AGELESS CAMPAIGN, Episode II, Part VI.

[orchid blossom]

He whispers back, "Ah well, in for a penny...." Callum then speaks up and says, "I recognize that conveyance. So it will be Mr. Louis Jacques Daguerre who wishes to talk to us." The man named Andre says, "The woman knows better. And I am guessing that you do too." They move closer to the vehicle.

And an underestimation from her companion. Although she supposed they had learned something by it.

Well, she had survived Egypt, she would survive whatever awaited her in the carriage. Although if this Marcel tried to touch her, she wasn't sure he would.

 

[Silver Moon]

And an underestimation from her companion. Although she supposed they had learned something by it. Well, she had survived Egypt, she would survive whatever awaited her in the carriage. Although if this Marcel tried to touch her, she wasn't sure he would.

They reach the carriage and Andre opens the door. He gestures for Marcel to go in first. The man does, sitting on one bench of the carriage between two men seated inside in the darkness. Marcel says, "All set, I've got my gun out."

Andre gestures for Callum and Abby to enter and sit on the bench opposite the other three. Callum goes in first, doing as instructed. Abby follows with Andre following and shutting the door. He sits beside Callum. The carriage only has the door on this side, the opposite side having shelves with bottles of alcohol and crystal glasses. Abby looks at the two new men. She does not know the man seated to the left of Marcel, but the man on the right is Jean-Leon Gerome, who she last saw three days earlier swimming away from her in the Nile river. One arm is in a cast and sling.

 

[Queenie]

OOC: And it's fun exchanges like these that make this campaign unlike any other play-by-post game.

He says, "Well, I have one that will allow you to charm snakes. Another will allow you to temporarily move twice as fast as you would otherwise. And I have a third this is much more precious, as it will grant a man strength like that of a god."

OOC: Absolutely! And, can you believe, this year will mark 10 years of us playing? That's awesome! Though I know it doesn't compare to your 10,000,000 years you've got with your other group ;-)

"My, my those sound very useful. As charming as I am, I am not certain those charms would work on snakes," she laughed. "And certainly the other two I am very interested in. Before we talk price, do you have anything else? You're not holding back on me, are you friend?"

 

[orchid blossom]

Andre gestures for Callum and Abby to enter and sit on the bench opposite the other three. Callum goes in first, doing as instructed. Abby follows with Andre following and shutting the door. He sits beside Callum. The carriage only has the door on this side, the opposite side having shelves with bottles of alcohol and crystal glasses. Abby looks at the two new men. She does not know the man seated to the left of Marcel, but the man on the right is Jean-Leon Gerome, who she last saw three days earlier swimming away from her in the Nile river. One arm is in a cast and sling.

No Queen ever looked as stately as Abigail Elizabeth Marsters did, looking at the men who had requested their presence at gunpoint. It was not a superior or boastful attitude. It was the attitude of a woman who knew exactly who she was, and that she was not without power. Even if she secretly felt she absolutely was.

 

[Fenris]

He replies "Mr. Eastman, we need to continue to work on your first proposal. The second could also be pursued, but would not be ideal. The third would be deemed unacceptable by both myself and my Queen. If we are to use the canal it would make sense for there to be a base in Egypt. Ships would need to be able to resupply before the long journey to follow. And to maintain the proper security, we would need to manage it. Perhaps some type of lease agreement could be negotiated. You proposed a ten-year time frame, that might be appropriate for the lease, provided there was a clear methodology and conditions for further extensions."

George replies "The first proposal is a good starting point. It makes economic sense for Egypt to receive a fair price, and ethical and legal for everyone to pay a fair price. British merchant ships will be able to dock and purchase coal and supplies as any other vessel will be able to. British military vessels will be given priority berthing in Port Said and Alexandria, and may lease a coal depot and supply warehouse in the port district that may be supplied with a limited military garrison in those two ports only. British naval vessels will further be able to use the Canal at the discounted rate. Those depots and the discounted rate will apply for a period of 10 years. If the British Navy wishes to extend the lease of port support, discounted shipping rates and priority berthing when the 10 year period is up, the lease may be renewed by the Pharaoh at her discretion. There is no further need for any military presence by any foreign government in Egypt. The British Navy will be the only entity to have such an arrangement. That will provide the,....strategic advantage I think that you are seeking. It will also facilitate the reach of the British Empire into South Asia and East Asia which you desire. The small garrison that is permitted will provide the peace of mind for the British Empire that their necessary supplies are present and ready for a quick resupply. I think this addresses all of your concerns General." says George giving a glance over to Drury-Lowe for any kind of signal as to his disposition on it.

 

[Silver Moon]

....I think that you are seeking. It will also facilitate the reach of the British Empire into South Asia and East Asia which you desire. The small garrison that is permitted will provide the peace of mind for the British Empire that their necessary supplies are present and ready for a quick resupply. I think this addresses all of your concerns General." says George giving a glance over to Drury-Lowe for any kind of signal as to his disposition on it.

