might believe you if you told them what was going on?" She says, "The British officers will know of me. They owe a rather large favor to both myself and James for our intervention in the Opium Wars back in 1859." Ruby says, "Alright look. The idea here is to stop the war, correct? But even if we get the British to stop, by using Nana, that doesn't mean the Egyptians will stop. We need some ideas, and fast, as to how we are going to do this. Frankly, I'm much better at starting fighting than stopping it. The only I idea I have is to somehow crash this balloon in between the armies. That might give us enough time to get Nana to the British side. But without the Princess and Orabi to stop the Egyptian side, I just don't see how this is going to work." Mina says, "Too late for that, the infantries are already engaged." George says, "Ok, let's give Mina the levitation ring and send her down to Woosley. Meanwhile I will get the dirigible headed down fast. Has anyone seen if Freya made it back?" Maurice says, "I have somebody on the British side as well, but he is under very deep cover and would be in mortal danger if I even attempted to contact him. Mina says, "Well then, maybe I could contact him." Maurice says, "I cannot reveal his identity." She smiles and says "You don't have to, I've know it before we even arrived in Egypt." Ruby says, "Oh? Who is he talking about? And even if you do know, how can that help us? We don't want us contacting him to put him in mortal danger, at least not more than he already is." Mina says, "Nobody would question me talking to him, he is my Godson." Abby exclaims, "Then we need to wake these three, or get someone to impersonate them magically. Which is sneaky but might get it done. Could the sleep be linked to the person who was imitating them, just as the spell is linked to their continued life? I'm no healer, unfortunately, and I'm done magically today, so I can't try to see the spells on them." Maurice says, "We did a magical check back on the ship and nothing was apparent on them." Ruby, obviously frustrated, said, "I checked them for spells Abby but I didn't find anything but what was on the shackles. I fear whatever is keeping them asleep is more powerful than any of us can deal with. I just don't know what to do. And that's not like me! This is just way bigger than any of us and we all sort of got thrown into it. Here I was, thinking this was a vacation!!" "Oh come now my love" calls George over his shoulder. "You got to see the Nile and the pyramids and even met a real princess. What more could you ask for?" replies George with a grin Lawrence points out Gen. Graham to George. "Try to set us down there. The Brits will listen to him." "It's as good as any idea. Hopefully they will pause, thinking the dirigible is the French and picking up wounded." says George steering the dirigible towards Graham and descending as fast as is safe. Unlike the Dreadnaught, this dirigible is filled with flammable gas, so George has it descend well south of the artillery. When it appears safe to depart Mina heads to the door with the Ring of Levitation on her finger and tells Ruby, "Wish me luck dear." Ruby exclaims, "Nana, should I go with you? I don't want you going alone!!" "Sure, we make a good team," Mina says and she grabs her Granddaughter and steps out of the dirigible while it is flying 200 feet above the desert. Abby's mouth hung open for a moment as she had been about to say something when the women jumped out of the balloon in flight. " George blows a kiss to Ruby as she leaves with Mina, as though two Victorian-era women leaping from an airship flying 200 feet above a battle zone were an everyday occurrence. Abby says, "Alright then. I guess I'd better get my weapons in order. It's going to be ugly when we get down there." George comments, "Okay Lawrence, let's get Cal up here and ready. We need a recognizable face for Graham to see. Abby, I want you to guard the Princess, Orabi and Drury. Until they wake up, we have to keep them safe." "That I can handle," Abby states. "Well, no time for long goodbyes then," Ruby laughed in nervousness. "I just couldn't let you do this alone Nana. You mean too much to me. But once we get down there, I will try to let you do the talking. At least at first." She gripped on to her grandmother tightly as they drifted down closer to the ground. "Although if you think it would be helpful I can try to detect thoughts..." As they reach the desert they notice another dirigible, around half the size of the one their friends are on, rapidly moving towards them. Ruby says, "Oh no, more trouble. I guess another French warship?" "We have company," Maurice says. George sees another dirigible moving in their direction. George unleashes a torrent of swearing in half a dozen languages. "Well the wizards are back. I am going to put this thing on the ground willfully before they take that option from me, we cannot assume they think we are French." says George putting the airship into a sharper decent. "Keep your eyes peeled folks, if you see anything coming our way from the other ship, holler out and return fire. Abby, find some blankets or something to haul our three sleeping guests with. We need to get them out in case of fire in the dirigible and I would also prefer their identities remain a mystery until it serves our purposes." The other dirigible closes to 200 yards and 100 yards above and Maurice yells "Incoming" as a beam of light shoots forth from the smaller airship down to the one the party is on. George does his best to cause the airship to swing wide port-side to avoid the beam, meanwhile still maintaining the rapid decent and calling out "Return Fire!!!!" His rapid movement at the controls is successful, the beam just missing the airship and striking the ground some 200 feet below. A huge explosion follows where it hits, sending up a cloud of sand and knocking to the ground a squadron of British troops a short distance away. The smaller airship continues to descend towards the larger one that George is piloting. Above, Abby moved faster, making sure the sleepers were out of the line of fire before grabbing up her rifle and moving to help defend the ship. Lawrence realizes he won't be of much use in combat at this range. He tries to shield the unconscious passengers. On the ground below Mina and Ruby are watching the battle taking place in the sky above them. Below, Ruby says, "Nana, look! They are shooting at our ship!! We can't let it blow up Damn those wizards!!!!" Ruby and Mina are not alone as spectators to the airship battle above, as all forces both Egyptian and British have stopped attacking one another and are watching above. Mina comments "What's that?" as she points to a rapid steak of black moving through the sky from the north towards the pair of dirigibles. Meanwhile, glad her feet were on the ground Ruby reached into her robe and yanked out the Mexican Fire Rod. "Don't stand behind me Nana!" She planted her feet on the ground, took aim at the other dirigible, and prepared to fire off a shot. Another beam of light shoots forth from the smaller airship and there will be no way for George to maneuver away from it this time. It travels around 100 feet on target towards the larger ship. Then the black blur moves between the vessels and intercepts the beam. A loud and bright explosion follows, as the party sees that the blur was Freya in black-dragon form and flying at a speed much faster than they had imagined that she could. A large spot on her back and right wing is smoldering and giving off flames as she crashes hard to the ground and remains still. The Mexican Fire Rod's shot goes skyward and is on target. The smaller dirigible explodes in a pair of massive fireballs, the first from the Fire Rod, the second from the dirigible's gas exploding. Debris rains down onto a significant amount of the battlefield. Ruby screamed out, "FREYA!!!" She began to run to the fallen dragon. "Watch out!!" she yelled to all around as the dirigible started to break up and fall to the ground. "And watch for French wizards, I doubt they are extinguished so easily!!" George has no time to mourn or wonder or worry about Freya, yet. He does recognize the source of the fireball and silently thanks Ruby. With the other dirigible destroyed there is less urgency, but there is no guarantee that the wizards are dead. George keeps the dirigible headed to ground, although doing so now at a safer pace. George's biggest problem with the landing becomes finding a spot without burning debris from the other gondola. He eventually locates an area of sufficient size to put down and brings the dirigible to a halt. Lawrence looks around for a clear patch of ground. Finding on that is relatively undisturbed, he sits. "Ah, that feels good." Ruby scrambled over to the dragon and looked her over quickly. She put a wavering hand over the body and cast a heal spell on her, hoping to at least keep her from getting worse. The large black dragon appears to still be alive and the spell helps to seal over the wound. A large patch of the dragon's scales are missing where the beam struck and smoke is still coming off from the charred leather hide that was beneath the scales. Ruby gently stroked the dragon's scales. "I'm sorry friend, there isn't much more I can do. You were so very brave up there." Mina approached. "Ruby, we must hurry before the fighting begins again. Now is the time to speak to the British." Ruby replied, "No, I can't leave her unprotected Nana. She's done a lot for us." She placed a hand on her granddaughter's arm. "I will help." Mina casts a cure light on the fallen dragon. Mina says "She is alive and will be alright. Come, the fate of a lot more than one rests on this. We must go." She led a worried Ruby away to find General Woolsely. The artillery temporarily stops and infantry troops that had been clashing pull back to await further orders following the interruption of the battle. George secures the controls, the dirigible was still functional and now there was at least a chance of reusing it. He turns to Lawrence and Abby and Cal. "Okay folks, Cal and Lawrence grab Orabi and Drury, cover their heads, I don't want anyone doing anything strange happening." George bends and picks up the princess. "Abby I need you to run interference for us as we leave. We need to get out and see about Freya and get the leaders