Drury-Lowe nods to the affirmative and then leans over and whispers something to General Wolseley. The General says, "I believe that we have a strong foundation for an agreement although I suspect that you and I may have differences in opinion as to what constitutes a small garrison. I will remind you that the British Fleet often travel in convoys of ten to fifteen ships for long voyages, all of which would need simultaneous berthing facilities, security and the ability to be resupplied as quickly as possible.

General Drury-Lowe has suggested that you and I both takes some time now to consider that, and hopefully my minimum requirements and your maximum requirements will not be that far apart."

 

[Silver Moon]

"My, my those sound very useful. As charming as I am, I am not certain those charms would work on snakes," she laughed. "And certainly the other two I am very interested in. Before we talk price, do you have anything else? You're not holding back on me, are you friend?"

"I regret to say that my stocks of elixirs are currently quite low. With fears of the city being invaded by foreigners there was considerable demand for my wares. In fact, I have but two left that grant the quickness and the one that grants the exceptional strength I have only today been able to reconstitute more of, as those had all been sold."

 

[Fenris]

Drury-Lowe nods to the affirmative and then leans over and whispers something to General Wolseley. The General says, "I believe that we have a strong foundation for an agreement although I suspect that you and I may have differences in opinion as to what constitutes a small garrison. I will remind you that the British Fleet often travel in convoys of ten to fifteen ships for long voyages, all of which would need simultaneous berthing facilities, security and the ability to be resupplied as quickly as possible.

General Drury-Lowe has suggested that you and I both takes some time now to consider that, and hopefully my minimum requirements and your maximum requirements will not be that far apart."

"I think that a moment to contemplate would be well warranted. Let us take a recess for a while. Then we can work out specific logistics. As to berthing, with actual revenue being generated from the Canal, not only can the loan be repaid on time, but upgrades and expansion of those ports can be funded to ensure adequate facilities for all vessels." replies George who stands and signals the guards that they stand in recess. George heads over to the side board for a glass of water. He finishes it as the British delegation leaves. After the door closes he heads back to Amisi and Hassan. "Well this is going better than I had hoped. We will need you to get the rebels on board to patrol the canal Hassan to pull this off. I think maybe we need a public ceremony from all the rebels and their commanders to swear allegiance to Neferka in the name of Bast. I think that will help legitimize them a bit. Of course, we should weed out everyone who is untrustworthy, but I bet this deal will re-establish faith in the monarchy for nearly all of them."

 

[Silver Moon]

No Queen ever looked as stately as Abigail Elizabeth Marsters did, looking at the men who had requested their presence at gunpoint. It was not a superior or boastful attitude. It was the attitude of a woman who knew exactly who she was, and that she was not without power. Even if she secretly felt she absolutely was.

The carriage begins to move and now becomes illuminated with magical light so that the six occupants can see one another better. Andre has Marcel remove the short knife from Callum's sock. Andre leans over and opens the top of Callum's sporran, removing the contents which are comprised of a wad of paper money and the cigar case. He opens the case, just seeing two cigars inside. The items are returned to the Sporran.

Callum looks at both men, but then focuses his gaze on the one who Abby does not know and says, "If I am correct, you are Jean Bernard Leon Fouccault. You served as Mr. Daguerre's apprentice." The man replies "Yes, I was able to help improve his photographic techniques though my work. He also apprenticed me in the art of magic. You eluded me before Mr. Stuart, but I have you now."

Abby recognizes the name. When they had arrived at Tanis to rescue the British archaeologists Henry Jones had referenced him as one of the four men that had been part of Prosper Merimee's team who had left the Tanis ruins to return to Port Said.

 

[Silver Moon]

"After the door closes he heads back to Amisi and Hassan. "Well this is going better than I had hoped. We will need you to get the rebels on board to patrol the canal Hassan to pull this off. I think maybe we need a public ceremony from all the rebels and their commanders to swear allegiance to Neferka in the name of Bast. I think that will help legitimize them a bit. Of course, we should weed out everyone who is untrustworthy, but I bet this deal will re-establish faith in the monarchy for nearly all of them."

Colonel Hassan says, "I agree. I suspect that the British will want to retain the footprint of the current base that they have established in Alexandria as their garrison. If we are flexible on that poiint, and focus instead on reducing the compliment of people stationed there, I believe that we will be able to come to an understanding. As they have not had time yet to build anything at either Port Said or the town of Suez they will not be as inflexible about those locations. If we are to have the former rebels there it might be better to keep the British only in Alexandria rather than either of those other two communities. As to which rebels to retain, that will be a subject that I suspect General Orabi and I may have strong disagreements about. Personally, I would prefer that Orabi no longer command them at all.