of both armies to listen to us." They cover the heads of the unconscious men with hoods. Cal supports Orabi on his shoulder while Lawrence does the same for Drury. "Let's go. The surprise won't last for long." Ruby and Mina head in the direction that a large number of officers seem to have assembled. A man British officer with Captain's insignia hurries up to them and exclaims "You women should get to safety, there is a battle taking place here." "We noticed," Ruby replied tersely. Mina raised an eyebrow at her granddaughter which caused her to step back. Mina said, "We are here to help end this. I need to speak to General Woolsley, i have information for him. Where can I find him? He is a friend of mine. Obviously this is of great importance and must be done quickly." The Captain replies, "The General is currently unavailable, he is busy managing this battle. I can bring you both to a place of safety in the rear of the fighting lines and get word to the General that you wish to see him. If he feels it of importance he might find time once the fighting has ceased." "NO," Mina insists, "We need to see him NOW so we can stop the fighting NOW before anyone else dies. I am a personal friend of his and I am certain if you do not bring us to him now there will be hell to pay. At the very least tell him Wilamena Parker from the United States of America has news that is most important, it will change this war for certain." While her grandmother spoke Ruby looked around to see if she could spot where the general was. Meanwhile, both lines of forces move slightly further back, clearly awaiting orders before resuming fighting. She does not see the General, but she does spot a canvas tent around 200 yards away that has been erected behind a sand dune, blocking its view from the Egyptian army. There are around a dozen horses are being held by enlisted and a few more enlisted men guarding the flaps to the tent. Ruby hooked her arm through her grandmother's. "Come, Nana, if they won't help us we will find the general ourselves. And they will later regret making this huge mistake." She began directing her grandmother towards the tent and they started walking there quickly. Ruby and Mina push past the captain and march in the direction of the tent with the Captain chasing behind them and calling out "Wait for me." "Wait for you for what, my dear man? You were so helpful before..." They continue to walk to the tent. Now that they are safely on the ground, George moves to intercede on the rebel side. "Okay Cal, Lawrence and Abby, set down our friends and guard them well! Ruby and Mina are over with the British, I will head over and start talking to the rebels." George heads towards the rebel lines calling out loudly in Arabic with his hands up, open and empty. "My friends, I bring good news, but I need to speak with the general! We can end the hostilities!" George's approach to the Egyptians is met with a squadron aiming their rifles at him and a man who George recalls seeing at Orabi's wedding saying to him, "Halt American. You wish to help us......just as you helped Ahmed?" Lawrence is the first to notice a quartet of men approaching. They are coming from neither the British or Egyptian lines, but from a side direction. Two are dressed in Arabian garb and the other two in European garb. Lawrence moves towards them after rising to his feet with some effort. "Fine day for a walk, gentlemen. Don't you think? May I ask who you are?" One of the men in Arabian garb steps forward and says in English, "I am Ouaheed Al Kazim, the Sheik of the surrounding town of Tel El-Kabir. We are neutral in this conflict, I simply seek to keep my community from destruction." Lawrence bows. "Nice to meet you, Sheik al Kazim. I'm Lawrence Cantrell and this is my friend Abigail. We just got here, but is there anything we can do to help?" Ouaheed says "The fighting appears to have stopped. I had thought to use this time to speak to my Egyptian brothers." Lawrence replies, "A wise plan. Take advantage of the quiet time while you can." The man says, "I had best be quick about it then, there is no way of knowing how long this lull will last." Lawrence replies, "Aye. Good luck to you. If you can end this fighting, all the better." Abigail recognizes one of the two men in European clothing who is with Ouaheed. Back at the archaeological dig in Europe she saw him in several photographs. He is the archaeologist Edouard Armand Isidore Hippolyte Lartet, the founder of modern paleontology. She also recalls hearing the prior week, when she had impersonated Sarah Bernhardt, that Lartet was leading a team that was looking for the Atlantis gateway at a site down in Nubia. Lawrence says farewell to the sheik and rejoins his companions. The Shiek and his companions continue onward. Abby waved Lawrence back over to where she and Cal were standing. Quietly, she said to them, "That man, he's a French archaeologist, his name's Lartet, and if what I heard in the French camp is correct, he was or is leading the search for the Atlantis Gateway. He's at the very least a rival, and I don't know where he stands in this." Lawrence replies, "If Lartet's searching for the Gateway, then he's an important piece on the chessboard." Cal says, "They're heading over to the Egyptian camp. I have one or two colleagues over there now. I could head over and see if one of them could eavesdrop on the conversation." Abby replies, "What are your colleagues goals here? We need to stop this battle, and we need people to be on guard against this man. If that's what they'll do, clue them in." He answers, "One is young Henry Jones, he's around this battlefield somewhere, but could currently be on either side. The other is the one who helped my team escape the palace, the man who Maurice mentioned had the clerical spell that could hopefully wake one or more of those we rescued." Abby answers, "We need them awake. If this man can do it... Let's get it done." Abby caught his eye and held it for just a moment. "Thank you. I mean it. You being here, I know you have your own job and your reason... but thank you." He heads off, not directly to the Egyptian camp but a more roundabout route. She sees him stumble down behind a sandbank at one point, and emerges now wearing a hooded cloak. He then heads towards the camp. Ruby and Mina arrive at the tent and are stopped by a group of soldiers. "We'd like to see general Woolsley", Mina said politely. A man wearing Colonel insignia comes to the door of the tent and asks the Captain who has now arrived with the women what the commotion is. The Captain replies, "These women want to talk to General Woolsley. I have explained that he is currently quite occupied." The Colonel turns and gives the ladies a quick look. Again Mina responds politely, "We are looking for my friend, General Woolsley. We have urgent information for him regarding the fighting and hope to put an end to this before it gets worse." The Colonel says, "If you would be so kind as to give me your names I will inform him." Mina replied, "I am Wilamina Hamilton Parker and this is my granddaughter Constance West." The younger woman cut her off, "Though I prefer Ruby," she grinned her trademark smile. The two are soon admitted into the tent. It is approximately 15 feet deep and 60 feet wide on the inside. It is also very crowded with around two-dozen British officers, each of who appears to have at least one enlisted man as his aide. There are also a group of five French wizards inside not far from Woolsley. Of the five, Ruby has only seen one of them before in Egypt, the youngest man who Mina had spoken two at the dinner party a week earlier. She also sees another familiar face, the British General Drury-Curzon Drury-Lowe, looking far livelier than the unconscious man they rescued from the ship an hour earlier. Ruby gripped her grandmothers arm and nodded towards the Drury-Lowe imposter. Mina saw the fire in her granddaughters eyes, knowing she was about to run off and do something bold. She placed a knowing hand over her granddaughters to calm her. Ruby responded by taking a deep breath in and waiting calmly, at least for the moment. Mina turned toward the approaching British commander and says, "General Woolsley, we realize you are quite busy but we need just a moment of your time. I know that you know me, and I would not request this from you at this critical moment if it was not of the utmost importance." One of the Frenchmen, an older clean-cut thin man with short salt-and-pepper hair, pushes his way over and says, "Garnet, get away from that woman. She is the one who just murdered our friend Andre Ampere!" Mina states, "We have done no such thing, we are not murderers. What we HAVE done is try to help put a stop to this war, and try to save as many innocent lives as we can. There is much more going on than meets the eye General." Ruby cut off the older woman, "Fine words coming from you," She pointed a finger at the French, "You and your countrymen have done nothing but murder, lie, kidnap and manipulate the situation to turn the events the way you want them. Well too late, you failed! We figured out your plot and you've been foiled!!" The man says, "That is cow excrement! General, did you not see that the younger woman used a magical rod to destroy the airship that Ampere was on! She murdered both him and his pilot! And she is probably here not to murder you as well!" Mina interrupts, "General, I am not going to waste time here with some long speech, time is of the essence. you know me and my disposition. We have proof that you are being manipulated by some people in this very tent. I am asking you come with us or at the very least send some soldiers to see this proof. This must be done now." Ruby's fists and teeth were clenched, her green eyes narrowed at the lying Frenchman. [I]The opening paragraphs are the historical account of how the Battle of Tel El-Kabir began (albeit 24 hours later). In both the historical account and this game the battle only lasted for an hour, however the historical battle did not have any exploding airships, flying dragons or French wizards as part of it. That battle ended in an overwhelming British victory, and the start of a 72-year-long British occupation of the country. This story is clearly taking things in a different direction.[/I] [/QUOTE]
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